Elizabeth quickly penned the note and instructed a servant to deliver it to Darcy House. Afterwards, she came and sat next to her aunt.
“Well, girls, it took another thirty minutes after you left with your aunt, but I finally got your mother and sisters on the road,” Uncle Edward said. “I also entrusted Matthew with a letter and some documents for your father. I want to tell you girls about them as well.”
Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary looked intently at their uncle, waiting for his next words.
“In the past, I have seen your efforts to make Lydia behave. I have also seen that most of the time she does not listen to you. This is in large part due to the fact that my sister indulges her. I know my sister also encourages all of this flirting, no doubt telling the girls it is the way to get a husband. I suppose it is no wonder Kitty is so confused.” Uncle Edward said, shaking his head. “However, the boldness and the flirtatious behavior Lydia displays with men is dangerous. One day, someone is going to take her up on it. In my letter, I have described in detail how Lydia has carried on wantonly every time she has left the house. I implored your father to consider the fact that Fanny will never have the sense to correct Lydia’s behavior. So, by doing nothing, he gives Lydia the power to destroy each of her sister’s lives. Because she will ruin herself. The only question is when.”
“Do you think Papa can be convinced to take her in hand?” Elizabeth asked.
“I suggested to your father that he allow a school to take on that responsibility. Lydia needs to be in an environment where disobedience and defiance will not be tolerated, no matter how much she whines and complains. I investigated a few of them, and I included information on the two best options based on reputation and cost. I also suggested he consider whether Kittyshould attend a school as well. Perhaps it will do her good to be away from both Lydia and her mother. He must decide.”
“I think Kitty would quite enjoy attending a finishing school,” Mary said.
“If that is what he chooses to do, there is also information on finishing school options included among the documents. I told him I would be informing you girls of the possibility that Lydia may not be home when you return, and possibly not Kitty either. I hoped it would put a little pressure on him not to procrastinate. I also reminded him that with his sensible daughters here in London, no one is keeping an eye on Kitty and Lydia. Therefore, anything can happen. In addition, I mentioned that since you three were even now preparing to meet new people and would soon draw the eyes of worthy gentlemen, he surely would not allow an undisciplined and rebellious daughter to ruin your prospects.”
“It sounds like you were very blunt with your brother, and understandably so. Our nieces are in a very precarious situation as long as Lydia goes about unchecked,” Aunt Madeleine said.
“Which is why I felt I must intervene. Bennet will ignore this situation for as long as possible. By presenting him with the best options, I hoped to make the process easier for him so that he may act without delay.”
“Thank you so much, Uncle, for intervening on our behalf," Jane said. "If Lydia can be taken away to school, it will be such a relief!”
“I know it will. Let us hope that your father acts quickly and decisively.”
Later, they had almost finished dinner when a message arrived for Elizabeth. She opened it and read.
“Georgiana says they will call tomorrow and they look forward to meeting you and Uncle,” Elizabeth said, looking first at her aunt and then her uncle.
“Then I shall make sure to be here for the visit,” Uncle Edward said with a smile.
Chapter 19
The next afternoon, Elizabeth was seated at the dressing table fussing over her appearance when she heard a knock.
“Come in!”
Aunt Madeleine walked in and closed the door behind her.
“Just checking on you. How are you coming along?”
“Well enough, I suppose,” Elizabeth replied.
She fidgeted with a few loose curls, moving them back and forth. Next, she adjusted and readjusted her necklace. Finally, Elizabeth stood up and smoothed her dress.
Aunt Madeleine looked at her with a curious smile. “Elizabeth? Are you well?”
From the smile on her aunt's face, she knew she had probably given herself away. “Yes, Aunt, I am well.”
"Shall we go down, then?"
Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth followed her aunt downstairs to await their guests.
Elizabeth was a little nervous about seeing Mr. Darcy. She wanted to see him, but she also wanted to keep her sanity. Thatwould become increasingly harder to do the more attached she became to a man she could not have. But hehadsaid he hoped they would see much of each other in London. Elizabeth had tried not to read too much into his words. It was just that he had looked deeply into her eyes when he said them, and she could not help but be affected.
She entered the drawing room and seated herself in the chair beside Mary. Her copy of Shakespeare’s Sonnets sat on the table. Elizabeth picked it up and suddenly she was back in Longbourn's drawing room, watching Mr. Darcy hold the book in his hands as he read aloud about true love. She could hear him reading in that lovely, deep voice that always seemed to wrap around her every time he spoke. The sound of her uncle's voice as he walked into the room pulled Elizabeth from her reverie. Would she ever again be able to read from this book of sonnets without thinking of him? She doubted it.
Darcy paced around his study. Each time he passed the windows facing Grosvenor Square, he would scan the street below. Fitz was due to arrive at any moment. He was to accompany Darcy and Georgiana to call on the Miss Bennets and their relations. His cousin was not late, but Darcy was having trouble sitting still.
He was eager to see Elizabeth.Miss Elizabeth.She had been on his mind constantly. Darcy suspected he would not be quite himself until he andMiss Elizabethhad an understanding between them. He knew it was unlikely they would have the opportunity to speak privately on this visit. However, he hoped it would not be long before they did have such an opportunity.
