Disclaimer: Pride and Prejudice of course belongs to Jane Austen, so blame her!

Love Letters to Mr Darcy

Chapter 7: Lydia

Hearing the door open, Lydia turned around and – spying Lizzy – swept and made a bee line for her, chattering almost without stopping for breath as she forcibly led Lizzy to back to the table.

"Oh! So good to see you Lizzy! You look so well, and how is Pemberley? I am told it is very fine indeed. And Darcy?"

Lizzy was scarcely able to stammer agreement, astonished as she was, but Lydia kept on going.

"I'm so sorry that my dear Wickham and I were unable but you know how things are." Lydia gave an irritating little laugh. "Wickham was so kind as to ride all the long way to Pemberley once we heard Jane was unwell. I suppose he will tell me of it upon his return. Or you could invite me, Lizzy? What a grand idea! A ball and we all stay at Pemberley. I don't suppose Mr Darcy will mind or he will be away on business."

Lizzy was so outraged at Lydia presuming to know of her husband that she was speechless as she [Lydia continued.

"All the officers will come and Kitty… Oh I haven't seen Kitty in so long! She must have a young man by now; she is the only one left to marry as Mary never will so -"

"And what makes you say that?" Lizzy was finally able to drag herself away from her complete astonishment to assertively protect her sister.

"Oh, Lizzy!" you don't think she would ever find a man who will so much as pass her by. Why, she met so of the officers, Wickham could introduce her to some, there are plenty out there -"

"Lydia," Lizzy said, exasperated.

"She is plain; she does not go out and certainly has nothing to recommend her -"

"Lydia!"

She [Lydia stopped as Lizzy raised her voice but soon lowered it to a more conversational volume.

"Has this folly of a marriage completely blinded you to reality? As far as I can see, Mary – and most certainly Kitty – have more to recommend them than you acknowledge. They aren't foolish girls who run off with the first man they see! And they most certainly do not display the complete and utter lack of tact and control you appear to possess daily! Do not speak of such thing when you clearly know nothing of them!"

Lydia was silent upon the end of this speech as Lizzy took deep breathes to steady herself. Never before had she told Lydia so firmly that she disapproved of her marriage, lifestyle and character. Amazingly, Lydia's eyes were not filled with tears but with cold hatred.

"You think I can be just like you and Jane?" She exploded. "No, Mrs Darcy, you go above yourself. Wickham is a fine man – the best – and Mary and Kitty are nothing but brainless chits, like you and Jane, who are more concerned with appearances than pleasure. Well I for one want nothing to do with it. Consider yourself here-on devoid of all connections with me and my husband!'

And she stormed out of the room, leaving Lizzy sitting, staring at the plate of scones before her and having more on her mind than she previously imagined possible.

A/N: I've been trying to have more regular and frequent updates, so here it is and thankyou to everyone for reviewing! Please do again!

Elizabeth