Do not own Pride and Prejudice
This starts off on the same day Darcy come to visit...I wanted some more sister bonding.
At the Longbourn house, Elizabeth was feeling terrible. She felt as if a million bricks had fallen on her head and her throat felt most unpleasant. She should have never stayed outside for such a long period! Her mother was now going to have a reason for Elizabeth not to be traipsing around the country. But for now she could have the peace and quiet she wanted.
Her father and sisters were beside themselves with worry. Mrs. Bennet actually showed her second eldest daughter a kind loving nature that Elizabeth never knew existed. Yesterday when the Mr. Jones informed her parent's she had the flu after checking her ankle Mrs. Bennet actually showed Lizzie the tender side to her, she was quite surprised.
She then heard footsteps in the hall. They paused at the door for a few seconds then walked away. She then saw who was the mystery person with the light footsteps. Of all her sisters she never thought it could be Lydia!
"Oh Lizzie. You are awake." She said as she sat on the chair near her bed.
"Yes my eyes are open. Is something wrong? What can I help you with?" Lizzie managed to croak out.
"Well I have been meaning to talk to you for several days now...and I...I wanted to...well" Lydia kept stumbling and fidgeting with her morning dress.
"Lydia, what is wrong? Start from the beginning." She quietly said as she held her sister's hand.
"Well, last week when we went to town for our dresses...I overheard ladies talking about us, and they said such awful things about me...and I...oh Lizzie!" Lydia said as she sobbed into her sister's arms.
"Shhh Lydia it is alright...now what did they say?" Elizabeth said as she rubbed her sister's back. She didn't know why Lydia was reacting to the comments now. Perhaps it was because she heard them firsthand?
"Well they basically said I was foolish and a most determined flirt. They also said that I was the one most likely to ruin the Bennet name. Oh Lizzie is this true? Do I come off as stupid and childish?" Lydia asked looking up towards Lizzie with tears on her eyes and cheeks.
"Oh my dear, sometimes you just need to act more like...do you remember the book I used to read to you?" Lizzie asked as she wiped away her baby sister's tears.
"The one about the magician and the lady?"
"Yes, and how the lady always spoke loudly and never listened to anyone until a magician forced her to change her ways lest she have to spend eternity with no voice?"
"Lizzie I hardly think 'The Tales of Polly Jones' is relevant." She said smiling a bit.
"Yes perhaps it is not the best example...but can you see how she always acted so foolish but in the end changed her ways by learning how to be a well mannered lady and she even got to meet a prince who became her best friend in the process and the whole town came to love her."
"Lizzie are you saying that if I act more nicer than I cannot be labeled as a fool?" Lydia asked with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"I suppose. Would you like me to teach you?" Lizzie asked unsure of how her question would be answered. She rejoiced when Lydia smiled brightly and hugged her until she couldn't breathe.
"Lydia might I remind you, I am sick. And please can you ask Mrs. Hill for tea?" Lizzie said already feeling tired again.
"I am sorry, I will get right to it" She said as she skipped across the room to ring the bell.
"Oh and there is something else..." Lydia continued unsure if she should keep her sister awake any longer.
"Yes Lydia?" Lizzie asked.
"Jane was spoken of as well...she was...well, they said that the only reason she was nearing the spinster status was because...because she looked down on everyone else and was unkind."
"Well, mama's comments on her beauty did go to her head. From a young age she was spoiled, I cannot remember a time when she wasn't teasing us for our 'plain' looks. And if her neckline drops any lower she will have to be ordered into a convent." Lizzie jested.
"Well she cannot be helped, I suppose. Oh Lizzie what if she is considered 'on the shelf'? Then no man would want to marry her if she gets too old."
"Oh Lydia, she is only five and twenty! No need to start worrying...perhaps a man looking for a pretty wife he could look at would be happy to marry her." She said laughing which then led to coughing which hurt her throat.
Luckily tea came and Lydia stayed with Lizzie occasionally throwing in a question or two about proper ways to behave yourself in public. Lizzie never thought she would see the day when her youngest sister would ask for her help. Lydia was finally growing up.
"I should have never doubted you, my dear." Lizzie said softly as she kissed her sisters forehead.
"Why?"
"I never thought you would grow up. But then again, you are only 15."
"Well, when I heard those ladies speaking of our family...they only had good things to say about you and Mary and Kitty. And I don't want to be left behind." She finished softly.
"What do you mean 'left behind' Lydia why would you think we would leave you behind?"
"I don't want to be the only sister not married. Jane might marry anyone, you might marry Mr. Darcy, Mary might marry Mr. Bingley, and I overheard Kitty and Mary speaking the other day about how the Lucas boy..."Lydia stopped speaking as Kitty came to see if Lizzie got any better.
Kitty gaped at the sight before her, Lizzie holding Lydia in a loving sisters embrace, like when she used to hold her whenever she fell or was chastised. Kitty jumped on the bed and said "What has happened?"
And so, the sisters spoke of the changes that were about to befall on their youngest sister. And Elizabeth felt herself recovering, she would be fine. Although, she dearly wanted time...alone, to think about Mr. Darcy. She needed to tell him. In her dreams she saw his bright blue eyes shining at her, but upon waking she thought about a new pair of eyes...warm and brown.
Back at Netherfield...
Darcy was in a fit of nerves. He had been in the library for a long period of time. He didn't know what to think.
If Elizabeth does not recover what will happen? I cannot imagine a world without her brilliancy or her bright smiles. In two days time I could see her...what if she was not recovered in two days? He couldn't describe his feelings. His heart was fluttering, his brow was sweating. He was worried.
Miss Elizabeth Bennet was a constant in his mind. She had taken over his every thought. With her smiles, her laugh, and most of all her voice.
She doesn't care for you! Who cares! I can be one of her friends. She can be happy with another...no she cannot! I will be sure to die before that happens. I will try my absolute best to win her favor and most importantly her love. What if her thoughts have changed about me?
Darcy's thoughts were in turmoil. Should he win her favor or shouldn't he? And what if she never recovered? Oh but Darcy knew he should never think that way. Her life was strong, it shone above all others.
Oh, what to do!
I just really wanted Lydia to grow up. I really wanted this because in most of the stories she is always a foolish girl and no one pays any mind to her young age of fifteen. Please review...Lizzie and Darcy will meet again next chapter. Also Lizzie might just get the chance to speak to her rescuer...Don't get mad at me for wanting to have another loving sister in my story.