WHO: Lydia and Elizabeth Bennet WHAT: A much needed warning/reprimand WHEN: July 1 WHERE: On the magical Summerview Park beach WARNINGS: None STATUS: Complete
Lydia had awoke in her cozy chambers (she still couldn't get over having her very own room, it was like a dream) to an odd sensation. She could hear a low rushing sound, and a calling bird that she'd never experienced before. It wasn't like a crow, but it called somehow. She sat up and there was a salty smell that lingered. What could it mean? She padded her way to the window and looked out and the sight of a beach town greeted her. How could it be true?? Were they at Brighton?? Lydia leaped in motion, running to her wardrobe to dress as fast as her fingers could let her, calling for the floor maid to help her get ready. She nearly leaped out of the room, though the maid called after her to take a bonnet and a parasol. Lydia had no desire to wait, she had always wanted to go to the sea, and she had thought she had given up her chance by choosing Summerview Park over her invitation to Brighton. But it seemed that the mansion had just plopped down at a little seaside village. How or why that happened Lydia couldn't guess, but she didn't much care. In a moment of pure feeling and glee, she raced out the front of the mansion, across the lawn that led to a town square, down a boardwalk and straight into the sand. Her shoes sank as she tried to make her way across the beach, so she reached down to yank them off her feet and her stockings soon followed. With a childlike whoop of pleasure she ran straight into the water. She had lifted her skirts some to wade in, but splashed all the same, until a passing wave came and splashed into her, covering her in water. She laughed, her head back, not thinking of anything in the world except how pleasant it was to be in the sea, relishing the sights and smells even as her frock became near ruined. She thought then that she wished George was there to play with her, an odd moment to think of him, but she did all the same. Her face turned towards the morning sun, eyes closed as she enjoyed the feeling. Another wave came along and this one knocked her off her balance and she landed on her backside, laughing all the while.
-
Elizabeth had been up early- she tended to take her walks in the morning, before most people were up and about. She had been even more surprised when she stepped outside to find that the manor had seemingly changed locations in the night without anybody noticing or feeling any kind of change. Still, she decided to explore a little- the water was beautiful, but she wasn't quite up for walking along the water's edge.
Until she heard a shout and laughter, seeing a familiar frame go rushing into the water, splashing. Sighing, she altered her path to head toward her sister. She approached, slowing as she reached Lydia. She did smile at Lydia, but then looked out over the water. "You know, you'll ruin your dress this way."
-
Lydia was too engrossed her her play to even notice Lizzie approaching, and she turned at the sound of her voice and fell back into the water, a wave crashing over her. "Oh Lizzie, what fun! Worth it for how fun it is!! Won't you join me??" she cried. Lydia stood up, her dress soaked and all over she was delightfully salty. She laughed again and sent a splash towards her sister, though not enough to even really touch her where she stood.
"Take your shoes off and feel the sand at least! It's ever so fun!" She ran out of the water, dripping next to her sister. "Have you ever seen something so magical?! I wonder how she did it! I thought we must have traveled to Brighton but it is a very small town here. Maybe Sanditon where Miss Heywood was visiting? It's lovely isn't it??"
- "I have all day to do that!" Lizzie exclaimed, glancing back over her shoulder. At least the beach seemed mostly empty, with nobody to speak ill of either of them while Lydia splashed about in the water and sand. "It will be easier when I'm not wearing boots, and I can pick another dress for the beach."
She laughed and stepped back as Lydia splashed in her direction. "No, don't-!"
Then Lydia was by her side. "No, I've never seen anything like it. It's as though the entire manor was lifted and moved. How could that be?"
Still, it might be nice to enjoy the beach for a little while. She only hoped it wasn't a permanent change. Her attention returned to her sister. "Lydia.. Do you mind if we speak privately? Here is fine, while nobody is near."
-
Lydia shook her arms and squeezed her skirts, trying to get the worst of the water off but knew it wa rather pointless. She would certainly need to change but she didn't much care. Was worth it for the glorious feeling of running into the sea and playing. She couldn't wait to enjoy it, so she didn't. That was generally how things worked with Lydia.
At Lizzie's question, Lydia gave a smooth shrug. "I stopped wondering long ago. She has some kind of magic. Never thought I'd believe such things, but here we are! Proof right in front of us," she said, turning to indicate the lapping waves.
At her second inquiry, Lydia rolled her eyes and nodded. "If we must, speak away."
-
"It's only-I know we're all here to make matches and marry someday," Lizzie started. She didn't want to think about magic just now-it seemed like almost too much. "And I've heard of your entertaining the affections of two gentlemen? It's only-I wish you to be careful, Lydia, please. I'd hate to see you hurt or taken advantage of somehow. We know so little about most of the men here, and I want you to be sure that if you're going to choose one, that he's someone you can bear to spend the rest of your days with. For better or for worse."
-
Of all the things Lydia expected Lizzie's talk to be about, this wasn't exactly what she had expected. Despite Whistledown having mentioned her spending time with Denny and George, she hadn't said anything about any of the time spent unchaperoned, or the letters, or…the kissing. So Lydia had quite kept it from mind and hadn't been bothered at all about the mentions in her gossip. She hardly understood why most others did, but she knew Jane minded and so she had attempted to relieve the pressure by turning attention towards herself.
"Oh la, Lizzie. Don't pay much mind to Whistledown! I'm spending time talking to plenty of eligible men, and George and Denny are perfectly amiable, you've met them before, there's nothing to worry about."
-
"It's not just Whistledown, Lydia, I just-" Lizzie groaned in frustration, trying to figure out how she wanted to word this. "Jane is so close to her happiness-I've never seen her like this, and I really, really want this to go well for her. If we invite scandal, Mr. Bingley may decide that he no longer wishes to associate with her and do you want to see her face if that happens?"
"And you. Amiable, yes, but are they responsible, or trustworthy in the long run? Would they be able to provide you with the life you wish for? Or is this merely a dalliance to bide time? Because even that could come back to haunt you."
-
"Jane will be monstrous happy, Lizzie! I've never seen her glow so. I've liked him from the very start and nothing makes me happier. In fact, I know for certain she didn't like Whistledown mentioning her so much and so I caused a little scene at a ball to pull attention. I never told Jane that was why, I don't think. Maybe the time I was truth dosed." She thought for a moment, squeezing out her dress a bit more.
Her questions confused Lydia. She hadn't thought at all about any of that. "Well, Lizzie, what is there much more but being amiable and good to spend time with? So much fuss, everyone here has a living and a bit of money, what more is needed beyond that? I'm sure I don't know much about such things," she said, rolling her eyes at the very thought. "It's not very romantic to discuss boring things like that!"
-
"She will be as long as we don't ruin it for her," Lizzie replied. The execution may not have been the best, but Lizzie had to admit that the idea had heart. "Any of our actions will also reflect on her in the eyes of others, and the last thing we want is for them to think we'll bring scandal to the family."
She wanted to press her fingers to her temple, a bit of a headache starting to come on. "A lot can hide behind amiability, Lydia. And you've seen how some gamble here, what's to say they won't gamble with more later on? I know it isn't romantic, but Lydia, we have to think about these things too. I don't want you to look back on your life when you're older and think that you should have made different choices."
-
Lizzie was being quite unfair, Lydia thought. Bingley hadn't gone off Jane in the least, and what scandal would stop him from marrying the woman he loved? "If Bingley is so fickle he wouldn't marry Jane because of something one of us did he isn't the man we thought he was. Wouldn't you agree? And I have toned down, I promised Jane. I haven't done anything to cause great scandal except dance with people and everyone does that." She lied rather well, she thought, because of course that wasn't quite true. But being alone with Denny must have been sanctioned by Whistledown because she was the one who magicked her to the room with him. Certainly whatever games their hostess played, she felt she was safe for now.
Lydia let out a long sigh and rolled her eyes again. "Oh Lizzie, really. I don't think Whistledown would bring someone bad! And I have to try and have a bit of romance! That's the whole point of being here." That they couldn't leave until engaged didn't signify. Lydia was in no hurry to leave, not when she was having such fun. "George even said, the company is wonderful, why worry about leaving so soon?"
-
"I don't know what to think here, I've only met him a few times. But alright. I've said what I need to." Lizzie sighed and shook her head. "We don't know who Whistledown would invite here or not, Lydia, that's my point!"
At the thought of romance, her cheeks flushed for a moment before she shook her head. "If I find the right gentleman, perhaps. I'm not in a rush."
-
"Well, I've met him loads and he's excellent and so is Denny. I've danced with plenty more too, like Captain Wentworth and Mr. Bertram and Mr. Tilney too, so don't fret. No scandal here. And see? You know as well as I that we can't all have love at first sight like Jane. Dear dear Jane. We ought to focus on her first and then we'll follow after, won't we? At least, most of us. I do hope Mary comes back, however else will we get her married?" Lydia said, a laugh escaping.
"Shall we go back? I should probably find a new dress before people start talking," Lydia said, walking to grab her shoes and stockings.
-
Lizzie sighed, pressing fingers to her eyes. She knew she was going to upset Lydia, but she felt like she had to say something at the very least. It likely wouldn't change or make her sister think, but Lizzie had tried. She only hoped Lydia didn't end up hurt here.
"Yes, we probably should. Do you want me to ask them to send up some tea for you?"
-
Lydia smiled and patted her sister's arm. Lizzie worried far too much. And so did Jane. Jane was right that everyone pinned all their hopes and dreams on her, given that Mr. Collins would be getting Longborn. That wasn't anyone's fault but the fact that girls didn't inherit. Nothing they could do about that but try and live their life as best they could. Lydia was sure Lizzie worried for nothing with her. But she did wonder, maybe a little, about if Denny and Wickham were quite as they seemed. She hadn't thought at all about them being anything other than handsome, charming and amiable. They didn't seem like they wanted anything other than to spend time with her. Denny's kisses still were in her thoughts and much as she was terrible at secrets, she hadn't yet divulged that one. Not even to Kitty, though she had seen less of her closest sister than she had in quite a while. Curious.
"Thanks Lizzie. Tea would be just the thing. And I bet no one saw me all wet anyway."