Jane was waiting for Lizzy at the top of the stairs and hurried her sister into their room. “What did Papa say? Is Lydia to go to Brighton?”
Earlier in the afternoon, Jane and Lizzy had returned from Meryton only to find the house in an uproar. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia were laughing, Kitty was crying, and Mary was pounding on the pianoforte in an attempt to be heard above all the noise. It was then that they had learned of Mrs. Forster’s offer to have Lydia accompany her when her husband’s militia regiment removed to Brighton. Lizzy immediately sought out her father in a vain attempt to have him forbid the excursion.
“Yes, Jane, Lydia is to go to Brighton. Papa would not be dissuaded. He said Lydia would never be content until she had exposed herself in some public place and that Brighton afforded her that opportunity and at such little expense to the family.”
“Oh, Lizzy. Please tell me he said that in jest. Even Papa, who turns a blind eye to the foolishness of his three younger children, must recognize Lydia’s behavior barely warrants her being out in society under the supervision of her parents and older sisters, no less being free to move in society in Brighton where the streets are full of officers.”
Lizzy repeated all that she could remember of their conversation. “I reminded him that it was his responsibility to check her more exuberant spirits, not Colonel Forster’s, but he insisted she is under the protection of the colonel, who is a sensible man.”
“But Mrs. Forster is not a sensible woman. She is very young, and although newly married, I am sorry to say that at the ball I noticed she continued to flirt with the young officers who are under her husband’s command.”
“Such strong words, Jane! How unlike you. But I agree. I saw the same thing and was embarrassed for both of them. But Papa insists that Lydia’s poverty will protect her as she has no fortune to be an object of prey to anyone.”
“We shall go and talk to him immediately. If he hears our combined voices in pointing out the danger of such a plan, he will reconsider.”
Lizzy shook her head. “It will do no good. He sees Lydia going to Brighton as a way for her to learn of her own insignificance.”
“How so?”
“To his mind, she will be of less importance even as a common flirt as the officers will find women better worth their notice.”
“And if he is wrong?”
“We are doomed.”
At that moment, Mrs. Hill knocked on the door, so that she might replace the candles. She could see both sisters were in distress because of Lydia’s news.
“Miss Lizzy and Miss Jane, I know you two are unhappy about Miss Lydia going off with Mrs. Forster when the regiment leaves Meryton, but it might not be as bad as you think.”
Both looked at Mrs. Hill with hopeful expressions. Whenever something happened at Longbourn, Mrs. Hill was always the first to know of it.
“Mrs. Forster has a bun in the oven.”
Jane and Lizzy exchanged glances before Jane asked, “How do you know that?”
“Because Sally Smart’s aunt did the Forsters’ laundry. You can tell a lot about a family from their laundry, especially the women. What I’m saying is Miss Lydia might not be going out as much as she thinks if Mrs. Forster gets the sickness. I don’t think she’d take kindly to Miss Lydia being out dancing while she’s eating pieces of dry bread to keep her dinner down. And if that don’t cheer you up, remember April showers bring May flowers, and it rains all the time in Brighton.
“And if I may say one more thing, Miss Lizzy, you sitting here worrying about Miss Lydia won’t change a thing. Remember what the reverend said, ‘Parents have to instill the right principles in their children, but then it’s up to the children to live up to those principles.’ So, Miss Lizzy, you go to Derbyshire and not worry about a thing. It’s out of your hands.”
After Mrs. Hill left, Jane asked Lizzy what she thought.
“Well, they’ve certainly been married long enough for Mrs. Forster to be with child, and if she is as selfish as our sister, then she will insist on Lydia staying with her, which should, at a minimum, decrease her outings and limit her opportunities to get into trouble.”
“I imagine it is the best we can hope for,” Jane said, but knowing Lydia, she was not entirely reassured. However, it might allow Lizzy to put Lydia out of her mind and think about her upcoming holiday with the Gardiners.