Page 156 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Jane raised a brow. “I wish our two youngest sisters were more like Mary.”

Charlotte followed her gaze. “Mrs. Long would certainly prefer it. Lydia cannot threaten Marianne's prospects while exhibiting at the instrument.”

Jane covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “Do you truly think that is why Mrs. Long is glaring at her?”

Laughing, Charlotte said, “Lydia is one of the prettiest girls in the neighborhood, and Marianne cannot hold a candle to her. Mrs. Long is entitled to be concerned.”

Then looking at Elizabeth, she said, “You are no help to Marianne either, Lizzy. My father maintains that you are the most beautiful of all the Bennet sisters, and I assure you he is not alone in the opinion.”

“Your father has always been excessively kind to me, Charlotte.”

“I did not say he was being kind, Lizzy. He admires your eyes. He says they are very fine.”

Across the room, Lydia put both hands upon Captain Carter's arm as she laughed.

Elizabeth sobered.

“What is to be done, Jane? Papa is not even in the room, and you know what Mamma will say.”

“Never mind Papa. We have already decided to keep watch over Lydia.” Jane took Elizabeth’s arm. “Come. Let us stand with her and see if we can restrain her without setting up her hackles.”

Elizabeth looked at Charlotte. “Will you come with us?”

“Certainly. I should like to discover whether the two eldest Bennet sisters are clever enough to draw Captain Carter away from the youngest.”

They crossed the room together.

Captain Carter greeted them readily, and Charlotte asked how long his regiment would be stationed in Hertfordshire. He answered her, and Elizabeth followed by asking where they had been before coming to Meryton.

Within minutes, the conversation had moved to the militia itself.

Lydia attempted twice to interrupt. Neither effort succeeded.

Captain Carter had ceased flirting and was now explaining with considerable enthusiasm how militia officers were appointed and what duties occupied them when their regiment was embodied. Jane listened with genuine interest, Charlotte challenged one of his assertions, and Elizabeth asked a question that sent him into another explanation.

Lydia stared at the three of them.

At last, she left Captain Carter's side and dropped onto a nearby sofa.

“Kitty, come and sit with me. I am excessively bored.”

Kitty joined her.

Elizabeth caught Jane's eye and her sister winked back at her.

Charlotte waited until Captain Carter had been drawn into conversation with another gentleman before saying quietly, “That was easily done.”

Elizabeth looked toward Lydia, who was now complaining to Kitty about the music.

Charlotte added, “I do not know that you will find it convenient to do this every evening when your family is out.”

“No, I do not suppose we shall,” Elizabeth said.

* * *

A week later, Jane and Elizabeth again walked into Meryton with Kitty and Lydia. They had nearly reached their aunt's house when Lydia caught sight of Mr. Denny on the opposite side of the street.

“There is Mr. Denny, and he has someone with him. I have never seen that gentleman before.”