All These Promises: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By Sophia Grey

When Lydia Bennet is invited to Brighton to accompany the regiment as the especial guest of Colonel Forster's wife, Elizabeth cannot believe that her father would agree to such a thing. But his consent is only given with the caveat that Elizabeth act as chaperone to watch over her youngest sister while she is so far from home.

 

Forced into a situation beyond her control, Elizabeth can only hope that her time away from Longbourn will help clear her mind of all the confusion and anger that has consumed her since Mr. Darcy offered his disastrous proposal at Hunsford. But that is not the only thing on her mind... Because of Mr. Darcy's letter, she has also come to distrust Mr. Wickham, a gentleman who so often seems to be in her sister's company. 

 

Can Elizabeth break through her own confusion and feelings of betrayal to keep Lydia out of harm, and scandal's, way? Or will one mistake lead to a disastrous outcome that could ruin the whole family?

 

"All These Promises" is a sweet, clean, Pride and Prejudice variation that is suitable for all lovers of Jane Austen's classic novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Flowers Press
• Release date: Jul 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393513254

Book preview

Chapter 1

Elizabeth Bennet’s patience was wearing thin, and Mrs. Eugenia Forster had only been seated in their parlor for a very short time. Elizabeth did not begrudge the Colonel his young wife, but there were very few young ladies of her acquaintance who were as full of gossip and frivolous information as Mrs. Forster.

It was not only that, but Lydia’s incessant fawning over the other woman was beginning to take its toll on Elizabeth’s good will. 

You must tell Mama of how grand the house you will be staying at in Brighton will be, Lydia said excitedly. "It is quite large, you see. Almost as grand as Netherfield Park, though with a view of the sea. Even Mr. Bingley cannot boast about a view so fine as that."

Lydia threw a haughty look in Jane’s direction, but Jane’s eyes were focused on stirring her tea. Even so, Elizabeth’s cheeks heated with annoyance at her younger sister’s unnecessary barb. 

Jane may have promised that she was no longer hurt by Mr. Bingley’s silence, but Elizabeth knew that thoughts of the gentleman still lingered in her sister’s mind. If only there were a way to discover Mr. Bingley’s true feelings for her, or even set everything to right. If there were, she would do it without a moment’s hesitation. 

How very exciting, Mrs. Bennet said with an enthusiasm almost equal to Lydia’s. "You must be so looking forward to leaving Hertfordshire, Mrs. Forster."

Mrs. Forster smiled primly and set down her teacup. She was a fashionable young lady who clearly demanded that certain things be sent from London to fill her wardrobe. Like many older men with silly young wives, the Colonel seemed determined to keep her in good spirits, and Elizabeth wondered if there was any request she made since her arrival in Hertfordshire that had yet been denied.  

Indeed I am, Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Forster said airily. "I do so long for the seaside. The salt air does wonders for the constitution, and my dear husband has promised that I may go bathing in the sea any time I like."

"Oh, mama! I should like to go bathing in the sea!" Lydia cried. 

And me! Kitty echoed. 

Elizabeth looked out the window, knowing where the conversation would turn next. 

Mrs. Bennet, I have just had the grandest idea, Mrs. Forster exclaimed. Lydia must come with me to Brighton! 

Elizabeth set down her teacup with a crash as Lydia’s squeal of delight filled the room.

Lizzy! Be careful with that tea cup! Mrs. Bennet scolded. Now, Mrs. Forster, I shall have to speak to Mr. Bennet— 

Mama, you cannot be thinking of entertaining this! Elizabeth cried. 

Lizzy is just jealous that she was not invited! Lydia threw down the pastry she held and looked nervously at Mrs. Forster. 

Now, Lizzy, this is no time to be jealous, Mrs. Bennet said and Elizabeth let out a furious breath as her mother turned to the Colonel’s wife. Mrs. Forster, this is a most generous invitation, and I am very sure that Lydia will be a wonderful companion to you.

Oh yes, I shall be! Lydia said eagerly. 

Elizabeth could not accept that her mother would not consider what was best for Lydia. The honor of being invited on such a journey by the Colonel’s wife notwithstanding, it was a poor decision and, even though Jane laid a warning hand upon her arm, she could not keep silent. But, Mama, surely it would be wiser to keep Lydia here. The movements of the regiment are of no concern to us...

That is where you are very much mistaken, Mrs. Bennet interrupted. I remember in my youth I was quite taken with a young man who looked very fine in his regimentals… Mrs. Bennet looked wistful for a moment before she continued, how very grand and exciting it would be to have an officer in our family...

Mama! You cannot—

"No, I will hear no more of your arguments. It is a most generous offer, and I cannot see how Lydia would benefit from staying here at Longbourn for the summer."

Mrs. Forster smiled and folded her slender hands in her lap as the conversation continued around her. Elizabeth did not trust the other woman in the slightest, and the fact that she could sit so calmly during such a conversation was testament to her character more than anything. If Eugenia Forster were any kind of friend to Lydia, she should have been mortified to have caused any strife between family members.

Lydia’s eyes shone with victory. It is true, Mama, she said eagerly. "With the regiment gone there will be nothing to do in Meryton all summer, and I should be ever so bored. Mrs. Forster will, no doubt, have many dances and parties planned. I have no doubt that I shall be very entertained in Brighton!"

Oh, yes, Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Forster chimed in. My husband, the Colonel, has given me several opportunities to plan parties while we are in Brighton, and I should be very grateful for Lydia’s assistance.

Assistance? Why, Lydia, what assistance would you be able to give to Mrs. Forster? Elizabeth sipped her tea and stared at her sister with a mild expression upon her face. Lydia pressed her lips together and poked a finger into the custard tart that sat dejectedly upon her plate. 

Now, Lizzy, Mrs. Bennet began. 

I have been to ever so many balls and assemblies, Lydia interrupted. I know all the best dances and will be very useful to Mrs. Forster when she is planning her entertainment and refreshments! Who else would be able to advise her so well? 

Elizabeth did her best not to laugh, but Lydia’s determination to prove her usefulness seemed to have convinced their mother. 

Lydia is quite right, Mrs. Bennet said with a smile. She will be a wonderful help to Mrs. Forster.

Mrs. Forster nodded and patted Lydia’s hand. This is my first journey to Brighton, Mrs. Bennet, and I would be very grateful of a friend to keep my spirits high while my dear husband is busy with the regiment.

There is nothing our Lydia is more accomplished at than lifting spirits, Mrs. Bennet said with an indulgent smile. I will speak to Mr. Bennet about this, and ensure that everything is arranged.

Elizabeth stared at her hands while Lydia shrieked with joy. 

It was a mistake to allow Lydia to leave Longbourn. In Elizabeth’s mind, it was an even bigger mistake to allow her to leave under the supervision of someone as... silly as Mrs. Forster. Though Elizabeth and the Colonel’s wife were closer in age, Eugenia Forster had a petulantly childish attitude, and she and Lydia had formed a fast friendship that Elizabeth did not entirely approve of. Mrs. Bennet might have been pleased with the prestige of her daughter’s friend, but Elizabeth did not expect that her father would feel similarly.

As Lydia began to chatter about the new dresses she would require for the journey and how she would borrow Jane’s new valise to pack her things, Elizabeth pushed her chair away from the table and stood. 

Lizzy, where are you going? Jane asked. 

I just had a sudden thought, she replied. She left the room with quick strides and headed in the direction of her father’s study. She was determined to speak to her father before her mother had a chance to baffle him with her exclamations. Mr. Bennet was an astute man, but he had a tendency to agree to many of his wife’s requests simply because it meant that he would be left alone. The prospect of the loudest of his daughters being absent for the entirety of the summer might prove too tempting a prospect—especially as his refusal would mean an increase of noise and moping in the household. 

She knocked on the open door softly and stepped inside as her father beckoned for her to enter.   

Lizzy, have you grown tired of Mrs. Forster’s company already? I daresay your younger sisters will be enjoying it, she is almost as silly as they are, he said as he turned a page in his ledger. 

Elizabeth let out a heavy sigh and sank into one of the chair that sat across from her father’s desk. Papa, it is Mrs. Forster who is the reason for my intrusion.

Oh, indeed, he said without much curiosity in his voice.  

She has asked Lydia to accompany her to Brighton when the regiment leaves, Elizabeth said abruptly. 

Has she now? Mr. Bennet leaned back in his chair and folded his hands atop his ledger. And what does your Mama have to say to that?

I am sure you can very well guess.

Mr. Bennet’s smile was faint, and faded just as quickly as it had appeared. I can, and am I to presume that you take some umbrage with this request?

Elizabeth pressed her hands to her face. I do. Papa, it is the very worst of ideas. There is no reason that Lydia should be permitted to accompany Mrs. Forster to Brighton! Please, you must not allow her to go.

Mr. Bennet sighed heavily. And if I deny the request, your mama will be sure that I do not hear the end of it until the regiment returns to Meryton.

There is no doubt of that, she said. 

Mr. Bennet nodded. I see. Well, I shall have to give this a great deal of careful consideration. 

Thank you, Papa.

Mr. Bennet waved his daughter away, and Elizabeth left her father’s study with some satisfaction that she might have averted a crisis. Lydia would, no doubt, be angry when she discovered her sister’s part in the rejection of her request. She would not see the wisdom of it, rejoined the gathering in the parlor. Mrs. Forster was in the middle of regaling them with the details of the house she and Colonel Forster would be staying in for their time in Brighton. 

And there will be four bedrooms, and a drawing room... larger than this one, I should think, and with a charming view of the seaside. 

How charming, indeed, Mrs. Bennet said warmly. 

Oh, yes. I shall be inviting all of the officer’s wives to tea very often, Mrs. Forster said with a smile. I daresay, dear Lydia and I will be entertaining often. My husband’s position has given us the opportunity to make some very great friends, especially in Brighton.

Lizzy, is it not exciting, Kitty said wistfully as Elizabeth took her seat again. "I wish I could go to Brighton. I should so like to swim in the sea and watch the ships sailing by." 

One day, Kitty, we shall all go to Brighton, Mrs. Bennet said. 

Perhaps you might come to visit me when I am married and my husband and I spend the summer there, Lydia crowed. Kitty looked dejected, but Mrs. Forster laughed at Lydia’s joke.

They made quite the pair, Mrs. Forster and Lydia. The Colonel’s wife was of a similar age to Elizabeth and Jane, but the more time she spent in the other woman’s company, the more Elizabeth noticed that Eugenia Forster’s temperament and manner of speaking was closer to Lydia’s... A recipe for disaster, to be sure.

Do you not think we should wait for Papa’s approval before Lydia begins making plans? Elizabeth asked as

Reviews for All These Promises

[Chelsea · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was my first book by Sophia Grey and I enjoyed the story and thought the characters were all really well written. I really did not like Mrs. Forster in this book and thought she was written really well as an ally to Lydia's trouble making schemes. Things came together really quickly at the end and the epilogue was more like just a final chapter that I would have liked more of as a follow up at the end. I plan to look into reading more of this author.