Mr. Darcy's Dilemma and Delight by Brooks Jadie

Author:Brooks, Jadie [Brooks, Jadie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-10-10T13:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Lydia was up early for her and joined Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth for breakfast. "Good morning, Papa, Lizzy. I hope you both slept well."

Mr. Bennet merely stared as his youngest daughter kissed her sister's cheek and then his own. Lizzy smiled and said, "I did, thank you. How are you this morning, Liddie?"

"I am excited and a bit nervous. I have never entertained such a cultured young lady, and after last night, I fear I might say something that will offend her." She sat in her regular chair and waited for her sister to pour her a cup of tea. "Thank you, Lizzy."

"I am certain that you will do well enough. I will stay in the room at least at first, if that will make you feel more comfortable." Elizabeth passed a plate of ham to Lydia.

She took a couple slices before she reached for the boiled eggs in a bowl next to her plate. "Oh, Lizzy, that would be wonderful. Are you certain that Mr. Darcy will not mind staying in the same room with us girls?"

"I am sure he will be fine with the idea." Elizabeth saw that their father was still gaping at Lydia with a puzzled look on his face.

"Would it be asking too much for me to be informed as to what happened last evening to make you so nervous?" Her father focused his full attention on Lydia, and his tone held none of its usual disdain or mockery.

For a few moments, Lydia concentrated on pulling the shell from her egg. Fortifying herself with a deep breath, she raised her eyes and said softly, "I asked Colonel Fitzwilliam if he were acquainted with Mr. Wickham. I was sure that I could find out more about how Mr. Darcy had mistreated him. Instead, I was told of his habitual lying and his loose moral character. I did not realize that he had hurt Miss Darcy in some way.

Lydia's eyes filled with tears, but she did not appear to notice. Clearing her throat, she continued, "After I heard of his wicked dealings from the colonel, I apologized to everyone, including the Darcys and the colonel. I must say that they are very gracious people. They forgave me without reservations. I have asked Lizzy to help me to reform my behaviour. I am wholly ashamed of my flibbertigibbet ways."

Mr. Bennet listened in wide-eyed disbelief as Lydia spoke. The contrite look on her face did more to convince him than her words. "I admit to being very surprised to hear this. You have never expressed such contrition before."

"Oh, Papa, will you forgive me for how I have behaved? I truly wish to stop being the spoiled brat of the family, although I feel certain that I will fail often since my habits are of long duration." Two large tears rolled down her cheeks as she eagerly awaited her father's answer.

Affection and something akin to shame displaced the incredulity on his face. For a moment he seemed unable to speak, but finally he whispered, "I do forgive you, my little Lyddie.

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