Page 14 of Lord Lonbourn's Daughter
“I am certain the sun will shine on the morrow, Lizzy. Then we can take a stroll in the park or visit Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. There is much to be seen and experienced, I am told.”
“Yes, let us pray for sun, Jane. It certainly could do no harm.”
Lord Longbourn and Mr Darcy finally emerged from the study. Mr Darcy bid the ladies farewell, and both gentlemen moved towards the door.
“I must be off, girls. I have an appointment with Lord Matlock. I am sure you will be able to entertain yourselves in my absence,” Lord Longbourn informed them.
“Of course, Papa,” the sisters replied in unison.
Elizabeth would have dearly liked to know what had been discussed in her father’s study, but she knew him too well to enquire. If he wanted to apprise her, he would do so in his own good time.
“If you sigh heavily one more time, Lizzy, I swear I shall hit you over the head. Surely you could find a book to read?”
“Yes, Mary, I suppose I should.”
Elizabeth left the parlour to search for a hitherto undiscovered gem in their library, but she did not leave fast enough to avoid overhearing her sisters’ remarks.
“What is the matter with Lizzy, Jane?”
“I wish I knew, Mary.”
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Lord Longbourn returned from Matlock House with good news.
“Ladies! You have been invited to spend the next week with the Countess of Matlock!”
“Why? Are we being sent away?”
“Dear Lizzy, I would hardly deem itsent awayto spend a week with the countess being paraded around the town’s most exclusive shops and exhibitions. But there is a reason, and that is because I shall be absent. I cannot allow you to stay at BennetHouse unprotected, not after the havoc with the guests’ coats at our ball. I have investigated the situation, and I have concluded that it must have been one of our servants who had fun at our expense.”
All three girls gasped at the implication, but Elizabeth’s mind had not let go of the prior subject.
“Can we not come with you?”
“There is no room in the carriage unless you wish to settle for travelling with the servants.”
Her father knew full well that she could not impose upon the servants.
“Mr Darcy, his sister, and I are to collect Lydia and Kitty. We have rented a house for the girls in Ramsgate for the summer. Their governess and companion will chaperon them through the shark-infested waters. Lydia and Kitty were most pleased with the arrangement. I would even dare to call them ecstatic at the prospect. You know they were moping and complaining when they were not allowed to join us in town. This is compensation for their patience while we are away for so long.”
“You do not see the danger of letting Kitty and Lydia loose in Ramsgate whilst Jane, Mary, and I cannot spend a few days at home, guarded by a sturdy stock of footmen?”
“It is different in town, and the girls will by no means be alone. You know I can trust Mrs Hill implicitly. She is a wonder, that woman. Even managed to make a lady of my little rapscallion Lizzy. There is nothing she is not capable of handling.”
“Poor Miss Darcy. She will perish with shock when she meets Lydia and Kitty.”
“The girl is shy and timid but no more so than our Jane was at that difficult age. I dare say Jane did not suffer too much from being brought up alongside a couple of silly sisters. Miss Darcy wants for a little liveliness that Lydia has in abundance, whilst my two hoydens may learn something from watching her flawless comportment. I shall be surprised if the endeavour does not prove to be beneficial to all three in some way or another. Kitty will have someone who shares her interest in the arts, which will be good for her, and Lydia will learn how proper girls behave with little inconvenience to myself.”
“Is that all you care about? To be as little inconvenienced as possible?”
“Lizzy! You may go to your room and stay there for the rest of the night and think about what you have just accused me of.”
Elizabeth rose and tramped out of the room with little humbleness and much poise. Before she reached the stairs, she heard Mary enquire, “What is it with Lizzy these days? I am worried about her.”
“There is no need to fret, Mary. I know perfectly well what the matter is, but it cannot be helped unless she discovers it herself. Let us pray that will not be too far into the future.”
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