Chapter 31:

Lydia Bennet was simply ecstatic! She bounced into the room, her curls jumping around her face, making her look even younger than usual. She sat down next to Kitty, who looked positively angry.

"La! I am to go to Brighton and not you, even though you are older!" said Lydia, her face full of glee. Mary watched the exchange with a critical eye—no one took her thoughts seriously but if someone had asked, and oh she wished they would, she would assure them that was positively a horrible idea.

"Why do you look so glum?" asked Lydia to Mary, making a face of disgust. She never liked Mary and always saw her lack of beauty as a reason to dislike her. She ruined their reputation as the prettiest of girls—a reputation Lydia held very dear. She was determined to use it for her benefit and to finally catch a husband!

"What are you plotting?" asked Mary, behind her spectacles.

"Hmm" said Lydia, shrugging her shoulders, "I was simply thinking that I, the youngest, might come back married to a handsome soldier!"

"You would be happy about that?" asked Mary incredulously.

"Of course! Can you imagine how beautiful I would look in the arm of a red uniform? Oh! I could squeal with excitement!" she said, almost squealing.

"How would you live? Do you even know the salary of a mere soldier?" asked Mary, feeling more brave than she ever had. She could not believe Lydia could be so stupid. Mary knew Lydia was silly but now she simply sounded stupid. It was a shame she had not gotten any of her sisters' beauty. She felt if she had, she would be taken more seriously and she knew that though she did not share her sisters beauty, nor Lizzy's wit, she was smart.

"That is neither here nor there" said Lydia, shrugging her shoulders and sinking into the couch and now turning her attention at the slumped figure next to her. "Fear not Kitty! I shall likewise find you a husband while I am at Brighton!" This only made Kitty even more visibly upset and she stormed out of the room—something that only amused Lydia and did not seem to bother her in the slightest. Mary went back to her book and ignored the sad reality before her.

"Lydia!" said Mrs. Bennet excitedly. She had just been shown out of Mr. Bennet's study and was counting pounds as she entered the drawing room. "Your father has been very kind! He has given me some purse money for you while at Brighton, I do not want you to be a burden to the new Mrs. Foster."

"Thank you, mama!" said Lydia eagerly taking the money, "Are my trunks almost packed?"

"I believe so, I shall see with Hill" said Mrs. Bennet, feeling as excited or possibly more than her youngest daughter. She too remembered how exciting it was to be near handsome officers—for who could not be handsome with such a fine red coat?

The mother and daughter went up to their room where they finalized choosing dressed and matching bonnets, stopping to speak eagerly of everything Lydia would see and encounter. Her mother was sure she would come back engaged and even hinted to it a number of times. Lydia simple smiled and told her mother though she would love to come back engaged, she also wanted to dance and flirt with as many soldiers as possible!

They finally made it back down the stairs for an early supper, where they found Mr. Bennet reading a letter with a worried look on his face.

"What is the matter, my dear?" asked Mrs. Bennet.

"I am afraid there have been some change of plans" he said cryptically, reading the note with a mixture of anger and fear. "Your new brother in law has heard of your plans to go to Brighton and has, in kinder terms, forbidden me from sending you."

"WHAT?!" said Lydia, not believing her father. "Surely you jest, father."

"Surely I do not" he said with a smirk. "He will also be providing a governess for the three girls and has requested that though the girls are out, they remain as in as possible until further instruction." Mr. Bennet read all of this with a mixture of entertainment as well as surprise. He could not believe Mr. Darcy would have the gall to tell him what to do but clearly, he did. Mr. Bennet also did not think sending Lydia to Brighton would be so bad. Mr. Darcy was concerned for Lydia's reputation (and by extension his) and he reminded Mr. Bennet that now that they were family, they should rely on each other to further improve their family's situation and marriage prospects.

Mr. Bennet took in the news silently, ignoring Lydia's screams and Mrs. Bennet's pleas. He stared at the letter and did not know what to make of it. He wanted Lydia gone, she was so silly that when the opportunity arose to send her away for the summer, he knew the alternative was worse. Now that Lizzy and Jane were gone, his house was positively dreadful and he avoided all talk and interaction with his silly wife and his three silly daughter. But now it seemed that Mr. Darcy was determined to keep them in Mr. Bennet's house and that, he could not do.

Determined to suggest that Lydia go spend time with Lizzy, he folded the letter and ruminated on its contents throughout the meal, hoping that Lydia's screams did not reach London, for if they did, Mr. Darcy would know he had been right.

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"You look lovely" said Elizabeth, seeing Jane come down the stairs. They were to go to the theater with the Viscount and his family, and Jane looked as lovely as she looked nervous. "Darling, why do you look so nervous?" asked Lizzy.

"Oh Lizzy" said Jane in a whisper, fixing her gloves nervously. "Since Mr. Bingley dropped his suit, I have spent more time with the Viscount and I fear I am beginning to care for him. Is it silly to be afraid of being hurt again?"

"Jane!" said Lizzy, reaching for her gloved hand, "It is not silly, not at all" she added softly, "The price we pay for love is pain, but without it we would never love at all. I think the Viscount has been honest with his intentions and his family adore you! I do not believe you have anything to fear—I know you do not want to be hurt again, but do not let fear keep you from showing him how you feel."

"Do you blame me for Mr. Bingley leaving me?" asked Jane, reading in between the lines. For surely Lizzy was saying that Jane had seemed indifferent to Mr. Bingley and therefore he believe his sisters and didn't return.

"No!" said Lizzy with feeling, "Though I am glad that you seemed indifferent for otherwise he may have returned and I do not think him worthy of you."

"I feel I may not be worthy of the Viscount" said Jane, looking down.

"Nonsense!" said Lizzy laughing. "It is not because he is a Viscount that he is worthy of you, but because he treats you with respect. Come, let us make haste and see your Prince" teased Lizzy. Jane smiled, feeling more at ease at having spoken with Lizzy and they joined Mr. Darcy who was waiting outside with the carriage and made their way to the theater.

Mr. Darcy entered the theater with his new wife, Mrs. Darcy and his sister in law, Miss Jane Bennet. It seemed that more curious faces were on them than usual, specially as the handsome Viscount, escorted by his mother and his sister, approached them.

"Good evening" said the Viscount, who greeted them. He reached for Miss Bennet's hand and offered her his arm, which she gladly took. "We are honored that you will join us in our box."

"It is our pleasure" said Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy on behalf of her family, for it seemed Jane lost her voice with all the prying eyes around them. There had been rumors that the Viscount had finally found his Viscountess and if there were any doubts, seeing him pay special attention to the new Mrs. Darcy's pretty sister was enough to convince the ton that they would soon have a new Viscountess to call theirs. No one in the ton was actually happy for the couple, they were mourning their own daughter's prospects but as they all were known to do, they put on a happy face and decided that being in the new Viscountess's graces was more important than their own inner feelings.

As they made their way to the Viscount's Box, they heard a family voice call out to them and it was Mrs. Darcy who greeted her first.

"Miss Bingley" said Mrs. Darcy, with a fake smile plastered on her face. "A pleasure" added Lizzy, her face conveying anything but.

"Indeed!" said Caroline, smiling widely. She greeted everyone and then added, "I have made new acquaintances, all eager to hear more about the new Mrs. Darcy and knowing that we are such good friends, naturally they have found a good source!" she gushed. Elizabeth knew at once that the smirk on her face meant nothing good and she would have to spread word that they were not friends at all. She could not give Caroline any power over her.

"We are mere acquaintances, Miss Bingley, though I am flattered that you think me your friend, enjoy the play" said Elizabeth, looking every part Mrs. Darcy and hoping a few of the prying eyes had heard her. Miss Bingley had not been expecting such a public set down and simply smiled and walked away, wanting a way, any way to get back at the woman who stole the love of her life.

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