Page 3 of What Change Entails

Lydia rolled her eyes so dramatically Elizabeth almost laughed despite herself. “Good heavens, Mary,” she muttered, “if modesty were truly admired, no one would ever marry.”

“Lydia!” Mrs. Bennet cried, scandalized and delighted simultaneously.

Elizabeth pressed one hand against her forehead. This was impossible. She dropped her hand again before anyone noticed the gesture.

“Mother,” she said more firmly, “Brighton is not Meryton. Lydia already behaves with too little caution among people who know our family. Surrounded by strangers, with officers encouraging every impulse—”

“Your words imply that I intend to publicly disgrace myself,” Lydia interjected.

Elizabeth wished to reply in the affirmative but did not speak.

Lydia’s face changed in an instant. “Oh! You do think so.”

“I think you are often careless.”

“I am just cheerful.”

“You never consider consequences.”

“What consequences?” Lydia demanded. “Dancing too often? Laughing too loudly? Speaking to officers? I cannot imagine why everyone behaves as if I intend murder.”

Mrs. Bennet reached for Lydia’s hand. “Pay her no attention, my love. Lizzy has become very grand since visiting Kent.”

Elizabeth pinched the bridge of her nose.

That was unfair and utterly beside the point but arguing with her mother once she adopted this tone rarely improved matters.

Still, she could not remain silent.

“Mrs. Forster cannot supervise Lydia constantly.”

“She need not supervise me at all.”

“That,” Elizabeth replied, “is exactly the concern.”

Lydia sprang to her feet. “I will not endure this lecture any longer.”

She crossed the room in a flurry of ribbons and indignation, nearly colliding with Hill as the housekeeper entered carrying fresh tea things.

Hill stopped short. “Miss Lydia.”

Lydia swept past her dramatically. “I am persecuted in my own home.”

The door slammed hard enough to rattle the porcelain.

Kitty appeared stricken. “Now she will be miserable all day.”

Mrs. Bennet rounded upon Elizabeth. “I hope you are satisfied. Truly, Lizzy, your behavior astonishes me. You cannot bear anyone enjoying themselves.”

Elizabeth stared at her mother in disbelief. “Because I do not think Lydia should be given free rein in Brighton?”

“Given free rein! She is going with respectable people.”

“With very little guidance.”

“You always imagine the worst.”

Mary inserted solemnly, “The youthful mind is particularly vulnerable to temptation when removed from established structures of discipline.”