Ooops or Consequence & Consequences Chapter 14, a pride and prejudice fanfic

I was going to include this bit with the next chapter, although it belongs to the previous one. But I'm stuck, so you get this on its own.

See the note at the end.

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Just as one can have a surfeit of cakes, the Duchess discovered that an unlimited budget and opportunity to select new gowns, can become wearying. After selecting the fabrics and designs for a dozen dresses, she decided she needed a break.

Since her daughters appeared to have greater stamina, she resolved to have an overdue conversation with her youngest daughter.

The Duchess repaired to the nursery, accompanied by a footman carrying the tea-service.

She was shocked at the plainness of Lydia's accommodation, although stains and scratches on the walls caused by hurled dishes, gave testament to the wisdom of not inflicting Lydia's temper on the newly refurbished family rooms.

'Good afternoon, Lydia. I thought you might like to have tea with me.' The Duchess greeted her surly daughter as if she did not notice her dark looks.

Once the footman had gone and she had poured tea for both of them, Mrs Bennet gathered her courage. 'Lydia, I am mortified that I let my ignorance and my fear dictate my deplorable education of you and your sisters. But you in particular, since you reminded me of myself when I was your age, you were always my favourite.'

'Why do you waste your time with me, since it seems that you have a new favourite,' Lydia spat spitefully.

'You are still my favourite, although I hope that you will take advantage of an opportunity which I never had… learn how to be an accomplished lady.'

The lady sighed. 'While I learned how to sew and embroider, and even learnt to play the pianoforte, I never learnt how to act like a proper lady. As a consequence, I taught you what I knew. Since my husband married me because I was pretty and lively, I did not realise that there was more needed…'

Lydia interrupted. 'Nothing more is needed. In Meryton I was popular. All those handsome officers desired to dance with me. Why should I change now?'

'The officers desired to dance with you. But I fear they also desired you, but not as their wife. It has been brought home to me that I was exceedingly fortunate, because Mr Bennet is an honourable gentleman. But those officers, although they are called gentlemen, mostly were anything but.'

She took a sip of tea while she gathered her thoughts. 'Because of the entail on Longbourn, I was afraid of the future… of what might happen if my husband died prematurely. I wanted to see all my daughters safely married and taken care of. Since I did not know any better, I taught you to behave the way I did, when I met Mr Bennet.

As I said, I recently learnt that most gentlemen, the ones who can afford to take good care of their wives, also want women who are accomplished and behave with propriety… Not girls who will flirt excessively and display their assets in an overly forward manner.'

'Flirting, the way you do and the way I did at your age, suggests to most men that you are not very attached to your virtue. If they can have what they want from you, without the need of marriage and the responsibility of supporting you and your potential children, they will take what you apparently offer, and then move on to the next girl.'

'But I enjoy flirting.'

'I suspect that you enjoy the admiration you receive. But if you wish to marry and interest a good husband, you will need to learn to be admired for accomplishments rather than your décolletage. Do you not realise that as the daughter of a Duke you will have your choice of suitors? I wish you to be in a position to attract the very best. But that means that for the next two years you will need to unlearn what I have taught you, and then learn how to act like a lady.'

Lydia considered her mother's words with a mulish look. 'I have no wish to be as boring as Jane or Lizzy.'

'I do not wish for you to become Jane or Lizzy. I simply would like you to be the best Lydia that you can be.'

The Duchess smiled encouragingly at her daughter. 'Think about what I have said. In the meantime, I will send Miss Miller to you. She will measure you for a new dress or two.'

Lydia perked up at those words. 'A new dress… or two? Very well. I will think about what you said.' She hesitated for a moment. 'Could I think about it in my room, rather than here?'

'As long as you behave with decorum, you are welcome to join the family.' Lydia beamed at those words. 'But if you behave in a way that is an embarrassment to the family, you will return here.'

'Yes, Mama.'

~~~o0o~~~

Sorry, I'm stuck on the next chapter, which is dinner with the Carltons where afterwards, Jane and Brandon decide that they quite like each other but are in no rush, since they want to get to know each other better. Son of an Earl, daughter of a Duke… there are possibilities.

Since Bingley was overt in his attentions and then vanished, Jane is going to take it easy.

I'm just going to create a backstop for Jane, so that when she meets Bingley again…

she will know what to do. (Did you think I was going to give you a clue?)

But I have various bits written for what happens in London, so hopefully tomorrow you will get a glimpse of what is to come.

~~~o0o~~~