The property of the family Bennet was not as large as Eleazar would have wanted. His father had gotten the estate from his father who had gotten it from his and so forth. It earned two thousand a year, a sum which should have been more than enough to live happily off while still making sure there was enough for later years. Unfortunately neither of the elder Bennet's had done so; and though Mrs Bennet had received four thousand pounds from her late father, it would not be enough for all once Mr Bennet had passed.

The late Mr Gardiner had been an attorney in Merryton and had left behind a son and two daughters. One of them had become Mrs Philiphs and had married the man who had been her fathers clerk and lived still in Merryton. There she was visited a few times a week by her nieces to hear the weekly new gossip. Their uncle lived in London and was too far away for that. Merryton on the other hand was only one mile away from Longbourn, a distance more than suited for a young lady to travel alone for some entertainment.

The two youngest members of their little family, Catherine and Lydia, enjoyed more than others the quiet walk to Merryton. It was the perfect opportunity to gather valuable pieces of gossip from their aunt, they could later share with their mother. The whole joyful operation had been a sore in Eleazar's eye for years, but till that summer it had been relatively harmless.

A few days ago the militia had arrived, a group of men from various backgrounds and none of them with a high moral standing. In conclusion not men he trusted to treat his sisters like they should be treated, no matter how they themselves thought of that treatment. They still deserved more than those military men who would only see them as a quick way into the, not that full, pockets of the Bennet family.

Eleazar would have liked to see his aunt and uncle agree with his assessment of the situation, but alas. Mr Philips enjoyed his conversations with the officers and Mrs Philips the gossip too much to really worry about their nieces wellbeing.

He wasn't surprised by that, just disappointed.

In both he was alone as Jane couldn't, wouldn't, know why he didn't trust the militia with his sisters. She herself didn't think it was a truly marvellous idea for the two youngest to mingle with the officers without proper guidance, but she didn't fear something bad would happen. It was Merryton afterall, the place where nothing remarkable ever happened.

"Eli, have you seen Captain Carter yesterday, didn't he look decidedly handsome?"

Kitty asked as she ran into the room Eleazar shared with Jane since as long as he could remember, there were only so many rooms afterall. She and Lydia had just returned from yet another visit and though she knew Eleazar hadn't been to town yesterday that was not really of any importance.

"Lydia says he will be going to London tomorrow and we won't be able to see him for a week!"

The true importance of this conversation was his sister being able to moon about the dashing man she had seen and fancied. And as any could brother would do, did he put away his writing, diary, and gave her his undivided attention.

"Really, is she certain? Why would he go back to London that fast after arriving?"

Kitty was pulling him along to the vestibule where Betsy was waiting to accept her hat and gloves for safekeeping.

"Positive! Can you imagine? I was so certain the charms of Miss Watson would make him stay for much longer."

The animated conversation moved to the sitting room where Mr Bennet had hoped to find some peace and quiet, but was being ambushed by the more lightheaded part of the family who eagerly anticipated his attention. Because truly, what could be more interesting than young unmarried officers?

"Miss Watson? He hasn't been seen conversing with her in quite some time. No, he and Colonel Forster are now usually at Clarke's Library."

Lydia as usual had the more accurate knowledge about any particular bit of gossip than her mother and older sister, and was more than willing to share. She continued her monologue with many bits of information that would be invaluable for any unmarried woman.

Mr Bennet senior was in fact not unmarried, nor a woman for that matter.

"From all that I can gather by your manner of talking you must be two of the silliest girls in the country. I have suspected it for some time, but I am now convinced."

Eleazar closed his eyes in silent disappointment. When would Mr Bennet finally learn that his words would hurt others.

Kitty was staring at him with her mouth hanging open, while Lydia vehemently tried not to appear hurt in any way or form. In the end it was Mrs Bennet who found her ability to speak the quickest and scolded her husband for his insensitive words.

It would do no good to the situation, but Eleazar appreciated the gesture. It reminded him of the fact that his mother really did love him. She might not show it in the best ways, but she wanted him to live a good life, not necessarily happy but provided for. It was the least she could fight for and she would do it with all her soul.

The quarrel between husband and wife didn't continue for long with the arrival of the footman with a note for Miss Bennet. It came from Netherfield and his mother almost floated towards the footman in happiness as her mind could already see the wedding take place.

She had to take it down a bit as Jane revealed the letter was not from Mr Bingley but from his sister. Jane read the letter aloud to satisfy her mother's demands for knowledge and to prevent several female family members from ripping the letter out of her hands to read him themself.

My dear friend,

If you are not so compassionate as to dine today with Louisa and me, we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day's tete-a-tete between two women can never end without a quarrel. Come as soon as you can on receipt of this. My brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers,

Yours ever,

Caroline Bingley

"With the officers! I wonder my aunt did not tell us of that."

Eleazar completely ignored the outcry and subsequent conversation between the youngest two. All his attention was on Jane and the smile playing over her features before she closed her eyes and faced Mrs Bennet.

"Can I have the carriage, mom, please?"

Jane and he had tried to perfect the way to appease their mother into doing what they wanted, what was best and socially acceptable.

"No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain; and then you must stay all night."

Because their mother, and father, weren't too scrupulous to use social conventions in their favour; no matter how silly.

Send Jane to a gentleman's home on horseback, knowing it will most likely start to rain before her arrival. A sure way to force said gentleman to offer his home to Jane for the night, and in case she got a cold for a few more. What better way than for the two lovebirds to get to know each other better.

Jane was sent on her way shortly and not before long a true storm descended on the neighbourhood. There was no way Jane had reached Netherifeld park in time to take shelter from the rain.

Mrs Bennet was watching the lands get drenched in the waterflood from the warmth and safety of Longbourn.

"This was a lucky idea of mine indeed!"

Little did she know how successful her plan had been, until the next morning a letter arrived during breakfast.

My dearest Eli,

I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday. My kind friends will not hear of my returning till I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr Jones, therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been to me, and, excepting a sore throat and headache, there is not much the matter with me.

Yours, etc.

Eleazar had read the not aloud, in an increasingly disbelieving voice. He knew jane was prone to trying to make people believe she was doing better than she truly was, but this was getting ridiculous.

"Well, my dear, if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness — if she should die, it will be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr Bingley, and under your orders."

Mr Bennet was joking, of course he was joking, yet Eleazar couldn't shake off the feeling that his father wouldn't be too distressed if Jane would actually pass.

His mother happily continued the train of thought Mr Bennet had started, but Eleazar couldn't focus on her. He had to go to Jane, and as he was not a proficient rider he would walk.

"How can you be so silly, as to think of such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit to be seen when you get there."

Mrs Bennet's outrage at even the suggestion of walking did little to deter Eleazar and before long he was on his merry way, in company of his two youngest sisters who would accompany him till Merryton. That was where they split up and Eleazar left them in the, hopefully, safe arms of Mrs Philips.

The walk to Netherfield wasn't as tiring as he had previously feared, but it still had been three miles through the mud and he had gotten quite dirty when he knocked on the front door. He knew he didn't look good, his boots were dirty and his pants had acquired at least three inches of dirt at the bottom. His face would be red from the morning sun making his complexion even less desirable. Not that it mattered in the least, he was here for Jane and no one else.

Walking through the hallways of Netherfield Park was truly something, but too soon they arrived at the breakfast-parlour, cutting his excursion short.

In said breakfast-parlour had all the inhabitants sans Jane assembled, and where his appearance created some disturbance. The fact that he was there, regardless of the how, was already enough to shock the two ladies. And when the how, walking, was revealed did they almost faint in shock.

That he had walked, that early, in such weather, unaccompanied — as if he needed a chaperone to preserve his modesty — it was beyond Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley. It didn't surprise him though, they were women from the right side of town, he knew his sisters would have done the exact same thing if prompted.

But no matter what, they were ladies and would not show their bitterness. He was thus politely received and led to Jane's room to stay there for the day.

Jane was not fit to speak for long, she had slept fitfully and was now very feverish. It was a lonely affair, with Jane trying to catch up on some sleep and Eleazar helping her silently. In other circumstances he might have taken the opportunity to look around Netherfield's famous library, but was afraid to leave Jane alone for too long.

The ladies of the house did visit Jane's room from time to time, as the men were out, but never stayed long. If that was because they cared little or their discomfort with being in the same room as Eleazar mattered little. Their absence would only be felt by Jane's good heart, who at the moment wasn't awake enough to notice.