Loving Lydia Page 2

  “Does it?”

  Darcy tipped his head and silently looked at her lovely face for a moment until she began to squirm. “I am certain it was love which caused me to enter into that scheme to see Caroline wed to Sir Matthew, and I know that it was love which caused me to expose myself to your family, which in turn has forever changed how I view the silence of my home.” He squeezed the hand of hers that he still held. “They are very good changes. Even the changes in Georgiana are not all bad. She has gained wisdom, though I wish she had not gained it in such a fashion.”

  So much had changed inside of him since he had allowed love to rule over duty in his heart. He would not wish to return to his former self. It was as if loving Elizabeth had awakened something – had caused that something to blossom and flourish – a something that had lain dormant for some time.

  “Are you unaltered by love?” he asked.

  Elizabeth shook her head. “I see things so differently now. Do you truly think that is what is happening for my sister?”

  “I can only suppose.” Darcy rose as Lady Lucas, and her youngest daughter entered the room. He bowed and did all that was proper as he and his sister were introduced.

  “So my husband was not wrong!” Lady Lucas cried. “Oh, he will be quite pleased to hear it. He will insist we have a soiree with dancing. Perhaps this time, Miss Elizabeth would be more willing to participate in the dancing.” Her eyebrows flicked up as she said it. “Does Charlotte know of your betrothal?” She looked at Mrs. Bennet without waiting for Elizabeth’s reply. “I am sending a letter tomorrow. I do it twice a month, you know. It is dreadful and yet not so very much to have one’s daughter so far removed, although she is not so far away as some will be.” She paused only long enough to take a quick breath. “Will you be remaining at Netherfield, Mr. Bingley?”

  Darcy looked at the hand Elizabeth had placed on his arm before his eyes lifted to her face. “I am well,” he whispered. “It just might take a little longer to get used to all the neighbours than I had hoped.”

  “Colonel Fitzwilliam is in Manchester.”

  Darcy pulled his eyes away from Elizabeth upon hearing his cousins spoken of and looked toward the group of younger ladies seated across from him just as Lydia sighed and covered her heart with her hand in a rather dramatic fashion.

  “You should see him in his regimentals. He is quite handsome in a regular suit of clothing but in his regimentals?” Lydia sighed dramatically once again. “Oh, you simply must see the ribbon I purchased when in town, Maria. You do remember how you were always telling me that I should get a red ribbon to go with my sprigged muslin, do you not?”

  “Indeed, a red ribbon was just what it needed,” Maria agreed.

  “You were not wrong.” Lydia grasped Maria’s hand. “Well! Let me tell you. It was quite the melee, for Mama thought one would suit, and I thought it should be another. Miss Darcy was certain I was right while Kitty thought Mama was. Do you know how we settled it?”

  “No, how?” Maria leaned forward eagerly.

  “We asked the colonel.” Lydia wore a very pleased expression as she lifted her chin. “And he, of course, after a bit of consideration, chose mine.”

  “He did not!” Maria cried.

  Darcy sighed. He did not find the flutterings of young ladies to be particularly enjoyable. Indeed, he found them to be somewhat tedious.

  “Are you still certain you can tolerate all of this?” Elizabeth whispered.

  “Honestly?”

  She nodded when he looked in her direction.

  “It will not be easy,” Darcy admitted. “However, I do think the prize is worth the discomfort.”

  Chapter 3

  “Lady Lucas was wrong.” Bingley dropped a missive next to Darcy’s cup of tea the following morning. “This came while we were out riding.

  Darcy read the invitation to a soiree at Lucas Lodge. “She did not waste any time, did she?”

  Bingley chuckled. “Indeed, she did not. You will accept. Will you not?”

  “Of course. I must.” Darcy intended to show himself as a changed individual to the community, and, to do so, he must take part in activities where he would be amongst the people of Meryton. He had reparations to make, civilities to bestow – whether they were easily done or not.

  “Caroline will likely be less than pleased to accept, but she is named on the invitation,” Bingley said.

  “This is the first time she will be back under your roof since she attempted to both separate you from Miss Bennet and force you into marrying another. It could be a trying time for all.” Darcy breathed in the steam from his tea before taking a careful sip. He should likely let it cool longer rather than risking a burnt tongue, but the fragrance was so much more welcoming when it rose with the steam.

  Across from Darcy, Bingley sighed and sank into his chair. “I will admit to being somewhat nervous to have her here, but she will be with Sir Matthew. And he seems to have had a settling effect on her, according to Hurst.”

  “And she arrives this afternoon?”

  “Yes. But first, I hear you are off to do some shopping.”

  Darcy smiled over his teacup. “I tell you, Bingley, I am becoming soft.”

  Bingley laughed. “Not this time. I know your true reason. The militia is still in town; the winter is not yet over.”

  It was true. The militia’s presence was bothersome to Darcy.

  Georgiana and the youngest Miss Bennets wished to visit the shops in Meryton. Kitty, in particular, was eager to show her new friend what could be purchased so close to Longbourn. Georgiana had insisted that they only needed Mrs. Annesley to accompany them, but Darcy was more insistent that he join her for at least this first outing.

  Wickham might be returned to his unit, and even though Darcy and Richard had pummelled him – and maybe even because of it – the gentleman might not remain quiet about what he knew concerning Georgiana, Lydia, or Elizabeth. It was better in Darcy’s mind for Wickham to be met by himself and not just his sister and her friends.

  “I am coming with you,” Bingley added.

  Darcy’s eyebrows rose as he swallowed the sip of tea he had taken.

  “Miss Bennet is going to attend her sisters,” Bingley explained.

  “So is Miss Elizabeth.”

  It was Elizabeth’s presence that made the thought of entering shops to look at lace, gloves, hats, and the like more than bearable. Not only would Darcy be able to stroll the high street with her on his arm, but he would also get the chance to see what sorts of things caught her eye when she entered the shops. He had a wedding that was not too far in the future, and he wished to present her with something he knew she would enjoy and perhaps even cherish.

  He cradled his cup of tea. His mother had a box for her broaches that had been given to her by his father. The top had been carved with bluebells, her favourite flower, and the interior was lined in purple silk because it was her favourite colour.

  It was details such as these that Darcy knew he still needed to learn about Elizabeth. Of course, if observation failed, he could always inquire about such details from one of her sisters. Or, he supposed, he could just ask Elizabeth, though he did wish for his gift to be a surprise.

  “I see there was more unrest.” Bingley passed the newspaper to Darcy, who blew out a breath.

  “I would almost rather not know,” he said.

  “It was in Yorkshire, not Manchester,” Bingley added as Darcy began to read the account in the paper.

  Sadly, the reports of damages done to property and of shots fired at protestors were becoming as commonplace as the reports of unrest on the continent.

  “It is not so very far from him.” Darcy sighed and wondered if Lydia ever read the paper. He hoped she did not.

  A more startling thought caused him to suck in a breath just as he was taking a sip of tea. This, in turn, set off a fit of coughing and sputtering. “I am well,” he assured Bingley as soon as he was able before coughing for a bit longer.


  “Was there something startling in the paper?”

  Darcy shook his head and took a proper sip of tea instead of attempting to inhale the liquid. “No, I was just wondering if Mrs. Bennet ever reads the paper.” He pulled back from the table in surprise when Oliver landed near his plate.

  “You are not allowed on the table,” Bingley scolded, scooping up the kitten before it could scamper away. “I doubt she does. However, I would not be surprised if both Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary read it.”

  Darcy groaned. “And Miss Mary might find it her duty to inform her mother and sisters of events. You know that kitten might find it less enjoyable to attack the tables and curtains if you did not pluck him from where he should not be and reward him by tucking him in for a pet.”

  Oliver was happily curled in Bingley’s lap and purring.

  “You scold almost as well as Miss Mary,” Bingley replied with a laugh before reaching for his tea.

  Either Bingley’s laugh or his movement stirred the purring cat from his repose. Startled, the animal leapt up and, in so doing, caused Bingley’s tea to spill. The kitten escaped the sloshing liquid. However, Bingley’s breeches did not. With a muttered curse, Bingley rose. “It seems I am going to change for our outing now rather than later.”

  Before leaving the room, Bingley scowled at Oliver, who was hiding behind the leg of the sideboard. “You had best hope Miss Bennet likes you, or you might find yourself in the stables. Tea on my trousers. Of all the things.”

  Darcy could hear him continuing to mutter as he exited the room. No sooner was Bingley out of sight than Oliver slinked out from hiding and headed in Darcy’s direction.

  “You will have no luck with me.” Darcy swallowed the last of his tea, rose, and left the room with Oliver trailing behind. “Oh, very well.” Darcy stooped and gave the kitten’s head a scratch, earning himself a contented purr. “Now, stay here.”

  Unfortunately, Oliver was as well behaved as a certain pup, and Darcy had to be quick to enter his room without company. Between animals and young ladies, Darcy was certain this sojourn at Netherfield was going to be excessively trying.

  He sighed.

  “And Caroline arrives this afternoon, and Wickham might be in Meryton.” He shook his head at his reflection in the mirror and then rang for his man.

  ~*~*~

  An hour later, after Darcy had changed from his riding clothes and spent a leisurely half hour reading in his room, which was blessedly free from distractions, he, Bingley, Georgiana, and Mrs. Annesley arrived at Longbourn. From here, Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley would travel with the younger Bennets while the oldest Bennets would ride with Darcy and Bingley.

  “Good morning, Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth whispered as she took his hand so that he could help her into the carriage.

  “Good morning, Elizabeth,” he replied, lifting her hand to kiss it. “Not there,” he said when she sat down on the bench next to Jane.

  “Then where?”

  “With me.” He turned to Bingley. “You do not mind giving up your place next to me to Miss Elizabeth, do you?”

  Chuckling, Bingley shook his head and entered the carriage.

  “Oh, Mr. Darcy!” Lydia cried, poking her head out of the door to the Bennet’s carriage. “I have a letter. I nearly forgot. I do not know how I could have. It is likely the excitement of everything.” She waved an envelope at him.

  “Do you wish me to read it?” he asked. “Is it not private?”

  Her eyes lowered, and she blushed.

  “Parts of it may be,” she replied coyly. “However, if you do not read the last paragraph… He said to give you and Miss Darcy his love in that part.” She still held out the letter.

  “Are you certain?” Darcy questioned once more. There was no way he was going to intrude on Miss Lydia’s or Richard’s privacy.

  “Just the beginning,” Lydia said with a nod of her head.

  “I promise not to read the last paragraph, and I thank you for your trust.” Darcy took the missive from her. “I will have it read before we enter the first store, and then you may safely hide it away.”

  Lydia thanked him and pulled her head back into the carriage.

  He greatly felt the honour of being allowed the privilege of reading a letter not addressed to him. And so, once he was settled into his carriage again, he immediately set about reading what Richard had written, taking care not to allow his eyes to even skim the final paragraph.

  “What does he have to say?” Bingley asked.

  “He has settled into his accommodations – he is staying at an inn, it seems. The room is not large, and the innkeeper’s wife is not small.” He chuckled at Richard’s description of the jovial couple that ran the inn. It seemed his cousin may have found a friendly place to rest his head at night. As long as…

  “Does he say what the innkeeper thinks of the unrest.” Bingley put Darcy’s concern into words.

  Darcy shook his head. “There is little talk about any unrest in this letter, and what is here is couched in such a fashion that it does not appear to be of any significance. However, I suspect there will be more about that when he writes to me. Hopefully, he will include a section of the letter that I will be able to give to Miss Lydia to read. I have no great desire to see her unnecessarily unsettled.”

  “The paper had an account in it,” Jane said. “But Lydia does not read that portion of the paper. In fact, I am not certain she knows what is in a paper other than what the society pages say. And Papa would not allow her to read anything else.”

  “But he allows you?”

  Jane nodded. “And Lizzy and Mary. However, we have all been warned most sternly that we are not to speak of it to either Mama or our sisters.”

  “Papa does not wish to deal with the fit of nerves it would produce,” Elizabeth added.

  Darcy pulled in a deep breath and released it. “I had worried Miss Lydia might hear about things. I am glad she will not.”

  “Why Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth teased, “might you actually care for my youngest sister?” Her eyes were not laughing as her tone might indicate they should be.

  “How can I not?” he replied with a soft smile for her. “We are to be related.”

  Elizabeth wrapped her arm around his and squeezed it tightly.

  For her, he could weather a great many annoyances – excessively talkative neighbours, the high spirits of young ladies, and even the affection demanded by animals. However, at present, those annoyances held only a small space in his mind for he had spied a group of redcoats in front of some establishment as the carriages entered the high street in Meryton.

  Chapter 4

  “Did you see Mr. Wickham in that group?” Jane whispered across the carriage to Elizabeth as the door was opened and the steps were put in place.

  “I did not, but then I could not see every face. Did you?” Elizabeth did not need to hear Darcy’s response for one look at the set of his jaw was all the only reply she needed. “He is here?”

  Darcy nodded.

  “Perhaps he will be wise and keep his distance,” Bingley said hopefully as he climbed out of the carriage. “But even if he proves to be the fool we know him to be, Darcy and I will see to him.”

  “You will not cause a scene in the high street, will you?” Jane asked in surprise. Elizabeth could well imagine the anxiety such a thing must cause for Jane for the thought of it caused her own heart to beat a little faster.

  “Not unless it is necessary,” Darcy answered.

  Bingley nodded. “Creating a scene is far better than allowing anything to happen to those we love.”

  “Indeed!” Darcy agreed with enthusiasm.

  “But the talk from such a thing…” Jane cautioned as she stepped down from the carriage. She straightened her pelisse and touched her hat to see that it was properly secure as a small smile played at her lips. “I could always trip him. Who might we match him with, Lizzy?”

  “I cannot think of a single young lady who deserves suc
h a husband!” Elizabeth cried. This teasing and taunting side of Jane had always lain hidden behind the closed doors of Longbourn, so it was pleasantly shocking to have it so displayed.

  “Oh, I am not entirely certain of that,” Jane retorted as she placed her hand on Bingley’s arm. “Mrs. Salter might have a relation who favours her.”

  Darcy’s laugh in response to the suggestion caused Elizabeth’s own laugh to die on her lips.

  “I had forgotten that you have both delved into your devious sides,” Elizabeth said, looking up at the formerly dour Mr. Darcy.

  “If Darcy continues to be so animated,” Bingley inserted before either Jane or Darcy could defend themselves to Elizabeth, “we are certain to draw a crowd to gaze on the strange spectacle of the jovial gentleman from Derbyshire.”

  Darcy’s left brow rose, and he peered down his nose at his friend. It might have been a convincing look of hauteur had his lips not twitched in an attempt to contain a smile that would not be entirely suppressed. “You are correct, of course. I am not the man I was when I was last here.” He sighed and glanced up and down the street.

  “I think it was just there,” he pointed to a shop opposite them and a short distance away, “where we first met Mr. Wickham in Meryton. I wanted to run him through then, which is not so different from how I feel now. However, then, I was more reserved. I had my sister’s reputation to consider, and I knew few and cared for even fewer members of this village and its environs. Now, there is not only my sister to defend but also the lady I love and her sisters to consider. I fear I might not be able to conjure the appropriate amount of reserve to resist treating him now as I wished to then.”

  Elizabeth seemed doomed to always be provoked to smile a silly little grin every time Darcy spoke so openly of his care for her. At the moment, he seemed unaware of any shopkeepers or shoppers who might be within hearing distance.

  “Why should you need reserve?” Lydia asked. She and the others had just joined them.