Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

An hour later, the five Bennet sisters had gathered in Lizzy and Jane's bedchamber. Lydia's two eldest sisters were always so good, attending immediately to unpacking and distributing the presents they dutifully brought from London each time they went. Lydia might have hoped for something more than the fan she got—some muslin for a new gown?—but she would bide her time, hoping for more when she went to Brighton.

"There must be some way to make enough money to go to Brighton," Kitty said. "All of us."

"If there were any means by which such a sum could be earned so quickly, I am sure it would not be legal," Lizzy replied.

"I have plenty of money to go," Lydia reminded them all with a smirk. "A place to stay and a carriage to take me there."

Kitty sent her a very mean look. "That is very well for you, but for the rest of us?—"

"Do you think Mr Darcy will come to his friend's wedding?" Lydia interrupted.

Lizzy coloured upon hearing his name and dropped her gaze. "I feel very certain he will not."

Now that is a very strange reply , Lydia thought, peering curiously at her. But Lizzy gave nothing more up than that.

Jane, from her seat at the dressing table, informed them, "Charles has asked him to stand up with him." Her eyes on her reflection, she asked, "Do you think I am getting a spot here?"

Jane poked at her flawless chin, and Lizzy assured her she was not.

"Likely from Bingley's chin whiskers!" Lydia teased, only to earn a censuring look from Lizzy. Well, for heaven's sake, Lizzy had to realise Jane was not marrying a man she had never kissed!

"I have a special remedy I use for mine," Mary announced. "Willow bark powder mixed with a touch of Papa's whisky. They just disappear overnight."

Do they? Then why do yours seem to linger about? Lydia barely stopped herself from saying so aloud.

"I shall go and get some," Lizzy offered. "I do not see any spot, but better safe than sorry."

In a trice she was gone, and Lydia returned to the previous subject. "Has Mr Darcy accepted?"

"I hope he does not," Kitty said. "He frightens me."

"I am not frightened of him," Lydia said. "I shall tell him directly to his face what I think of him for what he has done to poor Mr Wickham! Just see if I do not!"

"He told Charles he will stand up with him. Lydia, pray do not make the man uneasy at my wedding." Jane gave her chin another poke. "I have not as yet told my mother, but evidently Mr Darcy's cousins will also attend."

"Who are his cousins?" Mary enquired.

"Colonel Fitzwilliam, who Lizzy says is very amiable—he was also in Kent—and his elder brother, a viscount and heir to the Matlock earldom," Jane replied. "Mama is sure to have vapours when I tell her."

"Our mother is so very certain that Bingley has enough wealthy friends to make husbands for us all," Lydia said with a giggle. "Would it not be hilarious if the viscount liked me? I should make you all begin to call me Lady Lydia straightaway."

"You may consider the viscount taken," Jane informed her. "Evidently he is quite in love with Miss Lillian Goddard, and I have invited her to come to the wedding on his behalf."

"Miss Lillian Goddard?" Mary asked. "Are you acquainted with the lady?"

"I know her a little, hopefully enough. Her parents have Ashworth," Jane replied. "She might think the invitation unexpected, but how could I disoblige the viscount?"

"Well, fie on him, then! 'Tis likely the colonel will be more to my liking any way," Lydia announced. "I would still be the daughter of an earl if I managed to secure him."

"I fear that is even less likely than the viscount," Jane said. "For the colonel has nothing of his own and is determined to marry a lady who has at least forty or fifty thousand—according to Lizzy. He was sure to warn her off straightaway."

Kitty gasped, as did Mary, who then recited some scripture about a man laying up his treasures in Heaven, which Lydia decided to interrupt.

"Then I shall just have to make an attempt on Mr Darcy. Can you imagine? That severe, tedious man falling in love with me?"

"The only thing less likely," said Kitty, "would be him falling in love with Lizzy."

That made all four sisters laugh. "I would bet you anything that I could make him kiss me," Lydia said. "Who wants to bet with me?"

"You should not be kissing anyone," Jane said primly. "Do remember that Mr Darcy is a very guarded man. He would never kiss a lady for mere silliness. He would likely think he needed to marry her afterwards."

"Exactly!" Lydia cried. "Imagine me, a great lady! Ooh, I like this idea even better than the scheme for the colonel. I am going to make Mr Darcy kiss me! Just you see if I do not!"

"Me too," Kitty replied. On her younger sister's look, she retorted, "By rights, I ought to marry before you do, Lydia! If Mr Darcy kisses anyone, it should be me."

"By that rule," said Lydia, "it ought to be Lizzy next, but we all know how much Mr Darcy dislikes her."

"Lizzy could earn Mr Darcy's kiss just as easily as the two of you, and perhaps more," Jane interceded staunchly. "Lest you both forgot—it was only Lizzy who danced with him at the Netherfield ball last November."

"That is true," said Mary. "But prior to that, he had refused to stand up with her at the assembly."

"Lydia, you would not wish to marry a man like Mr Darcy," Jane continued. "Think of the responsibility it would be, helping with his estate, caring for him, having his children…"

"Ugh!" Lydia shuddered. "Too true. Well then! Who wishes to bet we can make him kiss Lizzy before he departs Hertfordshire again? I shall put my new bonnet on it."

"I shall put in my lace gloves," Kitty said.

"I do not wish to give away my possessions," said Mary primly, "but I shall put a groat on Lizzy not being kissed by Mr Darcy."

A groat? Lydia nearly groaned.

"A half crown that Lizzy will be able to get a kiss from Mr Darcy," Jane said.

Just then, light footsteps were heard returning up the stairs and down the hall. Jane shushed them all, needlessly, just as Lizzy entered the room.

"It was not easy to get Papa to give up a bit of his whisky, but I managed to persuade him," she said with a smile. "Now, let's rid Jane of her imaginary spot."