Page 3 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“Let us hurry, Lizzy.” Jane hastened her pace, and when they stood within speaking distance, she called, “Come, Lydia. Papa awaits us.”

Lydia pulled a face. “I shall join you when you have finished your errands, Jane.”

Elizabeth approached Lydia, curtsied to the three officers, and took her by the elbow. “You will excuse us. We have errands to complete, and our father awaits us at home.”

Then, raising her brows and glaring at her sister, she said, “Come, Lydia.”

The girl tried to pull away, and Elizabeth tightened her hold. She leaned close to Lydia's ear. “You will come along as befits a gentleman's daughter, and you will cease arguing.”

“Lizzy, you are the greatest spoil sport. I need to find Wicky, for he goes to London on Friday and means to visit Vauxhall Gardens and the theater. I want to go to the theater.”

“Come along. Perhaps if you conduct yourself well, Papa will take you to the theater the next time we go. I shall ask him to include you especially, though you are still very young.”

With a mixture of persuasion and threats, Elizabeth led her sister into the haberdashery, and together they helped Jane select cloth suitable for dish towels.

* * *

Upon their return to Longbourn, Lydia hurried inside to carry her complaints against Elizabeth to Mamma, while Elizabeth went to her father's study to inform him of Lydia's improper conduct.

In the end, Mrs. Bennet scolded Elizabeth for ordering her sister about, and Mr. Bennet merely rolled his eyes.

Vexed, Elizabeth left her father's study and, after dinner, retired to her room to escape the commotion raised by her younger sisters and her mother. She had received a letter from her Aunt Gardiner, and she opened it now and settled down to read.

Excerpt of Aunt Madeline’s letter

Gracechurch Street, London

April 27, 1811

. . . I can have one of you girls to visit this summer. Your uncle believes we should invite Jane, for she approaches two and twenty and has no marriage prospects in Meryton, but I would prefer your company, for you are very good with little Edward. Baby Aimee still nurses during the night, and Nurse cannot keep pace with both children during the day while I rest. However, I shall leave the choice to the two of you. If Jane wishes to go husband hunting, she shall be most welcome.

Elizabeth slipped on her shoes and went to Jane's bedchamber. She tapped upon the door and entered at Jane's invitation.

“Have you had a chance to read your letter? What does Aunt Maddie say?”

“She invites one of us to London, Jane.” Elizabeth handed her the missive. “I think it would be best if you go.”

“I am highly gratified by this invitation, Lizzy. I shall gladly help with little Edward. He is the sweetest boy, and if my uncle can introduce me to a gentleman who seeks a wife, I shall be much beholden to him.”

Elizabeth rose. “Come then, sister. Let us go down and ask Papa. If one of us makes a suitable marriage, perhaps we shall be spared the hedgerows.”

* * *

May 1, 1811

“Lydia! What are you doing, girl? Do you not know better than to bring hawthorn into the house?”

“Take those branches out. Take them out. Out, I say! Out, this minute!”

Lydia stood in the hall and whined, “But Mamma, the blossoms are so pretty, and Lady Lucas says we are sure to have a wedding this year if I bring in the hawthorn.”

“And how well has it worked for the Lucases? Foolish girl! Lady Lucas does not know of what she speaks.”

Mrs. Bennet caught Lydia by the arm and proceeded to usher her toward the door, but Lydia stumbled on the edge of the rug and dropped the branches on the floor. Mrs. Bennet stooped to help the girl gather them, scolding all the while. “Look at the mess you have made, with leaves and petals scattered about!”

“But if the hawthorn brings us good luck and we have a wedding, or perhaps even two, would that not be a fine joke, Mamma?”

In the study, Elizabeth raised her eyes from her notebook and met her father’s. “Papa, it sounds as though Lydia and Mamma are at it again.”