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“But Jane!” bemoaned Mrs. Bennet. “We cannot go! Not when she is doing so well with Mr. Bingley.”

Internally, Elizabeth sighed, for certainly Mr. Bingley’s affection could not be so fickle that it would suffer from an hour less time in company with Jane. Yet, on this, Mrs. Bennet was unwilling to be swayed.

“Let me go inside and find Sir William. Mayhap a guest room can be made up for you and Lydia to rest in.”

Though it was a breach of etiquette to impose upon a host, Elizabeth approached Sir William and, as politely as she could, explained her sister’s indisposition from the heat.

Mary, who was standing quite near with Mr. Lucas and Mr. Long, became quite worried about her youngest sister. Upon hearing this, Sir William at once offered any of the Bennets who wished to remain a place in their home for the night. It was soon determined that Mrs. Bennet and Lydia would rest at Lucas Lodge, with Mary to attend them, while the rest of the Bennets would remain a little while longer before returning to Longbourn. Such an arrangement satisfied Mrs. Bennet greatly, for two of the officers were also remaining at Lucas Lodge, and thus Lydia would have all the more opportunity to charm them the next day when she was feeling her best.

Elizabeth was glad that upon returning to the ball, most were sympathetic to Lydia, indeed believing the tale that she was simply ill. If some did not, they said nothing to her, and she heard very few whispers of anything related to her family. Only one gentleman, she noted, seemed to share in none of the room’s sympathy. Whenever her eyes drifted in his direction, she found Mr. Darcy watching her, his gaze dark and discerning. It was a look of such clear comprehension that she felt a flush of heat rise to her cheeks, and she was very much mistaken if he did not know all that had transpired.

Chapter 7

“Insufferable birds,” said Lydia, throwing a pillow in the direction of the window.

“It is not the birds’ fault that you had too much to drink and now your head is aching,” Mary replied softly, setting a cup of coffee at her sister’s bedside.

“Do be quiet, Mary. You sound like Mrs. Ellington.”

Mary adjusted her glasses with a resigned sigh. “Perhaps if you attended to Mrs. Ellington, you might not be suffering right now.”

Lydia did not reply to this statement and instead stared at the dark liquid Mary offered with disgust. “I would rather have my chocolate.”

“Mr. Lucas suggested this. He said it helps with a sore head.”

Lydia scoffed. “Like he would know.”

“Mr. Lucas did attend university.”

“Lydia, my dear girl!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, entering the room and interrupting the debate. “You must get up, for Captain Carter and Colonel Forster are to depart Lucas Lodge in less than an hour.”

Lydia groaned in pain. “Quieter, Mother, if you please.”

“You ought to drink the coffee, Lydia. It will help your head,” said Mary, this time looking to her mother for support.

“Indeed! Lydia, you must get up now so you can greet the officers,” said Mrs. Bennet at the same volume as before.

Lydia rolled over onto her stomach and buried her face in her pillow.

“I will get you your chocolate after you drink the coffee,” offered Mary.

“You will never catch a husband if you do not look your best,” Mrs. Bennet chided.

“I am not fit to see anyone in this state,” said Lydia, taking another pillow and covering her head with it, hoping that her relations might take the hint and go away.

“Indeed you are not, and the Lucases do not have enough servants to sacrifice one to assist you in dressing, so you must make do with our help,” responded Mary, stepping closer to gently press a cool, damp washcloth against the back of Lydia’s exposed neck. “Now, if you drink the coffee, you shall feel better, and it shall not be so awful.”

Lydia only burrowed deeper into the mattress, letting out a muffled groan.

“Think of Captain Carter, Lydia! He will suppose you entirely indifferent!” Mrs. Bennet hissed. When this produced only another groan, she pressed her lips into a thin line. “Very well. If you are determined to ruin your prospects, we shall not keep the gentlemen waiting. Come, Mary.”

Mary gave her miserable sister a last sympathetic look, picked up the untouched coffee, and followed her mother from the room.

“Come with me to see off the officers, Mary,” commanded Mrs. Bennet. She did not think it very likely, but perhaps Colonel Forster might like a more serious wife.

Mary did as she was asked, very politely bidding both officers a good day and a pleasant journey back to their quarters before retreating to the library with Charlotte and Mr. Lucas. She had been happy to learn that her book had arrived from London the previous day and was anxious to read it.

“I purchased two copies,” said Mr. Lucas when he gave one to her.