His Choice of a Wife

by Heather Moll

The whole house was thrown into confusion. The situation in the Longbourn family could not long be a secret. Even without considering the servants’ or Mrs. Philips’s gossiping nature, it was too much to be hoped for that Lydia’s condition be kept quiet as Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst had heard it all. Upon hearing Lydia’s announcement, Bingley dismissed the servants and shut the door, but the damage was done. With no attempt at civility, the Netherfield ladies demanded their brother escort them from such a shameful scene.

  After Bingley departed with his sisters with little more than a rueful parting smile to his betrothed, Jane left to tend to her mother, whose wails of malcontent were louder than Lydia’s complaints of nausea. Mr. Bennet, showing more interest than ever before in what was going forward in his family, said he would be for London to call out Wickham. Mr. Gardiner directed him to the library to pour him a brandy while they considered more realistic options.

  “This is an unfortunate affair and will probably be much talked of,” Mary contributed from her corner of the room. “The loss of female virtue is irretrievable. One false step involves endless ruin.” When she received no response save for Elizabeth’s incredulous stare, she scurried away. Kitty was crying from the chaotic stress that surrounded her and left for her own apartment. In a matter of minutes, Elizabeth and Darcy were alone.

  “I am sick of this folly, Fitzwilliam. This is in every way horrible!”

  Darcy embraced her and shook his head in silent acquiescence. Like her, he was too shocked that their efforts had been in vain. His last and best source of information on Wickham’s whereabouts had already been exploited. Darcy doubted that Wickham would be foolish enough to return to Edward Street anytime soon. He was certain, however, that if he did find Wickham, it would cost a small fortune to induce him to marry Lydia.

  “Please just hold me.”

  Darcy looked at her in confusion for he thought that was what he was doing. She must have felt his questioning gaze because she continued, “You are forming a plan to restore Lydia’s honor. I can feel you turning ideas over in your mind.”

  He watched her face for signs of her misery but instead saw her lips curving into a sad, pleading smile. Before he could ask what she needed, she brushed her soft lips against his in a longing kiss that made Darcy hold her closer. She seemed to be seeking whatever consolation he could give in a situation of despair and unease.

  He pulled his lips away and rested his forehead against hers. “I would like to continue, but after Lydia’s shocking revelation, your family would be distressed to find you in a situation where anyone might question your virtue. But,” he whispered, “as I told you that spring day, you always tempt me.”

  “And shall I in the winter of our days?”

  “In every season, Elizabeth. Surely you know that I admire your roots even more than your blossoms.”

  She kissed him once quickly, and then her smile faded. “I am a selfish creature, it seems. I ought to think of Lydia—of our reputations—but I was thinking of bringing myself comfort.”

  “I am more than happy to oblige.” Darcy tucked a stray curl of hair away from her cheek and gave her one more lingering kiss.

  “Neither rational happiness nor worldly prosperity can be justly expected for Lydia now.” She sighed and still held him close as she rested her head against his chest.

  “I shall not torment you with vain wishes. I am at a loss as to where to begin the search for Wickham.”

  “How could such a man be worked on even if you did discover him?”

  “With money, Elizabeth,” Darcy said abruptly. “It is the only thing Wickham is interested in and the only thing he would never neglect.”

  “Everyone in Meryton will know Lydia’s condition by tomorrow! It does not matter whether they know Wickham to be the father or that he is a man who leaves debts wherever he goes. All the blame will fall on her.”

  “It is unreasonable that the woman bears all the blame while the man shoulders little. But what worries me, my dear, is that everyone will assume Lydia has followed the supposedly inevitable progression from her seduction to prostitution. It is unjust to you and your other sisters, but I fear Lydia’s disgrace will mean more dreadful news for your family. The gossiping minds will jump from assuming Lydia has come upon the town to wondering whether her sisters are equally as immoral.”

  He saw a cloud cross her eyes, but as fast as it appeared, it was gone. “Elizabeth, I do not think you wicked,” he offered quietly, fearful of being overheard. “It would be utterly hypocritical of me. The world might shun you the same as it will poor Lydia if it were known that neither of you were maidens, but then where might that leave me? If I thought you to be as foolish as Lydia, then am I no better than Wickham?”

  Elizabeth linked her fingers through his and brought his hand to her lips. “I do not believe that you and I were brought together only because our passions were stronger than our virtue. I know enough of your character to know that you wish to find Wickham and make him marry Lydia, but I am tempted to simply let it go.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The first desire of my heart is not to see my sister’s reputation preserved but to be gone from Longbourn. Does that make me a heartless person?”

  “No, you could never be unfeeling. You are simply being honest—and with the one person who would wish for nothing but the truth from you.”

  “Then I feel perfectly justified in admitting that I want to be Mrs. Darcy rather than Miss Bennet, and I want to be rid of every obstacle that stands in the way of that. Other than Jane, there is nothing here for me. I wish to begin our life together!” She rested her head again on his shoulder.

  “Someone must defend Lydia, both for her sake and for the child she carries. I cannot believe you truly would have me do nothing,” he said as he stroked her hair. “You could hardly respect me if I did.”

  “The selfish, foolish girl has no idea who will be hurt by what she has done! She did not even have the sense not to announce her condition where everyone would hear her.” Some of Elizabeth’s tension seemed to leave her after this exclamation. “I know you would help rather than marry me and leave Lydia and the rest of my family to their ruin. But do not expect me to be happy about it in this moment. I am too furious with Lydia.”

  “We shall marry soon enough with Bingley and Jane. Your mother has it all arranged. In the meantime, he and I shall leave as soon as possible to find Wickham. We both know, even as angry as he is now, that your father will take no action, and your uncle does not have the funds to buy Wickham’s compliance. You are my family now, and preserving Lydia’s honor protects us as much as it does her.”

  “I know. You are the very best of men.”

  “I ought to join the others.”

  “You mean to return to Netherfield?”

  “No, I meant your father and uncle in the library. Will you ask Lydia whether she has any knowledge of where Wickham might be?” She nodded, and Darcy carefully wiped away her remaining tears. “I shall write to Fitzwilliam. He might remember something of Wickham’s acquaintances or habits that I do not. We can depend on his discretion. After I speak with your father and your uncle, I shall speak with Bingley. He was helpful when we found Lydia, and after he has placated his sisters, I expect he will return to London with me.”

  With a parting kiss, he walked towards the library, hoping that he could behave civilly towards Mr. Bennet and that Mr. Gardiner might be amenable to the plan he was forming for Lydia.

  ***

  Before she entered the room, Elizabeth heard the sound of someone being sick. Lydia sat on the floor with her back against the bed and a chamber pot on her lap.

  “I feel wretched! If only I waited for my dear Wickham in London. That carriage ride was hideous.”

  “Your dear Wickham!” exclaimed Elizabeth. “Surely he is still not ‘yo
ur dear Wickham’?”

  “Of course he is! You cannot be jealous. I know he was once a favorite of yours, but I do not hold it against either of you.”

  “I have never felt so much astonishment!” Her life with Fitzwilliam could not move forward until Lydia was dealt with, and she had lost her patience. “You are with child! You are unmarried, and your seducer has abandoned you! Do you have no shame, Lydia?”

  “Oh, Lizzy, you sound like Aunt Gardiner, preaching and talking away just as if you were reading a sermon.” Her sister was as insensible as ever. Fitzwilliam had chosen not to burden Lydia with the proof of Wickham’s treachery, but Elizabeth was tempted.

  “Mr. Wickham’s flight from Brighton was necessary by the distress of his circumstances. He is a gamester and could not resist the opportunity of having a companion. He will not marry you.”

  “Of course he will. So long as we are married before the baby arrives, it will all end well enough. He was so affectionate the month we spent together in Brighton. He called every day, and we spent many hours alone in each other’s company from the day I arrived. And do not you speak of hiding me away, either, to await the child. I am fond of society and do not—” Lydia bent her head over the chamber pot again.

  Elizabeth left the room and ran to her own to retrieve Wickham’s letter that Darcy had left with her. When she returned to Lydia, the entire room was in disarray as Lydia had seen fit to rummage through her belongings, searching for some ribbon she favored. Fitzwilliam would not approve of sharing Wickham’s letter, but she could think of nothing else to withdraw Lydia’s loyalty from the man who ruined her.

  “Read this. It was written to Darcy a week before you left Brighton.”

  “I feel so ill. I have no sense for reading now.”

  Lydia had little sense for reading at any time; nevertheless, Elizabeth read it aloud. Lydia listened as she fluttered around the untidy room. But soon Lydia began to pay attention, sitting quietly as Elizabeth neared the end and read slowly and clearly…

  …I have no intention of marrying the foolish girl, but she would think it a great adventure to go to town and then to Scotland to marry. However, if you compensate me for the funds I ought to have had by marrying your sister, I shall make the journey to town alone. Otherwise, I make no guarantee as to the condition of Lydia Bennet and her reputation when I leave her in London.

  “Give me the letter!” Lydia shrieked as she pulled it from Elizabeth’s hands to read for herself.

  “You know his hand, I daresay—a charming one it is.” After the mortification Fitzwilliam and her family had suffered, she could offer her youngest sister no sympathy.

  Lydia’s already sallow complexion turning to a death-like paleness as she read, and she dropped the letter before throwing herself onto the bed in grief-stricken tears. Elizabeth was moved to compassion and was chagrined at how heartlessly she had acted, no matter how just her motives. She drew near without saying a word and, seating herself on the bed, took Lydia’s hand and stroked her hair. She knew that such grief, shocking as it was to witness, must take its course.

  “Lizzy, does everyone know?” Lydia asked after a time, her cheeks still covered in rivers of tears.

  “Only Darcy and I know of Mr. Wickham’s attempted bribery, and most were unaware that you left Brighton together. But we all know the unhappy truth that you are with child and not likely to be married.”

  “I cannot suppose George capable of this! Once he knows about the child, he will return to marry me, won’t he?” Lydia looked so earnest in her hope that Elizabeth almost wished she could give a falsehood.

  “He is a cruel man. If he does, it will be because Darcy has repaid his debts and settled enough money on you.”

  “Oh! I am miserable,” Lydia said in between sobs.

  “How could you have thought to elope with him? Did you not think that everyone would condemn such an impropriety?”

  “I felt myself to be engaged to him! The day I arrived in Brighton, he called on me, and not a day went by that he didn’t court my attentions. He is so handsome and charming, and all the ladies in Brighton fancied him, but he showed me particular interest. I love him. How could I not believe he felt the same for me? I know he did—he must have! I must have been dear to him in some way!”

  “Do not torment yourself! We all know you expected to be married.”

  “What is to become of me? I do not wish to be sent away! What am I to do with a baby?” Lydia became more frantic. Elizabeth advised her to lie down, and for a moment she did so. But in restless pain of mind and body, she grew more desperate to know what was to become of her.

  “Where shall I go? I want to stay at Longbourn!”

  “If Mr. Wickham does not marry you, you will likely be sent away until your child is born. All of our reputations are at risk.”

  “I cannot imagine tending for a child if I am not married! What will become of me if I am sent away? Wickham must marry me! Darcy will make him, won’t he?”

  “Darcy must first find him. Do you have any idea where Mr. Wickham might have gone? To whom he would turn?”

  Lydia could think of no one. She was too restless for employment, too anxious for conversation, and walked from one window to the other or sat down by the fireplace in melancholic meditation. Elizabeth truly pitied her sister. She picked up Wickham’s letter from the bed so poor Lydia would not have to reread the proof of his villainy. She was about to ask Jane to sit with Lydia when she called out for Elizabeth to stay.

  “Lizzy? Last autumn, did Wickham speak the truth about Darcy?”

  “No, he did not. I was too ready to believe the worst of Darcy and took Mr. Wickham at his word. Darcy is a gentleman who values his privacy, and he saw no reason to lay bare his dealings with Mr. Wickham. After you eloped, Darcy believed that it was owing to him, to his reserve and want of proper consideration, that Mr. Wickham’s true nature was not known to us. That, and his love for me, I suppose, is the reason he takes all this on himself.” That he still loved her after all the trials she and then her family had made him endure spoke to a generosity that she would not have credited to him three months ago.

  “Someone must care for us, and it might as well be your Darcy. I cannot imagine Papa finding Wickham to make him marry me. But Darcy is so very reserved. There is no attraction in formality. I am surprised that you could love a reserved person. I hope you will be happy with such a husband.”

  Elizabeth stared at her sister for a moment in indignant silence. “I shall enjoy the absolute confidence of having an honorable husband who both respects and loves me.”

  Elizabeth’s sympathy for Lydia could not yet tolerate her unfounded criticism of her future husband, her sister’s sole advocate. She decided it was best to leave Lydia to the considerate affections of one of her other sisters, and she went to tell the gentlemen that Lydia had no knowledge of Wickham’s whereabouts.

  ***

  “Bennet, do you mean to tell me you will take no action?” Mr. Gardiner was nearly yelling as Darcy entered the library. Upon recognizing the hopelessness of Lydia’s situation, Mr. Bennet had apparently returned to all his former indolence. “You have always been detached from your girls. Why do you avoid dealing with Lydia when she and your family need you the most?”

  He shrugged his shoulders. “Jane never needed any correcting, and Elizabeth was clever enough that I could affect change by watchfulness and a little admonition. But the younger ones were neither agreeable nor intelligent, and severity was never effective with them. It has been more agreeable to my feelings to let my daughters have their own way and leave me to what peace and tranquility I could find in my library.” Mr. Bennet gave Darcy a bleak look before adding, “And with whatever conversation Lizzy could provide.”

  Mr. Gardiner shook his head sadly. “You have to act, Bennet. This is not a problem tha
t can be ignored.”

  “I shall do what can be done so long as it is a trifling exertion on my side.”

  “Your dislike of exertion is why we are in this situation!”

  Mr. Bennet’s eyes flashed. “Be careful, Gardiner! This is my house, and I shall act in the manner I see fit.”

  “Darcy, can you believe this? He thinks if he keeps to his books then he need not face the very real dangers of Lydia’s exposure!” Mr. Gardiner then remembered himself as he lowered himself back into his chair. “Forgive me, Mr. Darcy,” he corrected himself, “my emotions have gotten the better of me.”

  “Please call me Darcy.” Mr. Gardiner invited him to call him by his last name as well; each smiled at the other and then turned to look at Mr. Bennet.

  “Well, Mr. Darcy, I am surprised you did not run off to Netherfield with your friend Bingley in the face of our little scandal.”

  “Despite your attempts to suggest otherwise, Elizabeth will soon be my wife, and my place is here.” Darcy made no little attempt to hide his waning patience. “Lydia’s actions are certain to bring shame and dishonor to our families such that no respectable man would be willing to marry your other daughters.”

  “As Lizzy and Jane are already promised, and Lydia is now unmarriageable, I shall content myself with having secured the futures of two out of five and leave Mary and Kitty to shift for themselves.”

  “Do not sport with Darcy. You know he is right. Who will connect themselves with such a family? I have four children to think of as well.”

  “Very well, I shall throw off my unworthy child forever. Would that end our sorrow and disgrace, and will you leave me in peace?”

  “This squabbling does nothing to resolve the issue,” Darcy interjected. “Our best solution for restoring Lydia’s respectability is to see her married to Mr. Wickham. I regret that we must prevail on the most unworthy man in Great Britain to be her husband, but I see no other option. Until then, Lydia ought to be removed from the neighborhood.”