Alias Thomas Bennet by Suzan Lauder Page A

reserved, thus it takes a keen observer to know her affection for him.”
    Lydia paused and looked to Elizabeth for encouragement. Although Elizabeth appeared slightly perplexed, Lydia took it as a sign of concentration on her reasoned argument and continued. “It led me to consider that it is not at all improbable for an individual in love to respond with some reflection of one’s nature, a resemblance to their natural liveliness. I ponder my own efforts in struggling to curtail my forthright tendencies and temper my exuberance in company. Surely, were I as silly in love as described in novels, my predilection would be towards displaying myself as ridiculously boisterous and uncontrollably giddy. My conjecture is that, if romantic affection invaded my heart, I might be unintentionally flirtatious and expose myself as ill bred. I worry such behaviour would be detrimental to my reputation as a lady, thus provoking any proper gentleman to reconsider his suit.”
    “You may have over-dramatized your interpretation, Lydia. No one can predict how any young woman would respond if she were ‘silly in love’ as you say. However, dear sister, I have had the pleasure of watching you grow and mature, and you have all but conquered the less desirable outbursts and impulsiveness due to your youth. For the most part, you are learning to display the good breeding of a lady with an endearing amount of youthful exuberance.”
    “I envy you, Jane, and Mary,” said the youngest Miss Bennet. “You have all the fun: going to Town, dressing up in your best gowns, dancing, and meeting interesting people beyond our nearest relations. But it seems so terribly far in the future before I can be in company that I feel I will die waiting!
    “Staying home with Kitty can be terribly dull. She is intent with her drawings and happy trimming bonnets and gowns and helping my other sisters to look their best. She listens to my dramatic readings, but I know she is just being kind hearted. I wish I could be out in society and have the admiration of gentlemen. However, I do worry about my forthrightness and that I would embarrass myself were I required to appear a fine lady.”
    “I do not doubt that, by the time you are out in society, you will have mastered the skills required to recognize when you are becoming excitable and will check yourself almost automatically. If circumstances overwhelm you such that you forget, I know you have the sense and honour to acknowledge the error and gently apologize. It is also likely your gentleman will admire you for your guilelessness,” Elizabeth said with a smile. “Do not worry, Lydia. You have time to learn to be a gentlewoman and have four elder sisters to help you along.”

Chapter 7:
In which Mr. Bennet seeks to know Mr. Darcy’s intentions towards his daughter.
    26 November 1811
Hertfordshire
    Thomas Bennet stood alongside his unfortunate cousin in the front hall of Longbourn Manor, awaiting the four women he would escort for the evening. Mr. Collins had somewhat improved in manners, and was schooling himself intensely to mind Mr. Bennet’s strong advice to hold his tongue else be sent back to Hunsford early. Thus, he made some small talk about the ball and his hope to dance with Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary. He, of course, had petitioned each for the first set, but as they had already promised those dances to others, he had to be content with later sets.
    The carriage had been readied some twenty minutes past, but extra care was being taken on the costumes of the three eldest Bennet daughters. Bennet could hear more compliments and comments of admiration than decisions and adjustments, suggesting the party was nearly ready to present themselves. Lydia and Kitty appeared at the top of the stairs and requested the men’s attention to the other four ladies.
    Bennet held a breath and felt his eyes misting as he beheld the beauties descending the stairs. They looked truly lovely in their gowns, each as