A Hasty Decision

by Wynne Mabry

  His own convenience was nothing in comparison to the direness of the situation. He was on the road within an hour. Travelling on horseback for the sake of speed, he raced toward London, changing mounts with swift efficiency, stopping only when darkness fell, and starting again at the earliest light. His mission was of the utmost importance.

  A Trying Time

  Elizabeth had been as distressed as Mr. Darcy had imagined. She had felt the shame of her sister’s lax morals and the concern for her family which he had surmised, as well as other things which he had not.

  One of these was a regret for not having tried to persuade her father against allowing Lydia to go to Brighton with the regiment. She had thought of doing so, but then she had allowed her concerns to be overridden by the idea that Jane’s wedding would go better without the presence of her least mannerly sister.

  This regretfulness was a little assuaged by acknowledging that her father would probably have allowed Lydia to go anyway, but there was another reason for Elizabeth to feel that she was as much to blame for this disaster as her foolish sister. She might have done something to make people more aware of Mr. Wickham’s character, and then perhaps Colonel Forster would have been more wary of him. But even then, how could anybody have guessed that he would elope with Lydia?

  That was a great puzzle to her. A man who had sought a fortune would not settle for a penniless wife. Not even if he had fallen in love with Lydia, and she doubted that he had. At best, he might be amused by her. On reading Jane’s first communication, Elizabeth feared that her youngest sister had been very much taken in. She was not surprised to learn from a second letter that they had not gone to Gretna Green after all. Mr. Wickham was not going to marry Lydia, who had nothing to offer him.

  She shared this concern with the Gardiners, but they were less dubious about his intentions. She could not tell them about Georgiana’s experience, which would have persuaded them to her way of thinking. It seemed that her father and Mr. Bingley were sufficiently doubtful though. Jane had written that they had both gone to London, while she was staying at Longbourn to be of use to her mother.

  She and Mr. Bingley had only just returned from their wedding journey when this disaster had struck. The ensuing chaos had obviously spoiled what should have been a happy time settling down together at Netherfield. That was on Elizabeth’s mind as well. She fervently hoped that Lydia’s selfish stupidity would not have an adverse effect upon Jane’s marriage.

  She was certain that it would affect her own life in one unfortunate way. Mr. Darcy would not wish to know her anymore, and he would not permit any continuation of her friendship with Georgiana. She was very sorry about that, both for herself and for her young friend who had obviously enjoyed their association very much. And she was sorry that she would never know more of the man who had just begun to be so agreeable. She had enjoyed their recent conversations, but the accord which they had reached in the last couple of days was meaningless now.

  All of this was on her mind on the journey home, along with her worries about what would happen to Lydia. When they arrived at Longbourn, Jane came out to meet them, and Elizabeth jumped out of the carriage in her haste to know what was happening.

  “Is there any news?” she cried.

  “Only that Lydia has not yet been found,” Jane replied. “Charles has written to me every day, but he has not been able to report any success. He and Papa still believe that Lydia and Mr. Wickham are somewhere in London, but they have no idea where.”

  “I shall join them tomorrow and lend my assistance to the search,” Mr. Gardiner promised. “You must not despair. We shall find them before long.”

  After hugs had been exchanged, they went upstairs to see Mrs. Bennet, who was keeping to her bed. They found her in a state of heightened emotion. She had much to say about the detriment to her health which had been caused by the shock, but it was soon made apparent that the main part of her concern was for the loss of those prospects which Jane’s marriage had inspired her to expect.

  “Stupid, foolish Lydia,” she lamented. “She has thrown herself away on a poor officer just when all the opportunity in the world was before her. And he is only a lieutenant. I shall have something to say about that when I see her next.”

  Elizabeth was disgusted to realise that her mother’s distress was very different in nature from what she and Jane were feeling. Mr. Gardiner’s attempts at reassuring his sister did not have the desired effect either.

  “You must not worry,” he said. “They will be found, and if they are not married, then we will arrange for a marriage to take place as soon as possible.”

  “I wish you would not,” Mrs. Bennet cried. “It is all for the best if they are not married. I would much rather have Lydia come home unmarried, and then she can find a better husband in London this winter.”

  “Mama!” Elizabeth cried in horror. “Lydia has to marry Mr. Wickham now. She certainly cannot have a season in London after what she has done.”

  “Nobody need know about it,” Mrs. Bennet said. “This can all be kept quiet.”

  “I am sure it is too late for that. I expect all of the regiment knows that Lydia and Mr. Wickham went off together.”

  “Lizzy is right,” Mr. Gardiner said. “Concealment will not be possible. They must be married. It is the only way to salvage something of her reputation.”

  “But I want her to have a wealthy husband,” Mrs. Bennet cried. “Mr. Wickham has no money to support her. He has nothing but debts. Colonel Forster told us so.”

  “It is too late to be thinking of that. Lydia’s actions have already determined her future. She would not even be able go into polite society now. A season in London is quite out of the question.”

  “It is,” Jane said. “I am sorry Mama, but I would not consent to have her in my house even if Charles were willing, and I am certain that he would not be. Even his generosity cannot extend that far. Lydia has ruined herself, and quite possibly my sisters by association. All our efforts must be directed toward saving them from such an unfair fate.”

  Elizabeth looked at her sister with admiration. Before her marriage, Jane would not have spoken so forcefully.

  Having squashed all of Mrs. Bennet’s hopes, they left her to the ministrations of the housekeeper and went downstairs to dine. Elizabeth found her younger sisters’ attitude as disappointing as her mother’s. Kitty was also not convinced that Lydia had behaved so very badly. Mary, on the other hand, was entirely convinced of it, but not in any sensible way. She was excessively eager to use this opportunity for moralizing.

  It was a great comfort to have the Gardiners there, and Elizabeth felt very appreciative of her aunt’s decision to remain at Longbourn while Mr. Gardiner went to London to help with the search. In the next few days, it was a relief to have one additional person in the house who saw things properly. She would likely have been driven to distraction without her aunt and Jane to rely upon.

  Although Mrs. Bennet continued to lament her youngest daughter’s prospective marriage, she did not say anything more about Lydia going to London; however, she was next consoling herself with the idea that the rest of her daughters would go, and they would all make splendid marriages. Forgetting all about any fears for their reputation, she started talking about the clothes they would need.

  Once again Jane had to take a stand.

  “Assuming that we still go to London this year, we shall only be taking Lizzy,” she informed her mother. “Mary and Kitty may perhaps go another year, but not this time.”

  “But they have been so much looking forward to it,” Mrs. Bennet cried. “It will not be fair if only Lizzy goes.”

  “It will be perfectly fair,” Jane said. “She is the eldest and thus has the greatest claim to the privilege.”

  “But I do not understand why they cannot all go.”

  “They cannot go because this is what Charles and I choose,” Jane said firmly.

  Afterwards she said privately to Elizabeth, “Charles
probably would take Mary and Kitty as well if pressed to it, but I shall not allow that. I want you to know that my objections have nothing to do with you though. You are very welcome. Indeed, we both look forward to having you as our guest all winter. Charles has very particularly said so.”

  “That is very kind of him, but I do not know if he will want me after this,” Elizabeth said.

  “I am sure he will. You must not worry about your reputation. He is going to do everything he can to settle Lydia with at least the appearance of respectability. Just before leaving, he told me that he would lay out any sum of money to get Mr. Wickham to marry her.”

  Elizabeth looked dismally at Jane. “I wish he would not. This should not be his responsibility.”

  “Believe me, I felt the same. I was horribly ashamed that a member of my family should cause him such an expense, but he is very willing to do this.”

  “I just hope the cost will not be too great. I am glad my uncle is there. He will press to keep any expenditure to a minimum.”

  After a few days spent in unbearable suspense, they heard the sound of a horse galloping up the drive. Before they could go outside to see who had arrived, Mr. Bingley was in the house and calling for Jane. She threw herself into his arms for a joyful reunion, which delayed his news for a moment.

  Then he announced that Lydia and Mr. Wickham had been found. “They are not married,” he said, “but they soon will be. Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner are making the arrangements. Lydia will remain in London until the wedding, which will avert most of the scandal. There will be some gossip, but the worst outcome has been avoided.”

  Elizabeth looked at him with gratitude, thinking not only of his generosity in financing this, but also guessing that his resourcefulness had been useful in the search. This resolution came as a great relief, but in another moment, that comfort was spoiled by her mother.

  “If they are not married, then I think Lydia should come home instead,” Mrs. Bennet said, returning to all her earlier ideas. “She can do a great deal better than Mr. Wickham. I do not understand why Mr. Bennet is allowing them to marry. You must return to London, Bingley, and tell him that I do not wish the match.”

  “Mama,” Elizabeth cried in horror. “That is not an option. We have discussed this already. Lydia must marry him now, and we must be grateful that a semblance of respectability can be given to their wedding.”

  “I do not think it very respectable for her to marry a mere lieutenant who is without fortune or useful friends. Now if Mr. Darcy had been willing to do more for him, that might be a different matter, but as he chooses to be so cruel, Mr. Wickham cannot afford to have a wife.”

  “He should have thought of that before he ran off with Lydia, and so should she. They will have to make the best of their own foolish choices, but Mr. Darcy is not responsible in any way. He was not cruel either. You do not know the truth of it, but I shall tell you now. Mr. Wickham was not denied the living, as he told us. He exchanged his claim to it for a sizeable sum of money, which he afterwards wasted. Mr. Darcy only did what was asked of him, and in a very generous manner. I will not hear any more criticism of him.”

  Her voice had grown louder as she spoke, and that last sentence had been shouted. She saw that Mrs. Gardiner, Jane, and Mr. Bingley were all looking at her in surprise.

  “I do not know why you are getting so worked up, but there is no need for it,” her mother said. “Mr. Darcy did speak very nicely at Jane’s wedding. I am sure I do not want to think badly of him.”

  “I am glad to hear it,” Elizabeth replied, but she did not feel much appeased.

  “So am I,” Mr. Bingley said. “Darcy did not want me to say anything, but I do not feel that I can keep silent on the subject. He was the one who found Mr. Wickham and Lydia after riding to London without any regard for his own comfort or safety. He also laid out a great deal of money to bring about the marriage, and he refused to let me or Mr. Bennet contribute a penny. For all this he wanted no credit or gratitude, so you need not thank him, but I hope you will always be mindful of what he has done for you.”

  Mrs. Bennet, toward whom these words were directed, looked at her son-in-law with surprise. Elizabeth could not speak either. She was overwhelmed with a blend of astonishment and gratitude. It fell to Jane to say something, which she did very well.

  “How very good of him,” she said. “I already knew him to be an excellent man, but this is a very particular instance of his goodness and generosity.”

  Mrs. Bennet found her tongue now and busied herself in praising Mr. Darcy to the stars. Not caring for this about-face, Elizabeth went off on her own and walked about the garden, preoccupied with what he had done for them. She understood that his assistance must have had much to do with his ideas of obligation, as well as his desire to be of use to his poor friend, who had been drawn into such a disgraceful affair, but after a while, she began to wonder if his generosity had anything to do with her.

  She had not allowed herself to think of it at Pemberley, but his bitter outbursts and his admission of unhappiness were evidence that he still loved her. After that ill beginning, he had managed to control himself admirably, but in retrospect, she felt certain that his feelings had not changed. He seemed to have buried them well, as was right to do, but she thought that she might have been on his mind when he rode to London. For a brief moment, she felt sorry that he could not be rewarded with the chance to yet win her heart.

  He had earned her loyal friendship though, and his actions gave her reason to believe that he would not shun her acquaintance after all. Having enjoyed the greater part of their recent time together, Elizabeth hoped that they might occasionally enjoy each other’s company in the future. She had a sense that their unexpected meeting had provided him with some necessary resolution, so a return of that bitterness did not seem likely.

  Still, it remained to be seen if he was fully reconciled to his situation. Any future association, assuming that he did wish it, must be dependent on his ability to bury those feelings. She thought him capable of it though. The excellence of his character gave her confidence that he would behave rightly even if he could not quite forget that he loved her.

  Gratitude and Quietude

  Within a few days, Mr. and Mrs. Bingley returned to their interrupted marital bliss, Mrs. Gardiner to her home in Gracechurch Street, and Mr. Bennet to Longbourn. Elizabeth found her father changed by the experience. He had a grim determination to keep better control of his daughters in the future. One effect of this was that Jane did not have to deal any further with her mother’s wishes concerning the London season. It was Mr. Bennet who said that neither Kitty nor Mary would be allowed to go to London that winter, and he refused to hear any of his wife’s protests.

  He had also come home full of admiration and appreciation for Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth was pleased to hear him speak so well of that gentleman.

  “I do not know why he was so disliked last year,” her father said. “For my part, I think him the most honorable gentleman of my acquaintance. He is a very sound and responsible person. That is the sort of man you should admire, Kitty. I am heartily sick of hearing about red coats and handsome faces. Character is what makes a man.”

  “Mr. Darcy does have a handsome face as well,” Kitty had the foolishness to say. “Although he would look better if he bothered to smile.”

  “Good heavens!” cried her father. “Can you think of nothing but appearances? I quite despair of you. Can you not even see the value of a man like Mr. Darcy after he has saved your family from the notoriety that your sister would have happily brought upon us all? I hope you can at least appreciate him, Lizzy. I know that you never liked him, but you have the sense to comprehend the enormity of what he has done for us.”

  “I do indeed comprehend it, and I have a great appreciation for him,” Elizabeth replied. “I do not dislike Mr. Darcy anymore either. We happened to see a little of him on our holiday, which gave me an opportunity to realise that he is more agreeable than
I used to think.”

  “You did not mention that,” Mrs. Bennet cried with excitement. “Were you invited to his home? What was the name of the place again?”

  “Pemberley, and yes, we were invited there.”

  “Is it very grand?”

  “It is, but in a warm and comfortable way. You would like the library, Papa.”

  “I do not suppose I shall ever be in the way of seeing it,” Mr. Bennet said, but he was still happy to hear as much description of that room as Elizabeth could provide.

  Having no interest in libraries, Mrs. Bennet waited impatiently for her chance to ask about the other rooms, but she did wait instead of interrupting, which was another result of Mr. Bennet’s new air of authority.

  Lydia was married a few weeks later, and afterwards, the Wickhams stayed briefly at Longbourn on their way north, where he was to take up the new commission which Mr. Darcy had purchased for him. Mrs. Bennet was still so disappointed as to have little interest in seeing the daughter who had once been her favourite. She scolded Lydia frequently and mentioned Mr. Wickham’s obligation to Mr. Darcy so often that the couple were keen to make their departure.

  The Bingleys did not acknowledge them beyond a brief meeting, which Elizabeth understood very well, but after the feckless pair had gone, regular interaction between the families was resumed. She was then able to observe that Mr. Bingley was as cheerful as ever and as kind and affectionate to Jane. It was good to see that Lydia’s behaviour had not put any strain on their marriage.

  It did not seem to have affected her family’s reputation much either. There had been a few odd looks cast her way when she went to Meryton, but there were other people who spoke so kindly to her that she could guess they were trying to set her at ease. Invitations that autumn came as regularly as ever, which was further evidence that her family’s credit had survived.