"Papa, I need to speak with you.Privately.Urgently."
His eyebrows rose at her wild appearance—disheveled hair, yesterday's gown, feet bare on the cold floor.
"Lizzy?Whatever is the matter?Come in, come in."
She closed the door as soon as she darted inside.Leaned against it.Drew a shaking breath.
"I'm an omega."The words fell like stones into still water."My presentation happened here at Netherfield.My heat—it's coming.We must leave immediately."
"Omega?"There was no room for more alarm on his face."But you've always been—how long have you known?"
The lie came smooth as silk, practiced in her mind during that frantic run through the corridors.
"Only just realized last night.The symptoms."Her nails dug crescents into her palms."Papa, please.We must go before—before anyone realizes."
Before she had to face Darcy again.Before she ruined a good man's character even further.
All traces of Mr.Bennet's usual languid manner was gone.
"I'll have the carriage brought round within the hour."
"Half an hour," Elizabeth pressed."Please, Papa.I cannot—I cannot remain here."
Something in her voice, in her face, made him nod sharply.
"Half an hour."
The departure exploded into chaos.Mrs.Bennet's shrieks echoed through Netherfield's halls as servants scrambled to pack trunks and ready the carriage.
"But we were to stay another three days!Jane will be so disappointed!What shall we do for Christmas when I have not yet ordered anything?And the weather has finally cleared—"
"We leave within the half hour, Mrs.Bennet."Mr.Bennet's tone brooked no argument."Lizzy has taken ill."
"Ill?She looks perfectly—"
"We.Are.Leaving."
Elizabeth avoided everyone, slipping back to her room.She threw belongings into her trunk without care—stockings tangled with ribbons, books crushing bonnets.The breakfast room lay between her and the entrance hall.She knew he'd be there, maintaining appearances, enduring Caroline's simpering attention while she'd destroyed his peace forever.
Jane found her in the entrance hall, already wrapped in her travelling cloak.
"Lizzy!"Her sister pulled her into an embrace that smelled of berries and maple—suddenly cloying, too sweet.Elizabeth's stomach lurched."My goodness, you're so pale."
Elizabeth nodded mutely, not trusting her voice.Jane's worried eyes searched her face.
"Papa told me… Is it true?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"Oh, sister."Jane clasped her again."All will be well.This will be something to celebrate—but later, later, of course."
The carriage wheels had barely started turning before Mr.Bennet informed them the true reason of their departure, and in the next breath, Mrs.Bennet's lamentations began.
"If only you had presented in front of Mr.Darcy, Lizzy!Just think—ten thousand a year!Though I suppose it's for the best."She sniffed, adjusting her gloves with theatrical precision."He is such a disagreeable, proud man.Far too serious.So severe!You'd never suit.No, you need someone with humor, someone who appreciates your impertinence."
"Indeed, my dear.Mr.Darcy seems the type to expect his wife to be seen and not heard.All that brooding intensity.Most unpleasant in a husband."
"Still, ten thousand a year..."
