One Kiss: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Lorraine Hetschel

Author:Lorraine Hetschel [Hetschel, Lorraine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-06-29T21:00:00+00:00

18: Love Spreads

“Where is Mrs. Hill! She is never where I need her. Kitty, Mary, you must help Lizzy and Jane prepare.” Mrs. Bennet shrieked, not for the first time the day of the dinner at Netherfield.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and continued helping Jane. “Is there any chance if we tell her we are ready that she will calm her nerves?”

“No, we are nearly ready now. She knows this and that we still have more than an hour before we must leave.” Jane said calmly. “She will fret until we are all sitting in the parlor waiting. The only thing we can do is finish early.”

“I have a suspicion that she will find something else to worry about. I am surprised that she has not lectured me on my manners and dress for some time now.”

“Do not remind her, for your own sake.”

They were interrupted by Mary and Kitty, who were each only just finished putting their evening dresses on. Kitty was the first to complain. “If we have to come in to help you, then you will need to help us, for you are far readier than either of us.”

Elizabeth laughed. “As though we would not help you! Have we ever abandoned you willingly? If Mama does not calm down soon, there is no telling what she will begin insisting on next.”

They laughed nervously and set to work. Fifteen minutes later, all four girls were sitting in the parlor, listening to their mother lecture them on proper behavior. Nothing she said was new, but each of them knew it was better to let her speak uninterrupted. She did not stop until Mr. Bennet entered with the announcement that the carriage was ready.

Mary, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet sat on one side of the carriage. The other three fit on the other side. Kitty laughed, “This carriage is more comfortable now that Lydia is not taking so much room. She always hogged the window seat and would turn her knees toward us, taking even more room. I never understood why she was allowed to do that to us.”

Mrs. Bennet smiled. “Dear Lydia. I hope she is enjoying herself in Brighton.”

Mr. Bennet chuckled. “I doubt they have arrived in Brighton. She is in a slow carriage making its way to Brighton. They should be in the carriage for another day at least. But tomorrow, on the other hand, she will be prepared to enjoy her evening, assuming Mrs. Forster is well enough to go out.”

“Surely she will be. It is only morning sickness. She will be well enough in the evening. It would be very discourteous if she is not well, for Lydia’s sake. Lydia deserves the best. She might catch a husband in Brighton. She is so tall and handsome. Surely a rich colonel will catch a fancy to her.”

Elizabeth wanted to say that she could not possibly catch a reasonable husband with how she flirts shamelessly, but she knew that the remark would be unwelcome. Instead, she focused her attention to the evening that lay ahead.

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