Page 18 of An Interrupted Proposal (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
Bingley’s countenance tightened, but he smiled at them both.
“I thank you for the suggestion, but Miss Bennet and I have discussed our plans and decided we will wait to entertain until after we are wed and have an opportunity to see to all of Netherfield’s needs.
Once we are settled in a steady routine and have made certain changes to the running of the household, we will consider having a formal dinner. ”
The young girl pouted, but before she could say a word, Mrs. Bennet cried, “Oh, I am certain Jane was just being modest. She would love a ball to celebrate her good fortune. Why, I could help Mrs. Nicholls plan it until Jane is able to return home.”
Mr. Bennet sat back in his seat and smirked at Bingley, his arms folded over his chest and that brow raised once more. Darcy noted the challenge in the man’s features and remembered his friend’s avowal in the library.
Bingley drew a deep breath and sat taller. “I appreciate the offer, Mrs. Bennet, but your daughter and I have discussed this at length and came to an agreement. I know you will respect her wishes as I do.”
The lady opened her mouth to protest, but her husband patted her hand one more time. “The man has spoken, Mrs. Bennet. If you wish to have a dinner to celebrate the betrothals, you may do so here at Longbourn after your daughters return home.”
Mrs. Bennet appeared torn between pressing the matter and her husband’s offer to host an event which, given the man’s introverted manner, must be a rare occurrence.
Her amazement at her husband’s offer must have won out as she turned his direction and asked, “You would be willing to host a dinner and two wedding breakfasts?”
“I believe one breakfast should suffice.” Mr. Bennet replied as he turned an anxious eye towards the gentlemen. “Would you not like a double wedding, sirs? Two friends marrying two sisters––I believe a double wedding would be just the thing.”
“In fact,” Darcy said as Mrs. Bennet opened her mouth, “Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth suggested the same thing. Apparently, they have long discussed standing up for one another and did not want the one to have to wait for the other to return from a wedding trip to do so.”
“Just think, Mrs. Bennet,” Mr. Bennet said with a quick grin, “two daughters wed and on the same day. None of your friends could boast such a thing.”
His wife considered it, her struggle playing out on her features, and after a minute smiled brightly.
“Oh, indeed. Why Charlotte Lucas was the last girl in the neighbourhood to wed and she left for Kent directly from the church without a wedding breakfast at all. A double wedding will be talked of for years to come.”
“Mamma,” Lydia called from her seat on the sofa. “Kitty and I never did go into Meryton as we planned. May we go now?”
“We have guests, Lydia,” her mother hesitantly chastised her daughter. “I know you had your heart set on seeing the officers, but you may do so tomorrow.”
The girl was about to pout, when Darcy offered, “Perhaps Bingley and I could escort them to Meryton. We were several hours in the carriage this morning and could stand to stretch our legs.” He turned to the middle sister. “Miss Bennet, would you like to accompany us?”
Miss Mary Bennet appeared shocked by his offer and looked longingly at her books. “I could stop at the library to see if there are new books to borrow.”
“Splendid idea,” Mr. Bennet said as he rose from his seat, obviously anxious to return to his own reading. “Please inquire with Mr. Fisher if he has received any of the books on my list.” He bowed to the gentlemen and left the room.
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 opportunity, Darcy asked Bingley to escort Miss Mary and Miss Catherine ahead so he might have a chance 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 were determining 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. 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 boarded a ship for America yesterday, but not before 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.” 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, if not younger, and the youngest ladies 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.
“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 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 enter the marriage market. 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.
“Are you? I had thought you younger.”
The frown returned. “Well, I will be sixteen soon.”
“Would you be willing to return to the schoolroom in order to learn the lessons required for making your coming out 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 silent 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,” 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 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 inside.