Lydia in Venice Part Two: Rebirth and Regeneration

There was a silence following Lydia’s announcement. She looked around questioningly, from her sister and Mr. Darcy, to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, all of whom sat as if frozen.

“Why, what is the matter? You act as if I said something queer. I only said that Lord Byron is my child’s father,” she protested.

Elizabeth was the first to find her voice. “Lydia, for God’s sake,” she said, “not in front of the children.”

“What?” Lydia glanced over at little Charles and Jane, who with their nursemaid were...