“Yes, sir,” Elizabeth replied.
Mr. Bennet turned to his son-in-law. “The question of what is to be done remains. Lydia has certainly been compromised, though how thoroughly is still to be determined. In any case, I am afraid we have little choice. Wickham must be found and made to marry her. There is nothing else to be done.”
Elizabeth paled. “No, Papa!” she cried. “You cannot sentence poor Lydia to a life with that scoundrel! Do you not remember what Fitzwilliam told you he is capable of all those weeks ago? Or what he attempted only last night with me? Having such a man forever among us, bound to our family for all eternity, shall bring us nothing but hardship and wretchedness of the most acute kind. The honorable institution of matrimony will never inspire him to abandon his nefarious ways. If anything, Lydia’s silliness and ignorance will only serve as a catalyst for even greater acts of desperation and deplorability.” She leapt from her chair. “I will not have my excellent husband imposed upon by such a man, to have creditors come to him to settle Mr. Wickham’s debts, or irate fathers who wish restitution for his debts of honor with their daughters. Oh, thoughtless, thoughtless Lydia, to involve herself with such a man! No, Papa, I absolutely will not have my husband imposed upon any further by that barbarian!”
The vehement strength of her opposition greatly alarmed Darcy, but he could not, in all honesty, say he was surprised by it. He looked from Elizabeth to his father-in-law before saying, “Mr. Bennet, I must agree with my wife. From the very first moment he arrived in Meryton, Wickham singled out Elizabeth for the sole purpose of revenging himself upon me for an assortment of imagined wrongdoings he feels he has suffered at my hands. He has chosen to prey on Lydia for similar reasons. If you do succeed in forcing a marriage between them, which will undoubtedly cost a very large sum of money, in any case, he will see to it that her existence is one of misery and degradation. If I may offer a suggestion, I feel our best course of action here is to wait and see if there are any consequences. God willing, there will be none to speak of, and in turn, I would be willing to contribute several thousand pounds to enhance Lydia’s dowry, as well as those of Katherine and Mary. I also believe all three girls would benefit greatly from enrollment in a reputable school for young women I happen to know of in London. Katherine would be able to study art with a master; Mary, music; and in Lydia’s case, I believe having such an opportunity would bring about maturity, restraint, and a healthy measure of decorum, which she is currently lacking. Of course, Elizabeth and I would be willing to finance the tuition for all three girls.”
Mr. Bennet closed his eyes and steepled his fingers as he sat behind his desk. He hardly knew how to respond to his son-in-law’s generous offer. Indeed, it appeared Darcy was willing to step in and take charge of an unsavory situation he had allowed to become so out of hand. He had been remiss in his duty as a father in many ways, but never more so than now, with Lydia. If they were lucky, they might escape a scandal, seeing that it was Elizabeth who had come upon her youngest sister in an amorous embrace with Wickham and not one of their neighbors or, God forbid, another officer of the militia. The elder gentleman took a deep breath and expelled it slowly. Perhaps all might yet be well, but for how long? While Mary had devoted much of her time to reading and practicing her music, Kitty and Lydia’s existences were ones of dissipation and idleness. No, Darcy was correct. Both girls were in dire need of discipline and guidance, and this, Mr. Bennet was well aware, they had not received, nor were they ever likely to receive, at home.
He sighed and ran his hands over his face. “I thank you for your very kind, very generous offer to my family, Darcy.”
Darcy inclined his head. “Your family is also my family, sir. Elizabeth’s sisters are now my own, and therefore, they are entitled to my protection just as much as she is. I take my responsibility to the members of my family very seriously, Mr. Bennet.”
“Yes, and it speaks well of you, Son. I hope, however, you will not be unduly offended if I defer my acceptance or declination of your kind offer for a day or two. I would appreciate some time to fully consider the matter and all its implications.”
Elizabeth gawked at him. “But Papa, how can you not accept Fitzwilliam’s offer? Cannot you see that it is in everyone’s best interest? Such an opportunity can only lead to advantages my sisters will never have available to them otherwise. Would you have them remain always at Longbourn, idle and ignorant?”
Before her father could respond, however, Darcy said, “Mr. Bennet, take all the time you require. We will be remaining in Hertfordshire until we can be certain of Wickham’s whereabouts. God willing, Colonel Forster and his men will be able to locate him within the next few days, and of course, we will be better able to decide on a course of action then.” He turned toward his wife and squeezed her hand. “Come, Elizabeth. I believe your father might appreciate having his library to himself. Perhaps we can take a turn in the garden before luncheon is served?” And with that, he led a very perplexed, not to mention irritated Elizabeth out into the hall.
They retrieved their coats in silence and left the house to walk in one of the gardens. “Fitzwilliam, I hardly understand why my father would need to think over such a generous offer. Would it not be to the advantage of our entire family? He must be well aware he could never afford to do so much for them. He has not your income or your influence in society.” Elizabeth folded her arms.
“Yes,” Darcy answered, “he is, Elizabeth. He is well aware of the differences in our financial situations, and it is a matter of some delicacy. How do you think you would feel if you were in his position? Your father is very upset over Lydia’s outrageous behavior, and he must, undoubtedly, be laying a healthy portion of the blame for her failings on his own shoulders. Please do not be too hard on him, my love. Just be patient, and give him the time he requires. In essence, I have offered to assume responsibility for all your sisters, as though he has not done an adequate job. It was not my intention to cause your father any further pain or humiliation, and most definitely not to imply that he has not been a good father to you, but I fear that is precisely what my making such an offer may have accomplished. That is not something to be taken lightly. I hope he will understand that I meant him no disrespect. I only wish to help redirect your sisters to a more propitious path.”
Elizabeth stopped and turned to face him. “I am sure he understands that you wish only to help us. You are truly the best man I know, Fitzwilliam, and I love you all the more because you possess such selfless goodness.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned in to give him a kiss. “I only hope my father will see fit to accept your offer, for all of our sakes.”
Darcy hugged her closer. “Your father is an intelligent, sensible man, Elizabeth. He knows what is best for his family.” Then smiling, he said, “He allowed you to marry me, did he not?”
Elizabeth laughed. “Yes, but that hardly signifies! As much as I love my father and do not wish to occasion him any pain or disappointment, I would have married you without his consent, in any case. We would have been forced to wait only until next year, when I would have become of age. I love you that much, Fitzwilliam. Indeed, after knowing you, my dearest, I am certain no other man could ever make me happy.”
Darcy rested his forehead against hers. “Elizabeth, you cannot know what it means to have you for my wife. Waking every morning with you in my arms is happiness like none I have ever known. I thank God every day that I have you to love me.” He kissed her then, with great feeling, and they remained thus engaged until Bingley’s arrival called them back into the house.
Chapter 27
On the day Charlotte Lucas became Charlotte Collins, it came as no surprise to the inhabitants of Longbourn that Mrs. Bennet declared herself unequal to the task of feigning a pleasure she could not feel. Indeed, the knowledge that Charlotte, and not one of her own daughters, would usurp her place as mistress of that estate after the death of her husband brought her no comfort. To make matters infinitely worse,
it had recently been brought to her attention that Lydia, who was by far her favorite child, had been discovered in a compromising position with George Wickham. Normally, this would not have been the cause of much agitation and distress to Mrs. Bennet, for she would have looked upon the prospect of having another daughter married as nothing short of a fortuitous act of providence; however, the unhappy reality that the prospective bridegroom had seemingly fled the area without so much as a hint of his whereabouts, left her in high dudgeon and with a fit of nerves that amazed even her husband.
“Oh, Mr. Bennet! You must find him and make them marry,” she cried, her distress extreme, “for soon everyone will hear of it, and then what will become of us all?” She blotted her eyes with her damp handkerchief and continued. “I simply do not understand it! Lydia was always such an obedient, respectful girl. Never any trouble at all—and so popular with all of the officers, too. Surely, there must be one of them, at least, who would happily marry her if Wickham is not found!”
Darcy rolled his eyes and walked to the window to stand beside his wife, who laid a hand upon his arm in a gesture of assuagement. He gave her a searching look before raising her hand to his lips, caressing her fingers with an almost reverent kiss. It was truly beyond his abilities to understand how Elizabeth and Jane could have been born to a woman as impractical as his mother-in-law, and he found himself suddenly wishing they could depart for London on the following day, as they had originally planned. In light of all that had occurred, however, Darcy had decided to remain in Hertfordshire until Colonel Forster and his men determined Wickham was most definitely not in the area. In his opinion, such news could not come soon enough.
Elizabeth’s spirits had been low since her encounter with Wickham, and it concerned him. At her insistence, Mrs. Bennet had not been made aware of Wickham’s assault, and it was obvious to Darcy that Elizabeth’s state of mind was far from improved by her mother’s obtuse comments. He longed to take her away from the unpleasantness of the last few days and from the added stress of reliving the painful event in the antagonistic company of her youngest sister.
If he was honest with himself, Darcy knew he was really longing to take her not to London, but to Pemberley, where he felt fairly confident his wife would soon find many ways to raise her spirits as they submersed themselves in their new life together.
Mr. Bennet’s dry voice, tinged with anger, rang out from across the room. “My dear, if anyone should hear of your daughter’s indiscretion, I am certain it will be by your own mouth, as the only people who are aware of Lydia’s shameful conduct currently occupy this room.” He then made a sweeping motion with his arm, indicating Darcy, Elizabeth, Jane, and Bingley. Colonel Forster was the only absent party. Darcy cringed. He would not put it past Mrs. Bennet and her loose tongue to advertise the scandal any more than he would Lydia herself. He briefly wondered where his sister-in-law was at the moment, as he had hardly seen her since they returned from the wedding breakfast at Lucas Lodge. Lydia, due to her shameful behavior at that house not two nights prior, had not been permitted to attend. It was now nearly teatime.
Just then, the front door to the house opened, and Lydia’s loud voice could be heard ringing throughout the front hall. Her father strode to the door and summoned her into the drawing room. Lydia immediately took in the grave faces collected there and her mother’s incessant wailing, and rolled her eyes. “Lord,” she muttered, “you are a dreary lot.”
“And why should we not be?” cried Mrs. Bennet. “Mr. Wickham has gone from the country, perhaps never to return!”
With a huff, Lydia threw herself upon one of the sofas. “Oh, Lord! Wherever did you get that notion, Mama? I daresay you ought not to put stock in anything Mr. Darcy and Lizzy have to say on the subject, for they cannot possibly know anything of my dear Wickham,” she said as she readjusted a bit of lace on her gown. “Indeed, Wickham shall return for me. He must only have some very pressing matters of business, I am sure, for he dearly loves me, as I do him, and we shall be married sooner or later.” Here, she shrugged. “It hardly signifies to me when our wedding shall take place, for I know I shall someday be Mrs. George Wickham.” Then she laughed. “Lord, how droll that sounds!”
Elizabeth had heard all she could possibly bear, and with a sound of disgust, she hastened from the room, slamming the door behind her. Darcy made to follow her, but Jane placed a steady hand upon his arm and shook her head. “I will gladly see to my sister, sir. Do not trouble yourself.”
Darcy relented, only to pace before the window and quit the room himself not five minutes later. Shutting the door behind him, he stood in the hall before he discerned the sound of Jane’s voice coming from abovestairs. Not wishing to intrude upon a private moment between the two sisters, he had just taken a seat to await them when he heard the distinctive sounds of retching, followed again by Jane’s soothing voice. Taking the stairs two at a time, he soon came upon both ladies seated upon the floor of the nearest water closet.
“Elizabeth!” he exclaimed as he stood over the pale form of his wife and watched her lay her head upon Jane’s lap.
“I am well,” she whispered.
He knelt before her and stroked her clammy brow. “You are not well. I shall call for a doctor.”
“No. There is nothing Mr. Jones will be able to do for me, Fitzwilliam. Indeed, this is perfectly natural.”
Darcy studied her with an incredulous expression. “This is perfectly natural? You cannot be serious.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes and swallowed several times. “Jane,” she implored.
Jane colored and, without looking at her brother-in-law, said, “I believe it is to be expected for a married woman in my sister’s condition, sir.”
Taking her meaning at last, Darcy could find nothing to say other than a simple, “Ah,” as he twisted his signet ring.
They were joined then, and quite unexpectedly, by Bingley. “So this is where you all have got to. I was—good God!” he exclaimed as he beheld Elizabeth’s pale face.
Embarrassed to have Bingley come upon her in such a state, Elizabeth attempted to rise; however, such an action only served to exacerbate her nausea, and she promptly found herself doubled over the basin yet again. Darcy insinuated himself between Jane and Elizabeth, moving to support his wife as she continued to empty the contents of her stomach. Knowing her sister was in good hands, and understanding how uncomfortable Elizabeth must feel having Bingley seeing her thus, Jane took the opportunity to lead him away.
It was some minutes before Elizabeth’s situation improved. With a groan, she leaned back upon Darcy, whose outstretched arms enfolded her, securing her against his chest. Wishing to distract his wife from her discomfort, he kissed her temple and said, “Though your sister’s cavalier attitude with regard to her behavior certainly causes me to feel ill, I had no idea it was appalling enough to actually inspire the contents of one’s stomach to revolt. I now see I stand corrected. Perhaps I should exercise caution, as well? What think you, my dearest?”
Elizabeth closed her eyes and swallowed hard, wiping the back of her trembling hand across her mouth. “I think you choose the most outrageous moments to display your sense of humor, Fitzwilliam,” she said in a weak voice but with the hint of a smile upon her lips.
He kissed her temple once more. “Forgive me. I could not resist,” he said. “I realize I should not tease you so when you are in such a state, especially when this particular state of affliction is due, in part, to my own, ah, very explicit attentions to you. Tell me, are you feeling any better?” he asked, brushing several curls away from her face.
“Yes,” she replied, “although, I fear if I move much I shall begin again.”
“Then here we shall remain until you are feeling completely recovered.” He shifted his weight so they were both a bit more comfortable. Darcy bestowed a kiss upon her head and closed his eyes. They remained thus until well after supper had been announced, and then only to remove to Netherfield so they might spen
d the rest of the evening in quiet solitude, away from the tiresome ranting of Mrs. Bennet and her favorite daughter.
* * *
Kitty made her way to the breakfast parlor the next morning with a small, secretive smirk upon her lips. Her father dismissed it as foolishness, which he had long known to run rampant under his roof, but then a quarter of an hour passed without any sign of Lydia. Mrs. Bennet seemed to be the only one willing to remark upon her favorite daughter’s absence. “Kitty,” she said, “you must go upstairs at once and tell your sister to hurry herself along. There is much to be done today. When Lizzy arrives, I will go into Meryton to sit with my sister Phillips, and you girls shall accompany me.”
Mr. Bennet, without raising his eyes from his newspaper, said firmly, “You will do nothing of the sort, Mrs. Bennet. I will not have anyone in this house speak so much as one word about your youngest daughter’s behavior. Since she has not the sense nor the humility to recognize the disgrace she has brought upon herself or her family, she will no longer be permitted into society until she can prove to me she has spent the day in a productive manner, which, I suspect, will not be for some time. The same will apply to you, as well, Kitty.”
Kitty pouted and protested, and even went so far as to cry, but to no avail. Her father would not be swayed. Darcy, Elizabeth, and Bingley’s arrival was announced, and with a few further words of admonishment, accompanied by a stern look or two from Mr. Bennet, the subject was soon dropped.
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