Page 16 of Lord Lonbourn's Daughter
Elizabeth looked in the direction the lady indicated, but the gentleman was too far away to be sure.
“I cannot be certain, but I rather think not,” Elizabeth replied.
“Is he out of town? He has not come to see Jane since you came to stay with us.”
“Oh, I would not expect him to. They are not engaged,” Elizabeth clarified.
“I beg your pardon for my forwardness. I should not have made a supposition,” the viscountess demurred.
“There is no need to apologise. They do seem to like each other very much, but they do not know each other that well. Their acquaintance has been of short duration,” Elizabeth explained.
“Yes, one should not rush such important matters and must choose wisely with attention to more than just what is prudent,” Lady Crawford agreed.
“My thoughts exactly!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“I believe my family holds some hope that another particularly dear gentleman might catch her interest.”
Elizabeth had no idea whom the viscountess was speaking about. After Mr Bingley had made his intentions known and Jane had showed a marked preference for the aforementioned gentleman, her plethora of suitors had withdrawn respectfully.
“Why, I have not—” Elizabeth began before she was interrupted.
“Did they dance at your ball? I am grieved I missed it. You know I was quite distraught when the flood prevented us from returning in time for the much-anticipated event.”
“I am sure I do not know whom you mean, but Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy both danced with my sister.” Those were the only gentlemen she assumed Lady Crawford would address as dear, and a change of topic would not go amiss. “We had a bit of trouble at the end, as you have probably heard. It is so kind of you not to mention it, but I am quite over it, although it was a horrible experience at the time.”
Lady Crawford nodded in acquiescence.
The ladies returned home much refreshed and were surprised to receive the first letter from Lydia. Her father must have left her with generous funds because the letter arrived by an express rider. It took a moment before Elizabeth’s mind registered that she might have sent the letter express because she had a good reason to.
“Heaven forfend! What could be the matter? Something must be amiss for Lydia to have written. She is not much fond of sitting down doing anything, but correspondence is particularly distasteful to her. Yet, to bear the expense of having it delivered by express! Give it to me, Mary. I shall read it aloud. You always speak so quietly it is impossible to hear.”
Elizabeth nearly ripped the page out of Mary’s hand. She had to know what was wrong.
“Were you not supposed to read it aloud?” Mary complained.
Elizabeth’s eyes flew over the letters, yet no words came from her lips. The next sound she made was a low rumbling chuckle.
“Can you guess what Lydia deems so important that it justifies the expense of sending it express?”
“No! Please, Lizzy. I cannot bear the suspense.”
“I am sorry, Jane, for prolonging your discomfort, but this is just too ridiculous. Officers! Can you imagine?”
“I am not sure I follow you,” Jane admitted.
“That ninny has sent a letter by express to tell us there are officers in Ramsgate. Naval officers and regulars. What a scoop! Does she not understand that we would worry that there might be something terribly wrong when an express rider arrived unannounced on our doorstep?”
Elizabeth threw down the pages.
“Yes, they are generally unannounced,” Mary drawled. “But Lydia has never been sensible. I do not understand why you would expect her to begin now that she has managed her ultimate goal of being launched into society. Even if it is with an army of chaperons and in a small seaside resort.”
Chapter 7 A Niggling Feeling
Colonel Fitzwilliam was a blessing and a remedy against sullenness and bad temper. One could always count on him to raise the mood.
He was not as well-favoured as Mr Darcy, but his good humour more than made up for it. He had quickly become a favourite amongst the Longbourn girls—not that they disliked the viscount, but he was quiet and serious where the colonel was loquacious and of a cheerful disposition.
The good humour from their sojourn to Bond Street with the colonel was still lingering when their father arrived at Matlock House. Elizabeth strained to see whether anyone was following him, but he came alone.
