Second chapter posted today. Make sure you read the other first.
"You could be married, or at least engaged if you would show even the smallest bit of favor to a young man," her mother complained. "You are very pretty, and thanks to your sisters you have enviable connections and a dowry. Why did we allow you to travel if not to make a match?"
"I wished to travel to see more of the world, Mama, not so that I would find a husband. Not everyone wishes to marry."
"Oh! Do you have any idea what you are doing to my nerves?! Not wish to marry?! Really, Mary!"
"Ms. Richards never married, and she enjoys her life immensely."
"Don't speak to me of Ms. Richards. Lydia is still in her care and she, too, remains unmarried!"
"Mama, Lydia will soon only be eighteen. Perhaps she has no wish to marry."
The color drained from her mother's face and she truly feared she might actually faint. "Mr. Bennet…"
"Come now, Mary, do not tease your mother so," he said with a wink, trying to calm his wife. Whether they married or not, her father didn't care so long as his girls were happy.
"Sorry, Mama."
"Ungrateful child!"
At that moment, Lady Catherine stood, and made for the door. Mary had forgotten she was in the room. She really wished her mother wouldn't bring up such subjects in company. Lady Catherine did not look at her mother, but did nod at her as she walked by. Once she was gone, the silence that had descended the room quickly abated.
"Such a strange woman," commented her mother.
"Mama!"
"Well, she is! Walking around uttering not a single word! It is very odd, indeed."
"Mama, Lady Catherine is still recovering from her daughter's passing. It has not yet been a year."
"And yet the Colonel seems to be recovering well. She was his wife."
"Mama!"
"Oh! The Colonel has been very kind to you, Mary. Perhaps once his period of mourning is through, he will seek your hand! He has an estate in need of an heir, after all."
"Mama! No! Please, stop!"
"Mrs. Bennet," her father interrupted her mother, "Lizzy has told me herself that her cousin will need more time. He cared for his wife very much."
Mrs. Bennet rolled her eyes. "Well, we shall see. In any case, it will not hurt for Mary to put herself out there more, be it for the Colonel or some other gentleman who comes to call. There have been several, already, though I believe they seek Miss Darcy's hand, but once they learn of your attendance, I am sure they shall seek yours as well."
"Mama, I will marry when I am ready, if I will at all. Now, if you will excuse me, I promised Lizzy I would visit this morning."
Making quick strides across the room, she successfully made her exit before her mother could form another argument. She had been at Pemberley for three days and it was already too much. She expected this when she came, but living it was not quite the same as imagining it. The only consolation was that she knew that being there for the birth of Lizzy's child would be worth it.
Knocking when she reached Lizzy's door, she was left waiting only a moment before being granted entrance, once more, by Darcy.
"Oh! I'm sorry. I can come back later."
"No need, Mary," smiled Darcy, "I was just about to go in search of my cousin. I'll leave you two to enjoy your time." He walked over and placed a kiss at Lizzy's brow and left the room.
"Mama thinks I am merely being obstinate by not simply choosing a husband, but it's really because my sisters have set such high standards. I believe I could not be happy with a man who had not the character of my brothers-in-law."
Lizzy laughed. "I beg you take a little advice from me: do not judge a man based on your first impression of him. Sometimes, you have to dig a little deeper to get to the true heart of a man."
"I believe our modern courting and marriage customs leave little time for that."
"True, but there is much to be gleaned from their family, friends, and neighbors. I take it Mama has given you her daily marriage talk."
"At least the first one of the day. I am sure she will hunt me down at least two more times today in an attempt to get me to see things her way. Heaven help me if some single gentleman comes to call on Darcy or Georgiana today."
"That is always a possibility. Georgiana has quite the following, though she claims no gentleman has yet caught her eye."
"Do you think she has someone in mind?"
"She does not. In truth, many remind her too much of Wickham. She refuses to settle for such a man, so, she depends on William to look out for her interests. Since Richard is here, I am sure she will seek his opinion as well."
"Good for her! Perhaps I should do the same, should I ever meet a man I can tolerate well enough."
"Oh, Mary. I look forward to meeting the man who catches your special attention."
In all, she spent two hours with her sister. Jane joined them for the last hour, having managed to escape her husband and children, or so she said. Mary knew Oliver did like to keep close to Jane, especially since being at Pemberley. Though they got on tolerably well, Oliver and Darcy were not exactly the closest of friends. After leaving, Mary managed to catch a few blissful hours in the library, before her mother did find her to try and convince her to see things her way.
The Season in Bath had hardly begun and already there were too many people about. Lydia learned the year before that she wasn't entirely fond of a crush. If one was hosting a ball, she could see it being a good thing, but being a guest was simply miserable. There were too many dancers and not enough space between partners. It was frustrating to one such as herself, who took the greatest delight in dancing. However, she found she would rather sit out than try to dance among so many. Not to mention, she had developed a distaste for sweating, and she was already doing so standing still. It made her feel extremely unattractive. Her musings were cut short by a now familiar voice in her ear.
"Not dancing this evening, Miss Bennet?"
Rolling her eyes, she turned around, stepped back, and put on a strained smile. "Mr. Chumming, I am sure you know enough about me to know that I do not enjoy dancing in such crowded circumstances. If you will excuse me, I must rejoin Ms. Richards."
"I am surprised your guardian let you out of her sight with me in attendance this evening," Tanner Chumming stated as she moved past him.
"I am not out of her sight. You need only look across the room to see she is quite aware of your presence near me. My friend, Miss Jenkins, just left my side to dance, but I am sure you know that as well. Good evening, Mr. Chumming."
"Miss Bennet," he replied with what would be a charming smile to some. However, Lydia Bennet would not be taken in.
It took only a few moments to reach her guardian. "Forgive me, Ms. Richards, I didn't realize he was so close by."
"Not your fault, and you did well, my dear. He is not for you, not unless he made some drastic changes."
"He is not for me, no matter what changes he would make."
"It's his family I feel for the most. His mother is distraught at his actions, and his brother claims he will throw him out on his ear once the estate passes to him. I can't say that I blame him. He is trying to bring his son up honorably, and he doesn't want him or his daughters tainted by his brother's actions. His father is far too tolerable, and he is old enough to know better."
"Indeed. Ms. Richards, will we be staying much longer? The room is far too crowded, I nearly feel faint."
"I quite agree. It is not too early. If you wish, we may take our leave."
The current number soon ended, and Lydia was able to tell her friend, Helen Jenkins, goodbye, while Ms. Richards said goodbye to the matrons she preferred to socialize with. They managed to speak with the hosts, applauding their successful night, and begged their forgiveness for leaving a bit early. Lydia claimed a headache, as well as feeling faint. Their gracious hosts accepted their accolades and wished her a quick recovery.
In the carriage, Lydia though of the situation with Mr. Chumming. Tanner Chumming was handsome to be sure, but his actions and motives appalled her. Though she would never admit it, he frightened her. She knew that a little over two years before, she would have easily fallen for him. Her lack of fortune wouldn't have mattered, as she would have still served a purpose to him. It angered her that a man would do such a thing to someone so young and innocent. The worst part of it all was that, all though they admit that he would be most at fault, the censure would mostly fall on whatever young lady he led astray. Mr. Chumming had ruined up to three girls, that she had heard of, and yet he was still able to move about in society while the girls were quietly married off, or sent away under another name, or, as in the case of others, left with nothing but their ruin.
Due to all that she had learned, Lydia had, also, learned to despise the behaviors that had landed her in Bath in the first place. This was only her second year out in society, and she had witnessed several young ladies make fools of themselves. Lydia refused to be seen as a fool again. She had acquired the reputation of being very picky about her partners and friends, which brought her far more praise than censure. At nearly eighteen, mothers wished for their daughters to befriend her. Unfortunately for them, Lydia wasn't looking for a gaggle of friends, or to be some prime example of maidenhood. She had one friend; sweet, shy, and slightly clumsy Helen, and that wasn't going to change.
Lydia heard Ms. Richards calling her name and apologized for ignoring her on their way home. Ms. Richards smiled and assured her she was not offended. She could see she had something on her mind. Once they were in the house, they called for a little refreshment before retiring for the night.
"Lydia, I forgot to tell you earlier. I received a letter from my sister today. She will be coming in July, and staying until Christmas. We are all invited to Dalton, Oliver's estate in Nottinghamshire, this year."
"Christmas with my family. How wonderful," she droned.
"I believe it will be good for you, and so will the other bit of news I have. Your sister, Mary, will be joining my sister for her visit."
"Mary is coming here?" Lydia's mind whirled. They did not part entirely too well the last time. They hadn't actually had a conversation since their encounter in the library of Oliver's townhouse.
"Yes. I thought about putting her in the room across from yours. I thought she might enjoy the view of the garden."
"I'm sure she will."
Ms. Richards studied her closely. "How do you really feel about this turn of events?"
Lydia knew it was pointless to try and hide her true feelings from her guardian, so she took a second analyze her feelings. "Mary and I got along the worst, and our last meeting wasn't very pleasant. I worry about how we shall bear living under the same roof for six months with no one else present as a buffer."
"It has been over a year since you last met. I know you are not the same young woman as you were before. Perhaps she has changed as well."
"I suppose we shall see." Lydia kept her doubt to herself.
"Being respectful, no matter how she acts, will, at least, keep you blameless. I believe that will be a good start. Now, we still have a few weeks, and your birthday to celebrate, before they come. Let us retire so that we have the strength to start making plans for it all."
Richard considered the letter before him. It was hard enough being at Pemberley, he wasn't sure he was ready to enter society again. But, at that thought, he felt a part of himself rise up and insist he must do so. He couldn't hide forever in the shadows. As hard as it was to have left Rosings and spend time with several very happy families, he knew it was good for him. It was part of his healing process. It had certainly been good for Lady Catherine. He saw a little more fire enter her eyes with every encounter she had with Mrs. Bennet. He only hoped he would be there to witness any confrontation that happened. Elizabeth was of the same mind.
Looking down at the letter again, he began forming a reply. Before he could take quill to paper, there was a knock at his suite door."
"Enter."
Darcy came in looking distressed.
"Is Elizabeth alright? Is it time?!" Richard barked.
"No. I have just barely managed to escape Mrs. Bennet. Please tell me I may stay with you for a little while."
Richard chuckled, relieved that all was still well. "Of course. What could possibly send you running from her? It's not like she has an eye on you to marry one of her daughters. You already have."
"She keeps questioning me about other eligible men of my acquaintance. She has determined that her middle daughter should marry, and she would see it happen due to her effort, I believe."
"Poor Miss Bennet."
"Indeed. Elizabeth says she is not against the idea of marriage, only that she is particular."
"As every young lady should be."
"Mrs. Bennet refuses to be moved, and Mr. Bennet finds it too amusing to curb it. It is harmless, I suppose, but it is annoying for me. I do not wish to be hounded on a daily basis about any subject, especially with Elizabeth so close to her time."
"Well, you are more than welcome to escape to my rooms as often as you like. Though, I must tell you, it will be quite boring. I am usually only here to read, answer letters, and sleep."
"That is fine by me. Any interesting news?"
"Bingley has written to me. He is to spend the summer and autumn in Bath and begs that I join him."
"Bingley?"
"Yes. I understand that letters have been few between the two of you, but our correspondence has been steady."
"I am happy to hear it. What will you do?"
Taking a deep breath, Richard answered his cousin. "I think I will take him up on his offer. My time of mourning will soon be up, and I know Anne would not wish for me to continue to hide myself away."
Darcy smiled sadly. "Do you often make decisions based off of what Anne would have approved of?"
"Yes."
"Well, you will not be the only one going to Bath. Mary will be spending several months there, as well. Mrs. Andrews, Mr. Andrews' mother, shall be going to join her sister and the youngest Miss Bennet until Christmas."
"Indeed?"
"Indeed."
"At least there will be someone familiar present in the city. I shall be sure to call on them."
"What of Lady Catherine?"
"My mother and father has invited her to come and stay with them for a time. It will be good for us both."
"I am sure it will."
Neither were comfortable with the awkward silence that descended upon them, but neither knew what to say to add that what had already been said. Clearing his throat, Darcy offered an olive branch.
"Shall we go for a ride?"
"Yes. Let's."
It was her sixth day at Pemberley and it looked as though it were going to be a beautiful day. She dressed and took her time walking down to breakfast. When she arrived, she was surprised to find only Oliver present.
"Am I late, or is everyone else having a lie in?"
"Your sister's pains began in the night. Jane has been with her since she was sent for and your father is keeping your mother engaged. Elizabeth tossed her out within the first hour. The Colonel is making a valiant effort at keeping Mr. Darcy occupied. Miss Darcy and Lady Catherine are with them, I believe."
Mary sat down heavily in the chair. Lizzy was having her baby. She wouldn't be allowed to see her sister until the babe had come. She didn't know what she was going to do until that time. Later, she would speculate that her brother-in-law saw her worry clearly.
"I was thinking of spending the day with the children. Would you like to join me?"
"Yes," she said, not hesitating. "I would like that."
