Further Consequences of an Indecent Slip

For the next several weeks, the sisters conspired to keep Lydia indoors so as not to create a scandal. They were quite fearful lest she be caught amongst her old acquaintances and by persuasion of spirited company forgo her obligations to Mr. Collins. Though they all were privy to the conspiracy, Mary alone spoke her forebodings aloud.

Keeping Lydia at home was not entirely difficult with Mrs. Bennet so eager to discuss every detail of the wedding trousseau. Kitty was also agreeable to the sheltering of her younger sister as the constant ignoring of her in lieu of wedding plans gave her reason to find little joy in Lydia's company.

So it was that Lizzy set off for Meryton one afternoon with only Jane, Kitty, and Charlotte Lucas for company.

Elizabeth was in a better frame of mind than she had been regarding the marriage between her sister and Mr. Collins. She had determined not to dwell on what might be, but to enjoy the thought that presently she had the removal of Lydia from Longbourn to look forward to, and that she was not currently striving to keep her and Kitty from making ninnies of themselves as they approached the shops. Without their youngest sister, Kitty was content to peer into shop windows rather than seek the attention of every male passerby.

Upon seeing a group of soldiers mulling about, Elizabeth pointed out a particularly pretty bonnet to Kitty, averting the soldiers' gaze and the obligation to greet them. She had no wish to be caught in their company, or to give account for her sister's recent removal from their society. Having turned aside so quickly, she could not be sure which of the soldiers passed on. Though she wished to see Wickham again to give further account of Mr. Darcy's character, it was not worth the risk to merely satisfy curiosity.

As the soldiers passed by, two horsemen slowed and came to stop. Mr. Bingley alighted from one to pay his respects and start a lively conversation with Jane. The other horseman seemed to deliberate for a moment before he too dismounted and bowed to the ladies.

Elizabeth bowed civilly, wondering at the pain it must give him to be forced to stop for such common folk. She tried smothering an unwarranted smile.

"Mr. Darcy, I believe you know my friend, Charlotte Lucas."

"Indeed. I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Lucas at Netherfield."

"Ah, yes. I thought there were not enough couples that night," Lizzy sighed, "There should have been more gentleman dancing. Some present danced only one or two dances, though the room was full of young ladies without partners."

Charlotte dipped her head to hide a smile. Mr. Darcy looked curiously at Elizabeth. "Do you mean to bait me, Miss Bennet?"

"If I thought you so easily baited, I am certain you would have rectified the shortage of dance partners that evening."

This only deepened Mr. Darcy's frown, and it seemed he had no reply to Lizzy's teasing. Before another word could be exchanged, Mr. Bingley turned the tone with a cheerful interruption. "It seems we have need of another ball to let us mend the offenses! What say you, Miss Elizabeth?"

She turned graciously to him. "You are very kind, Mr. Bingley, but we shall all be very busy for the next few months hereafter."

"Your sister is to be married! Of course! A hearty congratulations to her, and to you all!"

"I believe we've kept the ladies long enough from their business, Bingley." Mr. Darcy's tone was more affable than Lizzy had heard before, and there was something akin to amusement in his expression.

"Of course," Mr. Bingley grinned. "Good day to you, Miss Bennet, Miss Bennet, Miss Lucas," and tipping his hat to each of them in turn, though dipping his head an inch lower to the elder Miss Bennet, Mr. Bingley returned to his horse and the two gentleman rode away.


Author's Notations...

Tsk, tsk, dear readers, this is getting out of hand! I meant to write a simple one-shot, forged from the fires of Mt. Doom. Oops. I shouldn't be posting and watching ROTK at the same time. My point is, everyone who reviewed was so kind and insistent on having more of a story, that I couldn't resist. I also updated the previous installment with a few edits. It is not enormously different, but tweaked, you might say.

As for this piece and a furtherance of the tale, I'm of the opinion that in the original novel there were far too many balls. It makes it very hard to figure out any sort of timeline regarding who knew what about whom at which social event, etc. So please forgive any errors and try to enjoy the twist, regardless.

Abundant thank you's to all you who review, and Her Fantasy for the kind critique. :)