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W ord soon went ‘round Meryton that Lydia Bennet was back home. Those who had whispered certain suspicions to one another came to see for themselves, and were almost disappointed to see Lydia Bennet, looking much as she always had, sitting with her sisters. She was clad entirely in black, down to her black gloves. Though she seemed less lively than before, this was attributed to her dear Mama’s unexpected demise.

“They stare at me, Lizzy; I cannot like it,” she complained after one such visit.

“Well, you have been gone for a long time, Lydia. You left for Brighton in May, and it is now December. There are those who like to count on their fingers.”

“You mean our neighbours might have thought I had gone off to have a child?” Lydia was shocked.

“It happens, you know.”

Lydia recalled Edith’s discussion of Jenna, the maid who had been dismissed for having “one in the oven,” as Edith had phrased it. “Lizzy, I will never have anything to do with a man, ever, for as long as I live.”

Elizabeth eyed her younger sister with some amusement. “I suspect that will not be the case, Lydia.”

“I mean it, Lizzy; it is nothing but trouble!”

“We shall see; meanwhile, are you enjoying your lessons with Papa?”

“Surprisingly, yes; he says my French is execrable, but that I have a head for mathematics, which he will soon put to good use. I am not certain what that means.”

Elizabeth laughed. “I can tell you exactly what it means! He will have you balance the ledgers for the estate. Papa is certainly well-educated, but he hates doing the books. He always seems to be off a shilling somewhere.”

“I think I would not mind,” Lydia said, thoughtfully. “I should like to be useful. It is only right that I contribute to the family’s well-being.”

“Papa will be glad to hear it.”

***

Now that Lydia had returned, wedding plans were being made in earnest. Jane and Elizabeth could not decide which of their three younger sisters should stand up with them, so they asked all three.

They would be in half-mourning at the time of the wedding, so lighter shades of gray and lavender would be permitted.

Kitty was kept busy sketching possible gowns for all five girls.

Mr. Bennet sent a sum of money to the Gardiners, requesting fabric for the new dresses; the money was returned, along with a trunk full of grey and lavender fabric, ribbons, and even shawls.

***

The day before the wedding, Mr. Bennet gathered his girls together and spoke solemnly.

“My dearest children, we have been through a good deal in the past six months. We lost your mother, which was dreadful enough, and we were very much afraid that we had lost Lydia as well. But we have come through it together, and I believe we are stronger now – as individuals and as a family – than we could ever have imagined. I love each and every one of you; I am proud of each and every one of you; I would not trade any of you for all the world.”

“Not even for a son, Papa?” Elizabeth asked, laughing.

Mr. Bennet considered the question. Then, his face serious, but his eyes twinkling, he said, “No, not even for a son.”