by Lauren King
Lydia contemplates the plan. “Yes, I think that will work. Are you expecting some money in order to do this for me?” Lydia does not mind Kitty holding onto the brooch for now; in case anyone should find it then Lydia will not be blamed for it – Kitty will be. She will be in the clear either way; she may end up losing out on the brooch but, at least, she will not be blamed for stealing it – Kitty will be. Yes, this will be a good plan. She just has to give Kitty a few pounds to keep her quiet, and she will keep the rest of the money for herself. She knows that Kitty will not dare to take the brooch from Lydia for herself; Kitty is not that sly.
“It would be nice if you shared with me a little; I am helping you, after all. I hope I will not get into trouble for helping you this time.” Kitty raises her brows and looks sideways and then back at Lydia. “With all your new money, I am sure we can go to the dress shop together, right?” Both girls giggle. Kitty forces herself to be agreeable to Lydia to be successful at this ruse. She feels sick that Lydia has resorted to this abominable behavior; this is who Lydia truly is. Kitty cannot believe that Lydia is this wicked. Kitty is revolted for having to pretend to be on Lydia’s evil side.
“I will be nice to you, Kitty, especially if you are willing to help me like this. This is how sisters should be; they should help each other, like us. You see, you and I do not reprimand each other.” Both girls giggle and then concur with each other.
“We have to stop talking for tonight; I do not want anyone to know that we have been talking so late and in secrecy.” Kitty explains. “I am going to go back to my chambers for a little bit.” Kitty does not mention anything of getting the brooch tonight so that Lydia can trust her. Kitty gets up from the sofa, but Lydia holds her arm to stop her.
“I think I will give you the brooch now so you can hide it immediately in your trunks.” Lydia states candidly. She is happy to hand it off to Kitty and have her share the burden, but Lydia will get most of the benefit.
“Alright, I can hide it in my pocket here and then put it inside my trunk. No one will suspect me.” Kitty suggests quietly.
“Alright.” Lydia lifts up her dress to her petticoat layers and in the middle layer, the brooch is pinned to it.
Goodness gracious! What an extremely clever idea of Lydia to think of this hiding place. No one would think of searching her there, especially while she wears the dress. My goodness Lord, Lydia is… cunning but not in a good way. She is…scary-bad.
Kitty takes the brooch and quickly puts it in one of her side pockets of her dress and tells Lydia, “We better get back to our rooms or else someone might hear us in here if we stay too long. I will go to my trunks to put this away, and then I will be back to your room because I am supposed to watch you tonight.”
“Well, you can watch me all you like.” Lydia giggles; Kitty giggles too so that Lydia is assured that Kitty is on her side and that they will get away with this plan. Lydia goes to her chambers that she is sharing with her Mother and closes the door after she watches Kitty walk towards her chambers that she is sharing with Jane and Mary.
In whispers, Kitty excitedly exclaims, “Oh my God! Oh my God, Jane, Mary! Look! Lydia gave me the brooch to hide for her. Papa’s plan worked! She pinned it to her petticoat with the dress that she was wearing all day. I have to go tell Papa immediately.” They all lower their whisper even more in fear of being heard.
“Oh thank you, Lord!” Mary cries out in a very quiet low whisper. She is so very happy to see that they could reclaim Lizzy’s brooch. She was very distressed with all of Lydia’s wickedness.
“Oh thank God!” Jane also quietly expresses her great relief. “You must go tell Papa right away. We will stand guard at Lydia’s door.”
“Yes, I will go straight away, but just keep an eye out towards Lydia’s room; do not let her know that you are guarding her, in case Papa has some other plans.” Kitty proposes.
“Alright, go quickly, Kitty.” Jane urges. Jane is so happy; she was worried and felt guilty about this beyond comprehension. She just cannot fathom Lydia’s sin.
Kitty quietly rushes out of her chambers towards her Uncle’s study where her Father still remains. She passes Lydia’s chambers quickly and quietly so as not to cause any suspicion from Lydia. She must show her Father the brooch. How will he handle this? He will be very disappointed and angry at Lydia. What will he do to Lydia tonight? How could Lydia have stooped so low? Is she so greedy for more money that she would do this to her family? Well, evidently, the answer is yes. Furthermore, Lydia was more than willing to let an innocent maid take the blame for stealing. Stealing this expensive jewelry would put anyone in prison for some time. Lydia had no qualms about the maid being wrongly dismissed and going to prison. That is too cruel; Kitty cannot imagine such maliciousness from her own family member – from someone that she used to play with and emulate just so that she could get some attention and have some fun with. Kitty shivers at the thought of the trouble that she could have gotten into for copying Lydia.
Mr. Bennet summons for Kitty to enter the study. Kitty excitedly but quietly says, “Papa, look what Lydia just gave me to hide for her.” Kitty holds the ruby brooch in front of her Father. “Your plan worked!” Kitty explains eagerly what was said between her and Lydia.
“Oh my God.” Mr. Bennet shakes his head in supreme disappointment with Lydia. It is true; she stole the brooch and then tried to blame the maid. He simply cannot imagine that Lydia has come to this – stealing from her own family. This cannot be just him not giving his younger daughters attention. Mary and Kitty would never think of being so dishonest, deceitful, and sinful. It must be inherent in Lydia. However, he could have talked to the younger daughters more and instill more values or at least yelled at Lydia more when she side tracked from how her elder sisters acted. Yes, it is partially his fault too. He is just disillusioned, as a whole. He brings his attention back to the situation at hand and contemplates what he should do with Lydia and how he should handle this.
“Let me go inform your Uncle and Aunt. You stay here; I will be right back.”
Mr. Bennet, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner come back to the study after only a few minutes, but it felt much longer because Kitty was sitting by herself contemplating all sorts of consequences from Lydia’s revelations. Once again, Kitty explains what Lydia disclosed.
“Oh my Lord, Thomas. I am very sorry that Lydia has come to this.” Mrs. Gardiner says sadly with incalculable disappointment.
“Yes, I am sorry too, Thomas.” Mr. Gardiner interjects as he shakes his head dismally. “What are you planning to do?”
“I have to fix this, and then I have to inform Lizzy. She as a right to know what has occurred; it is her jewelry and her youngest sister. She will be gravely disappointed and angry at Lydia.” Mr. Bennet states with immeasurable dissatisfaction and restrained anger.
“My goodness, she was going to let an innocent maid go to prison for her thievery and hide the money from her husband so she could keep it for herself. I am scared for her future if she continues down this path, Thomas.” Mrs. Gardiner expresses with great concern.
“I know, Madeline; I am worried and scared for her future too. I cannot seem to reach her; she just wants her way. I will try to talk to her again, but she is a married woman, now and will use that as a reason not to heed my advice. She will have that to throw at me.” Mr. Bennet shakes his head again. “Well…there will be an uproar if I confront her tonight. On the other hand, I want to impress upon her the gravity, the severity, and the magnitude of what she did wrong. I want to shock her into fixing her attitude and behavior. If I confront her tonight, then she will not soon forget how serious I am about her reprehensible and unforgivable behavior. That is what I will do. I do not think anything else will reach her. We all have tried to patiently point things out to her, but she is too accustomed to getting her way.” Then Mr. Bennet turns to Kitty to say, “Kitty, I will say that I overheard you two in the sitting room and I approached you as you returned to Lydia’s chambers
to turn in for the night. I will say that I threatened you to turn over the brooch. This way Lydia will not direct any of her hatred towards you; it will be towards me.”
Defiantly, Kitty says, “Papa, I do not care if Lydia knows that I helped you. I do not want to continue to pretend that I condone her behavior just so that she will not hate me. She needs to know how horrible her lies are and that I am not like her in any way. I would never do this to any of my family members – to anyone, actually. Currently, she thinks that I am as conniving and deceitful as her; I do not want anyone to think that about me. I have learned that being like Lydia is not good.” Kitty professes clearly. For once she makes her position apparent; she is standing up for herself. She will not follow Lydia any longer. Lydia’s actions are wrong.
“I am very proud of you, Kitty. Have you been listening to Jane and Lizzy?” Mr. Bennet asks with satisfaction. He knows that Jane and Elizabeth have helped discipline the younger three sisters, in the past. Elizabeth, especially, is diligent about it because she is more vocal and passionate about everything she does.
“Lizzy, had a talk and some advice for me and Mary; everything she said made sense, Papa. You should have seen how very well Lady Matlock treated Lizzy. Lady Matlock really likes Lizzy, but that is understandable because Lizzy is all that is proper, nice, and intelligent. Lady Matlock is impressed with her, Papa.” Kitty reveals her admiration of how Elizabeth is liked by someone of such illustrious stature.
“I am happy to hear that. You and Mary are good daughters too; do not forget that, Kitty. We will talk more when we are back at Longbourn.” Mr. Bennet pats Kitty’s arm warmly.
“You should have seen the repugnance that was thrown at Lydia at the dress shop the other day by that matron that Lydia was rude to. I do not want anyone to despise me like that or think so ill of me.” Kitty states sadly.
“I am sorry you had to see it, Kitty.” Mr. Bennet consoles his fourth child. He does not remember when he showed his approval so blatantly towards Kitty. Yes, he had a hand in shaping these youngest three daughters; actually, he did not lend much of a hand; that is probably why they are like this now. “Are you sure you want Lydia’s anger and hatred towards you?”
“I do not but I definitely do not want her to think that I have stooped to doing what she has done.” Kitty answers reasonably.
“Alright, I will give Lydia a chance to confess; if she continues to deny it or to blame someone else, then I will remove her from this house immediately. I am certain that your Mother will cry out; if she does, then I will also ask her to leave with Lydia. They will not soon forget this lesson.” Mr. Bennet is determined to go through with this.
“Thomas, are you really going to send them away in the middle of the night? Where will they go? They will not have anywhere to go.” Mrs. Gardiner is concerned and surprised by her brother-in-law’s aggressive plan, although a good one. She is certain that her sister-in-law and niece will not soon forget these consequences, either.
Mr. Gardiner agrees with Mr. Bennet’s plan. “It will scare them to death. I think they need this lesson to reflect upon. Lydia seems to think that she can do anything, now that she is married. On top of which, my sister seems to condone it. I think this will scare them into acting better. I think Thomas should do it.”
“Madeline, Edward, do not worry, I will not actually kick them out in the street in the middle of the night. I only want to scare them of the possibility. I do not want them crying and screaming in the street waking up all your neighbors. I do not want your neighbors to look down upon you during this process; you have to continue to live here after we are all gone.” Mr. Bennet explains considerately. “Remember, though, I will be very insistent that Lydia leave your house tonight so you two should rush in to prevent me from physically dragging her to the front door. This should scare Lydia and my wife sufficiently.”
“Yes, I think it will, Thomas. I want you all to know that Lydia is no longer welcomed in our home. I am sorry, Thomas, but I cannot have her around our impressionable, young children.”
“I understand, Edward. Lydia has caused this mess for herself, thus she will have to accept all the consequences.”
Mr. Bennet, Kitty, and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner approach Lydia’s room. Mr. Bennet knocks on the door and Lydia opens it with complete surprise. Kitty is standing to one side of Mr. Bennet looking directly at Lydia as Lydia turns to Kitty and then quickly looks back at her Father. Lydia becomes aware that Kitty might have been caught with the brooch in her possession. Did Kitty report to their Father of Lydia’s involvement? Stupid, Kitty!
“Lydia, I know you stole Lizzy’s brooch.” Mr. Bennet proclaims grimly.
“I did not, Papa.” Lydia protests immediately. “I do not have Lizzy’s brooch; you already searched through all by belongings.” She is telling the truth; she really does not have the brooch. It was very smart of her to give it to Kitty to hide.
Mr. Bennet shakes his head in great disapproval of Lydia’s lies. “Lydia, I already know everything; do not pile more lies on top of all this.”
“Papa, I do not have the brooch. Why are you blaming me if you cannot find it amongst any of my belongings?” Lydia asks artlessly as if it is the truth.
“I am tired, Lydia. Did you steal Lizzy’s brooch or not?” Mr. Bennet questions frustratingly. He wants to give her this chance to confess, but she still lies, instead.
“I did not, Papa.” Lydia answers unflinchingly.
Without further ado, Mr. Bennet calls out loudly, “Mrs. Bennet! Mrs. Bennet, please help Lydia put on her dress and a coat; she is leaving this house immediately!”
“What?! What is going on, Mr. Bennet?” Mrs. Bennet cries out in confusion as she rushes to the chamber’s door. “I do not understand, Mr. Bennet. Where is Lydia going this late?”
“She stole Lizzy’s brooch and tried to blame the maid. She continues to lie straight-faced, so I will not allow her to remain here and shame us all. Lydia you best go put on a dress and get ready to leave. I have already called for my carriage to take you to a boarding house seven streets over from here.” Mr. Bennet states grimly.
Lydia cannot believe what she is hearing. Her Father is kicking her out of her Uncle’s house in the middle of the night? Oh my God! Is this truly happening? How is her Father certain that she stole the brooch? Did Kitty tell on her? She must have; that is why Kitty is here now. So why does her Father not present the brooch as proof?
“Papa, I do not have the brooch!” Lydia declares loudly with agitation.
“Lydia, I refuse to listen to your lies any longer.” Mr. Bennet grinds out his words.
“I am not lying, Papa!” Lydia argues loudly.
Mr. Bennet resumes as if he was not interrupted by Lydia. “How can you blame that innocent maid? She could have gone to prison for your theft. How have you become this evil?” Mr. Bennet demands disapprovingly. “You continue to lie about stealing. Well, I have had it with you! You can take the post home tomorrow or whenever you decide. You are a married woman now, thus you are under your husband’s care. You stole from your family while you were under your husband’s care; therefore, your husband can take care of you now that you have been found out. You are lucky not to be going to prison for stealing such expensive jewelry.”
“Papa, I truly do not have the brooch!” Lydia persists in her usual whiny fashion.
Yes, now, Lydia sounds like her usual self – loud and whiny because she really does not have the brooch. Mr. Bennet was correct with his assessment. “That is correct; you do not have it because I have it, now! You will never get close to anything valuable again.” Mr. Bennet states angrily. “Now, are you leaving on your own accord or do I have to get the servants to take you to the carriage?”
“Mr. Bennet, if you have the brooch back, then why are you still so harsh to Lydia?! Just give it back to Lizzy and be done with it. Let us just forget about this whole mess and misunderstanding.” Mrs. Bennet exclaims with confusion and irritation. How can Lydia go to
a boarding house in the middle of the night? What will people think of her or of them? Mrs. Bennet is not going to go to a boarding house in the middle of the night.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner cannot believe their ears – between Mrs. Bennet’s obliviousness and Lydia’s lies, they think that they are watching a play performed on stage. Mr. Gardiner is plainly stunned at his sister’s awful behavior and lack of sense.
Mr. Bennet angrily stares at Mrs. Bennet and then exclaims, “Misunderstanding?! Hahhh! Lydia stole the brooch and blamed it on someone else knowing that it would ruin their life for certain! Do you understand how horrible that is? LYDIA IS A THIEF! She stole from her own family! After all that her family has suffered from her previous shameful actions, she adds to that by being a thief. Would you like to go to the boarding house with her?!”
“Certainly not, but what will people think of her if she goes there now. It is night time and she does not have her husband with her.” Mrs. Bennet tries to be reasonable.
“Then she should NOT have stolen from her own family! Not from anyone for that matter! She will learn that I will not tolerate this abominable behavior. You can tolerate it all you like, and then you are welcomed to go with Lydia!” Mr. Bennet turns to Lydia and says sternly, “Go get dressed this instant! I am waiting!” He has never had to yell this much in his entire life.
Lydia starts to cry and grabs onto Mrs. Bennet’s arm. “Mama, I did not steal the brooch. I do not even have it.” Her Mother will believe her and support her.
“Get dressed or else you can just put a coat over your current clothes! The carriage is waiting!” Mr. Bennet reinforces irately.
At this point, Jane and Mary open their chamber door to see what is going on with their family. Their Father is clearly infuriated with Lydia and their Mother. Jane and Mary listen without approaching the group; they do not want to add onto the tense situation.
“Mama!” Lydia is literally sobbing on her Mother’s shoulders.