Elizabeth has never felt much kinship to her youngest sister, this is exactly why. The gentleman escorting Lydia said she was on her second bottle, the bottle being port wine, one the highest in alcohol. Being the era that it is, Lydia is well within the age range of drinking. But no young lady should be publicly intoxicated.
Elizabeth had to play it cool as she strode towards the large windowlike doors with a staggering Lydia in hand. The gentlemen in charge of opening said door paused for a moment as Lydia hiccupped loudly and grinned, babbling some sentence no one could understand. Elizabeth just did her best and smiled as she pulled Lydia's arm over her shoulder and walked her outside.
She had managed to yank the bottle out of her sister's hand near the moment upon arriving to display and the grouping of lady's gasped at her almost closed eyed daze. Now, Elizabeth wonders if the family will ever recover from such humiliation.
The patio was a breath of fresh air, compared to the almost suffocating party, overlooking the gardens and a pond in the distance. Lydia did not seem to notice or care about the splendor and they shuffled down the steps and onto a small pathway and Lydia almost tripped over her own two feet. Elizabeth strains to keep her upright as they continue along the path.
"By the saints Lydia! What will mama think if she sees you like this?" Mumbles Elizabeth.
Lydia giggles for a moment before speaking, "She...will think...and talk...as she always does. Can I have my wine back?"
Elizabeth rolls her eyes as they round a corner and she allows Lydia to stumble about on her own.
"I am going to walk you first." Says Elizabeth.
"Why?"
Elizabeth grumbles under her breath before responding, "Because, perhaps some fresh air or a dunk in the pond will flush the drink from your system. Mama would faint at the sight of you."
Lydia chuckles, "No...Lizzie. Lizzie?"
"Yes?"
"I have to use the privy Lizzie."
Elizabeth's face turns red with rained frustration, "Why didn't you go inside?"
Lydia shrugs, "I was...dragged outside, by one prude of an older sister."
Elizabeth gasps. "I am not a prude!"
"No?"
"No indeed. I just wish like mama, not to make a fool out of our family. As you should."
Lydia cackles, "Bite me!" She states turning on her heels and bouncing.
Elizabeth growls, "Don't tempt me."
Lydia falls into a fit of laughter and leans against a tree as they approach the pond's edge. "You have no fangs to do so, prude. When you have some please...be...my...guest."
This time Lydia bobs forward and trips, falling arms first into the grass. She rolls around for a moment giggling to herself until she rolls onto her back. Elizabeth ponders leaving her out here for a stranger to take in, one less mouth to feed and a lot less headaches.
"What am I to do with you?" She begs both her sister and the night sky.
A rustling echoes from the forestine in response and causes Elizabeth to jump. Hand down and ready to release her weapon, she scans the forest edge.
"Hello?"
*
YOU ARE READING
Vow of Blood and Starlight (a Pride and Prejudice retelling)
Historical FictionI will admit, my dear readers, that this is a story you have read before. But in many ways, a story I know, you will not see coming. A simple tale of love and loss, pride and vanity. Although, with a twist. A twist that came in the form of a tall ge...
