I saw this picture and thought of this rather memorable ladies having tea scene below. Here, Mary Ellen Dobney is sharing the true story behind a story that Lydia heard Captain Harris tell in Brighton. Captain Harris is Mary Ellen’s cousin, and Lydia has never liked him. Enjoy!
Her (Mary Ellen’s) teacup shook a bit as she raised it to take a sip. “I had gone to town for my first season — do you remember that Lucy?”
Lucy smiled and nodded. “You were so excited to go to the dances and show off your new wardrobe.”
Mary Ellen laughed. “I drove my brothers mad with my demands that they help me practice my dances.” She looked at Elizabeth. “They even tricked Darcy into taking a turn just so they would not have to do it.”
“What happened?” Lydia asked.
“I had a lovely time in town. The soirees were all I had dreamed they would be. I enjoyed many strolls in Hyde Park and a carriage ride or two. I did not ever want for a partner at a ball. It was idyllic until,” she paused and took another shaky sip of tea, “I fell. While on a walk at the fireworks display, I slipped and fell. The gentleman on whose arm I was walking toppled with me. He landed on top with me beneath him. Someone saw and the next thing I knew, I was only asked to dance by those gentlemen with a certain reputation.”
“Rakes?” asked Lydia.
“Yes, rakes,” said Mary Ellen, “and known fortune hunters, since my dowry is not small.”
“That is horrid.” Lydia’s voice trembled with anger.
“It was, so I left. I asked to return home.”
“Did the gentleman who fell on you offer for you?” asked Lydia.
“No, he was already promised to another. He was only strolling with me because we were friends.”
“And your cousin shared this?” Jane could not hide her surprise. “How could he share that?”
Mary Ellen brushed a tear from the corner of her eye. “I do not know. I did not realize he was sharing it.”
Lydia’s lips were puckered in a scowl. “Dueling is illegal, is it not?”
“Oh, my, yes,” said Aunt Tess quickly. “And I am not certain Marcus or Philip would wish to call out their cousin.”
Lydia blinked. “Why would they do that?”
“They are Mary Ellen’s brothers,” said Aunt Tess.
“You cannot call him out either. You are a lady,” said Elizabeth.
Lydia scowled. “But I am a fair shot.”
Aunt Tess laughed. “I have no doubt you are, but your sister is correct. Ladies do not call out gentlemen.”
“Not even if they have disparaged a dear friend and sister?”
“Not even then, though the gesture is noble,” Aunt Tess assured her.
Brown, Leenie. At All Costs: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novel (Willow Hall Romance Book 4).
