Authors: Elizabeth Ann West
It was only Jane Bennet who remained behind after the guests had dispersed to ask for an audience with the colonel in the library. As the colonel agreed to her request, he braced himself for what he knew was coming.
“Explain to me how I was shuffled aside for the care of Lydia? She is my sister, and I demand to know where she is going and what is to be her fate!” Jane Bennet’s wrath was a sight to behold. Even the colonel had to take a step back in marvel.
“Peace, Miss Bennet. After the rumors at the ball started by Caroline Bingley, we had to take desperate action. Lydia is safe and on her way to Scotland, under the protection of Elizabeth and Darcy.”
Jane scrunched up her fists and stomped her foot. “No! That is expressly what I did not want! This is my burden to bear. It is I who should have curtailed her behavior and stayed with Mama when we came to London.”
In Jane’s rage, she had not heard Lady Matlock enter the library, nor the grand lady’s approach.
“Jane, dear, may I call you Jane?” Her voice was calm and steady, in order to soothe the irate young woman before her. Jane’s features softened, and she took a few steadying breaths, mortified at the loss of her temper. “Lydia will have the best care, the best midwife in Scotland. All has been arranged. But to keep her safe, we do need your help.”
Jane brightened and stood up straighter. “Anything. I will take the next post carriage to Scotland if need be.”
Lady Matlock smiled at the gumption of the young woman. Were all of the Bennets born with such bravery? “At the moment, your rushing off to Scotland would rather set off alarms that there was something amiss, and we do not want that, do we?” Jane nodded. “No, I will need you and Mary to join me this summer in dazzling our critics. A united front! We will smile and dance at every soiree and keep building the status and significance of the Bennet name.”
The smile on Jane’s face melted. “You mean, stay in London? With you, here?”
Lady Matlock smiled and, with a sparkle in her eye, rubbed the upper arms of her newest prote’gee’. “We can visit the modiste this afternoon.” She clucked her tongue and swished out of the library just as silently as she had arrived, leaving the door wide open.
Jane stood there, her mouth gaped open, staring at the empty doorway. the colonel felt it safe enough to move closer to the young woman.
“She’s a bit scary, isn’t she?” He laughed at his own joke as Jane just nodded. “Well, buck up private. You’re in the Matlock army now.” He gave a pert pat to Jane’s back and walked away from her with his arms behind his back, just as he would after inspecting a line.
Left in the library alone, Jane Bennet began to shake as the full consequences of her actions and agreements swirled in her mind. She gingerly sat on the nearest chair, wondering how on earth she was going to manage a social calendar the likes of Lady Matlock had planned for her while concealing such a deep shame. Worse, who was going to convince Mrs. Bennet to go back to Hertfordshire?
The sounds of the Matlock servants restoring the household snapped Jane out of her introspection. Shoulders back, head held high, she glided out of the library, thinking of the fierceness she had seen Elizabeth display time and time again. If her sister could sacrifice her honeymoon to conceal Lydia’s predicament, then Jane would bravely sacrifice one summer in society.
Coming soon...
A Summer Shame
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elizabeth Ann West is a jane-of-all-trades, mistress to none. Author of the best-selling women’s fiction,
Cancelled
, and historical romance series
Seasons of Serendipity
, she began her writing career in 2007 writing advertising copy for websites. Since then, she has learned to make apps, code websites, and make a mean cup of coffee. Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, her family now moves wherever the Navy sends them.
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