Avarice & Affection: A Victorian Pride and Prejudice Vagary (The Victorian Vagaries Book 4) by Caroline Cartier

Author:Caroline Cartier [Cartier, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cartier Classic Tales
Published: 2024-08-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

That night at dinner, they learned that for some years, they might have had word of the Captain from their Uncle Gardiner, who joined them that evening with their aunt.

“I became reacquainted with Captain Goulding about four years ago, I would say. Just after the Battle of Kinburn,” their uncle shared. “I remembered the boy from Meryton of course, but never thought to mention it. He came along with his friends, Captain and Mrs Wentworth, to discuss investing their prize money. Like Wentworth, he had a handsome fortune, and since investing half of it in your sister’s enterprises and mine, they have done extremely well for themselves, well enough for both of them to purchase estates, which I believe they will do soon.”

“To think all that time, he was connected to our family in even a small way, and we had no notion of it,” Elizabeth marvelled.

“He is quite decorated. His performance overseas was impressive indeed. He distinguished himself at Azov, Bomarsund and Kinburn. His performance at Sevastopol ought to have won him a knighthood, though Admiral Croft confided to me that the powers that be neglected to confer one upon him because they disapproved of his lack of noble connections. Goulding and Wentworth were among the few captains not pensioned off at the end of the Crimean War, and had the conflict not ended, I should not have been surprised if they had not both been promoted to commodore.”

“Elizabeth and I have dined with Captain and Mrs Wentworth. I liked them well, and I believe Elizabeth felt the same,” said Darcy, and Elizabeth agreed.

“Well, it is wonderful to have news of him,” Kitty added to all of this. “I hope he does call, though Mary and I will not likely be lucky enough to see him.”

“Kitty spoke of the captain all evening as she made ready to come here for dinner,” chimed in her husband. “He sounds like an amusing fellow. I am sure I speak for Fitzwilliam when I say it is always pleasant to meet another servant of Her Majesty, and I hope to make his acquaintance.”

“I will certainly plan a dinner and invite you all, that is, if Lydia wishes it,” Elizabeth promised.

“I have no objection,” Lydia answered vaguely. Her mind had been unfocused all evening, unable to settle on any one train of thought.

*****

The following morning, Lydia prepared for her day as if it were any other. She had thought about it all night, and had decided she would not sit about pining. She had found very little rest, after a terrible dream recalling the day she learned that Dorian had been sent to the navy, and the months after when she had found reasons to call upon Ella Goulding almost daily to learn whether he had written. Ella had quite obviously felt horrible for Lydia, and wished more than anything that she could have given the poor girl better news, for Lydia was desolate all through the autumn and winter. The following year,

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