Page 25 of An Interrupted Proposal (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
From the moment the Darcy party arrived at Matlock House, Lady Catherine made small comments which caused Elizabeth’s posture to stiffen.
Lydia worried that her sister would be wound tighter than a clock spring by the end of the evening and decided to be mindful of ways to deflect the unwanted attention away from Elizabeth.
The remainder of the party seemed to either ignore or be entertained by the asides, which pricked at Lydia’s sensibilities.
When the ladies withdrew after dinner, her head might have hurt more than Lizzy’s, for her sister was a bit pale and seemed to be biting the inside of her cheek.
Lizzy often did this when she was distressed or unwell but forced to remain amongst others.
Though Lydia had promised not to cause a disturbance, she could feel her restraint dissolving.
With a sniff, Lady Catherine turned to Georgiana. “You have been living at Longbourn since your brother’s alliance?”
The way she said the name and her continued refusal to acknowledge the Darcys’ marriage frayed Lydia’s remaining control.
“Oh yes, we simply adore having Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley with us. Being away from London and the strict expectations of individuals who demand impossibly perfect behaviour at all times has allowed them to breathe and find enjoyment in simple pleasures. We have all gained from the arrangement as we are able to study and discuss our perspectives on a multitude of subjects without having to fit a mould that is dated and unable to inspire a gentleman’s lasting affection. ”
She tipped her head to one side and opened her eyes in the most innocent expression she could muster.
“I have heard that gentlemen frequently look outside the marriage as they are unable to converse freely with their wives. Would it not be better for young ladies to learn about subjects which interest their husbands? I doubt any man is truly riveted by a discussion on fashion, lace, or needlepoint. They may admire a pillow, but what more is there to say than it is pretty?”
Lady Catherine huffed. “You give your opinion as decidedly as your sister, I see.” She sniffed again. “And what subjects have you discussed with my niece? I demand to know in what manner you have been corrupting Miss Darcy .”
Georgiana’s eyes pleaded with Lydia, but it was too late.
Once begun, Lydia could not yield the field.
It was now a matter of principle. “Why, Shakespeare and other literary authors, of course, but also history, as well as theology and philosophy. Georgie and Mary have had deep discussions regarding Mrs. Wollstonecraft’s work.
” She smiled as the older lady’s countenance grew redder with each addition to her list. “Our father has joined our discussions. It has been interesting to hear a gentleman’s interpretation compared to ours. ”
“Your father is a—”
“He is a gentleman,” Elizabeth said, her head up and shoulders back in a fierce warrior posture reminiscent to the Lizzy Lydia knew.
“As Fitzwilliam is a gentleman. They are both men of property, owned by their families for generations. Educated in the finest establishments. It is discussions such as these that my sister mentions that drew Fitzwilliam’s attention to me.
Our life is filled with educated and informed conversations that challenge both of us to examine our views on a variety of topics.
They draw us closer, and we are able to understand one another on a deeper level.
It makes facing life’s challenges easier.
I pity any woman who is unable to share such a relationship with her husband and is merely a trinket to be placed on display but holds no depth. ”
“Well said, my dear.”
The ladies turned to find the gentlemen gathered in the doorway.
Darcy approached his wife and laid a hand upon her shoulder as he gazed into her eyes.
“I remained unmarried at eight and twenty because I was unable to carry on a single intelligent conversation with any of the ladies society paraded before me as eligible candidates to be my wife. I could not resign myself to an existence that would have slowly drained the life from me and the lady.”
He looked about the room before settling his gaze on Lady Catherine. “I was pleased Mr. Bennet was of a similar mind regarding a lady’s education and believe Georgiana has benefited from her time at Longbourn.”
Lydia’s gaze returned to him in time to catch the wink he sent her way. “It would not surprise me to find that Miss Bennet, Miss Lydia, and Georgiana have exceptional success during their seasons as they are a fresh breath of country air compared to the normal staleness that overtakes London.”
Lady Catherine’s jaw snapped shut as she glared at her nephew.
Before she could draw a deep breath to respond, Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped forwards.
“I quite agree, Darcy. Though I believe Mr. Bennet should be warned. He may have a bevy of London misses lined up at his door once they see the attention these three ladies receive. Why, perhaps he should consider opening a seminary at Longbourn.”
The younger ladies exchanged curious glances before Lydia gave a brief nod. They would discuss the idea that evening in front of the fire in their sitting room.
The remainder of the evening was composed.
Though Lady Catherine sent narrowed-eye glares in Lydia’s direction, she said nothing more to her.
The girls did gather in Kitty and Lydia’s sitting room that evening, and every evening after.
Slowly the idea for a seminary grew, and they created plans, budgets, and necessities to make it a reality, but they were determined not to discuss its merits with anyone other than Mr. Bennet.
Kitty stepped hesitantly into the season’s events but was soon enjoying the balls, musicales, and soirees.
Several young men attempted to court her, but she did not find herself swept away by any of them.
None could compare with the plans for the seminary, and she found herself eagerly awaiting the return to Longbourn.
As the season drew to a close and families began to make the journeys to their country seats, the girls made a final trip to the warehouses to price the items they felt most necessary for the school and to collect a few samples.
Finally, the day came for Darcy House to be closed and the family to journey first to Longbourn and then to Pemberley.
The carriage left London’s cobblestones as Lydia’s fingers tapped against her leg while she reviewed the plan in her mind, searching for any defects that her father might use to dismantle their suggestion.
When Elizabeth cleared her throat, Lydia turned to find her older sister with an amused smirk tugging at her lips.
“You seem deep in thought, Lyddie.”
“I have missed Longbourn, I believe. I am eager to arrive home.” She smoothed her skirts, avoiding her sister’s gaze.
“I believe you will find your presence was missed as well,” Lizzy said.
“Papa has been more communicative since the three of you came to London than I ever remember him being. I am certain he misses the conversations.” She sighed.
“When the three of you are wed, Papa will feel the loss. He may even be open to certain changes at Longbourn that would ensure he would continue to be so entertained in the future.”
Lydia looked at her sister, noting the confident expression in her eyes and the lift of one corner of her mouth. She knew. Taking a deep breath, Lydia replied in a casual manner. “Perhaps he may. We shall have to consider what will best fulfil his needs in that area.”
“Yes, we shall.” Lizzy turned to look out the window and smiled at her husband as he rode beside them, while Lydia wondered how their secret had been discovered and how this discovery might help them.
***********
Three years later, Darcy’s prediction came true.
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s was realized the year prior.
Though Lydia did her best to press her father to open the seminary immediately, the gentleman refused to move so quickly.
As it took a full year for him to agree and another to have the dormitory wing (a gift from Darcy for the improvements he had seen in his sister) added to Longbourn and made ready for the ladies, this was for the best.
Lydia and Georgiana had reluctantly left Longbourn to enjoy a second season in town.
In their absence, Mary continued to spend her afternoons teaching at Longbourn until her husband joined her there for dinner before they returned home together.
Kitty had married a baronet during her second season and was expecting, so she would not be joining them.
Since Elizabeth had only just given birth to the Pemberley heir, it was decided the girls would be chaperoned by Lady Matlock.
They could only hope that Lady Catherine remained at Rosings as she had done the previous year.
Surprisingly, the grand lady did condescend to join them in London and forced her opinion at every juncture.
More surprising, she selected the man she felt best suited to Lydia Bennet.
Though the young lady was determined to dislike him for no other reason than to prove her ladyship wrong, his ready wit and challenging dialogue reminded her of the three men she idolized: her father, Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Within three months, she was Mrs. James Southerton, married to a younger son with a small property near Cambridge who hoped to obtain a professorship at that prestigious institution.
Georgiana followed in her footsteps during the summer following the season, marrying a viscount she had known most of her life but had been too shy to speak to until she had moved to Longbourn and learned how to be herself without thought to society’s expectations.
Most of the girls who were educated at Longbourn were of similar dispositions.
They had been raised to be what society demanded, but not what an intelligent husband wanted.
Mr. Bennet, without stepping foot in London, had set society on its head. He had never been more pleased.