Read Online Lydia Bennet's Story by Jane Odiwe - Free Book Online

at the entertainments; the singers are second to none. Now do be careful here, the path is rather uneven. I would hate for you to meet with an accident in the dark. Do take my arm, Miss Bennet, I would not wish you to stumble. There now, I can see your pretty face so clearly now. Moonlight becomes your delicate features, my dear, in a most becoming manner.”
    Every now and again Harriet looked with great approval at her friend. She was clearly impressed by the Captain’s behaviour, but Lydia had to admit, if only to herself, that she was beginning to find his manners quite wearisome. She had looked forward very much to seeing the Captain this evening, but there was something about his conduct that she did not quite like. She felt she was hardly allowed to make a decision for herself; as much as he appeared to be asking her to express her desires, she was not permitted to speak a word before he ran on again to something else or pointed her in another direction. She was not used to anyone taking over the conversation so completely or telling her what she must do, and she did not like it. Before she had a chance to say that she would enjoy both a meal and an ice, preferably washed down with a large glass of wine, they had moved on again without stopping for anything and all the while he did not pause for breath.
    But he was so handsome and looked so well in his uniform that every lady in the Grove looked at her with envy, and she knew every one of them would swap places with her if they could. Her grumbles were soon forgotten. Lydia must admit she liked to be stared at as she walked at his side, and she began to feel happy once more.
    At nine o’clock, they congregated in front of the box to hear the musicians, and although she heard the Captain suggest they might try the other side for a better view, she was so engrossed that she did not at first realise that he was propelling her towards the quieter, leafier side of the gardens. One moment they were in the thick of the throng and the next they were in the darkness of the avenue, with the leaves of the trees whispering above them.
    “Please forgive me, my dear,” he started as he guided her steps away from the path and towards the darkness of a roman temple, “but I have so longed to get you away on your own. We are constantly surrounded, are we not? Please permit me to tell you how earnestly I admire you, and although we have enjoyed but such a short acquaintance, I have to tell you that I am afraid I am falling in love with you.”
    Lydia did not know what to say. She was extremely flattered, and to be told by someone, especially a man as handsome and rich as the Captain, that he was falling in love with her was certainly a step towards matrimony, even if it was rather sudden. As she contemplated a suitable answer, for one did not immediately spring to mind, the Captain clutched her hand in the next instant and took a step towards her, his lips puckered as if in expectation of a kiss.
    Lydia was astonished at the speed with which everything was proceeding, and when she felt his lips clamped on hers, she could not have been more shocked, though to tell the truth she was quite ready to appear willing. There had never been much opportunity for kissing young men, certainly not any handsome beaux, and here was a chance which had presented itself without any effort on her behalf. She had always hoped that some day she would be adored, loved, and cherished for herself alone, and here was the Captain proclaiming that his heart was hers! Closing her eyes and pouting her lips as seductively as she felt able, Lydia prepared to give herself up to rapturous feelings. However, whether it was because she had been caught by surprise she could not say, but try as she might, she could not return his ardent kiss. Indeed, she found the whole experience rather disappointing, despite her full attention to the matter in hand. He was a little too eager, and she thought her neck might snap, so