A Matchmaking Mother Page 26

  “I have already had to wait two years longer than Mary, and a year longer than Kitty!” was Lydia’s petulant complaint.

  “If we followed that schedule,” said Mrs. Bennet, “you would wait another year, for Kitty is two years older than you. Perhaps that would be best, as I struggle to see any improvement in your manners.”

  “You should listen and obey, Lydia,” said Mrs. Garret, the woman they had hired to help ready Lydia for her debut. “If you do not learn some manners, I am ready to advise your mother to do just that.”

  That silenced Lydia, and she turned back to the instrument, though not without muttering under her breath. Elizabeth shared an amused glance with her mother and mother-in-law and joined her sister on the bench.

  “I know it is hard, Lydia, but this is how matters are done in London. You are accustomed to Meryton. London is a much more difficult place to pass yourself off with any credit—if you give those harpies any reason, they will tear you apart.”

  Lydia replied with an exaggerated sigh. “So you have told me, Lizzy. But it is just so hard.”

  “When you think it is hard, think of the delights which will come your way if you learn all you should. Then think of another year waiting. I am certain you will come to the proper conclusion.”

  Again Lydia sighed, but this time she sat up straight and squared her shoulders before beginning to play. Elizabeth listened for a moment, noting the girl’s fingering and technique. Though she was uncertain Lady Anne’s words concerning Lydia’s talent were not embellished, she had some aptitude. It was only getting her to apply herself which was so difficult.

  Squeezing her sister’s shoulder, Elizabeth rose and moved away, making her way to her husband and sitting by his side. When she did so, he leaned toward her.

  “Crisis averted?”

  “Until the next one rears its ugly head,” replied Elizabeth.

  William shook his head. “Perhaps we should simply send her to Aunt Catherine. She would do anything, even behave herself, to escape before she had spent a fortnight at Rosings.”

  “And you would wish this on Anne and Anthony?”

  A chuckle escaped William’s lips, and he said: “It would serve him right for all the teasing I have endured over the years. In fact, I might find myself ahead of the game, should we give the responsibility of your sister to him.”

  Elizabeth swatted at her husband and turned back to her contemplation of her sister. As Lady Anne had averred, Lady Catherine had come around quickly—more so, in fact, than Elizabeth would have guessed. Though the lady was still no more than cordial to Elizabeth herself, she now doted on her daughter and new son-in-law and was often heard to crow about her daughter producing an heir, while Elizabeth’s child had been a girl. As William and Elizabeth were deliriously happy with their daughter, they did not care a jot for the lady’s opinion. In fact, Elizabeth hoped she would have something to share with her husband soon, and perhaps this time it would be the awaited Pemberley heir.

  Thoughts of Lady Catherine often reminded her about Mr. Collins, as the gentleman still venerated her as his patroness, though the appellation now more properly belonged to her daughter. Mr. Collins, contrary to any expectation of Elizabeth’s, had taken her father’s words to heart. His failed proposal to Mary had seemed to teach him something, and when he found a young woman for whom he wished to offer, he took the time to court her. Mr. Collins too had produced a son and an heir for Longbourn. Her father, who had met the infant, had confided to Elizabeth that in looks, the child had taken after his mother. Elizabeth knew her father well enough to know that what he did not say was that he hoped the boy had also inherited his mother’s temper and intelligence.

  As for Elizabeth’s favorite sister, Jane, who had married months before Elizabeth, was now the proud mother of two daughters. Though Mrs. Bennet had backslid a little and bemoaned the lack of an heir, Mr. Bingley had informed her his estate was not entailed and would be left to the eldest daughter, should they not be so fortunate as to have a son.

  Mr. Bingley’s sister had caught the gentleman who had accompanied her to the Academy and was now living in Bedfordshire with her husband. While Elizabeth could not call her a friend—and the former Miss Bingley seemed to have little desire to allow it—they were cordial enough in each other’s company. Mr. Powell was not the same level of society as Mr. Darcy, and as such, their attendance at the same events was sporadic, a function of their connections to the Darcys through her brother. Elizabeth found she could cheerfully do without Mrs. Powell’s company.

  Regarding Elizabeth’s Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, they still lived in London, and Mr. Gardiner’s business grew more profitable every year. It was their hope the situation of Mr. Gardiner’s business would allow them to purchase an estate within the next several years. Elizabeth wished for nothing more than to have her dearest relations situated nearby.

  Of Mr. Wickham, Elizabeth had never again seen anything. His letters to her husband were frequent and pleading, and for a while, Mr. Darcy had ignored them, hoping his former friend was learning his lesson. In the end, though Mr. Wickham had pleaded to be allowed to go to the New World to make a new life for himself, Mr. Darcy had made good on his earlier determination and decided it was best to ship him off to Botany Bay.

  “Do you think Lydia will be ready this year?” asked William, pulling Elizabeth from her thoughts.

  “I believe she is desperate enough to do as she is told, so she is not held out of society,” replied Elizabeth.

  William nodded and returned to his contemplation of his sister by marriage. “I hope so, Elizabeth, for another year of this will be difficult to endure.” Elizabeth smiled but did not reply, and after a moment William continued: “I have a friend who seems to enjoy the company of spirited ladies. Should we, perhaps, introduce them when we are in London?”

  “You just want to be rid of her,” accused Elizabeth, though not with any heat.

  “Guilty,” replied William with a smile. “But when I consider it, your sister will require a firm hand. Ramsay is a good man and has had the responsibility for three younger sisters for several years. I suspect he could be the making of her.”

  “As long as there is no overt matchmaking, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth. “I believe I have had enough of that for a lifetime.”

  William turned to look at her, laughter in his eyes. “My mother’s actions were not improper, and you cannot argue with the results.”

  “Perhaps they were not,” replied Elizabeth. “But Lydia differs from me and will not appreciate it if she thinks she is being directed.”

  “It is fortunate I agree with you, Mrs. Darcy,” replied William, putting an arm around her and pulling her close. “We shall introduce them and step back to let nature take its course.”

  As Elizabeth leaned into her husband, she reflected that while she had found her mother-in-law’s measures questionable, she was grateful to Lady Anne. To a large degree, she thought her happy situation at present was due to the lady’s actions, and for that, she had no cause to repine.

  The End

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  For Readers Who Liked A Matchmaking Mother

  A Gift for Elizabeth

  Sundered from her parents and sisters, a depressed Elizabeth Bennet lives with the Gardiners in London. When times seem most desperate, she makes a new acquaintance in Mr. Darcy, and the encounter changes her perspective entirely. With the spirit of Christmas burning within her, Elizabeth begins to recover from the hardships which have beset her life. Join Elizabeth in her journey to receive a special gift which will change everything.

  A Tale of Two Courtships

  Two sisters, both in danger of losing their hearts. One experiences a courtship which ends quickly in an engagement, the other must struggle against the machinations of others. And one who wil
l do anything to ensure her beloved sister achieves her heart’s desire.

  Mr. Bennet Takes Charge

  When Elizabeth Bennet’s journey to the lakes is canceled, Mr. Bingley, along with his elusive friend Mr. Darcy, return to Netherfield, turning a quiet summer is topsy-turvy. Then Elizabeth learns her sister, Lydia, means to elope with a rake, and the very respectability of her family is at stake. Elizabeth takes heart, however, when her father rises to the occasion, in a way she would never have predicted. With Mr. Darcy’s assistance, there may still be time to prevent calamity, and even find love, against all odds.

  The Challenge of Entail

  Mr. Bennet ends the dreaded entail, leaving him free to leave Longbourn where he wishes. When the militia arrives in Meryton, they find a Bennet family much altered and Jane Bennet, a young woman destined to inherit a substantial property. Business in London delays the arrival of the Netherfield party to Hertfordshire, and when they do arrive, Mr. Darcy discovers the presence of a hated enemy and finds a woman he can admire.

  The Impulse of the Moment

  Mr. Darcy finds a young woman in Elizabeth Bennet who has matured from the girl he knew four years earlier. Elizabeth finds herself compelled by Mr. Darcy and attraction grows, a connection begins to be forged. But elements of Mr. Darcy’s family, those who possess the power to exert great influence over his future, do not take kindly to his potential choice of a wife.

  Whispers of the Heart

  A different Bingley party arrives in Hertfordshire leading to a new suitor emerging for the worthiest of the Bennet sisters. As her sister has obtained her happiness, Elizabeth Bennet finds herself thrown into society far above any she might have otherwise expected, which leads her to a new understanding of the enigmatic Mr. Darcy.

  For more details, visit

  http://www.onegoodsonnet.com/genres/pride-and-prejudice-variations

  About the Author

  Jann Rowland is a Canadian, born and bred. Other than a two-year span in which he lived in Japan, he has been a resident of the Great White North his entire life, though he professes to still hate the winters.

  Though Jann did not start writing until his mid-twenties, writing has grown from a hobby to an all-consuming passion. His interests as a child were almost exclusively centered on the exotic fantasy worlds of Tolkien and Eddings, among a host of others. As an adult, his interests have grown to include historical fiction and romance, with a particular focus on the works of Jane Austen.

  When Jann is not writing, he enjoys rooting for his favorite sports teams. He is also a master musician (in his own mind) who enjoys playing piano and singing as well as moonlighting as the choir director in his church’s congregation.

  Jann lives in Alberta with his wife of more than twenty years, two grown sons, and one young daughter. He is convinced that whatever hair he has left will be entirely gone by the time his little girl hits her teenage years. Sadly, though he has told his daughter repeatedly that she is not allowed to grow up, she continues to ignore him.

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