“Do you suppose she will drag Mr. Darcy about like she was always doing to us?” asked Kitty.

“I doubt it. Mr. Darcy doesn’t strike me as the type to be dragged anywhere,” said Jane.

“Can you imagine her trying, though?” said Mary with a smile.

Kitty laughed and stood, doing an impression of Elizabeth when she wanted to go for a walk and everyone refused to go out.

“What are you doing in here?” said Lydia as she walked into the room.

“Talking about Elizabeth,” said Jane.

“Kitty thinks she may try to drag Mr. Darcy on walks like she does all of us,” added Mary.

Kitty again made her annoyed-Elizabeth face and Lydia immediately put on a stoic expression, drawing herself up as high as she could go and pushing out her chest, her back tight and her gait stiff. “Now, Elizabeth, you know proper young ladies do not run about the countryside,” she said in a deep voice, impersonating Darcy.

“Oh, but Mr. Darcy! The sun is calling me! I must greet it!” Kitty said in an exaggerated characterization of Elizabeth.

Jane and Mary laughed.

“Nonsense!” cried Lydia in her deep voice. “The sun shall await a time convenient to me. Do you not know that I own half of Derbyshire and all must obey my command?” Though exaggerated, her impersonation was alarmingly accurate.

Jane was laughing silently now, holding her stomach and turning pink.

“Oh, might I walk all of it?” Kitty said with batting eyes and a flirtatious smile. “I am a very great walker, you know.”

Lydia patted Kitty’s head and smiled condescendingly. “Of course, my darling, anything for you. Just give me a kiss first.” She puckered her lips out and leaned forward, making Mary laugh so hard she fell back on the bed howling.

Kitty was still playing her part and blushing and looking down coyly. Jane joined Mary in her uncontrollable humor until finally Lydia and Kitty broke down into fits of giggles and the four of them ended up in a heap, shaking and crying, they laughed so hard.

~

Mr. Bennet took a quiet walk on the shore by himself, his mind full of reflections of the days past. Elizabeth had sent him a short note that arrived just before the carriage pulled out of Gracechurch Street.

Dear Papa,

I know you are worried, but do not be. All is well. Fitzwilliam is very kind to me and I will be fine. Take good care of my sisters and watch out for Jane. She is conflicted about the men in her life and needs patience and understanding.

I will write more soon. Don’t forget you said you would write to me in return. I have not forgotten your promise!

All my love,

Lizzy

P.S. I think Mr. Bingley may be more than first appears—don’t discount him just yet.