Life After the Wedding Series by Denise O'Hara

Author:Denise O'Hara [O'Hara, Denise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Sequels, Not in Amazon Library, To Transfer
Amazon: B00VPKB1PM
Published: 2015-04-03T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

And so the Wickhams spent four weeks at Bethany House. Four very long weeks to Mr. Bingley’s thinking.

It had been some time since they had been in the company of Mr. Wickham. While Jane had enjoyed her times at both Netherfield and Longbourn with her married sister, Mrs. Wickham was not at her best after her husband joined her. He frequently irritated her now that she was a mother. He was too careless in the way he held her child, did not make sure to burp her after her feeding, and did not wake to her cries. And even the way he acted around her nephew drove her positively mad! When swimming in the pond one afternoon, her husband dunked Harry under the water for an uncomfortable length of time, and Lydia yelled for him to stop. When she and Jane found a stray cat in an empty bird cage, Mr. Wickham said it must have been Harry’s doing. Lydia yelled at her husband like he was a child in front of everyone, to her husband’s amusement. Jane had to keep a close eye on her son because of the terrible influence of her brother-in-law. But Lydia proved to be a handful as well. She complained about the food, having several items taken back to the kitchen. She borrowed clothing from Jane’s closet without asking and took it upon herself to reprimand one of the servants.

When their guests had finally left to start Mr. Wickham’s new commission in Newcastle, the Bingleys were feeling quite frazzled. They decided on a change of scenery and felt a visit to the Darcys for a few days would revive their good spirits.

________________________________________

"What is on your mind, Jane?” inquired Lizzy as they settle in the drawing room for tea with the gentlemen occupied elsewhere.

"Is it that obvious, Lizzy?”

"I must confess I knew the moment you arrived. Before that, actually,” Lizzy said. “When we received the post, I told Will something must be up. The Bingleys are not ones for unexpected visits. It does not follow that it is an unwelcome surprise, however. If I had my wish, you would live on the property with us, and we would see you every day! But seeing your lovely smile only half engaged is causing me some alarm, Jane. Please tell me at once, is everyone well?”

“I am sorry to worry you thus, Lizzy,” replied Jane. “I assure you I am quite well. We all are. I just needed to talk to you, as my oldest confidant. In truth, the Wickhams’ visit has tried my nerves.”

Lizzy offered Jane a lemon tart and then began to pour the tea into their cups. “Am I to understand that you have come to see what others have known for some time ... that perhaps the world is not made up of those with entirely good motives and excellent character?”

“Oh, Lizzy, do not tease me. You know very well my eyes were opened to those facts several years ago with our sister's elopement and my now sister-in-law's feigned regard for me,” Jane said.

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