Hello, Delightful Readers! It has been a whirlwind month or two and I love these calmer moments when I can share a bit of my WIP with you. I hope you are enjoying this story and hope to have publishing information for you in the coming months. In the meanwhile, for those of you just joining or wanting to reread the prior posts, here are the links (in the proper order):
What if?, What if? Part II, The Letter, Elizabeth’s Perspective, A Walk at Rosings, A Walk at Rosings Part II, What to Do About Wickham, Return to London, Meet the Gardiners, Meet the Gardiners Part II, Meet the Gardiners Part III, Return to Hertfordshire, The Problem with Wickham Part I, The Problem With Wickham Part II, Elizabeth Arrives in London Part I, Elizabeth Arrives in London Part II, A Walk in the Park, After the Park, A Trip to the Museum, Darcy House, An Audience with Mr. Bennet Part I, An Audience with Mr. Bennet Part II, and Mrs. Bennet’s Reaction.
So last month we left our heroes about to walk to Meryton with the younger Bennet sisters. Let’s see what Darcy has up his sleeve, shall we?
Darcy and Bingley waited in the front hall for the Bennet sisters to don their outerwear. Mrs. Bennet had disappeared into the kitchen to make certain changes to the dinner menu, and her shrill tones could be heard, though not her actual words.
Taking advantage of the moment, Darcy asked Bingley to escort Miss Mary and Miss Katherine ahead so he might have a moment to speak to Miss Lydia. When the sisters joined them, the youngest frowned, but took Darcy’s arm, and they began the journey to Meryton. Though Miss Lydia was the tallest of her sisters, Darcy measured his steps so a distance grew between them and the others.
“Mr. Darcy,” the girl said with exasperation slipping into her tone, “why are we walking so slowly?”
“I had hoped to speak to you in private, Miss Lydia, and thought it best that we allow the others to go ahead.”
“Oh?” She looked at him, her lips pursed as though she was trying to determine if speaking to him would be to her benefit.
“Yes,” he continued. “I am certain you are aware that Mr. Wickham has left the militia. In fact, he boarded a ship for the colonies yesterday. Upon his arrival in London, he came to see me.”
“But I thought he disliked you.”
“I suppose he does, but it has never stopped him from soliciting assistance in the past.” Darcy looked about to be certain no one was near enough to hear his next words. When he was assured of their privacy, he lowered his head and said in a quiet voice. “He attempted to trade your reputation for funds to aid him in his journey.”
“My reputation?” she asked in a rather loud voice.
“Yes,” Darcy once again moderated his tone so it would not carry. “He suggested that you and he had met without a chaperone in the woods on your father’s property.”
The girl’s eyes grew wide, and her countenance turned an alarming shade of red. “He told you that?”
“I informed him that any damage to your reputation would negate my assistance and he swore your name would never cross his lips again.” He cleared his throat. “I have not told your father or your sister what was said regarding you, in part because it might stop them from allowing you to have a proper London season.”
“Me? A season in London?”
“Well, not yet; you are far too young by the ton’s standards.”
Lydia pouted. “That is not fair. Why should I not have a season now?”
Darcy stopped walking and looked at her, his eyes wide. “You would wish to go to London and be paraded before the highest echelon of society without proper preparation? Why most of the ladies who are coming out this year have been practicing their accomplishments since they were ten or even younger and the youngest are now seventeen or eighteen years of age. Their mothers have been training them for at least five years to run a household once they are wed.”
“What is so hard about that?” she asked, but her voice had lost some of its bravado.
“Oh, I had not realized you were currently visiting the tenants and helping to see to their needs.”
“Lizzy and Jane do that, and sometimes Mary.”
“Then you assist your mother by balancing the household records.”
Lydia frowned. “Mary is better with numbers.”
“Then you help your mother plan the meals.”
“Well, none of that seems like it is very difficult. I could.”
“I am certain you are correct.” He began walking again and Lydia followed his example. “I suppose the hardest part of having a season in town is the individuals speaking about you behind your back, or sometimes to your face. They can be exceedingly cruel if a young lady does not behave properly, with decorum and elegance.” He sighed. “My sister is sixteen and is dreading her coming out, even though it will be two years before she must make her bow before the queen. Of course, she is of a quiet nature. I had thought it might ease her way if she had a friend to accompany her.”
“I am sixteen,” Lydia offered with an eager smile.
“Are you? I had thought you younger.”
The frown returned. “Well, I will be sixteen soon.”
“Would you be willing to return to the school room in order to learn the lessons required for making your bow in two years? It would require much work on your part.”
“Why could I not be out now and learn what is required?”
“Forgive me, Miss Lydia, but I fear you are not likely to learn what is required here in Hertfordshire. You would have to go to school or, if your sister agreed, you would have to come live with us at Pemberley.”
“Me? You would want me to come live in your home?”
“If I believed you were serious about preparing for a proper season and would not behave inappropriately. I believe your liveliness would benefit my sister Georgiana, and you could learn from her quiet ways.”
Lydia was quiet as they neared Meryton. “What about Kitty?” she finally asked.
“It would have to be discussed with your sisters and parents.” Darcy shrugged. “Perhaps she would want to live with Jane and Bingley instead.” He motioned ahead of them to where Bingley was leading the others into the bookstore. Several members of the militia were standing about the entrance. “I wonder why they are loitering about. Isn’t the militia to leave Meryton soon. I cannot think that they are up to any good. Probably looking for young ladies to harass.” He shook his head. “Too much like Wickham I fear,” he said sotto voce. “I fear they can only ruin a young lady’s reputation as they have nothing to offer her.”
They neared the shop now and several of the men smiled and called to Lydia, but she held her head high, nodding briefly, before entering the store after her sisters. Darcy smiled as he nodded to the gentlemen and followed her.
Didn’t Darcy dangle the carrot well? Lydia proves she is not so foolish after all, huh?
I hope you enjoyed this excerpt. Now, back to my philosophy homework. 🙁
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