Page 66 of First Impressions
“It really was, mom. So, as you know, we left yesterday. George had to pack some of his things and arrange some details with the friend he was staying with so we didn’t get on the road until today and decided to head out to the Hamptons to get married and that’s when dad and Uncle Phil found us, right before the ceremony!”
“Oh, how wonderful! I wish I could have been there,” her mother extorted. “Well, we will just have to have another celebration here. Just think, my first daughter married - what a party that will be!”
“Oh, mother, I know howyoulove those grand affairs,” Lydia began, “but I’m a married woman now, and I have to do what’s best for my husband so we actually won’t be in town for very much longer.”
The amount of bullshit coming out of her sister’s mouth was astounding.Beth just sat there in shock, knowing that not one thing that Lydia had said was true. It was probably a good thing she couldn’t think of anything to say because if she had, it wouldn’t have been very nice.
“What?!”her mother exclaimed, her excitement transforming into distress. “What do you mean you won’t be in town?”
“Well, my darling George, has just been offered a very good, highly sought-after job in Chicago so we are flying outthere in two days. We’ve already booked our flights,” Lydia explained.
“Where are you working?” Beth finally interjected, suspicious at what job he would have taken knowing that he had his sights on a management position at Fitz.
“I was offered the Vice President of Operations position at FWD & Co, in Chicago. It’s a national audit and consulting firm, so it’s an ideal opportunity for me,” George answered, still unable to look her in the eyes the whole time he responded.
Interesting.Well, she at least knew that Phil hadn’t offered him a job at Gardiner but that only made his agreeing to marry Lydia all the more confusing.Maybe he had accepted a simple bribe.
“Yes, isn’t that wonderful! I love Chicago. Obviously, that means I’ll have to drop out of school here but these are the kinds of sacrifices you have to make when you get married and have a family,” Lydia added, looking poignantly at Jane and Beth.
“So you’re leaving in two days? Will you be back sometime soon so that we can have a party?” Their mother wasn’t going to let it go.
“Oh, no. I don’t think so. My darling George starts his job immediately, so we need to move and get settled; and then with the baby, I just don’t want to be traveling too much and putting my health at risk. You are all welcome to visit me once we have our house situated. Maybe George will have some eligible, single men that I can introduce to my sisters! As a married woman, I just feel like it’s my duty now to help you guys find marital happiness like I have.”
Beth turned to Jane with a stare that said,I’m going to strangle her.
“I’m sure we would love to come visit you,” Jane said, trying to placate her younger sister.
“Yes, well we should get going. I’ll be back over tomorrow mom to pack up my stuff but we are staying at the Plaza tonight since it is our wedding night.” Lydia batted her eyes at George and Beth almost vomited.
“Oh, so soon?” This was clearly not how Mrs. Bennet envisioned the evening going. “Ok, well, of course, we will come out to see you, dear. If you change your mind, your father and I would love to throw you a reception.”
As she hugged her daughter, Beth saw her father’s jaw set in a firm line as though he was not in agreement with what his wife had just offered but because Lydia had refused, he was able to avoid making a scene.Interesting.Even though what Lydia had done was reckless and stupid, she would have thought her father would show a little sign of happiness now that Lydia was safe and ‘happily’ married.
Lydia and George made their rounds to the rest of the family, eagerly awaiting and accepting all the congratulations and best wishes that she could extract from her sisters.
As Lydia turned to Beth, she forced a smile onto her face and hugged her little sister.
“Congratulations, Lyds. I wish you both much happiness,” she ground out. “I’m not sure I’ll be here tomorrow so safe travels. Good luck with your new job, George.”Ugh, that was painful.
“Thank you,” George mumbled as he quickly moved on to shake hands with a stiff Charles.
“Oh, thank you, Beth! I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to be married. I promise I’m going to be on the lookout for some single coworkers that we can introduce you to. I would hate to see you alone and miserable forever,” Lydia replied so sweetly, it took a moment to sink in just how insulting she was actually being.
Beth just stared blankly at her, not trusting herself to respond.
“I just think you need a new set of eyes to find you a potential mate. Your judgment of men seems to be completely off, just like with my George here; he turned out to be a wonderful husband!” She flashed a brilliant smile.
Seriously? Ok, that’s it.
“Actually, I think my judgment of men is pretty good thanks. While I appreciate yoursincereoffer, I don’t think I need any help finding a boyfriend, thank you,” Beth finally responded tartly, really wishing she could just lay into hersister, but trying so hard not to leave things between them on a sour note.
“Ha! You’re so silly, Beth – so blind to your own faults. I told you, you didn’t see how wonderful a man my George is. You even completely missed what a gentleman that Mr. Darcy is!”
Why would she bring up Mr. Darcy?Beth’s eyes narrowed as she knew her sister was purposefully drawing out her pause, waiting for Beth to respond.
“What do you mean? Why would you mention Mr. Darcy?” Beth didn’t even care that she was playing into her sister’s attention game, she just needed answers.
“Well, just that he was such a wonderful help at the wedding today, making sure everything was squared away at the courthouse and then with our flights; you were completely wrong about him,” she said smugly.
