Lydia’s upturned eyes widened; then she furiously nodded. “Yes, Mama! Yes! I would like to marry Mr. Darcy. He has plenty of money, and he is handsome, after all.”
“Then we shall see what we can do,” Mrs. Bennet promised. “Mark my words, both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy will be requesting audiences with Mr. Bennet before the fortnight is over!”
Lydia danced around the room in delight, and her boasts about pin money, ball gowns, and jewels were second in volume only to her mother’s clamors on the same subject. Lady Lucas’s pinched lips and Charlotte’s wary expression did nothing to calmtheir effusions, which carried on for nearly a quarter of an hour until the Lucases made their farewells.
Elizabeth closed her eyes in dismay, dread rising in her stomach at what was to come.
Chapter 3
The Bennet family was all gathered at breakfast the following morning when the housekeeper brought the morning post on a tray to Mr. Bennet.
He shuffled through the envelopes, occasionally muttering to himself or quirking an eyebrow. At last, he set one on the table next to his plate and handed the remaining ones back to the servant. “Will you place these on my desk, please, Hill?”
The woman nodded and bustled out of the room. Mr. Bennet then once again picked up the remaining letter and passed it down the table. “From your Aunt Gardiner, Lizzy.”
“I wish someone would write me a letter!” cried Lydia petulantly.
“My aunt has written to you several times, Lydia,” Elizabeth reminded her youngest sister. “You never respond. If you wish to continue the correspondence, you need to write them back.”
“Maybe I’ll get a letter from one of the officers,” Lydia sighed dreamily, which was immediately echoed by Kitty.
“Officers?” Mary stared blankly at her sisters.
“Lord, Mary, do you ever listen?” Lydia said impatiently. “I told Mama all about it yesterday, and you were there in the room! The militia is coming to stay at Meryton for the winter!”
“Red coats as far as the eye can see,” Kitty added with a giggle.
“Does this mean you’ve given up your pursuit of Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth asked, smirking.
“Just because I have my mind set on one man doesn’t mean I can’t have my heart set on another,” Lydia retorted primly, sticking her nose in the air.
“How practical,” Elizabeth replied dryly.
Mary began to lecture her younger sister on the third deadly sin, and Elizabeth quietly slipped away before she could be drawn into their argument. Once upstairs in the privacy of her room, she opened her letter from her aunt and read.
My dear niece,
I know it has been quite some time since I last wrote to you, and I beg you would forgive me the delay. Your cousin Mary just completed her tenth birthday, and I was quite consumed with making everything perfect for her. And little Philip is going through a phase where he cannot let me put him down from my arms.
Fortunately, I have still been able to attend to my duties for the Ladies’ Aid Society. The last month, we have redoubled our efforts on the Bethlem Hospital. The proprietors of the asylum has been extremely difficult to work with, but I will not fail in persevering. Oh, Lizzy, it breaks my heart to see people like Jane in such dreadful conditions. Some days, I do not think I can bear it another minute.
I was heartened, however, by reports coming from The Retreat in York. Mr. William Tuke has done some incredible things there. I know not many people think well of his efforts; indeed, most here in London speak of him with derision. But he has truly been able to create a remarkable place for those whose mental faculties aren’t all they should be.
Next time you are in London, I would like you to come with me again to Bethlem. I know it was quite the ordeal for you when you first visited, but I think it important for us toremember just what it is we are fighting against. There is much to do, and we need the fire and energy a young person like yourself can bring.
Besides, your presence was a great consolation to many of the idiots. Some of them may not be able to speak or understand, but they recognized your kind smile, and it gave them comfort when compared to the taunts and jeers they usually experience. There is also the orphanage as well—little Robert asks for you quite frequently whenever I visit.
Of course, we will also enjoy many London delights as well. I am eager to take you to my new modiste. She is a miracle worker with some of the fabrics from your uncle’s warehouses. I daresay I’ve never looked finer even though I have given birth to four children!
Catherine begs me to remind you that she is now eight years old, and as such, she should be allowed to participate in your practice tea parties along with Mary. Edward also wishes to know if he can be included, being only seven. Don’t worry—I will not make you have a young man to tea before the elder two can behave properly!
Please do make certain your father reads his letter from your uncle as soon as it arrives. There are items of business that need to be addressed, and your uncle cannot move forward without your father’s permission.
But I must write no more. The children have been wanting me this half hour.
Yours with love,
Madeline Gardiner
