Chapter 5

The following day Pemberley House received calls from two gentlemen. Sir Michael Shein called very early to invite Lydia, and the other ladies of the house to a reading the following week by a famous orator of the works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning at the Lecture Room at The Royal Academy and was accepted with great alacrity on Lydia's part.

Mr Radcliffe presented himself in Darcy's study nearly the moment that calls were acceptable. The ladies were already being entertained by Sir Michael in the drawing room when Darcy received the young man. After exchanging pleasantries and inquiring about the health of Radcliffe's family, particularly his older brother, Darcy eyed the young man and stated "It appears that things are not going well for your friendship with my sister. May I assume that is the reason for your visit today?"

The younger man sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I did my best to be respectful of her wish and your edict for her not to be courted until she is ready. She has made it clear to the gentlemen that she does not wish for romantic attention even though she has reached her majority, and I have done my best to stand her friend, and not make her feel pressured in any way my lord, but all that has done is create uncertainty and hurt feelings between us."

"Your attentions to Lady Eliza Cholmondeley have not helped, although far be it from me to declare you must not court other ladies if my sister considers herself unavailable," Darcy observed.

"I cannot stand the woman. When I first began to spend time with Lady Georgiana, my mother was understandably ecstatic. However, she grows impatient to see me married, because my brother has refused to marry thus far, and Lady Eliza is the heir to an estate of her father's that is unentailed, which borders my brother's estate. I have no need for it. Certainly, an estate would not be unwelcome, precisely, but my father provided well for me, and my brother is content to allow me to live at and manage any of his secondary properties that I desire. There are two prosperous estates I can choose from if I wish when I wed. It is not worth marrying someone unpleasant just to obtain property. I also invest with your uncle, Mr Edward Gardiner, and my own wealth grows enough that I have some hopes of buying an estate one day, in any case. Recently my mother has ensured I am constantly thrown together with Lady Eliza, and I can hardly use your sister as an excuse not to escort the lady when I cannot claim to be courting her.

"However, her mother joined mine for breakfast this morning, and Lady Eliza refuses to attend any more engagements in town, nor show her face again in London. Their family will return to their country estate this week. I have spoken firmly with my mother about interfering in my affairs again in the future. I will not say that she is resigned to the situation, but I have made matters clear to her. Now that my time is my own again, and in the interest of avoiding future confusion, I would like your permission to discuss my intentions and hopes regarding Miss Darcy, though I know she does not intend to marry yet. If she requires more time, she shall have all that she desires. But it is evident she holds some unspoken expectations of me, which may run parallel to my own hopes. This uncertainty is causing pain to both parties, which I would prefer to resolve, sir," Radcliffe proposed.

Darcy regarded the young man seriously. Elizabeth was insistent that their sisters wait until their majorities to entertain suitors, and then once they had reached that age, she insisted that Darcy defend them from being immediately ambushed before they were ready. However, in Mary's case, there had been an understanding with Richard for some time before her majority was reached.

In Georgiana's case, his sister had recently reached her majority, had been out since she was eighteen, and had enjoyed her share of society. She clearly shared an attachment with this young man, whether she had acknowledged it to herself or not. Will had no desire to cause his sister more pain by quibbling just because Georgiana had not formally announced a desire to be courted. He invited Radcliffe to speak his piece.

Radcliffe coughed nervously, "As I spoke before my lord, I have held Miss Darcy in high regard since her debut, but since she insisted she would not waste the pleasures of her youth on marriage, I waited and stood her friend, making no expectations upon her. I have spent these years coming to know her gentleness, her goodness, her intelligence, and her clever wit, which shines when she is among those with whom she feels safe. I admire her fierce devotion to her family, her interest in the tenants on the estate she grew up on, and her care for those whom she volunteers her time. It has been some years now sir, that your sister has held me entirely in her hand. I could deny her nothing that would please her.

"It would be my honour, Lord Darcy, to receive your permission to approach Miss Darcy and acquaint her with my feelings and hopes, and inquire whether she might feel ready, or so inclined, to allow me to call upon her as a suitor, rather than a friend, in the hopes that as she becomes ready to consider marriage, she might discover whether she would welcome more serious addresses."

"Radcliffe, you honour me with your respectful request. Your brother has been my trusted friend since my boyhood, and it has pleased me greatly to observe your friendship with my sister. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to grant my permission for your request. May I advise that after you have received forgiveness for her hurt feelings, if you present your case just as you did to me, you stand a very good chance of success. Not like myself, I am afraid. It is no secret that I can be a bear among company. When presented with the woman of my dreams, I muddled it dreadfully. It took months to mend it. You shall do better, I am certain," Darcy responded warmly.

Dismissing the early hour in light of the young man's obvious nerves, Darcy poured the younger man a brandy and then observed, "You ought not begin just yet. I share the guardianship of my sister with our cousin Fitzwilliam. He and Georgiana are close indeed, and while you made a good impression upon him at Netherfield, it would be respectful for you to approach him as well." Darcy wrote a short note and sanded it before sealing and handing it to Radcliffe. "I have written to him that you have my approval to approach her. If he says no, he will have to answer to Georgiana," Darcy laughed as they finished their drinks and Darcy escorted him to the hall where the butler was waiting with Radcliffe's hat and cane.

*****

Fitzwilliam, having not had the opportunity to use much intimidation since resigning his commission, and having looked forward to vetting Georgiana's suitors for many years, took great relish making the younger man squirm, but eventually gave his approval for the young man to approach Georgiana to discuss the young couple's feelings.

Georgiana resisted initial attempts for forgiveness for over a week, avoiding being in company alone with the young gentleman, until suddenly his older brother Lord Berkeley arrived in town, and with his mother and his brother, called upon the Darcys. His mother timidly issued an invitation for a family dinner for the Darcys and their household, as well as the Fitzwilliams and the Matlocks. It was obvious that Lord Berkeley had trimmed their mother's claws, and he announced that he would remain in town for the remainder of the season. He declared that he and his mother were looking forward to hosting a number of entertainments which they hoped Lord and Lady Darcy, and their household, would be at liberty to attend.

It was during this call that Lord Berkeley announced that the weather was uncommonly fine, and invited everyone to form a walking party in the park. The ladies fetched their bonnets, and by the mutual design of Lords Darcy and Berkeley, Georgiana entered the park on the arm of Mr Vivian Radcliffe. It was obvious to her how much effort he had expended to tame his mother, who seemed obviously chastened. Georgie remembered Elizabeth's advice not to punish the gentleman for too long, if she did not intend it to be permanent. And so finally Georgiana Darcy let her grudge fall away and resolved to trust her friend again.

For the moment, Mr Radcliffe allowed that to be enough. His friend had always maintained her wish not to be courted romantically so for today, he allowed the return to their previous comfort to be sufficient. Lady Berkeley had indeed been chastened, and her elder son breathed fire over her shoulder for the remainder of the season, as he supervised the planning of several lavish entertainments at which the Darcy household were to be honoured guests. He had been enraged to learn their mother had been so rude to the sister of one of his oldest and most trusted friends. In addition, he did not appreciate town, and now he must remain for the season to clean up her mess. Their mother had learned that neither of her sons would ever again tolerate her interference in his own, nor his brother's private affairs, and not only that, but they both explicitly expected her unswerving loyalty and cooperation in all endeavours in which they required her assistance.

A few days after the family dinner that the Darcys attended at Berkeley House, Mr Radcliffe escorted Georgiana, chaperoned at a distance by Mrs Annesley, for a walk in the park. As the two sat on a bench in a quiet area, Mr Radcliffe related his feelings and all that he had confessed to her brother. He explained that he understood and respected her desire to avoid romantic attachments while she enjoyed her share of society, but that to avoid further pain to either party, he wished her to be in no doubt of his feelings for her, and that if she decided she was ready to be courted in anticipation of forming a mutual attachment, nothing would give him greater joy than her acceptance of his suit.

When she learned that he had respectfully approached not only her brother, but both of her guardians for permission to make his feelings known to her, and that the man she had admired for so long wished to court her openly, in the manner her family had always assured her she deserved, Georgiana allowed her heart to open to his attentions, assuring him that her regard and admiration had been his for some time. Their understanding was quiet and gentle, and their courtship would be easy, and filled with laughter and friendship. The rest of the season passed in this manner for the young couple. The matrons and dowagers recognized the mutual attachment between the two, and approved, as always, of the grace and propriety in which Lady Anne's daughter, the granddaughter of their dear friend Lady Rose, conducted her romance.

*****

Lydia was being courted, and was too distracted to notice. Sir Michael had quickly learned which mornings Lydia was at home, and called often, bringing flowers and books of poetry, and bearing invitations to literary lectures and recitations. Lydia enjoyed his company immensely, though Elizabeth recognized that Lydia did not even realise the man was interested in her in that way. Sometimes Lydia could be oddly naive about such things.

Lydia's schedule was full indeed. Only one day a week was she at home for calls or an event, and only one day a week did she pay calls with the ladies of the house. She avoided most daytime engagements such as garden parties and musicales, although Sir Michael had tempted her out on a few occasions. Sunday was observed as the Lord's Day with her family of course, but most of the rest of her daytime hours were spent at Stevens House.

One early afternoon as Lydia strolled the garden outside The Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution on Sir Michael's arm after a lovely recitation, the gentleman sat her on a bench near a fountain, and spoke the most lovely, the most beautiful poetry, that it was all Lydia could do not to weep with emotion. As she related to the gentleman how compelling she found his recitation, he asked, "Persuasive enough to touch your heart, Miss Bennet?"

Lydia coloured in mortification as the gentleman continued on in his captivating manner, and after a moment interrupted the man to ask, "Sir, am I to comprehend that this is a proposal?"

The gentleman looked crestfallen as he assured her that such words could only have been inspired by the keeper of his heart, and how could it be that Lydia had not recognised his admiration?

Lydia sighed, "I suppose I am just not thinking in a romantic way yet, sir. Everyone believes that now my sister will allow me to marry, that I must be desperate to enter that state."

She looked down at her hands in her lap and then back up at his earnest expression. "I believe that in addition to giving me time to gain discernment, my sister's edict for me to wait for marriage has also given me time to come to know myself as a real person, with ideas and dreams and things that I would like to do."

Sir Michael smiled and said, "And could we not do them together?"

Lydia smiled sadly and said, "Not unless I happen to be barren. I am sure you know that marriage spells the end of everything but wife and motherhood for women. I do not even know what it is I wish to do; I only feel that I have something to achieve before I settle into that state. The prospect of matrimony has not been a consideration of mine since I was a girl of fifteen."

She took his hand and said warmly. "Our friendship and sameness of mind in poetry and literature has been of great enjoyment to me. I am mortified that I was too stupid to recognise your intentions, but I do hope that we may remain friends, for I know no one who makes such a pleasant companion at lectures and readings."

Sir Michael manfully mastered his disappointment, and when their party returned to Pemberley House, he took his leave good naturedly, and left them. Lydia imposed herself upon Elizabeth's afternoon rest to rail at her stupidity for not seeing the poor man's intentions, and agonised over the thought that she may have caused him pain. Elizabeth, now five months along with child, sacrificed most of her nap, knowing she would be yawning at Lady Middleton's soiree later that evening, but wishing to comfort her sister.

After a while Lydia trailed off, feeling better simply by having unburdened herself, and suddenly asked, "When shall we leave town?"

"It is nearly three weeks until June, I expect we shall head to Netherfield at that time. We shall not stay in Meryton as long as we usually do, because we must return to Pemberley for Margaret's wedding. The Actons have given up the lease on Longbourn, and now that William is nearly six, Charlotte is taking up his place. She planned to live in the dower house with her brother, but I believe William should grow up in the home he shall be master of. The estate earns forty-five hundred a year now. Charlotte can run the estate with her brother's help, and live more than comfortably on half that amount with something left to put by for herself. The rest shall go into trust for William and Longbourn's future. He will be a wealthy man by his majority. We shall not travel south again until late next year, possibly longer, so I will wish to do something for the neighbourhood around Netherfield, and Charlotte will wish to do so as well when she is settled. Of course, we will attend whatever entertainment she decides upon before returning to Pemberley. Will the work be done on Stevens House by June?" Elizabeth responded.

Lydia answered, "It is nearly finished now. There was supposed to be a delivery yesterday of the furnishings and art that Mr Stevens sent ahead, which I will visit the house to arrange tomorrow. All that will remain after that should be to inventory the larder and the pantry next week, and ensure the day before he comes that his staff is ready to receive him when he arrives." Lydia had interviewed and hired all of the staff herself. The butler was English, but had worked in New York for a decade before returning to his home, and so Lydia felt that Mr Barnaby would have all the experience required to manage an English household while hopefully having the ability to anticipate an American master's expectations.

"Every carriage we have shall be in use tomorrow, because everyone has their own plans. My carriage will deliver you and Miss Carmichael to Stevens House early tomorrow before I require it, and Darcy shall fetch you in the early afternoon when he returns from his club. I have settled the matter with him…" Elizabeth mumbled as she drifted off, and Lydia left her to what remained of her rest. She knew she really ought not disturb her sister's rest. Elizabeth was not half so large as she had been with the twins, and it was still mostly hidden, but still, she tired easily, and she was struggling to keep up with the season before they left town, because they planned to skip the season next year.

Lydia was wary of her suitors at Lady Middleton's soiree, realising for the first time that now that society was aware her sister would allow her to marry in a month or so, they all expected her to marry, and immediately. She made an effort to be distant with all the gentlemen, and spent a great deal of time with her sister, who was looking very tired, and her sister's friends, who Lydia always thought were a great deal of fun, even if they were all matrons and dowagers.

*****

She was very happy, early the following morning, to bolt down a soft roll and some bacon quickly in the kitchens, and be off in the carriage to Stevens House. She had enjoyed herself immensely putting the house together from scratch, and had even earned five hundred pounds. Lydia at first thought she should decline the payment, concerned for her status as a gentlewoman, and Elizabeth laughed, and told her that all the nobility and gentry had better learn to monetize their skills and time, because otherwise they would all very quickly run out of money in the modern world that was coming.

Lydia took great pride in visiting Mr Montague's office and engaging him to open a banking account for her to deposit her funds. She even planned to begin making quarterly deposits of her unspent pin money. Like her sister, she was generous with her charitable endeavours, but Elizabeth was so liberal with pin money, she always had a considerable amount left each quarter day. She might have a great fortune that would be hers at five and twenty, but Lydia felt accomplished to have set something by for herself, and Elizabeth encouraged her.

She arrived to find the crates open, and the items ready to be arranged. She recruited a pair of footmen to assist in carrying and hanging the pieces. The items Mr Stevens had sent went perfectly with everything that Lydia had assembled, and she was certain the new owner of the home would be delighted by the results.

She had stopped for the day, and had just finished taking her luncheon in her favourite breakfast parlour with Miss Carmichael, and was returning to the drawing room to wait for her brother when Mr Ramsey stepped out of the study to address her, "Miss Bennet, would you be so kind as to grant me a moment of your time?"

Lydia looked at Miss Carmichael, perplexed, but assured her that she would join her in the drawing room momentarily. The other woman went in the direction of the water closet as Lydia followed Mr Ramsey into the study, hoping he had not found aught amiss with the house or the arrangements.

As she sat at his invitation on a settee, he immediately began babbling about an opportunity he had been offered in America as an assistant to a famous architect, how he had heard that her sister was expected by rumour to be difficult regarding her dowry, but that was no obstacle, because he was his own man, and he should reject it in any case, for he wanted to be the true head of his own household and fate.

He continued on that he would need to make himself available to Mr Stevens for a day or so after the gentleman arrived, to ensure he was happy with the house, but then he would need to board a ship immediately after that, and that they could be married by the captain once they reached the open sea, and of course she would see her family again one day, because after five years of working with this famous architect, he would be famous in his own right, and would return to England a wealthy man with a wildly successful career laid out for him.

He babbled on and on about the preparations Lydia would need to make, and how to keep it all from her sister, nearly incoherent, until finally she interrupted him, and actually had to repeat the word, "Sir," three times over before he ceased speaking and realised she was attempting to participate in the conversation.

"Sir," Lydia ventured again once she had his attention, "Are you quite mad?"

"Mad?" the gentleman repeated agitatedly, beginning to pace, "I have just laid out my heart to you, and you ask if I am mad?"

"Sir, I am not entirely certain what that muddled babble was meant to convey, but I am certain it had nothing to do with the state of your heart. I have heard something about architects, America, something quite unacceptable to do with my dowry, secrets, elopement and a marriage at sea, but I have heard nothing of your heart, nor do I wish to. The content of this conversation holds nothing that tempts me, and I beg you to continue no further," Lydia insisted firmly.

Mr Ramsey then began to pace anew as he chastised himself for falling in love with a silly rich girl, too immature and childish and afraid to leave her family to start a future with a hardworking man.

"Sir, I am not afraid. I simply do not wish to," Lydia said, with a bewildered shake of her head.

"You do not WISH TO?" Mr Ramsey repeated incredulously, pacing back and forth agitatedly.

"No," Lydia stated bluntly, shaking her head again. "I have no desire to run away. I have no desire to go against my sister, and I have no desire to marry you. I beg your pardon, I have no wish to cause you pain, but it is disinterest, not immaturity, or fear, that forms my answer."

"But why?" begged Ramsey, stopping short to stare at her intensely.

"Mr Ramsey, I do not even know you," Lydia answered, perplexed.

"We have been working together these last three months!" the man objected.

"Working together. Not courting. I know you are ambitious and dedicated and hardworking. I know nothing of you as a man. I do not know if you detest fish or mutton, whether you pick your teeth at table, or if you will be cross if the maids break something. You have not even begun a single conversation with me that did not concern this house until this moment.

"You say that my unwillingness to run away from my family on a whim for a grand adventure across the sea is immature, but I rather think it would be more childish of me to run away with a man I barely even know. I may like to travel someday, but I have no desire to go so far from my family just now. I thank you for your proposal, but my answer must be no. There is no part of your scheme that is desirable to me. I am not some innocent sixteen-year-old girl you can beguile into marriage without a courtship because I would be an asset to your profession. Again, your consideration is flattering, but please forgive me, I cannot accept you."

Ramsey abruptly ceased pacing back and forth before her, "How dare you suggest such a motive! My proposal was inspired by sincere admiration. I do not need your sister's money, nor your talent to make my way in the world. The world is full of ladies who can bring a room together elegantly."

"If my suspicion of your motives was erroneous, I apologise, but my answer remains the same," Lydia replied firmly. "I require a firmer basis than sincere admiration for marriage. I require a man who wants to know me as a woman, and who allows me to learn who he is and if we share a true affinity before he asks for my hand. I will not marry the first handsome face I find for mild admiration on a hope and a prayer that love might grow. If you believe that I am naive or immature, that is regrettable, but my reply is unchanged."

"I resent that you presume I do not know you. I have watched you carefully, and believe that your tastes suit mine, and that your liveliness and joy for living are delightful. I made my choice based on sincere sentiment," Ramsey challenged.

"You know me? What then, is my favourite colour?" Lydia demanded hotly.

"It is the palest peach, which is why you take your lunch in the small breakfast room, and why you were so pleased it was on the requested list of colours. I also know that you bring extra sandwiches and biscuits with your lunch each day, so that you may share with the workers. You bring used clothes and dolls for their wives and children. I know that you volunteer at a convent hospital, and an orphanage, and that you embroidered the very cushions for the drawing room here yourself when you feared it lacked a special lady's touch. I know that you forget yourself and say ‘La!' and ‘What a lark!' when you are very excited, though you try to suppress it.

‘I know that you sing or talk to yourself in other languages when you are distracted with your work, and that you have the only voice I wish to hear singing to my children at night. I know that I want to know you as a woman, and for you to know me as a man. I want a true affinity with you. I am a prideful man; I would prefer it if you came without a farthing. I wish to make my mark on the world by my own merit, but even if you never decorate another room, the only adornment my drawing room will require is you. The only other thing I would require would be that you cared for me. That after a long day, when I return home, that you might be there, happy to welcome me."

Lydia was speechless for a moment. She started to speak, doubted herself, then began again. "That was considerably improved. I am glad I was able to impart something to you about expressing yourself to a lady." Her resolve hardened. "But perhaps what you say about me being immature is true. You have now expressed yourself with such feeling. I am very gratified. But I feel that our affections are unequal. I know not if this is because you allowed yourself to admire me from afar without risking yourself by allowing me to know you in return, or if it is because I am not ready for such sentiments and desires. I only know that I do not want to run away with you, and you have made it clear to me that you cannot remain to court me respectably. I will not marry a man unless I find him completely enchanting. Your terms for me holding affection for you are not met. We are at an impasse, sir."

Evelyn Ramsey looked at her with a wild, desperate look in his eyes, swore an oath, then seized her chin firmly and kissed her passionately. Lydia was lost for a moment in sensation. This was not the sloppy attentions of George Wickham. In that moment, Lydia Bennet learned that it was something to be kissed thoroughly by a man who knew what he was about. She had regained her wits and was just tearing herself away abruptly when horror of horrors, Will's voice roared from the doorway, "What the blazes is going on here!" Ramsey was suddenly pulled away from her abruptly and punched soundly in the face.

Lydia threw herself in front of her brother and held up her hands. "Brother, I understand your anger, but please disregard what you just saw. You have just interrupted the celebration of a rejected proposal."

"A rejected proposal? Lydia Bennet, if this is how you behave when you reject a man-" Will swore as she stopped him again.

"It was a difficult discussion; our tempers got the better of us. Please do not make it worse than it is. Please Will, can we not just go home?"

"Yes, let's. Apparently, you forgot all the carriages were in use and that I was coming by your sister's design to fetch you. Have you done everything you must? You will not be returning. AND WHERE THE BLOODY HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?" Will roared as Miss Carmichael appeared at the open door.

"Mr Ramsey requested a private audience with Miss Bennet," Miss Carmichael stammered as she blanched.

"And when a private audience is being held, you sit across from the open door! What were you thinking of? Leaving her alone! How dare you even allow such a thing here! You have no authority to grant audiences! Private audiences are to be held in the drawing room at Pemberley House, with proper sanction from myself or Lady Darcy! How many times have you left them alone?"

"Will, it has never happened before! She only went to the water closet," Lydia promised. "Please, let us talk in the carriage."

Will regained his temper as Ramsey's eye began swelling shut. The ladies collected their belongings as Will herded them out the door. He handed Lydia into the carriage and directed Miss Carmichael up onto the box.

"Lydia Bennet, your sister is going to-" Will started as the carriage rolled away.

Lydia interrupted him. "Will, please. Elizabeth is my sister and closest confidant. Like yourself, I confide everything in her. I do not need you to tell her anything. I can speak for myself, and I will when we arrive home."

Will grumbled a bit and glared out the window as the carriage rolled through London. He assisted her from the carriage and followed her inside, retreating silently to his study, allowing Lydia to go in search of her sister. The household would attend the ball of the Duchess of Halifax that evening, and Elizabeth was resting. Lydia left a note with Sarah, asking if she could assist her that evening in Sarah's place so they could speak privately, and then Lydia went to her own room to rest for a while and begin her own preparations.

*****

Lydia had rested, eaten, dressed, and was quite ready when Elizabeth sent her a message that she was ready for company. Lizzy was dressed in a cleverly designed gown that brilliantly hid her condition, though it would be prudent for her to retreat to the country quite soon. Lydia's skills with hair rivalled the best ladies' maids in town, and so she set her sister's hair in a stylish new arrangement as she confessed the events of the afternoon. When she had exhausted the story, and set the last pin in Elizabeth's hair, her sister turned around to clasp her hands.

"Lyddie, you have had a trying two days, have you not? I am all amazement that you are willing to go out at all this evening, I should be quite unsociable after such events! Of course you should not accept any proposal that you are not wishing for with all your heart, and any gentleman who wishes you to not only leave your family, but also turn away your rightful fortune, future security, and comfort to soothe his own vanity is a frightful idiot.

"You and Georgie have had the right of it this year. Just because you may marry this year, doesn't mean you ought to be desperate to do so. Marriage without esteem or respect quickly becomes a prison, dearest. You have enough family and fortune to have a full and joyous life whether or not you meet a man who fits your requirements. I believe you will meet him, in time. Whether you meet him at twenty-one or twenty-five matters little. You have so much to enrich your life with as you wait for him.

"And do not worry about Will. It is his job to worry about your reputation, but I am far from expecting you to experience many seasons without having ever been kissed, though it is my place to ensure such opportunities never arise. I will have to speak with Miss Carmichael, though I dread such a conversation. You should take care, of course. But it sounds to me like this was a heated mistake. It did not take place in public, the man has been refused, and so there is no reason to speak of it again.

"We leave for Meryton soon. You say you have two more visits to make to Stevens House, next week, and the week after. I shall accompany you, of course. We will send Mr Ramsey a note inviting him to absent himself. Then Mr Stevens shall arrive, and yours and Mr Ramsey's association will be at an end, if that is what you wish."

It was what Lydia wanted. He was handsome, clever, hardworking, and ambitious, but she did not want what he was offering her. He had not even offered her the opportunity to learn if she could like him, and when he spoke of his feelings for her and kissed her, she had felt nothing. While she had recognized his skill and passion in his kiss, she felt not even a slight tingle of a spark, nor a moment of enchantment, so she could not repine his loss when he went away.