by Lauren King
“Mr. Bennet, why would you believe the word of a common servant over your own daughter?” Mrs. Bennet asks defensively. “Servants are known to steal from their masters.”
“Mrs. Bennet, I will not stand here and argue with you. Madeline already searched her maid’s room and belongings, so we will do the same to Lydia since she volunteered immediately that she was wronged by the maid when no one even mentioned which servant. How can a maid threaten Lydia? Does that make any sense, Mrs. Bennet? Think about it; Lydia would have screamed the house down if she truly was wronged by a servant or by anyone for that matter. She would not answer meekly. If we do not find this brooch, I will have to pay Lizzy the comparable cost of it. That brooch is not some cheap five pound brooch, mind you. It is probably more like a thousand pounds. Do you know how important it is to find this brooch, Mrs. Bennet? Where am I going to find another thousand pounds to pay for it?” Mr. Bennet states angrily. He is tired of Lydia and his wife. He is being punished by God – that has to be it.
“It is Lizzy’s fault for leaving her jewelry here where the servants can get to it. Why did she not take her jewelry with her? Now, we have to be responsible for them?” Mrs. Bennet says with great irritation.
“Lizzy left them behind so that Jane, Mary, and Kitty could borrow them to wear to Lizzy’s wedding, Frannie.” Mrs. Gardiner defends Elizabeth readily. “She did not leave them behind to cause trouble or for my servants to take – which they did not.” Mrs. Gardiner asserts freely; she is truly tired of her sister-in-law. Thank the Lord that they do not live near each other.
“Frannie, you must stop blaming Lizzy for everything. You are too much!” Mr. Gardiner yells out with annoyance at his own younger sister. After they resolve this situation, he will inform everyone that his sister and Lydia will no longer be welcomed to their home. He has to prevent this wickedness from pervading into his own family.
“Let us search this entire room. Madeline will search all of Lydia’s clothing – every single piece. Edward will search to the left side of the room and I will search to the right side. Jane, you search the closet.”
Everyone searches diligently and thoroughly. Mrs. Bennet just gasps in disapproval. When Mrs. Bennet says that she is going to leave the room, Mr. Bennet forbids her to speak to or see Lydia at this time. Mrs. Bennet whines and cries that he is being unfair and mean to her and Lydia.
“Mrs. Bennet, look what we have to resort to now because of Lydia? Do you think I like to know that my youngest daughter has resorted to stealing from her own family? Are you happy to know this?! Look at what she has become?! Why? Do you know why she is so hateful now? The entire family including your brother’s family have only been helpful and enduring of her troubles and shame that she has heaped onto her family, but what does she do instead of helping herself to become a better person? She steals from her sister!” Mr. Bennet is outraged, but he does not want to talk to his wife any longer. He has to try to find this brooch.
“I will be in the sitting room, then.” Mrs. Bennet huffs and hurriedly leaves. She has not seen Mr. Bennet this furious except when they found out about Lydia being with child.
After what feels like hours, Jane, Mr. Bennet, and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner do not find the brooch. They are so disappointed; they do not know where else to look. Can it be that they were wrong about Lydia? It is very suspicious that Lydia did not protest loudly and angrily at her Father for blaming her for stealing when she was innocent. That is not Lydia, at all; there is something not right with how Lydia acted and spoke when she was accused of stealing.
“You have checked every piece of her clothing, Madeline?” Mr. Bennet asks impatiently.
“Yes, everything. I even checked her underclothes. She did not hide anything in her clothes. Where else should we look? Do you think she hid it somewhere here in this house?”
“How are we going to look in every crevice of this entire house? If she did hide it, it could be anywhere. That will take days if not weeks to search through. We would have to sequester Lydia the entire time with someone watching her day and night.” Mr. Gardiner asks edgily.
“That will not be a problem. I will have Kitty or Mary watch her the entire time, Edward.” Mr. Bennet volunteers. “But I understand your frustration. I am sorry that my family has caused your family such chaos, Edward, Madeline. I hope you know I appreciate all your help all these years with Lizzy and Jane. They both love you two very much. I know I am to blame, too. I took for granted and hoped that my younger three children would turn out like my first two; therefore, I just let them be. Consequently, this is how Lydia has turned out.” Mr. Bennet acknowledges with great disgrace. He knows he is partially to blame. He just has to fix this now; he has to, one way or another.
“Well, Thomas, at least you recognize it, now and you are starting to do something about it. I am glad to see it.” Mr. Gardiner acknowledges his brother-in-law’s attempt. It does not resolve this problem, but maybe it will help with their futures.
The four of them are silent for a moment to absorb what has been divulged in the middle of this awful ordeal. Mr. Bennet accepts his brother-in-law’s understanding. He will begin to guide Mary and Kitty more when they are back at Longbourn. At least, he can try to make it better for them.
“I feel as if we are missing something here. How can she have outwitted all of us?” Mr. Bennet asks disappointingly as he crosses his arms cross over his chest to stare around the room. “Are you certain you can trust your maid completely, Madeline?”
“I believe so, Thomas. She offered me to search her room downstairs. I understand that she could have hidden the brooch and then offered to let me search her room. I just do not feel with how, what, and the way she presented the information to me, was a lie. I realize she could be a good liar, but most likely, she did not lie to me. I do not know what more to say and how else to handle this situation, Thomas. I am sorry. I definitely do not want to think that Lydia could do such a thing to her own sister, but she is suspicious. Like you said, her reaction is not aligned with who she is normally. I am sorry to say that about your daughter; I truly am very sorry. I would be devastated, too, if it was our daughter.” Mrs. Gardiner states sympathetically and then turns to look at her husband who nods in agreement with his wife.
“I know you do not want to believe that Lydia is capable of stealing, Madeline. I do not either. Lydia has presented so many reasons for us not to believe her, though. I think it is time I think of a way to outwit her so that she can trap herself into admission of the theft. Let me think for a moment. Do either of you have any ideas?” Mr. Bennet quickly thinks of what can be done to entice Lydia into confession.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner look at each other with surprise at what their brother is suggesting; however, it seems to be the only way left. They try to think of ways to help this situation.
“Thomas, I have an idea.”
“What is it, Madeline?”
“What if we ask Kitty to play a role in getting Lydia to confess?”
“How?”
“Well, you can ask Kitty to pretend to go to Lydia tonight and speak furtively about helping Lydia hide the brooch. Since Kitty has always been close with Lydia then she can pretend to say that she was only pretending to be nice to Lizzy and Jane to get on your good side so that you will allow her old allowance. Kitty can directly tell Lydia that she knows that Lydia took the brooch and that Kitty will help Lydia hide it because no one will suspect Kitty, at this point. Kitty must ask for a share of the brooch once Lydia sells it for money. That way Lydia will believe that Kitty is also in this for a share of the money and will not risk letting the brooch be discovered. Kitty can scare Lydia by saying that you may decide to search through Lydia’s trunks once you all get home. Since we could not find anything in Lydia’s things then if Lydia hides it in Kitty’s trunks, now, then no one will ever think of its location. What do you think, Thomas?”
“My goodness; I think that is very clever, Madeline. I think it may work, but Kitty
must be very convincing. Let us go try it. However, I will not announce that we could not find anything. Let us let them think that we will continue the search in a little while; otherwise, Lydia may not feel the urgency to hide the brooch with Kitty.” Mr. Bennet explains before he goes to the study and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner go to their children’s playroom for a visit.
Mr. Bennet instructs Jane and Mary to stand guard of Lydia in the study while he surreptitiously explains his plan to Kitty in the children’s playroom. Kitty is more than willing to fake her offer to Lydia.
“Papa, you know I would never steal from my family so I can get some money for myself.” Kitty states firmly.
“I know, Kitty. I have seen some good changes in you since you no longer have Lydia’s influence like before. I hope that you will continue to try to improve yourself for your future. I know I have not paid you and Mary as much attention, and I am sorry for it. I will do better to guide the two of you more when we are back at our home. It is a mistake which I intend to correct as best as I can.” Mr. Bennet professes, surprisingly.
Kitty has never heard her Father say such things. She never thought that she would have such a delicate and important conversation with him. His reaction is surprising, understanding, and caring.
“Thank you, Papa.” Kitty responds quietly. She is thrilled at the prospect.
With everyone gathered in the sitting room, Mr. Bennet announces that they will stay in town for a few more days because he is determined to find that brooch. He freely announces that he does not have money to pay Lizzy for the brooch, thus everybody must share in looking for it. If he has to pay for it, then it will come out of the family’s savings, and no one will get an allowance anymore. Lydia’s income will only be what it originally was meant to be before Sergeant Denny coerced a higher amount from Mr. Bennet. Lydia and her husband will immediately move out of the cottage so that it can be rented out for money. There will be no more parties of any kind given at Longbourn. They will not attend any paid events. There will be no more purchases other than for food. They will start to sell some home furnishings to make up for the loss. No one will be allowed to use the carriage unless they have cleared it with him because too much usage will ruin it and surely they cannot afford to replace it or keep fixing it.
Mr. Bennet deliberately mentions things that will be a hardship for everyone in order to impress upon them how important the loss of this brooch is.
“I am certain Mr. Darcy can convince Sergeant Denny to accept the lower yearly income instead of what he is getting now. All that will save quite a bit of money. If it is still not enough to pay for this brooch, then I will stop all money payment to Sergeant Denny.” Mr. Bennet speaks openly. He awaits Lydia’s protest, but there is no protest – very suspicious, indeed. Usually, she would be screaming murder at this point, and she would not care who is present and who is listening. She would not stay quiet if she felt that she was wronged. At this point, Mr. Bennet is more convinced that Lydia took the brooch. He hopes Mrs. Gardiner’s plan is successful.
“That is very unfair, Mr. Bennet. Your own wife and daughters have to suffer because some servant stole Lizzy’s brooch.” Obviously, Mrs. Bennet would make such a claim.
“The brooch was in the possession of Jane who is a part of our family. We all are responsible for it.” Mr. Bennet responds heatedly.
“Mr. Darcy is very rich; Lizzy can appeal to him so that he does not make you pay for it. You can talk to him, Mr. Bennet. You have to let him know that the servants, here, stole it. We did not steal it.” Mrs. Bennet cries. “I will talk to him and remind him that we do not have that kind of money to pay for such an expensive piece of jewelry. I will give him a piece of my mind if he does not listen.”
Mr. Bennet glares at his wife in disbelief and great disappointment. “Mrs. Bennet, do you think that will be smart? Do you think that will appeal to Mr. Darcy to forgive the loss of their expensive brooch?” Mr. Bennet closes his eyes quickly in displeasure and then says, “You will not appeal to Mr. Darcy; that will only aggravate him further. Do you think he cares if you give him a piece of your mind? You wait until he gives you a piece of his mind! He already knows why you were not at the wedding; do you think he cares one pittance about what you say? No, he will not! You will be lucky if he even acknowledges you from now on for how you have treated Lizzy. Therefore, your plan to give him ‘a piece of your mind’ is, once again, not smart, at all. I say again, Mrs. Bennet – do not exacerbate and provoke him about anything! Of course, if you want him to castigate you and give you the cut direct, then by all means. Is that what you want?” Mr. Bennet glowers at Mrs. Bennet. How can she talk like this? This is his fault – partially, anyways. This is suffering that he must endure because he did not put more effort to raise his three youngest daughters. This is also punishment for being foolish in his choice of a wife.
Mrs. Bennet listens with great irritation; she is not at fault. She does not do anything except speak the truth; she does not hide her feelings.
As everyone turns in for bed early tonight, Kitty implements her Father’s plan. She will do her best to make this plan successful. She wants to do her share to help her family. She can do this!
Kitty whispers to Lydia when Lydia opens her bedroom chamber door. “Come down to the sitting room so I can share something with you.”
“What is it, Kitty? Are you not against me like all my other sisters?”
Kitty whispers conspiratorially, “No, you should know better than that. How long have I been keeping your secrets? You do not think that I would just suddenly be close with Mary, do you?” Kitty says persuasively because Lydia’s expression begins to change back into the mischievous one that she always has when they are about to do something that proper young ladies should not. Kitty recognizes it for what it is, now. She remembers how bold and daring Lydia was. It looks like Lydia has not changed, one bit.
Lydia giggles quietly with much delight and then follows Kitty to the sitting room while holding her own candle to light the way. Once there, Kitty assures Lydia that she still very much wants to have fun with Lydia when they get back to Longbourn because it is just boring not to go places with her. Lydia expresses her pleasure that Kitty is still on her side. Kitty lets their conversation guide her into tricking Lydia to hand over the brooch.
Lydia continues, “That is smart of you to try to stay on Papa’s good side. Papa is so unfair about cutting everyone’s allowance. Now you will have nothing, Kitty. I am glad I am married; at least, John will still give me an allowance.” Lydia states smugly.
“But Papa is cutting your yearly dowry income too; are you not mad? I would be.” Kitty goads Lydia.
Lydia takes the bait and blurts out that she will have extra income when she sells some stuff she has. “It would be very nice if we still receive the higher amount, but I will get a lot of money for my sale.” Again, Lydia smiles complacently.
“What do you have to sell that could get you so much money?” Kitty acts bewildered and then asks, “Are you going to sell your necklace that Mama gave you?”
“No, that is not what I have to sell.” Lydia answers with mischief.
“I could help you sell it, if you want. I could go with you and help you guard your valuables.” Kitty frowns in curiosity and then continues, “Will John approve if you try to sell something so valuable? Would he want all the money and keep it all? It is your valuables; why should he get to keep it all, right?” Kitty decides to goad Lydia into confessing; if she does not confess, then Kitty will just blurt out that she knows that Lydia has the brooch.
“You are right. I am not going to let him know of the extra money. I will sell it and keep it for myself and spend it when I need to or want to.” Lydia states satisfyingly.
“What do you have to sell?” Kitty acts very eager like she used to be when she was around Lydia.
After some giggling and feeling good about having a secret, Lydia finally tells Kitty that she has the brooch that everyone is looking for
. “I am not going to give it back; that maid will get blamed, so I will be in the clear. I need the money anyways.”
In whispered tones, Kitty says, “Oh my goodness, Lydia. You better hide it really well; Papa, Uncle, and Aunt are bound to find it.”
“Oh, I am hiding it really well – do not worry.” Lydia smirks.
“I heard Papa talk to Uncle and Aunt about searching your room, all of your trunks, and your belongings.”
“It sounds as if they did not find anything, though.” Lydia responds boastfully.
“But I think they will search all your things again just like they will search that maid’s room again.”
“You think they will search me again?”
“Yes. And Papa may search you again once we are back at home, and if John finds out that you took the brooch, will he not be angry?”
“You think Papa will search all my stuff again?” Lydia becomes a little worried about this possibility.
“Yes. I think he is very angry because he will have to end up paying Mr. Darcy the money for the brooch.”
“I have to find a different place to hide it, then.”
“If it is in your trunks, then you really should move it to a different place, but I do not see where you can hide it unless you carry it with you. However, I think tomorrow they may search what you are wearing and carrying in your reticule.”
“I think you are right. They have not checked me and my reticule today.”
“Do you want me to help you?” Kitty tries to sound and look sincere to attain Lydia’s trust as before.
“How?” Lydia asks with much curiosity and some wariness.
“I can hide it for you; no one will even think that I would have it. They all trust me right now.” Kitty pretends to hesitate like she is thinking of how to help Lydia’s situation. “Maybe….I can hold on to it until we get home and…I can give it back to you a week after so that you can assure that Papa will not search your things anymore. What do you think?”