The twins stared.
“You require payment?” Thomas asked in disbelief.
“I require motivation,” Lydia corrected grandly. “Mama will be furious if she discovers any of this. Why should I not tell her and reap the reward of reporting your nonsense?”
Toby perked up suddenly. “If Jane and Lizzy marry, Kitty may come out sooner.”
Lydia narrowed her eyes. “Mama said we are not out until eighteen.”
“Yes,” Thomas said patiently, “and Kitty will be eighteen next July. If Kitty comes out, then Mama may allowyouto attend smaller gatherings.”
Lydia paused.
The twins pressed forward mercilessly, speaking so quickly it was hard to follow who said what.
“You could wear grown-up gowns.”
“And dance.”
“And meet officers and handsome gentlemen.”
That resolved the matter. Lydia straightened decisively. “Very well. I shall assist.”
Thomas seemed relieved enough to embrace her.
Instead, he handed her one of Wilson’s gloves.
“We need someone who can forge handwriting.”
Lydia drew herself up in affront. “I do not forge handwriting.”
The twins waited.
“…often,” she amended.
Within minutes the three of them sat cross-legged upon the nursery floor plotting social interference with astonishing seriousness.
Elizabeth expected a crowded afternoon. It was Mother’s day to be home for callers, and Elizabeth dressed accordingly with the anticipation of broader company. Which made the arrival ofonlyMr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy deeply surprising.
Mrs. Bennet blinked once when the gentlemen were announced, though she recovered instantly.
“Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy. What a pleasant surprise.”
Bingley smiled cheerfully. “We feared perhaps we arrived early.”
“Not at all,” Mrs. Bennet assured him.
Elizabeth noticed Darcy’s glance sweep the room briefly, as though similarly puzzled by the absence of additional occupants.
Interesting. Very interesting indeed.
Mr. Wilson, meanwhile, had not appeared. Only Jane joined Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet.
Several minutes passed. Conversation was amiable and polite. At last, Mr. Wilson entered the room visibly flushed and somewhat disordered.
“My apologies,” he announced. “A servant misplaced my boots.”
Mr. Bennet coughed abruptly into his hand.
