Page 33 of An Interrupted Proposal
“Forgive me, Miss Lydia, but I fear you are not likely to learn what is required here in Hertfordshire. You would have to go to school or, if your sister agreed, you would have to come live with us at Pemberley.”
“Me? You would want me to come live in your home?”
“If I believed you were serious about preparing for a proper season and would not behave inappropriately. I believe your liveliness would benefit my sister Georgiana, and you could learn from her quiet ways.”
Lydia was silent as they neared Meryton. “What about Kitty?” she finally asked.
“It would have to be discussed with your sisters and parents.” Darcy shrugged. “Perhaps she would want to live with Jane and Bingley instead.” He motioned ahead of them to where Bingley was leading the others into the bookstore. Several members of the militia were standing about the entrance. “I wonder why they are loitering about. Isn’t the militia to leave Meryton soon? I cannot think that they are up to any good. Probably looking for young ladies to harass.” He shook his head. “Too much like Wickham,” he saidsotto voce. “I fear they can only ruin a young lady’s reputation as they have nothing to offer her.”
They neared the shop and several of the men smiled and called to Lydia, but she held her head high, nodding briefly,before entering the store after her sisters. Darcy smiled as he nodded to the gentlemen and followed her inside.
CHAPTER EIGHT
words of wisdom
“And you truly want myyoungestsister to live with us?” Elizabeth looked at Darcy as though she were questioning his sanity.
“As I told Lydia, I believe it will be beneficial to both her and Georgiana.” Darcy smiled and laid his hand over hers where it rested on his arm.
The Gardiners had allowed Bingley and Darcy a few minutes alone with the sisters after they finished telling everyone of their journey to Longbourn the previous day. Darcy had taken the time to tell Elizabeth of his conversation with her sister.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and released it slowly before saying, “But I fear Lydia will lead Georgiana astray as she has done with Kitty.”
Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he leant closer and whispered, “My darling, you are forgetting a few points. One, you and I will not ignore poor behaviour as your parents do; two, Mrs. Annesley will not stand for poor behaviour; and three, Georgiana is not an insecure follower like Catherine. She is merely shy in public. Lydia does not hold any authority to intimidate my sister.”
“If you believe it is wise,” Elizabeth replied before biting her lip. She shrugged. “I suppose I must trust you, though your belief in my sister’s ability to change is impressive.”
Darcy raised her hand to his lips. “I can testify that desire to obtain a prize makes change a bit easier.” He kissed her fingers. “Your sister wishes to be out in society, so she will do what is required to gain a London season.”
“You do realize she will continue to negotiate for an earlier date for that season? Lydia is nothing if not tenacious.”
“And Georgiana will continue to negotiate to delay her season. Between the two of them, we will keep their debut firmly at eighteen.”
“Yes, but when Georgie is eighteen or when Lydia is? My sister’s birthday is not until July, which is at the end of the season.”
Darcy considered this for a moment before saying, “When we are certain they are ready and not before.”
A doubtful look flickered across Elizabeth’s countenance but was quickly replaced by a sweet smile. “Tell me of the performance we will see this evening. Have you seen the play before?”
“We shall be seeingThe Vizier’s Son, the Merchant’s Daughter, and the Ugly Woman of Baghdadat the Sans Pareil Theatre,” Darcy replied with a chuckle. “It is a new comic operetta and I believe you will enjoy it. It is my understanding the authoress will be playing the lead role. Have you readArabian Nights' Entertainment?”
“It is written by a woman?” Elizabeth asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She nodded to his question. “My father read parts of theArabian Nightsstories to me when I was younger, and I read it myself once I was deemed old enough to do so.” Her eyes shimmered as she looked at him. “My mother was quite shocked that my father would read such a thing to me, let alone allow me to read it.”
Before more could be said, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner returned to the parlour with Miss Lucas and Georgiana and announceda light dinner was ready to be served. They would enjoy supper at Darcy House following the performance. The party followed their hosts to the dining room and, a short time later, entered the carriages to journey to the theatre. Though Darcy would have preferred to travel with Elizabeth, Mr. Gardiner had assisted both of his nieces and Miss Lucas into his carriage. Darcy found himself in his own carriage with a disappointed Bingley and a smirking Georgiana.
“Would you like me to ride home with the Gardiners, Brother?”
Bingley’s eyes lit with hope. “Do you believe they will agree?”
“If I were speaking to Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Lucas when the carriages arrive, it would only appear natural for us to finish the conversation within.” She lifted her shoulders slightly, her countenance a vision of innocence.
Darcy laughed. “Did you spend the day with Elizabeth? I begin to fear her influence on my impressive younger sister.”
“We had a marvellous time. We accompanied the Gardiner children to the park and created stories about the people we saw. Rose was certain every couple was married or soon to be, and Thomas declared the young men on their way to join the Regulars or the Navy to aid the battle on the continent. Elizabeth and I agreed that several of the individuals looked a bit shifty and could well be spies, which caused Thomas to become overly cautious and insist we return home sooner than we had planned so he could tell his father of the dangers.” Her smile grew wider. “Of course, upon arriving there, we discovered the Gardiner’s cook had promised the lad his favourite treat, and the suspicious individuals were quickly forgotten.”
They all laughed, being able to picture the boy’s exuberance as Georgiana related the details of their excursion. Soon the carriage drew to a halt as they joined the queue of those waiting to disembark before the theatre. Once they reached the front ofthe line, they waited for the Gardiner carriage and the gentlemen claimed their ladies’ hands as they assisted them from the equipage.
Darcy took a fortifying breath before leading Elizabeth inside the Sans Pareil Theatre. Several heads turned their direction, and Darcy nodded to those he knew but kept a steady pace to discourage any from approaching them.
