Christmas Sealed with a Kiss by P. O. Dixon

Author:P. O. Dixon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Regents and Cotswold Book Group

Chapter 9

Mr. Bennet and his three youngest daughters were gathered about the parlor when Mrs. Bennet hurried into the room, and they heard her exclaim, “There is to be a ball at Beaconwood Hall – a Christmas ball!”

“How wonderful!” the youngest one of them all shouted.

“Lydia!” Mr. Bennet said, desiring to temper her wild animal spirits.

“Indeed, for you know, Mr. Carter never celebrates anything anymore, but if what I have heard is true, and I suspect it is, there can be only one reason for his doing so now,” she said, directing her speech to her husband.

“And what is that, my dear?”

“Why! He means to find a wife. It has been five years since his wife’s passing, and you know he needs someone to help him raise all those daughters. No one knows better than me what a trial that must be.”

“Is his sister, Miss Carter, no longer up to the job?”

“For heaven’s sake, Mr. Bennet. His sister cannot always be expected to sacrifice her own future for the sake of his. She must be in want of a husband and a family of her own. You know she has a dowry of twenty thousand pounds. Thank heaven she is not nearly so beautiful as our Jane; else, I might have some cause for concern.

“But as for Mr. Carter, this must surely be a cause for joy for our other girls.”

“How so?” Mr. Bennet asked.

“Why, he must marry one of them, of course.”

“Of course,” he repeated. “Is that not the mission of every single man who comes within a mile of our daughters? Do you have a particular one in mind?”

“I most certainly do, and I am certain you will not like my choice one bit, but be that as it may, I am determined to have my way!”

“Well, by all means, do not keep me in suspense.”

“I intend for him to marry your little Lizzy. Now, what say you to that, Mr. Bennet?”

As though entirely unaffected, he asked, “Do you mean to say you would deprive Mr. Darcy of his favorite walking companion?”

“Mr. Darcy! I dare say that is all the proud Mr. Darcy sees in her, for she has always been an excellent walker. If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times, a man like that will never marry Lizzy.”

Her husband peered over his spectacles. “I do not recall having heard you espouse such a sentiment.”

“That does not mean I have never said it. I say it to myself all the time.” Mrs. Bennet scoffed. “Mr. Darcy, indeed. Better that we find some other way to get rid of Lizzy, that obstinate, headstrong girl!”

Even if she had not given her mother an easy excuse to disparage her, Elizabeth was the least dear to Mrs. Bennet of all her children.

“And do not dare say that you mean to oppose me,” Mrs. Bennet continued. “Jane is as good as engaged to Mr. Bingley, and as Lizzy is next to her in age as well as in beauty, she is the only choice.

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