Rudolph Ackermann. August 1812. Los Angeles County Museum of Art [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
~*~*~
“My arm is not taken,” Westonbury offered.
Mary looked at the arm he offered, raised a brow while giving him a look of perturbed displeasure, and then very cautiously placed her hand on it.
“Why?” Bingley whispered to Darcy as the group began walking once again. “She obviously does not like him. Why would he subject himself to what could very likely be a lecture?”
[from Loving Lydia, book 3 in the Marrying Elizabeth Series]
Fashion Plate (Afternoon Dress for Novr. 1800); Los Angeles County Museum of Art [Public domain]; via Wikimedia Commons.
~*~*~
“She did not tell me directly,” Westonbury replied, rising to cross to the window. “I overheard her talking to a friend at Almack’s. It seems her daughter was on the point of being happily betrothed until the fellow found someone else – with deeper pockets and a more willing charm – that is how she said it. Just like that, with a suggestive lilt to her tone. She then added that Miss –” He waved his hand in a circle in front of him as if attempting to draw a scent towards him.
The action was familiar to Darcy. His cousin had always made that same motion when attempting to recall something.
“Oh, I cannot remember! But it matters not who she is to me. However, according to Mrs. Salter…”
[from Loving Lydia, book 3 in the Marrying Elizabeth Series]
Half-Crown of George IV, 1821. The inscription reads GEORGIUS IIII D G BRITANNIAR REX D G (George IV, by the Grace of God King of the Britons, Defender of the Faith). George IV was the last British King to be shown on coins wearing a Roman-style laurel wreath [attribution: Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=446259]
Bottom Row (left to right):
Shilling of George IV [attribution: Rasiel Suarez [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]]
Crown, George I, England, 1716 [attribution: Daderot [Public domain]]
Gold Guinea of George III, dated 1789. The inscription reads in Latin, “Georgius III Dei Gratia,” or in English “George III, By the Grace of God” [attribution: Coinman62 at English Wikipedia [Public domain]]
~*~*~
And now for some lines from the story to go with the picture:
“Do you still wish to see your brother?” Bingley asked as Richard was settling himself in bed.
“Yes,” Richard said before sighing with relief as he lay back against his pillows. “Tell him to bring his half-crown,” Richard called after Bingley. “The scoundrel,” he muttered. “He best not be trying to buy any more kisses from Lydia.”
“Does that mean you are not giving her up?” Darcy pulled a chair near the bed.
“No. It means she does not need to be put upon by him.”
[from Loving Lydia, book 3 in the Marrying Elizabeth Series]
“Viscount Westonbury to see you, Miss Bingley,” Harvey intoned.
The gentleman looked around the room, a furrow forming between his eyes. “I am looking for my brother, Colonel Fitzwill…i..am,” his speech slowed as his eyes landed on Lydia. A slow smile crept across his face.
Lydia’s eyes could not be wider, and Elizabeth understood why quite perfectly.
[from Loving Lydia, book 3 in the Marrying Elizabeth Series]
Fondazione Cariplo [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]; via Wikimedia Commons
~*~*~
Lydia brushed tears from her cheeks with the palm of her right hand while her left clutched the letter. Gently, Elizabeth took the letter from her and handed her a handkerchief.
“I will read this part to you.”
Lydia nodded.
I cannot blame him for his troubled thinking, but I will not allow him to hide from his heart.
Elizabeth put an arm around Lydia’s shoulders and squeezed her close. “You are the colonel’s heart,” she whispered before continuing to read.
[from Loving Lydia, book 3 in the Marrying Elizabeth Series]
