The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen Page B
Authors: Mary Lydon Simonsen
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complain as the man seems to spin gold out of straw, but I am a gentleman, not a man of business, and all of this is new to me.”
“But your plans to arrive at Pemberley in three weeks’ time remain unchanged?”
“Yes, you were very specific as to that date, although you have yet to tell me why we must be in Derbyshire exactly at that time.”
“Do you think you are the only one who has obligations?”
“No, of course not, but schedules had to be rearranged and…” Darcy went quiet. He could see he was at risk of hurting Anne’s feelings if he pressed the issue. But, good God, what obligations could she possibly have? By her own admission, she had a limited circle of friends, and her health placed restrictions on her activities. But he decided there was nothing to be gained by asking more questions. “I was more than happy to accommodate your request, and we will be there exactly at the time you have chosen.”
“Perfect.”
Chapter 15
Jane was waiting for Lizzy at the top of the stairs and hurried her sister into their room. “What did Papa say? Is Lydia to go to Brighton?”
Earlier in the afternoon, Jane and Lizzy had returned from Meryton only to find the house in an uproar. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia were laughing, Kitty was crying, and Mary was pounding on the pianoforte in an attempt to be heard above all the noise. It was then that they had learned of Mrs. Forster’s offer to have Lydia accompany her when her husband’s militia regiment removed to Brighton. Lizzy immediately sought out her father in a vain attempt to have him forbid the excursion.
“Yes, Jane, Lydia is to go to Brighton. Papa would not be dissuaded. He said Lydia would never be content until she had exposed herself in some public place and that Brighton afforded her that opportunity and at such little expense to the family.”
“Oh, Lizzy. Please tell me he said that in jest. Even Papa, who turns a blind eye to the foolishness of his three younger children, must recognize Lydia’s behavior barely warrants her being out in society under the supervision of her parents and older sisters, no less being free to move in society in Brighton where the streets are full of officers.”
Lizzy repeated all that she could remember of their conversation. “I reminded him that it was his responsibility to check her more exuberant spirits, not Colonel Forster’s, but he insisted she is under the protection of the colonel, who is a sensible man.”
“But Mrs. Forster is not a sensible woman. She is very young, and although newly married, I am sorry to say that at the ball I noticed she continued to flirt with the young officers who are under her husband’s command.”
“Such strong words, Jane! How unlike you. But I agree. I saw the same thing and was embarrassed for both of them. But Papa insists that Lydia’s poverty will protect her as she has no fortune to be an object of prey to anyone.”
“We shall go and talk to him immediately. If he hears our combined voices in pointing out the danger of such a plan, he will reconsider.”
Lizzy shook her head. “It will do no good. He sees Lydia going to Brighton as a way for her to learn of her own insignificance.”
“How so?”
“To his mind, she will be of less importance even as a common flirt as the officers will find women better worth their notice.”
“And if he is wrong?”
“We are doomed.”
At that moment, Mrs. Hill knocked on the door, so that she might replace the candles. She could see both sisters were in distress because of Lydia’s news.
“Miss Lizzy and Miss Jane, I know you two are unhappy about Miss Lydia going off with Mrs. Forster when the regiment leaves Meryton, but it might not be as bad as you think.”
Both looked at Mrs. Hill with hopeful expressions. Whenever something happened at Longbourn, Mrs. Hill was always the first to know of it.
“Mrs. Forster has a bun in the oven.”
Jane and Lizzy exchanged glances before Jane asked, “How do you
“But your plans to arrive at Pemberley in three weeks’ time remain unchanged?”
“Yes, you were very specific as to that date, although you have yet to tell me why we must be in Derbyshire exactly at that time.”
“Do you think you are the only one who has obligations?”
“No, of course not, but schedules had to be rearranged and…” Darcy went quiet. He could see he was at risk of hurting Anne’s feelings if he pressed the issue. But, good God, what obligations could she possibly have? By her own admission, she had a limited circle of friends, and her health placed restrictions on her activities. But he decided there was nothing to be gained by asking more questions. “I was more than happy to accommodate your request, and we will be there exactly at the time you have chosen.”
“Perfect.”
Chapter 15
Jane was waiting for Lizzy at the top of the stairs and hurried her sister into their room. “What did Papa say? Is Lydia to go to Brighton?”
Earlier in the afternoon, Jane and Lizzy had returned from Meryton only to find the house in an uproar. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia were laughing, Kitty was crying, and Mary was pounding on the pianoforte in an attempt to be heard above all the noise. It was then that they had learned of Mrs. Forster’s offer to have Lydia accompany her when her husband’s militia regiment removed to Brighton. Lizzy immediately sought out her father in a vain attempt to have him forbid the excursion.
“Yes, Jane, Lydia is to go to Brighton. Papa would not be dissuaded. He said Lydia would never be content until she had exposed herself in some public place and that Brighton afforded her that opportunity and at such little expense to the family.”
“Oh, Lizzy. Please tell me he said that in jest. Even Papa, who turns a blind eye to the foolishness of his three younger children, must recognize Lydia’s behavior barely warrants her being out in society under the supervision of her parents and older sisters, no less being free to move in society in Brighton where the streets are full of officers.”
Lizzy repeated all that she could remember of their conversation. “I reminded him that it was his responsibility to check her more exuberant spirits, not Colonel Forster’s, but he insisted she is under the protection of the colonel, who is a sensible man.”
“But Mrs. Forster is not a sensible woman. She is very young, and although newly married, I am sorry to say that at the ball I noticed she continued to flirt with the young officers who are under her husband’s command.”
“Such strong words, Jane! How unlike you. But I agree. I saw the same thing and was embarrassed for both of them. But Papa insists that Lydia’s poverty will protect her as she has no fortune to be an object of prey to anyone.”
“We shall go and talk to him immediately. If he hears our combined voices in pointing out the danger of such a plan, he will reconsider.”
Lizzy shook her head. “It will do no good. He sees Lydia going to Brighton as a way for her to learn of her own insignificance.”
“How so?”
“To his mind, she will be of less importance even as a common flirt as the officers will find women better worth their notice.”
“And if he is wrong?”
“We are doomed.”
At that moment, Mrs. Hill knocked on the door, so that she might replace the candles. She could see both sisters were in distress because of Lydia’s news.
“Miss Lizzy and Miss Jane, I know you two are unhappy about Miss Lydia going off with Mrs. Forster when the regiment leaves Meryton, but it might not be as bad as you think.”
Both looked at Mrs. Hill with hopeful expressions. Whenever something happened at Longbourn, Mrs. Hill was always the first to know of it.
“Mrs. Forster has a bun in the oven.”
Jane and Lizzy exchanged glances before Jane asked, “How do you
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