Page 41 of An Interrupted Proposal
“Oui. Très bons.”Mrs. Annesley turned her attention to Jane. “Miss Lydia is a quick learner. I am certain it was several months before I learnt to conjugate verbs and began speaking in sentences.”
“Lydia has always loved languages. I believe Lizzy taught her some French when she was younger. Did she also begin you on Italian, Lydia?” Jane asked her sister.
“Sì, ma solo un po'.”
Kitty huffed beside her, “What does that mean?”
“Yes, but only a little,” Lydia replied.
“Well, that is more than she taught me.” Kitty slouched but straightened when Mrs. Annesley cleared her throat.
“I think she only did it to amuse herself.” Lydia finished her biscuit. “I wanted her to read to me because she was laughing at what she had read, but it was in Italian. She said I would not understand it, so I asked her to teach me. She stopped teaching me once I understood the passage.” She frowned. “Or maybe I stopped asking her to teach me after that.” She shrugged. “I didn’t understand why she laughed because it didn’t make sense to me.”
“Did you ask your sister to explain it?” Miss Darcy asked.
Lydia’s frown deepened. “I don’t think I did. She might have thought I was silly for not understanding.”
Mr. Bennet shook his head. “My dear, I hope you will forgive me for ever making you feel silly. Never be embarrassed to ask a question if you do not understand. I believe I know what book you are speaking of. You and I will find it later and I will explain it for you.” He winked at his youngest who smiled in response.
“Merci papa.”
“Je vous en prie,”Mr. Bennet responded.
Later, when the Bingleys were returning home in their carriage, Jane shook her head. “I am amazed. I knew the girls were working on French before our weddings, but I suppose we were so busy that we did not notice how much they were improving.” She met her husband’s gaze. “Mamma did not flutter her handkerchief once, and Lydia never slouched orpouted. Kitty did but quickly corrected her posture when Mrs. Annesley cleared her throat—nothing had to be said.”
“And your father seems to be enjoying his new pupils.” Charles chuckled. “It may not be necessary to look for a home closer to your sister if your family will be so improved.”
“Charles!” Jane scolded with a laugh. “You know I want to be near Lizzy because she is my dearest friend, as well as my sister.” She snuggled against him. “Though I am pleased that Mamma was not knocking at our door the day after our wedding, I am not certain she will continue to respect our privacy.” She sighed. “But I must write to Lizzy when we reach home. She will be so surprised.”
***********
Elizabeth laughed as she pushed her husband away. “Jane has written. I must see what has caused her to leave her husband to pen a letter.”
“Bingley also wrote to me, but I am not abandoning you to readhisletter.” Darcy nibbled at her ear, drawing another giggle from his wife.
“That is because you know you will not be able to read his writing.” She wriggled away from him once more—as he laughed and acknowledged she was correct—and opened her letter.
“Well?” Darcy asked as he watched her expressions change.
“It appears that Mrs. Annesley has everything well in hand at Longbourn. Mamma has not visited Netherfield, Mary and Georgiana are reading Mrs. Wollstonecraft under my father’s watching eye, and Kitty and Lydia are conversing in French.” She lifted the letter and read, “Though Lydia does not understand why as we are at war with the French.” She laughed. “Jane said Charles wonders if they will have to move to Derbyshire, but she reminded him that they want to be nearer to us.”
Darcy laughed, tugging the paper from her hand as he pulled her closer. “Then there is nothing for us to do but enjoy our time alone, without interruption.”
EPILOGUE
The Darcy carriage drew to a stop before the London townhouse, and a footman set the step before opening the door. He handed out the first of four ladies, who stepped to the side, gaping up at the fine structure, while waiting for the rest to disembark.
“Close your mouth, Kitty,” Lydia said as she joined her sister. “Darcy dislikes it when we appear overwhelmed by his wealth. It makes him uncomfortable.” A lesson she had learned the previous summer when they had visited Pemberley.
Kitty snapped her jaw closed and regained a proper posture, her features set in a pleasant smile, not too large nor too small. “It is larger than Uncle Gardiner’s. I hadn’t realized homes of such a size existed in London. I always believed there was not enough room for larger houses since everything is so much closer than in the country.”
“It simply depends on where you are in London,” Georgiana said as she joined her friends. “Some homes even have extensive gardens and are separated from their neighbours by more than small alleyways, but those are normally owned by dukes and earls of some standing.”
The girls, followed by their companion, climbed the steps to the front door, which opened as they reached the top. Elizabeth Darcy stepped out to embrace them, her cheeks quite pink and her eyes sparkling with happiness. “Welcome to Darcy House,”she said as she drew them inside. “Mrs. Annesley, it is good to see you.” She turned to the younger girls. “We have tea in the blue drawing room unless you would like to refresh yourselves first.”
The girls exchanged a glance before Kitty, as the oldest, said, “We would not want to leave a layer of dust on your furniture, Lizzy. Shall we meet in thirty minutes for tea?”
Elizabeth smiled. “A good idea, Kitty. Come, I will show you to your rooms.”
