100 visitors and not a single review? I think I might cry :( Here's the next chapter anyway


"Kitty, I think that lipstick might be too dark for you," Lizzie ventured gently, watching her sister apply her makeup. She didn't want a fight with Kitty, but Kitty would look much prettier if she could be convinced to change her makeup a little. And if Kitty was prettier, she might get more attention herself instead of always being in Lydia's shadow.

But Kitty barely glanced at her. "This is the lipstick Lydia uses," she said, carefully creating the cupid's bow shape that was popular for lipstick.

"Yes, dear, but your complexion is different from hers. You're fairer than she is. You know you always need less powder than she does," Lizzie replied, hoping the compliment about her fair skin would make Kitty more willing to listen to advice.

"So I need less munitions. So what? I think it's pretty this way," Kitty said, now pulling out a new mascara preparation she had decided to purchase in town the day before.

Lizzie put down her teacup and ate the last piece of toast from her breakfast. "It is pretty this way, but I think a lighter shade might be even prettier, Kitty. You always end up on your own after Lydia abandons you, and I think you'd have more fun if..."

"Lay off, Lizzie, just because you're older than me doesn't mean you know everything!" Kitty cut her off. "Lydia's hip to the jive, and you're just being grungy!" She gathered up her mascara and flounced down the hall, to use the mirror in the tiny bathroom.

"I don't know why you bother, Lizzie," said Mary, calmly pouring herself another cup of tea. "Makeup isn't a worthwhile pursuit anyway. She would do much better to read a book."

Lizzie smiled wryly. "My powers of persuasion do not extend that far, Mary. I shouldn't think anyone would be able to manage that."

"It is a pity she cannot be persuaded to take interest in serious affairs," replied Mary.

The door opened, and Jane rushed in. She greeted her sisters briefly and then darted upstairs.

Lizzie got up and followed her up the stairs. "Jane? I something wrong?" she asked.

Jane looked up from packing clothes into a bag. "Nothing is wrong, Lizzie. I have a job!"

"A job? What sort of job?"

"Mr...Charles needs a private nurse. It's only for a week or two, but it pays well."

Lizzy was puzzled. Neither Mr. Bingley or his sister had looked ill, and surely if they had been in an accident they would have gone to the hospital. "Why does he need a nurse?" she asked.

"Because...oh dear, I'm afraid I'm not supposed to talk about it. I promised I wouldn't, even to you."

"Jane, what on earth..."

Jane saw how flustered her sister was and got up to give Lizzie a quick hug. "Everything's all right, Lizzie. It's just it's very private and they don't want to risk it getting into the papers, so I can't talk about it."

"Oh. Okay," Lizzie replied, not at all certain that it was okay. A thought occurred to her. "He's not asking you to have sex with him, is he?"

Jane blushed. "For heaven's sake, Lizzie, of course not! He wouldn't do that, and I wouldn't either. Don't be ridiculous."

Lizzie sighed. Her sister was rushing, but didn't seem agitated, so it probably was all right. "Well, do enjoy your mysterious new job. Do you have a secret alias as well?" she asked teasingly.

Jane laughed at her. "No, of course not Lizzie," she said, gathering up her cosmetics and putting them in a smaller bag. "Would you mind finding something for me to read?" she asked.

"Of course. I just bought the new collection of Jeeves stories, would you like that?"

"That would be perfect. So cheerful for a sickroom. And maybe the Father Brown book? I find him awfully soothing."

"Sure."

Lizzie had just seen her sister off when she heard Wickham groaning in the living room. She went in to find that he was stiffly attempting to sit up, so she rushed to help him.

"I'm glad you're finally awake," she said. "You must have been awfully tired. How do you feel?"

"Awful," he said, holding his side as if his ribs hurt him.

"Well, you have a beautiful black eye, but I'm glad to see you awake. Would you like some breakfast?"

"Abso-lute-ly, baby," he grinned back at her. He got up and slowly followed her to the dining room.

"At least you're well enough to flirt," she commented, as she poured him tea.

"A little of that noodle juice and I'll be well enough for nookie," he replied, with the same flirtatious grin. "Why don't you join me?"

She smiled and shook her head, but poured herself another cup of tea and sat with him.

"Do you know Charles Bingley at all?" she asked after a moment.

"Don't think I do. Who is he?"

"A friend of Darcy's. He just hired Jane to do some nursing work for him this morning. Something secret, I don't know why."

"Bingley. You know, maybe I have met the fella. Darcy must have introduced us. Don't know him, though. Are you worried about your sister?"

"A little. She thinks everything's jake, but then she always does. I don't want her to get hurt."

Wickham laughed bitterly. "Not much hope of that with Darcy around. If Bingley is the fella I remember, he seemed copacetic, but so did Darcy, at the time. You be careful of your sister, Lizzie. If she's a bit of a sap, she's lucky to have someone as sharp as you around."

Wickham reached over and grabbed the package of cigarettes lying on the windowsill next to Lizzie's purse. He lit two, and passed one to her. They smoked in silence for a minute.

"Are you well enough to travel?" Lizzie finally asked.

Wickham looked at her in surprise, and she found herself stumbling over her words. "Not that we aren't glad to let you stay, of course, but the house isn't very large, and..."

Wickham smiled at her. "No, of course baby, you don't need me hanging around. I'll get going back to the city." He stood up, still moving slowly.

Lizzie fished a couple of quarters out of her purse and pressed them into his hand. "For bus fare," she said, smiling at him.

He curled his fingers around hers. "Thanks, Lizzie. You're a real smarty," he replied, smiling down at her.


Hey, someone left a guest review while I was writing! Thank you so much!

Notes:

- I've decided this is in 1925, so the Wodehouse book mentioned is Carry On, Jeeves. The Innocence of Father Brown was written in 1911 by G. K. Chesterton, and I do indeed find it very soothing - though actually I prefer Chesterton's What's Wrong With the World when I'm feeling agitated. He has a way of making the world make sense again.

- Smoking is a terrible plan. You know that, I know that, Lizzie doesn't.

- as always, see my profile for a link to the slang dictionary I'm using.

Love you all, bunches and bunches. What do you think Wickham will try next? Let me know in the reviews