“This situation with Anne de Bourgh might provide an opportunity,” said Caroline. “I wonder if there is any way of using it to force Mr. Darcy to offer for me.”
“Caroline!” barked Louisa, terrified her sister would end all for which they had struggled. “Do not be foolish! Did you not hear Lady Catherine’s threat? Do you suppose she will not act on it?”
Caroline muttered but did not answer, and Louisa, who knew her sister better than anyone, recognized the mutinous set to her jaw. While Louisa did not think her sister would do anything reprehensible, she could not be certain. It was time to discuss the situation with Charles, for it appeared Louisa’s influence over her sister was insufficient to pull her back from the edge of disaster.
Chapter XXII
At Longbourn, the laments of their youngest family members had grown louder with the knowledge the men of the regiment could no longer afford to devote time to their amusement. In this, Kitty was as voluble as Lydia, for regardless of whatever had happened of late, Kitty was no less sorry to see the regiment depart.
“We are sundered from them earlier than even we feared,” said a morose Lydia. “It is all Colonel Forster’s fault, for he has weighed them down with so many duties they have not a moment to spare!”
“Of course, he has done this just to spite you, Lydia,” observed Mr. Bennet. “Moving an entire encampment of soldiers is no more difficult than crossing the street, so his motivationmustbe to cause you the greatest distress.”
Lydia fixed her father with an unfriendly stare, but he did not notice, situated as he was behind his newspaper. “It would not be a problem if you had not forbidden me from going to Brighton.”
“And yet, I am unrepentant,” said Mr. Bennet. “I explained my reasons, and they are more than sufficient to keep you at home.”
“More than sufficient, indeed!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet. “I shall not have one of my girls put upon by a mere militia officer!”
“But Mama!” whined Lydia. “I intended to capture a colonel of the regulars!”
“You suppose such a colonel would frequent a militia encampment?” asked Mr. Bennet.
“Brighton’s camps hold more than just militia, Papa.”
“Hmm, perhaps they do,” replied Mr. Bennet. “At least you are a little less foolish than I had thought, for such a manmightpossess the means to allow him to take a wife.”
“Colonel Forster is married,” huffed Lydia with annoyance.
“Yes, andthatis the most sensible thing he has ever done.”
Mr. Bennet’s dry tone was lost on his youngest daughter. “It is a love match, Papa, for he quite adores Harriet.”
“Not having seen them much together,” said Mr. Bennet, “I cannot refute it. Nor would I wish to, for a man’s marriage is his business and no one else’s. What I can tell you, Lydia, is that you will not go to Brighton. Think of Colonel Fitzwilliam. Do you supposehewishes to have you as a wife? Unless I am mistaken, he is a little young to be a colonel, and yet he is likely a dozen years your senior, if not more. Would his fellows look to a girl half their age as a potential wife?”
“I am certain they will,” was the girl’s mulish reply.
“Except they will not, for you will not go.”
Lydia could not gainsay him, though her scowl spoke volumes as to her opinion.
“I do not wish to lose you to a man of the scarlet, regardless,” said Mrs. Bennet. “Think of the opportunities that will come your way, Lydia. If Mr. Bingley proposes to Jane, you will gain entrance into higher society. You could attract a wealthy man in those circles.”
“I want an officer for a husband,” grumbled Lydia. “I wish to see distant lands and experience adventure in them.”
“Then perhaps you can catch a colonel when you come out into society,” said Mr. Bennet. “At present, you are far too young.”
That was the end of Lydia’s open grumbling, but the subject remained in the back of Elizabeth’s mind. When Jane saw Elizabeth’s contemplation, she asked her to share her thoughts. Jane, though her custom was to look for the good in others, was no stranger to Kitty and Lydia’s excesses. They had discussed the girls’ behavior often enough to know each other’s views on thesubject.
“The problem remains the same as it has always been,” said Elizabeth as she finished accounting for her concerns. “We are naught but elder siblings and so long as Mama sees nothing wrong with their behavior, there is little we can do.”
“And Papa will not bestir himself,” said Jane in a tone of commiseration.
“That may be changing,” said Elizabeth. “I spoke with Papa, and he agreed it might be best to arrange for some means of instructing them.”
“Do you speak of schooling?” asked Jane.
“Perhaps,” replied Elizabeth. “It may be difficult, however, for even if Papa decrees it, Mama will not likely wish to separate from her favorite.”
