After making passionate love in Mr. Stevens's office, Fanny seductively said to her husband, "Patrick, my love, we have to host a party in honour of Lord Sebastian. You know he is the cousin of my dear Mary's husband."
He nodded, caressing her chest. "It is an excellent idea, my love."
"But we will not invite the Lucases or the Collinses." She kissed him again while caressing him seductively. "You know, Lady Lucas was always envious of me because years ago, Sir William was very much in love with me, but I never paid him any attention, and finally, he desisted and married her."
"Yes, I know, my love. I am so lucky to have you as my wife. I love you, sweet Fanny."
Since Fanny was pregnant, they made love at least twice or three times a day, to her husband's great delight. Mr. Stevens was amazed at the changes in his beloved wife's body, and with each passing day, he was more in love with her and more at her mercy. He did everything she wanted and did not even question the veracity of her words.
They were amid their passion when they heard a persistent knock on the door. Regretfully, they stopped what they were doing, hastily straightened their clothes, and Mr. Stevens opened the door.
The housekeeper, not meeting his eyes, said, "Mr. Stevens, excuse me for disturbing you. I know you gave orders not to be disturbed when you are with Mrs. Stevens in your office, but Lord Sebastian and Mr. Barton want to see you. They are waiting for you in the drawing room and said they must speak to you urgently."
"Lord Sebastian!" Fanny exclaimed excitedly, "Tell him we will be there shortly!"
The couple quickly went to meet their illustrious visitor. Following the introductions, Fanny took the opportunity to chat effusively with her son-in-law.
"My dear Mr. Barton, I am so happy you are here. How is my dear Mary? She has not visited me for days, and I miss her very much."
Mr. Barton looked at his mother-in-law with disgust and turned to Mr. Stevens, saying, "Mr. Stevens, since you are the head of the family, and you are the guardian of your wife's daughters, I would like to speak with you about some alarming reports circulating in Meryton about the misbehaviour of Miss Kitty and Lydia Bennet."
"About my daughters' behaviour! What is wrong with my daughters' behaviour?" Fanny exclaimed indignantly, "I demand to know who is slandering my daughters. I am sure it must be Lady Lucas or that Collins."
Annoyed, Lord Sebastian interrupted Mrs. Stevens: "Mr. Stevens, can we speak to you in your study without Mrs. Stevens?"
Mr. Stevens, after a brief moment of deliberation, consented and led the two men to his study. As usual, Fanny tried to listen to the conversation through the door, but it was thick, and she could not understand a word of what was said.
PPP
Mr. Barton looked Mr. Stevens in the eye and said with conviction, "Mr. Stevens, I am going to be frank with you: There is talk in the neighbourhood about your wife's youngest daughters as if they were two women of such low morals akin to prostitutes. We have only come here because my wife is worried about her sisters. As the head of this family, you must control them and prevent them from embarrassing you like this."
Mr. Stevens blanched. So far, he had not cared about what Fanny's daughters did; he only cared for Fanny. But he was about to be a father, and these two young ladies were his responsibility. If Kitty and Lydia were considered women of such low morals, it would affect his family's future, especially his child.
Finally, he replied, "What you told me is very serious. I promise to speak sternly to them, and from now on, they will not leave the house without my or their mother's supervision."
Lord Sebastian and Mr. Barton nodded in agreement. A few minutes later, they had that conversation with Kitty and Lydia, who had just returned from Meryton. Later, they went to the military camp to look for Captain Denny.