The second Elizabeth stepped out of the room, Lydia zoomed in, “I know we planned this, but seriously you have to keep it down. I did not like the way you looked at Lizzy. You had the same look in your eyes when you had me in your bed.”
“My dear, I had to make it all believable. Besides, you have nothing to worry about.
So long as we stick with the plan—if you get Mr. Darcy to admit responsibility for the pregnancy—then he will pay us a tidy sum. And then you and I can flee this godforsaken countryside. Remember the plan.”
Lydia turned her back on Wickham, “That was the plan. But now I am not sure if this is the best for the child. It is affecting my health.”
Wickham smiled and rushed to wrap his arms around her bosom. He whispered in her ear, “You are beautiful, my darling. I love it when your anger comes forth.”
Lydia jumped out of his embrace and whispered back, “Mr. Wickham, we cannot let anyone see us in such a compromising position.” And before they could get caught, she hurried out the door.
As she fled the scene, Wickham grinned to himself. He had it all figured out. Everything was going according to his plan.
Chapter Fourteen
As if flying with the wind, Darcy rushed through the doors of Netherfield. He slammed the door shut and leaned against it on his back with a loud thud. He gazed at the ceiling, breathing heavily, still trying to digest his encounter with the Bennets.
Upon hearing the ruckus, Bingley rushed to the entrance, “Darcy, are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Darcy rubbed his hands over his face, “I might as well have from what I just went through.”
Bingley approached him and lay a hand on his shoulder, “Surely it went well. Are they alright? How is Jane?”
“I didn’t see Jane,” he shot back. He took a deep breath then said, “I apologize. At this moment, everything is a mess.”
Bingley sighed, “Did something happen in Longbourn?”
Silence separated them for a moment as Darcy pondered whether to tell Bingley the news he’d received or if he should keep it to himself.
“Apparently something happened,” Darcy immersed his eyes into the floor.
“What?”
“Well, it turns out one of the sisters is expecting a baby.”
“Who?” Then his eyes widened and turned to face Darcy, “It’s not my Jane, is it?”
“No, it is not Jane. Jane is not pregnant,” Darcy reassured him.
Bingley heaved a sigh of relief, “Then who is it?”
Darcy braced himself as he looked Bingley dead in the eyes and said, “Lydia, the youngest of the Bennet sisters, is expecting a baby.”
Bingley tilted his head, intrigued, “Well, that is interesting. But what does that have to do with you?”
Darcy looked away, unable to muster the courage to tell Bingley. It didn’t take long before Mr. Bingley understood what had Darcy troubled. “Darcy...do not tell me you are the father of the child.”
Filled with frustration again, Darcy replied firmly, “No, I’m not the father!” He paused before continuing, “I have never had relations with that woman ever. In fact, I haven’t been with a woman in a long time. Not that it matters.”
“But... I’m sure the Bennets can figure out who the father is?”
Darcy huffed a low growl, “That’s the problem. For some reason they think I am responsible for her pregnancy.”
“Why would they think so?” Bingley stared into the wide room, searching for any hint of a plausible answer.
“I’m not sure. But I am going to refute these accusations. I am going to clear my name.”
Bingley turned and asked, “What does Elizabeth think of this?”
Another sigh escaped Darcy’s mouth, “She heard everything and ran from me. If she truly believes I am the father of her sister’s child, she will have nothing to do with me.”
“I believe we can clear this misunderstanding, and Elizabeth will see the truth. I know you, Darcy. You would not do anything like this. But, man, if you did tell me,” Bingley urged him.
Angrily, Darcy shot back, “I already told you I did not do it. I wouldn’t jeopardize a future with Elizabeth by stooping so low.”
Hearing their loud chatter, Caroline walked in, “What is all the commotion about? Did I hear something about a pregnancy? Whose is it?”
Bingley and Darcy exchanged looked, and neither responded to her question. Caroline folded her arms while shifting her stance to her side and began tapping her foot.
Finally, Bingley caved, “Oh, nothing to worry about. Just something that happened to someone.”
“Does this have anything to do with the Bennet sisters? Because I would not be surprised,” Caroline scoffed. “I could tell from the way they were running around that sooner or later they would do a disservice to womanhood. Have they no shame? Apparently, it seems.”
Darcy rolled his eyes and walked away without excusing himself. Bingley followed him to the study where Darcy sat with his face buried in his hands.
Bingley threaded carefully with his words, “Would you like to return to London, Darcy?”
“No, not yet,” he brought his face back up from his hands. “I will stay here until I clear my name.”
Caroline walked in and instantly sat next to Darcy, placing a hand on his shoulder, which he shrugged off. She said, “I must say that would not be wise, Mr. Darcy. You have a lot of obligations to take care of back in London. The sooner we leave, the better."
Darcy looked at Bingley, “You two may leave, but I must stay.”
Bingley nodded with a smile, “I, too, intend on staying. Dear sister, you must return to London; I will arrange the carriage.”
Insulted, Caroline barked, “There’s no way I would leave you two here alone. Whatever’s going on, I want to be involved.”
“You have no business to be here,” Bingley gave her a look.
She arched an eyebrow, “What do you mean? If this involves you or Mr. Darcy, I’ll be damned if I’m not here for either of you.”
Bingley tried to coo her, “We are going to be very busy. I’ll have a carriage take you back to London tomorrow. My best footmen will escort you.”
Caroline scoffed and started moving towards him quickly.
Angered by her behavior, Bingley put his foot down, “Do as I have requested, dear sister. It is for the best. Do not tempt me.”
Caroline stopped in her tracks and tried to search Bingley’s eyes for a vulnerable opening for her, but when she couldn’t, she gave up, “Fine. I will go." She walked away without another word.
Chapter Fifteen
Darcy returned to Longbourn to visit the Bennet family. Approaching the door, he muttered softly to himself, reciting the words he intended to speak. He knocked on the door and the footman who answered let him inside. When Darcy asked for the master of the house, the footmen led him to the study, where Mr. Bennet sat at his chair reading papers.
“Mr. Bennet, may we discuss?” Darcy asked.
“Well, Mr. Darcy! I hope you have returned with good news?” Mr. Bennet smiled.
Darcy nodded his head, “Indeed, I do. I have decided to marry your daughter, Lydia.”
Warmed by the change of heart, Mr. Bennet wanted to confirm it again, “You have? Well...” he pondered a moment. “That is certainly good news. What prompted thi?”
“I am a man of honor, Mr. Bennet, and for that reason, I have made available 3000 pounds for Lydia’s needs. She will handle the money.”
Mr. Bennet looked incredulously at Darcy. With a glint in his eye, he chuckled, “That is a tidy sum, Mr. Darcy! Surely you would want me to hold onto it.”
“No, I would prefer Lydia use the money as she sees fit. But, of course, with your guidance, sir,” Darcy nodded his head.
Mr. Bennet nodded back, “I’m sure you are aware, Mr. Darcy, that a woman cannot handle that amount of money without her husband or her father agreeing to it.”
“I’m well
aware of that, but as my future wife, I have given her the permission to do so. And if she decides to marry someone else, which, of course, would be highly unlikely, then whoever she takes as a husband would take over ownership of the funds and do as he sees fit,” Darcy furrowed his brow.
Mr. Bennet walked around his chair to the front of his desk. He leaned on it and said, “Well, I guess it’s for the best.”
“There is also something else.”
“Go on,” Mr. Bennet said, folding his arms.
“I want a private wedding. The marriage will take place in a church, and our vows will be witnessed by immediate family members only.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyes widened. He shook his head, “Mr. Darcy, you do realize a man of my stature would have to have a proper wedding for his daughter.”
“That’s understandable, but considering the circumstances, it would be best to agree to my terms. We shall have a small wedding ceremony or there will be no marriage.”
Mr. Bennet brought his hand to his chin, pondering the circumstances. He looked at Darcy, but Darcy stood firmly with tight lip. Mr. Bennet sighed and reluctantly agreed, “Okay, Mr. Darcy. You leave me with no choice but to agree to your terms.”
Meanwhile, outside the door, Lydia had been listening to the conversation. She grinned, for her plan with Wickham worked. With the money set aside for her by Darcy, she could finally elope with her Wickham, the real father of her unborn child.
She heard footsteps approaching and quickly moved away from the study. It was Elizabeth. Lydia straightened up her clothes and watched her sister walking towards her.
“Lydia, what on Earth are you doing? Were you eavesdropping?”
“Why is that of any concern to you, dear sister?” Lydia asked. “You’re just jealous, because I am going to marry your Mr. Darcy. Well, dear sister, you had your chance. He proposed to you, but alas, you never accepted. So unfortunate. Now I will become the mistress of Pemberley. And being with child, we have an heir for my wonderful husband-to-be, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.” She laughed to herself then taunted her sister, “And what are you left with, dear sister?”
Elizabeth gave Lydia a grimace, “Unlike you, Lydia, I will choose love when I get married.”
Lydia scoffed, “Love? And who exactly do you love, dear sister? It cannot be Mr. Wickham because...”
“Because what?” Elizabeth stepped closer in anger.
Lydia shook her head and began to giggle, “Nothing! Oh, nothing!”
Elizabeth shook her head back, “Sometimes I wonder about you, dear sister.” Then she walked passed Lydia, who kept laughing.
Under her breath, Lydia spoke to herself, “Just wait and see what I have planned. My dear always perfect Elizabeth, when all is revealed you will be not so pleased.”
Elizabeth made her way into Jane’s room, where Jane sat by the window, gazing sadly into the distance. Elizabeth said, “Are you thinking about Mr. Bingley again? Oh, come off it, Jane. You told me you would move on after you got your answer. It’s time to think about the future.”
Jane turned, “I know, Lizzy. But I have meant to ask you... do you believe that Mr. Darcy got Lydia pregnant?”
Elizabeth shrugged, “Whatever I think is of no consequence. Mr. Darcy will do the right thing and marry her, whether he wants to or not.”
Jane nodded then asked, “But is it right? What if... she got pregnant by some other man?”
“Why are you always defending Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth shrieked.
“I know it pains you to speak about Mr. Darcy, just the same way it bothers me to talk about Mr. Bingley.”
“Well, the difference between you and me is that I, for one, am not getting hung up on a man who doesn’t want to marry me. Jane, you are hurting yourself to be with him.”
Jane rose to her feet, “Lizzy! Are you insinuating that this is my own fault?”
Elizabeth shook her weary head, “That is not what I mean, Jane! You and I... we are different. We made our choices. Lydia is lucky, because Mr. Darcy will do the honorable thing and marry her.”
“Are you certain of this?” Jane asked curiously.
“I believe Mr. Darcy is speaking with Papa right now, and that tells me that he is making it official."
Jane hugged Elizabeth and spoke into her hair, “I’m quite surprised you’re very calm about this meeting. I would have been livid.” She held her at arm’s length, “Lizzy. Sometimes it’s okay to show your emotions. We are still your sisters... at least I am.”
“What does it matter whether we are sisters or not? Sisters betray sisters. I mean, look at Lydia, marrying the man who asked for my hand in marriage. She got the husband I was yet to accept.”
“It’s as though Lydia took the proposal from right underneath your nose,” Jane looked away in wonderment.
“I would not put it that way,” Elizabeth said. “It just so happened that it didn’t work out for me the way it should.”
Jane returned her attention to Elizabeth, “Well, it seemed like you didn’t want to marry Darcy in the first place. So, you have not lost anything, Lizzy.”
“You’re right, dear Jane. I have not lost anything," Elizabeth said.
The girls shared a smile when they heard Mrs. Bennet call out, “Oh, girls! You need to come here right away!”
Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, and Catherine rushed downstairs to meet their mother. There, they saw Mrs. Bennet, ecstatically holding Lydia, who said, “Well, my dears, would you believe it? Mr. Darcy has proposed! Lydia has found a husband, who will provide much more than any other man could.”
Jane and Elizabeth shared a knowing look with each other.
Mrs. Bennet continued, “Oh, and even better that that... he has provided her an allowance, not the standard 500 pounds, but 3000 pounds! Oh, my dear Lydia, you are blessed! And to think we only had a mere forty pounds to our name. Now we are going to live like royalty again.”
Mrs. Bennet hugged her golden daughter and saw that no one else was marveling at the joyous news. She turned and singled out Elizabeth, “And, dear Lizzy, do not despair. The militiamen are still around. Perhaps we should see to it that Mr. Wickham proposes.”
Upon hearing that, everyone except their mother witnessed Lydia’s smile turn into a frown.
Elizabeth held her tongue and managed to wear a smile, feigning happy support for her sister, “Congratulations, Lydia. I am happy for you that you found a husband.”
Lydia returned that feigned smile and held Elizabeth’s hand in hers, “Oh, what will I do without you, dear sister? I will now be a wife, and you will have to walk behind me. Don’t worry! I will make accommodations for you when you visit us. And as for Wickham, I would forget about him, because a relationship with him will not work out. Perhaps Mr. Darcy can find you a husband!”
Elizabeth winced her eyes, wondering why Lydia was acting so peculiarly. Why was she speaking to her that way? Elizabeth wanted to explore that conversation, but instead she politely excused herself and walked back to her room.
After dinner, after everyone retired to their rooms for the night, Lydia snuck into her father’s study to retrieve the financial document Mr. Darcy had given to him. She knew that to gain access to the money, she needed a husband, which is why she would marry Wickham. They would elope tonight, and then the money would be theirs to keep, the funds to provide for their unborn child. The thought of living happily ever almost brought tears to her eyes.
She clutched the document to her chest and tiptoed out of the room. Wickham would meet her by a tree outside, so she wrapped her shawl around her bosom and slid out of a window she knew her father never locked. As she climbed out, she whispered under her breath, “Were it not for his money, who would want to be married to cold Mr. Darcy anyway? Certainly not me.”
In the dark of night, she waited patiently under the tree until she heard a horse galloping nearby. It was Wickham. He halted before her and got off the horse, asking, “Do you have the documents?”
She handed the
document to him, “Yes, here.”
“Good.” He smiled as he helped her up onto the horse and then he sat behind her.
Lydia held on tight, “I hope I will be able to travel in my state.”
Wickham frowned then shrugged, “We don’t have a choice, princess! We will ride to Meryton then take a carriage bound for London.”
“This is so perfect. I love you, Mr. Wickham,” she turned to face him and planted a kiss on his lips.
They parted from the kiss and Wickham kicked the horse to run, and they rode away into the darkness.
Chapter Sixteen
The next morning, once Mr. Bennet got up from his bed, he went to his study like he did every morning. When he stepped in, he felt something was wrong. He looked around and saw the window was open, and he rushed over to inspect for damages; there were none. Again, his eyes searched the study, looking for any clues, when he noticed Mr. Darcy’s documents were gone.
Hoping he was imagining things, Mr. Bennet frantically sifted through all the papers on his desk, crying out, “No! No! No!!!”
Hearing Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet scrambled out of her bed and made her way downstairs to the study, yelling out to her daughters, “Girls, girls! Come quick! Something has happened to your father!” All the Bennet daughters scrambled to their feet and fled to the scene as well.
When they reached the study, Jane asked, “Mother, what is happening?”
All the women watched as Mr. Bennet made a mess in the study searching for something. He finally stopped and looked up to his family, “Mr. Darcy’s documents are missing.”
Mrs. Bennet spun around and looked at her daughters, horror stricken. She met eyes with each of them then realized someone was missing, “Where is Lydia?” Mrs. Bennet brushed passed them and called up the stairs, “Lydia?! Where are you?”
From Pemberley With Love Page 9