Page 32 of An Interrupted Proposal
“Splendid idea,” Mr. Bennet said as he rose from his seat, obviously anxious to return to his own reading. “Please inquire with Mr. Fisher if he has received any of the books on my list.” He bowed to the gentlemen and left the room.
Darcy and Bingley waited in the front hall for the Bennet sisters to don their outerwear. Mrs. Bennet had disappeared into the kitchen to make certain changes to the dinner menu, and her shrill tones could be heard, though not her actual words.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Darcy asked Bingley to escort Miss Mary and Miss Catherine ahead so he might have a chance to speak to Miss Lydia. When the sisters joined them, the youngest frowned, but took Darcy’s arm, and they began the journey to Meryton. Though Miss Lydia was the tallest of her sisters, Darcy measured his steps so a distance grew between them and the others.
“Mr. Darcy,” the girl said with exasperation slipping into her tone, “why are we walking so slowly?”
“I had hoped to speak to you in private, Miss Lydia, and thought it best that we allow the others to go ahead.”
“Oh?” She looked at him, her lips pursed as though she were determining if speaking to him would be to her benefit.
“Yes,” he continued. “I am certain you are aware that Mr. Wickham has left the militia. Upon his arrival in London, he came to see me . . .”
“But I thought he disliked you.”
“I suppose he does, but it has never stopped him from soliciting assistance in the past.” Darcy looked about to be certain no one was near enough to hear his next words. When he was assured of their privacy, he lowered his head and said in a quiet voice, “He boarded a ship for America yesterday, but not before he attempted to trade your reputation for funds to aid him in his journey.”
“My reputation?” she asked in a rather loud voice.
“Yes,” Darcy once again moderated his tone so it would not carry. “He suggested that you and he had met without a chaperone in the woods on your father’s property.”
The girl’s eyes grew wide, and her countenance turned an alarming shade of red. “He told you that?”
“I informed him that any damage to your reputation would negate my assistance and he swore your name would never cross his lips.” He cleared his throat. “I have not told your father oryour sister what was said regarding you, in part because it might stop them from allowing you to have a proper London season.”
“Me? A season in London?”
“Well, not yet; you are far too young by theton’sstandards.”
Lydia pouted. “That is not fair. Why should I not have a season now?”
Darcy stopped walking and looked at her, his eyes wide. “You would wish to go to London and be paraded before the highest echelon of society without proper preparation? Why, most of the ladies who are coming out this year have been practicing their accomplishments since they were ten, if not younger, and the youngest ladies are now seventeen or eighteen years of age. Their mothers have been training them for at least five years to run a household once they are wed.”
“What is so hard about that?” she asked, but her voice had lost some of its bravado.
“I had not realized you were currently visiting the tenants and helping to see to their needs.”
“Lizzy and Jane do that, and sometimes Mary.”
“Then you assist your mother by balancing the household records.”
Lydia frowned. “Mary is better with numbers.”
“Then you help your mother plan the meals.”
“Well, none of that seems like it is very difficult. I could.”
“I am certain you are correct.” He began walking and Lydia followed his example. “I suppose the hardest part of having a season in town is the individuals speaking about you behind your back, or sometimes to your face. They can be exceedingly cruel if a young lady does not behave properly, with decorum and elegance.” He sighed. “My sister is sixteen and is dreading her coming out, even though it will be two years before she must enter the marriage market. Of course, she is of a quiet nature.I had thought it might ease her way if she had a friend to accompany her.”
“I am sixteen,” Lydia offered.
“Are you? I had thought you younger.”
The frown returned. “Well, I will be sixteen soon.”
“Would you be willing to return to the schoolroom in order to learn the lessons required for making your coming out in two years? It would require much work on your part.”
“Why could I not be out nowandlearn what is required?”
