1: Prologue

Elizabeth Bennet crossed her arms in despair as she measured her father sitting across from her on his ottoman. He looked completely detached. In fact, he was reading. He was not listening to her, not entirely.

He seemed as though he was paying attention, but in reality, he couldn't wait to be alone in his study again. This entire affair with Lydia was giving him a colossal headache.

And Lizzie, sweet girl as she was, was making it a lot harder for him to stick to his decision.

'Lydia will never know the extent of her insignificance unless she is put against people of real value,' he argued once again.

'You are hasty, father, in making such an affirmation, for you forget Lydia cares little for her insignificance, as long as she has colonels and young men around her.'

'Elizabeth, she has been taunting me all winter, she needs some entertainment and I'm afraid if we keep her here any longer, she will ridicule us the greater. Lydia will be in good hands. I trust Colonel Forster for being a sensible man.'

'So, your solution to her taunts is to send her away and hand her to an honourable, but complete stranger!' Elizabeth exclaimed.

Mr. Bennet groaned and set his book on his knees. He was never going to get through this argument. He knew his second eldest daughter spoke some truths, but he was also aware that Lydia was a peril to this neighbourhood and this house. The faster she was married and within her own society, the better.

It was at that moment that the third eldest sister, Mary Bennet, knocked at his door.

'Enter, enter, I'm afraid I can't stop you,' he muttered.

Mary came in holding a tray of tea things. She was maneuvering the weight with some difficulty, but she enjoyed doing little things for her father.

'Hullo, papa. Mama told me you might need something to eat and drink,' she said quietly.

'Thank you, child. That is very kind. Set it on the table over there. Is Kitty still crying her eyes out?'

'I believe so.'

'Is she still in the parlour?'

'No, she has retired to her room.'

'Ah. Well, go about comforting her,' he suggested, frowning.

Just as she was about to leave the room, Mr. Bennet seized the thought that was emmerging from his weary mind.

'Hold on, Mary. Elizabeth, I think I may have solved our dilemma.'

Lizzie raised her eyebrows in suspicion and disbelief.

'Mary, how would you like to accompany your sister to Brighton?' he asked her gleefully.

Mary's face turned as pale as a sheet. She was sure she was going to be sick. She hoped she had heard wrong, or that her father was jesting as usual.

'Well, come now, speak girl! Would you like to go to Brighton with Lydia?'

She pursed her lips and clasped her hands together at her back as she usually did when she was nervous or upset.

'Not very much, no,' she replied honestly.

But Mary's voice was usually very meek, so that her father thought she was simply being shy and hesitant. He smiled broadly and bid her come by his side.

'Oh, nonsense, I am sure you would enjoy it, at least a little. I know you are a quiet being and you like your readings but you would meet some fine, educated people there. You would have conversation. And the Forsters are not to be slighted.'

'I don't think it is a very good idea, father,' she repeated politely, clasping and unclasping the hands at her back.

'And most importantly,' he added, 'you'd keep an eye on Lydia for me. You know she needs some looking after, as she is not the most obedient of children. I think I could trust you with Lydia.'

Elizabeth had witnessed this rather odd exchange between her awkward sister and her oblivious father with slight humour and pain, but now it was time for her to speak.

'Mary, you are not obliged to go if you do not wish it.'

Mary nodded her head and deigned to open the door again.

'Well, of course not,' Mr. Bennet remarked after a pause, 'but you would do me a great favour, Mary. And I'd be very grateful to you, for you'd be taking a weight off my shoulders.'

Mary's breath hitched in her throat, though she showed no external sign that she was overwhelmed. Her brows knitted in concentration. Her father was her greatest weakness. She always tried to please him and make him love her more, to the extent that now, she was starting to consider his demand.

She promised him she would think about his suggestion.

But once Mrs. Bennet took hold of this idea, she became even more adamant than Mr. Bennet and soon the whole house was raging upon it.

'What an excellent suggestion from my husband! Why, he always knows how to settle things best, although he can be quite unfair at times! He has finally noticed you spend your days here very drearily and he thought you would benefit from this excursion more than Kitty. How just of him!' Mrs. Bennet exclaimed good-humouredly.

'Are you sure Kitty cannot join Lydia? They would be very happy together and they take good care of each other, for the most part,' Mary reasoned. It was half-true. The two sisters were a good match for each other, but they were so alike they would undoubtedly get into much trouble if left completely alone.

'Nay, I should think Kitty ought to stay in because you are more deserving of entertainment, dear. She's met many officers and gentlemen already and I'm sure she'll receive an offer in no time, but you, my dear, well you have not exactly caught anyone's eye,' her mother explained in worldlier terms than she would have liked.

'I don't want to go to Brighton to be married or "catch someone's eye", as you say,' Mary argued.

'Well, you may wish one thing and get another. And let us hope that your will does not prevail this time. I would very much like to see you well off. You wouldn't want to be a burden to your parents, would you?'

'That is not being a burden.'

'Well, you are not making it any easier for your father, who cannot even die in peace when he thinks you might end up homeless and destitute.'

Mary frowned and sat back at her desk, feeling offended and very much hurt. She had heard this speech many times, recited either to her or another one of her sisters. It was a common verbal punishment in the house.

'Now, do not sulk and be grim, Mary. It shall not do. Alright! At least, think how happy you will make your father for sparing him the worries over Lydia.'

And so, it was decided after some time of silent defiance from Mary, that she was to go to Brighton with her sister, after all, to the chagrin of Kitty, who, upon hearing the news, accused them all of being unjust and cruel.

Lydia was very happy with the arrangement, because she knew her sister would have her nose stuck in books most of the time and she would not be so vigilant over her. Moreover, Mary would present no competition in the Ball room, which was not the case with Kitty, a sister almost as fair and sweet as she.

In no less than two days, the two sisters were ready for the voyage.