Lydia Bennet's Recommended Reading: Redcoat, by Richard Holmes

Gentle Readers, If Jane Austen's character Lydia Bennet could ever be tempted to read a book, then Redcoat: The British Soldier in the Age of Horse and Musket, by Richard Holmes might just do the trick. Filled with pages and pages of the personal memories of hundreds of British soldiers between Georgian and Early Victorian times, it also includes letters and memories of the wives and women who followed them. Here is the publisher's description.

"Redcoat is the story of the British soldier - those noncommissioned men whom Kipling called "the backbone of the army" - from roughly 1760 to 1860. Based on the letters and diaries of the men who served and the women who followed them, this book is rich in the history of a fascinating era. Among the highlights are Wolfe's victory and death at Quebec, Wellington's Peninsular War, Waterloo, the retreat from Kabul, the Crimean War, and the Indian Mutiny." The focus of Redcoat, however, is on the individual recollections and experiences of the ordinary soldiers in the wars of Georgian and early Victorian England. Through their stories and anecdotes - of uniforms, equipment floggings, wounds, food, barrack life, courage, comradeship, death, love, and loss - Richard Holmes provides a comprehensive portrait of an extraordinarily successful fighting force. "

Oh la! She will certainly be fagged just by looking at the pictures of all those glorious men in redcoats!

If you would like to read more about the Bennet families scandalous youngest daughter Lydia, then check out Lydia Bennet's Story: A Sequel to Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Odiwe which has just been released in a new international edition by Sourcebooks. You can also read two reviews of it from this blogs two co-author's Vic and Laurel Ann, and visit the author's web site devoted to Lydia's online journal.

posted by Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Lucy Writes to Mrs. Wickham About Lizzy and Mr. Darcy's Wedding

Dear readers: Vic, Ms. Place and Jane Odiwe have been exchanging letters as Lydia Wickham and her friend Lucy. Vic writes as Lucy, and Jane writes as Lydia. This letter brings us to Lizzy's and Mr. Darcy's wedding.

Oh, my dear Lydia,

I cannot imagine how I allowed so much time to slip by before answering your last two letters. My sincerest apologies, but I have had such an adventure these past few months, and I simply could not catch my breath long enough to sit still and sharpen the nubs on my quills. They were quite worn down, you see, and I kept thinking: tomorrow, tomorrow I'll tend to my writing instruments, and then I can write to my dear Lydia at leisure, and she will see what a good friend I am.

First, Lady Catherine de Bourgh returned from Longbourn after her tête à tête with your sister Lizzy, ready to do battle. There was such a commotion! She arrived at the Collins's doorstep late in the evening to announce that to all intents and purposes Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy were engaged. Accusations flew around the room when she and Mr. Collins heatedly discussed how your sister could have STOLEN Mr. Darcy from under Miss Anne's nose. Charlotte stepped in the fray and defended your sister quite vigorously. Charlotte is quite cast out of Lady Catherine's good graces, for the latter declared that had she not invited that "Bennet hussy" for a prolonged visit, then that "shameless, common, impudent, and scheming woman" would not have had the opportunity to seduce Mr. Darcy with her questionable and tepid charms.

I daresay, if Charlotte had not had the good sense to convince Mr. Collins to remove to Lucas lodge until Lady Catherine recovered her equanimity, we might still be subject to the sort of language that would make a regiment blush. Lady Catherine's use of the King's English can be quite creative, to say the least, and even Mr. Collins - obsequiesce as he is towards her ladyship - was hard pressed to listen to her abusive language without betraying his astonishment. Indeed his face turned so ruddy at times that it quite alarmed Charlotte, who then took it upon herself to pack for the three of us and remove us from such "relentless and roiling agitation".

The instant we arrived at Lucas lodge, Lady Lucas announced that your sister Jane had been promised to Mr. Bingley. With much surprise, we learned that Lady Catherine's premonition about your sister Lizzy's engagement to Mr. Darcy was true. Lady Lucas, who has been wont to crow over Charlotte's marriage to Mr. Collins, seemed a bit put out by all this good news. I must say that your mama did not help the situation by boasting at every opportunity about the fine matches that her three girls have made. Even I began to tire of her conversations about trousseaus and weddings and fine houses, and you know how drawn I am to such topics!! Oh, dear, how I do run on at the mouth. You are my dearest friend, and at times I forget that I am speaking of your family. Do IGNORE my comments about your mama, which I will cross out, for I do not have time to start this letter over again and I am danger of running out of paper!

I was ecstatic to be invited to attend your sisters' weddings along with the Lucases, and mourned when I learned that neither you nor Mr. Wickham would be able make the journey from Newcastle. Oh, Lydia, had I known you were not coming, I would have worn my pink dress with the pale blue satin ribands. I was certain you would want to wear your magnificent pink silk and I did not want to compete with you (not that I ever could, for you are by far prettier, but I must admit, my hair, which I am dressing in the Grecian style, has received some very fine compliments of late.) I chose to wear my blue sarcanet silk instead, which, with the addition of new ribands and buttons, looked quite stylish.

I finally come to THE WEDDING. Your sister Jane was lovely as always, and Mr. Bingley looked suitably handsome, but it was your sister Lizzy who stole the day. I never did think her as pretty as Jane and I always feel quite tongue tied when speaking to her for she is so very bookish, is she not? And she brooks no silly remarks, which my papa says I drop like pearls from an overactive oyster. To return to the new Mrs. Darcy, she looked stunningly beautiful, with her shining eyes and lovely skin, which surely glowed from happiness. Mr. Darcy could not take his eyes off her, and he did not seem half as forbidding to me on that day, even speaking to me on occasion and asking me a question or two, if you can imagine! I caught him laughing once or twice, and always smiling in the direction of his new bride. I do wonder why the future Mrs. Darcy, who now has more money than all of Meryton put together, chose to wear such a plain dress. The material was very fine, to be sure, but my marriage gown will have more ruffles, lace, and ribands as suits the occasion.

To answer your question in your last letter, Papa will arrive in a few days to take me to Bath, where we will stay for the winter. Oh, dear, how vexing! I have run out of paper and I have still so much to relate. Pray, write to me and tell me what you have been doing! I promise I shall not let so much time pass by until next I write.

Sincerely, your errant but loving friend, Lucy


My Dear Lucy,

How delightful to hear from you again! I had begun to wonder from your lack of correspondence if you were ailing, but it now seems clear that you have been enjoying rude health enough to keep abreast of all news concerning my family with your usual flair, aptitude and resolve for gleaning gossip. No one was more surprised than I to hear of both my sisters' engagements. I was very happy for Jane but I was almost at a loss for words to describe my sentiments on discovering the truth of Lizzy's commitment to Mr Darcy. I declare I never worried so much for my sister's sanity than when I received the news. Gone MAD, I thought, like my poor Aunt Fanny, (my mother's sister, who incidentally is never mentioned - well, for a long time she convinced herself that she was betrothed to my father who spurned all her advances - as a result she took to the bottle - but that's another story.)

I never thought for a minute that Lizzy would actually go through with it and wed that odious man. All I can think is that when Jane announced her engagement, (bless her - though he is not my dish of tea, Mr Bingley certainly has his charms) - that Lizzy became frightened. Well, what would you have done, Lucy, if you were a spinster watching your other sisters getting wed?

Forgive me; I have committed a faux pas without any intention. I do not mean to imply that you are in a similar situation, even though you are not yet married. I am sure it is just a matter of time - you have been most unfortunate - not every girl has the good luck to have a young man fall for
her.

Can you imagine? To be left on the shelf with the bitter memory that the only man Lizzy ever adored had transferred his affections and married me! Well, I should be sorry for her but what could I do if Mr Wickham was in such a passion for me? Anyway, as I say, I think she threw herself away in a moment of madness because Mr Darcy happened to ask her and as Kitty pointed out he does have a big house. Not that I feel envious for Lizzy's lot; I should imagine it's very wild on those peaks, a veritable icebox the whole year round! It is evident why he was in such a hurry to marry my sister. I don't say she is ugly, but Anne de Bourgh's countenance is what my mother would describe as suet pudding and two currants. I wonder if he pictured himself waking up to that every day; I fancy she didn't take his fancy in the least!

As for the weddings, I'd had quite enough excitement with my own, quite frankly, to make such a journey. I daresay my sisters will invite Georgie and I to stay soon. Indeed, I am holding out for an invitation from Jane to spend Christmas at Netherfield but I might give her a hint if I do not hear anything soon.

You mentioned that you are going to Bath. Apparently George is travelling there soon on some sort of regimental affair, though he is so secretive I am inclined to think it is on a matter of espionage. He is not allowed to give me the name and address of his lodging house, which surely indicates the secretive nature and importance of his mission. All I know is that when I asked Captain Welby about it he denied any knowledge of George's assignment - so I think I cannot be far from the truth! Sometimes I think the men underestimate my intelligence but I am one step ahead of them, I can assure you! I doubt very much whether you will see George in town or at the assemblies because he works so hard that sometimes I don't see him from morn till night for two days together! Fortunately, my friends are very good and keep me entertained when George is called away. You would adore Captain Bostock; he has the bluest eyes I ever saw. And though he is a rascal, for he is the greatest flirt I ever knew, I manage to forgive him every time.

Do let me know of your adventures in Bath,
Affectly,
Lydia Wickham

Read Lydia Bennet's Journal here, and click here to read Lucy and Lydia's first exchange of letters.

Lucy Tries to Warn Mrs. Wickham

Inquiring readers, these letters are part of an ongoing exchange between Lydia Bennet (Jane Odiwe) and her dear friend Lucy (Ms. Place). Lucy's father is good friends with Sir William Lucas, and she is staying with his daughter, Charlotte. To read the previous letters in this series, click here, or visit Lydia Bennet's Journal to read the rest of her story.

Lydia Dear,

Oh, my friend, there has been such agitation at Rosings and Hunsford Rectory as you can never imagine! Due to Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s extreme vexation with you and Mr. Wickham (Heaven knows why she would still be upset, for you are now married), Mr. Collins has been at sixes and sevens, unable to concentrate or keep his mind on his sermons. One would think the INSULT, as he calls it, had been done upon his person. He cannot sit still without jumping up and lecturing Charlotte, of all people, about you, the Bennets, and all the ungrateful people upon this earth who do not know their place and who fail to behave with any sense of decency, propriety, and decorum. It is almost comical to see his tall form rush outside of the house every time he hears a carriage. Mr. Collins expects Lady Catherine to appear at any moment to discuss THE SITUATION, as he says repeatedly. Charlotte remains mute, by and large, expressing only her concern for the Bennet family, including YOU. La! One would think she would feel envy rather than concern, for your Mr. Wickham is ever so much more handsome than her Mr. Collins.

Lady Catherine did finally arrive this morning. She remained inside her barouche, all bundled in black and puce, and would not even condescend to open the carriage door more than a tiny crack so that she could be heard. Poor Mr. Collins stood in a drizzling rain for a full fifteen minutes with only his hat and coat for protection. From my station behind the curtain, I could hear Lady Catherine’s voice, but I could understand nary a word. When she left, Mr. Collins hastened inside the house, calling for Charlotte to meet him in private. It turns out, my dear friend, that Lady Catherine is on her way to Meryton to demand that Miss Elizabeth Bennet cease and desist in her intention to STEAL Mr. Darcy away from Lady Anne, her daughter. How on earth Lady Catherine got hold of this idea is beyond my understanding, since we both know that your sister DESPISES the very ground Mr. Darcy walks on and won’t have a thing to do with him.

This brings me to the reason for this letter. I am writing it in haste and am entrusting it to Mr. Collins's man, who promises to put on this afternoon's Mail Coach. If luck is with us, my letter will precede Lady Catherine’s arrival at Longbourn, (for she is an old lady and I suspect must make many stops). If you are still visiting your family, you must warn your sister that Lady Catherine is on a rampage and means to CONFRONT Lizzy and DEMAND obedience.

Oh, my dear friend, when my father sent me to stay with Charlotte, I fretted that my life in this backwater would be dreadfully dull and boring. It has been far from that, I assure you. Oh, Thomas has just come in to take the letter. Quick, I must stop writing. I shall await your reply most anxiously,

Your loving friend, Lucy.



Dear Lucy,

Lord above, whatever will you write to me of next?!!! I have always imagined that at Hunsford Rectory, the Collinses had more than a button missing between them, but with this latest news, I know it to be true! Lady Catherine de Bourgh must be tuppence short of a shilling herself, if she thinks that Elizabeth would even look at Mr Darcy, let alone marry him!!! Between you and me, I've always suspected that she has been harbouring a passion for Colonel FitzWilliam, but I daresay that's another story. I have little time for writing to my sisters now I am a married lady - and, in any case, I feel sure your fears are unfounded.

As for myself, we are settled at last in lodgings at Newcastle, for the present. My darling Georgie assures me we shall not be here for long and that we shall soon be moving into a larger house on the upper slopes where the wealthy are settling. I have been shopping for some items of furniture, as it all desperately required updating and I have filled our sitting room with a new sofa and chairs, some small occasional tables and have green blinds at the window. Everyone who calls comments on my style and all say I have the most exquisite taste. Was it not always so, Lucy? My talent for trimming a new bonnet has held me in good stead for decorating a new home.

I have been received with great cordiality by the officers' wives and even more so by the officers themselves! Lucy, I am sure you are not surprised to hear that I have several favourites already; Mr Gascoigne is so attentive and so like dear Denny, whom I am sure I shall miss to the end of my days. Captain Welby is the most handsome man I ever set eyes on and Mr Lambert is so sweet, he blushes like a girl whenever I look his way. Needless to say, I could fill two sides just writing of these lovely fellows and their antics to present; so you see, I neither lack for company nor friendship!

The ladies certainly spend a lot of money on their appearance and are as fashionable as any I saw in Brighton, if not more so. I can almost understand what they are saying, for their way of talking takes getting used to and for the first week I thought I was in a foreign country and asked dear George what language they were speaking. Quite frankly, it is not unpleasant to the ear and I am sure I have picked it up in the few weeks I have been here. Certainly, if Mr Gascoigne spends any longer whispering in my ear, I shall be a true proficient! I expect to see the latter and all his comrades at the Assembly Ball this week. How you would love it here, Lucy! Rest assured that I am happy, hale and hearty and if in my next letter I do not write with 'increasing news', if you take my meaning, I assure you it will not be for want of trying; George and I are meticulous in that endeavour!

Affectly Yours,

Lydia Wickham

Painting by Jane Odiwe

Lucy Writes to Mrs. Wickham

Gentle Reader, Jane Odiwe (Lydia) and Ms. Place (Lucy) have been writing to each other. In their last exchange, Lucy promised to keep Lydia's whereabouts with Wickham a secret no matter how much her father pressed her to tell the truth. He even threatened to send her to live with his stodgy spinster sister, Beatrice.

My dearest Lydia, or do you prefer Mrs. Wickham?

You will never guess what has happened. My Aunt Bea refused to take me in, saying the responsibility of caring for a 17-year-old niece would fray her nerves beyond imagining, and that although she loves her brother dearly there are only so many sacrifices one should be asked to make. So Papa, still determined to teach me a lesson for being steadfastly closemouthed as to your direction, consulted with Sir William, who suggested that Mrs. Collins would need a companion during her lying in! I am therefore, writing to you from Mrs. Collins’ sitting room. Though it is cozy, one’s concentration is CONSTANTLY interrupted by Mr. Collins, who keeps rushing about the place looking for Mrs. Collins to consult her about something or other, or to call her over to show her a wondrous new development in his garden. When I first heard news of her marriage I confess I quite envied Miss Charlotte Lucas, but I find I do not envy Mrs. Collins at all! As to her lying in, if Mrs. Collins is with child, then I am a bluestocking. Thus I must conclude that my papa means for me to stay in this quiet backwater for an ETERNITY, if not longer! Had it not been for our twice weekly visits to Rosings and Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s condescension, for she has graciously allowed me the use of her pianoforte, I declare I would go MAD from boredom! But this is neither here nor there, for this letter is meant to be all about YOU!

So you and your Mr. Wickham are truly married, and you are visiting your family at Longbourn! Congratulations on your wedding, my dear friend. Oh, I knew if anyone could pull herself out of trouble it would be YOU. Are your family very mad? I understand Colonel Forster is apoplectic with fury, calling you an irresponsible and ungrateful girl, and Mr. Wickham such names as cannot be repeated. But I digress. Pray, what is it like to be called Mrs. Wickham, and to sit at table ahead of your elder sister? Are you wearing a matron’s cap? Oh, Lydia, I declare that would be the one change I would hate above all, for everyone tells me my best feature is my thick, shiny hair. Oh, dear, how I do go on and prattle.

I am most anxious to know: -What is it like to be constantly with the one you LOVE? Were you nervous on your wedding night? Was it ALL bad? Do tell me EVERYTHING. Or as much as you are willing. Oh, and you need not fear directing your letters to me here. Though Mama sent Mrs. Collins a quite detailed list of things I am forbidden to engage in, there is no mention that your letters should be barred. This means we may write to each other as often as we like. Now that is irony. (A concept of which, my papa says, I haven’t a notion.) Hah!

Your loving friend, Lucy


My Dear Lucy,

I write to you from Longbourn as the happiest creature that ever lived! As a new bride in the parish with everyone from the rector to the butcher attending on me is a dream realised! Between you and me, every maid as far as Meryton is green with envy at my new situation, (no one else has a hope of gaining such a handsome husband,) not excepting my sisters. You would think they should be vastly happy to be reunited with their little sister again, but sadly, the only time they have shown any interest in my marriage to darling Georgie, is when I happened to let slip that Mr Darcy was at my wedding. Lizzy's jaw hit the floor - I cannot begin to wonder why she is so interested in HIM! That man has brought me nothing but trouble, he alone is responsible for making my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner turn against me. I ask you, was it my fault if Mr Wickham fell in such a passion for me, persuading me to run away with him? That said, I felt it just as much, I assure you - we could not wait!

My wedding was not quite the lavish affair I had wished for and Mr Wickham would tease me - he looked so solemn and pale as the statues in the graveyard, I began to think he'd changed his mind. However, I am inclined to imagine that he was just feeling a little nervous at seeing my Papa again - I have to tell you I was not thrilled at the prospect myself, though we need not have worried, Mr Bennet has a temper on occasion but he has never thrashed me, nor is he yet the type to fight Mr W. Indeed, we have scarcely seen him since we returned - my father sits in his library all day with a book in one hand and a glass of something noxious in the other!

Well, I am painting a bleak picture, but you may imagine how ecstatic Mama was to receive us and everyone downstairs in the kitchen has made such a fuss, wanting to hear about it all and see my ring. I daresay my sisters are a little piqued that I have beaten them to the altar - I feel so sorry for them - I have not noticed it before but there is something about them that quite sets them apart as spinsters. Jane and Lizzy have made it crystal clear that they are not at all happy with having me take their place. What can I do? I am a married woman and must take precedence. Being wed has one disadvantage, mark you, though I am not bending to convention. I have not taken to wearing a cap after the first time I tried donning one. I declare I never shall, for Georgie made such a joke about me looking an old fright that I thought it best to leave it off. After all, he does love to see my abundant locks!

As for nerves on my wedding night, what can I tell you, Lucy? I do not think you will be shocked when I say that my only worry was whether we should have such fun once all was legal and above board, if you take my meaning! La! Lucy, you never saw such a lovestruck pair-

I am delighted to send my fond adieus and sign my name,

Mrs Wickham


Stay tuned for the next installment of Lucy's letters to Lydia, eager readers! Meanwhile, you may read their other letters here, or enjoy Lydia's escapades in her journal.

Lucy promises to keep Lydia's secret!

Gentle readers, Lydia Bennet and her friend Lucy have exchanged another series of letters. Click here to read them, or scroll below the icon poll.

Dear Lydia, An Elopement? Oh, How Wonderfully Dreadful ...!

Lydia, my dear,

I have had the most awful time keeping your secret. If I do not reveal your whereabouts with Mr. Wickham, my papa threatens to cut off my pin money and send me packing to live with my Aunt Beatrice – who, I am sure, you will hardly recall, for she is so dreadfully dull and boring! However, I am hardened in my resolve to help you, and my lips remain sealed.

Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner have been beating down the doors in Brighton, searching for any clues that might lead them to you. My papa says Mr. Wickham should be horsewhipped for having abducted you, and placed your family in such an untenable situation. He declares that none of your sisters will ever make advantageous marriages now. And I must admit, this situation has all the earmarks of a most spectacular SCANDAL.

To be sure, your Mr.Wickham is ever so handsome and dashing. Still, I shall always wonder how you found the courage to run off with him. (La, what a silly observation. You are the MOST adventuresome person of my acquaintance.) Pray, do tell me, how is it that you are living in London? Did you not whisper to me at the ball that you and Mr. Wickham were ELOPING to Gretna Green? What happened to change your mind? And, oh, Lydia, how did you ever manage to get married in England? Are you not too young? Did you LIE? Oh, this is all too delicious to keep inside, but I shall. Do not worry.

Well, I must end this letter in haste. Soames promised to post my missive, but in order to catch the Royal Coach he must leave within the half hour. You can trust that his lips are sealed, for he owes me a favor for helping his sister find employment as a lady's maid. He also promised to deliver any letter of yours addressed to me! So, do hurry and write.

Your loyal, admiring, and most anxious friend, Lucy



My Dearest Lucy,

I cannot thank you enough for keeping my secret - I always knew you were a true confidante!

As for beating down doors, I cannot believe a word of it. My father has never shown the slightest interest in me in my life - why should he start now? But, if it is as you say, I am glad I am holed up in Candlewick Street with my darling George, from whom I shall never be separated and where my papa cannot reach me. I daresay he is a little vexed and needs to cool down before I see him, so George's idea to stay here a bit longer seems a good one.

My friend, I needed no courage to run away with my angel, the man of my dreams, the love of my life! We were and are in love and have been since we were thrown together in Brighton - to be honest, there were others vying for my affections but George captured my heart completely. As perfect a couple you could never imagine. I never believed I could feel this way and to have my love returned a hundredfold - well, I do not exaggerate when I say that Mr Wickham is in a passion for me - indeed, there is little time for anything but love! La! You would laugh to see us!

It was our greatest wish to go to Gretna, but at the last, we were forced to come to London - there are some very wicked people in the world - gambling vagabonds tricked my Georgie out of his funds. It does not matter, we still have my winnings from the Brighton Races and a little of my allowance, though this morning I could not but help treat myself to a bonnet from the shops. Such a divine confection of ribbon and lace you never did see. And when he can, Mr Wickham has promised to take me to the theatre at Drury Lane, Astley's to see the horses and Bond Street for a few trifles, so you see dear Lucy, it has all turned out for the best.

As for a wedding, I have to tell you our plans are for the present postponed. I am sure we will be wed soon but I am so happy I do not care when that will be. My wish is to be married from home in Longbourn Church where all my friends can see me, but whenever I broach the subject of leaving our love nest, George pretends he does not hear me! Wickham is so funny, he does not want to share me with anyone else, the darling man!

I must go, George is impatient for my attendance upon him. La! Lucy, his insatiable appetite for my company is quite exhausting! Can Charlotte Collins know of such bliss?

Yours affectly,
Lydia


Gentle Readers, Lydia (Jane Odiwe) and her silly young friend Lucy (Ms. Place) have been exchanging letters during this crucial time in Lydia's life. They have vowed to keep corresponding No Matter What Happens! If you are anxious to learn more about Lydia, click here to go to Lydia Bennet's Journal. Click here to read the other letters. Image of Regency Miss painted by Jane Odiwe.

Lucy Writes Her Friend Lydia Bennet

My dearest Lydia,

La, I meant to write sooner, but the social whirl has me thinking of nothing but dresses and balls and handsome officers! To be sure Brighton is nothing like London this time of year, but one would never know it for all the parties and dances we have been invited to attend. My mama has had the seamstress make up three new ball dresses, and I am simply dying to show them to you.

Sir William Lucas has written my papa another letter. Is it true? Is Charlotte Lucas to be married? Goodness, but Meryton is a more exciting place to live than I once thought. Please, do tell me what has happened, and if there is a gentleman waiting in the wings for you. Oh, and do tell - is your sister Jane engaged to Mr. Bingley? When are they to be wed?

Your loving friend,
Lucy


Dearest Lucy,

It seems such an age since you last wrote - I cannot tell you how jealous I am to hear of your new ball gowns - you are very lucky to have a family who spoil you. I've told you before - I quite despair of mine; though perhaps if my name were Jane or Lizzy I would enjoy more frippery.

Anyway, what can I say in reply to your queries? You think Meryton exciting but you do not know the half of it! We have had high drama and laughs to last us six months together - you cannot imagine. My cousin Collins, (the rattling rector I call him, because he never ceases prattling,) came for a visit and made such a song and dance about making eyes at Lizzy to the point of even proposing! Lizzy would not have him, my mother was livid and threatened to disown her, but papa said he would never see my sister again if she did consent to the match. Lord! How Kitty and I laughed, I thought my sides would split.

Then - what do you think happened next? My cousin bumped into Charlotte Lucas in the lane and before Lizzy had drawn breath with the relief of a lucky escape, Collins proposed to Miss Lucas and she accepted him!!!! I could not believe it and thought Sir William was having a joke when he came with the news! Everyone in the village is excessively diverted by the 'Lovebirds of Longbourn' as Kitty and I have taken to calling them - I cannot help feeling sorry for Charlotte - you and I will never be so desperate for a husband I am sure!

But - that is not all - my poor sister Jane who had such high hopes of becoming engaged to Mr Bingley has been left high and dry! He has gone to town and if you ask my opinion, that is the end of it. No doubt, his nasty sister Caroline will throw floozies in his path - I am so sorry for Jane - she will end an old maid!

As for myself, there are several young men who are intent on catching my eye - Mr Denny, Mr Pratt and Captain Carter to name but a few. However, there is one particular officer I am very partial to or would be if my sister Lizzy would let me have my share of conversation and dancing. Mr Wickham is one of the most handsome men you ever saw - Oh! Lucy, he looks so well in scarlet! Kitty and I are just going into Meryton, Write again soon, not forgetting to tell me of your beau,

Affectionately yours, Lydia

Read Lydia Bennet's Journal here, and click here to read Lucy and Lydia's first exchange of letters.

Find these pretty illustrations by Jane Odiwe in Lydia Bennet's Journal and look for her lovely cards in Austen Effusions.