Lydia chose to rest after her journey until it was time to change for dinner. Darcy arrived shortly after Mr. Gardiner. Elizabeth could see he was nervous about his reception and likely dreading the conversation to follow, but she was pleased with his civility, especially when Lydia decided she could not keep quiet once left alone with Elizabeth and Darcy before the meal.
“How long am I supposed to be here? Mrs. Forster was going to invite me to go with her to Brighton. I just know it!”
“It does not follow that, had you been invited, you would be allowed to go. I hope our father would have more sense than that,” Elizabeth said as Lydia rolled her eyes.
“What would be the harm in me going to Brighton? You are just jealous because you had to visit Charlotte and her stuffy husband instead of getting to go anywhere fun.” Lydia stuck her tongue out at Elizabeth and then looked past her to Mr. Darcy. “Lizzy, how can you be so nice to Mr. Darcy when you know how terribly he has treated Mr. Wickham?”
Beside Elizabeth, Darcy stiffened. She hastened to silence her sister. “Lydia, you know nothing of what you speak. Mr. Darcy is a very honourable and generous gentleman.”
Lydia leant towards Elizabeth and attempted to whisper. “You mean to make Wickham jealous since he turned his affections from you to Miss King. Well, it shan’t happen because Wickham is attached to me!”
She smiled triumphantly, undoubtedly revelling in having gained the attention of the young man who she considered had been her elder sister’s favourite. Elizabeth could not think quickly enough to stop Lydia’s effusions.
“Bingley has abandoned Jane, and you can hardly be serious about liking Mr. Darcy. I daresay I will be the first to marry of us all!” Lydia giggled and clapped her hands.
“Lydia!” Elizabeth’s heart constricted. Aside from hearing the confirmation that Wickham had already begun his conquest, she hated for Darcy to hear such blatant insults and, more so, stemming from her own behaviour.
Fortunately, they were then called to dinner, and Darcy was seated near her uncle while Lydia was at the other end. They were too small of a party for much private conversation so Darcy could hear anything Lydia might say, but her attention was excitedly focused on the promise of London amusements. While giddy, Lydia said no more offensive things.
They did not separate after dinner, and all withdrew to the drawing room. Elizabeth sat stiffly, and while more uncomfortable than she ever had been in her life, she had lost her pride. Lydia reclined irreverently and looked around the room. Jane nervously squeezed her hands while anxiously watching Lydia. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner glanced between Elizabeth and Darcy. Elizabeth found him difficult to read. He had avoided her eyes for most of the evening. She had not had a moment to ask him how his aunt was.
“Elizabeth, would you care to begin?” Mr. Gardiner asked.
Elizabeth cleared her throat and explained what she had heard Wickham say. She had only finished the first part when Jane and Mrs. Gardiner gasped followed by Lydia shouting in disbelief.
Mr. Gardiner had the sense to interrupt. “Mr. Darcy’s express alluded to some concern for the family, but I do not understand; if this happened before you left Longbourn why it is only now being dealt with?”
“I was a fool, a wretched, proud fool,” Elizabeth sighed. “I was certain all I heard was idle boasting. When I learned from Mr. Darcy that Wickham does have a cruel and manipulative side, I wrote a letter to my father expressing some distress over the behaviour of officers in the area. Mr. Darcy and I had planned to explain more when we arrived in London, having left at the initially agreed upon date. However, recently I received a letter from Mary detailing Lydia’s increased intimacy with Mrs. Forster and the seeming transfer of Wickham’s attentions from Miss King to Lydia.”
All eyes darted to Lydia, and she held her head high. “He loves me. He does not need to convince me of a thing to wish to elope with him. He said Papa would not approve of our marriage when he has so little money, because of Mr. Darcy, and would not permit that I marry before my sisters.”
Darcy spoke up then. “Miss Elizabeth tells me that Wickham spread lies about my denying him a living. I can show you the documents he signed giving up the living and receiving three thousand pounds in lieu. He claimed he was to study the law, but chose gambling and dissipation instead.”
Jane unexpectedly jumped from her seat. “But he has entered the militia now and is trying to do right. He must feel sorry for what he has done and be anxious to re-establish his character!”
Darcy glanced at Elizabeth, and she shook her head. Jane was desperately trying to make Wickham a good man and likely, in some way, to redeem Bingley’s faults as well. Elizabeth found she could not condemn her sister; it was only a bit more than the feeling she had once had towards the man. She had excused what she saw to be inconstant and improper in Wickham’s tales, and never once did she question his story against Darcy. Lydia seemed bored with the whole affair.
“You must excuse my niece, Mr. Darcy. They are all such gentle souls that they find it difficult to think such evil exists,” Mr. Gardiner explained.
“It does you credit to be so forgiving Miss Bennet, but I fear I cannot think so optimistically of the man. He returned when the living meant for him fell vacant, and when I would not give it to him, he abused me abominably. Worse than this, last summer he attempted to elope with my fifteen-year-old sister, left in my care these last five years. She is to inherit thirty thousand pounds.” Lydia gasped, but he continued. “I believe he desired revenge as well. It would have been quite complete.”
Elizabeth swallowed hard and fixed her eyes on Lydia’s now pale face. “Which explains Wickham’s motivations for the second part of his plan. He believed it possible for Mr. Darcy to marry me.”
She paused and squeezed her hands for strength, but her eyes did not leave Lydia. Wickham had already insinuated himself in Lydia’s heart. Elizabeth would not allow her pride to cost them anything more. “He…he told his friends that I hold him in such high regard I would take him as a lover and either fund him, or use my influence over Mr. Darcy to gain him the living after all.”
“No!” Lydia cried. “No! He loves me! Not you! He would never care for you!”
Jane tried to hush her and Elizabeth met the astonished faces of her aunt and uncle. “You can see why I was not inclined to worry about it. He sounded like a madman, but recent events and information have made me consider it as a possibility. He would elope with Lydia with no intention of marriage unless Darcy ransomed her. Then, what happiness could she have?”
Lydia was sobbing which was not the reaction Elizabeth had expected. “No. No, you must be wrong. We were to be married. We must be married!”
She could not have said any words more likely to horrify Elizabeth. She stood in alarm. “Lyddie, what have you done?” she cried.
“He said we were to be married,” Lydia sobbed repeatedly. “Marriage is my only choice!”
Jane let out a horrified gasp and covered her mouth.
Mrs. Gardiner approached her distraught youngest niece. “We must be clear on what you are saying. Do you mean that a marriage is necessary? You are certain?”
“As certain as I can be,” Lydia said between sobs. “I had considered us engaged since February.”
“The scoundrel dallied with her before Lizzy even heard a thing!” Mr. Gardiner growled from his seat.
“Does he know?” Mrs. Gardiner rubbed Lydia’s back and supplied her with a handkerchief.
Incapable of speech, Lydia shook her head. As if it would have made a difference. Wickham would have been more likely to disappear from the neighbourhood than to marry Lydia for the sake of a child.
Elizabeth slumped in her seat and was senseless of her surroundings. In time, she would recognise that Mrs. Gardiner and Jane must have seen Lydia upstairs and Mr. Gardiner must have taken Darcy to his study to discuss matters. Elizabeth did not doubt Darcy would continue to help settle the situation with Wickham. Indeed, his cousin w
as already attempting to transfer Wickham to another regiment. As much as she now believed Darcy to be the most generous of his sex, she had no hope he would desire her now with the proof of such a family weakness and when, under the best circumstances, he would be brother-in-law to Wickham! It was exactly calculated to make her feel all she had determinedly resisted the last fortnight. She truly loved Mr. Darcy, and from this day forward she would only have her memories.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dearest C—
I enclose two novels for your consideration. I think you will enjoy Evelina. You will be as happy as I am that Fanny has published, at last. However, it is to be a secret for now. The other is from a Miss Reeve and was edited by Mr. Johnson’s daughter although previously published. As you know I do not care for the Gothic, you may wonder at my including it. Miss Reeve takes Mr. Walpole’s story and makes it far more constrained and realistic. Next, I will read The Sylph, which is written by a woman and I hear has great understanding of the vices of the aristocratic class.
Yours,
A.F.
Darcy paced Mr. Gardiner’s study. His mind raced through options. Lydia could marry Wickham immediately, but the lady no longer seemed interested in having such a man as a husband. If he donated money to her dowry, perhaps they could find another gentleman for her. However, Elizabeth seemed entirely heartbroken. Would she ever forgive him for allowing Wickham into her life?
“Mr. Darcy, thank you for assisting our family. Do I understand you have a connection to us?” Mr. Gardiner interrupted Darcy’s thoughts.
Darcy cleared his throat. “It is the least I could do. I knew Wickham’s propensity for this kind of evil. I had never thought—”
“Do not trouble yourself. No one could expect a madman to act this way. I know Elizabeth will be blaming herself as well, but in the end, the damage was done before she knew a thing. No, if anyone could have prevented this it would have been Lydia’s parents, and only if they would have raised her better.”
“Do not blame them too harshly, sir. My own sister nearly eloped with Wickham last year. And my cousin also suffered from knowing the man.”
Mr. Gardiner looked at Darcy as though he had three heads. “I confess I am surprised to hear you defend my sister and her husband. However, do not think it passed my notice that you avoided my question.”
Darcy said nothing as he considered what to say to Elizabeth’s uncle. She had been hesitant enough to allow any attachment between them. She could hardly want him to air her feelings to others.
“I demand to know your intentions toward my niece.”
Mr. Gardiner said in low, even tones which sounded like a threat, the like of which Darcy had not expected the genteel man capable of issuing.
“One niece has been seduced, and another heartbroken after a gentleman toyed with her affections. You can understand why I ask.”
Mr. Gardiner did not say it, but Elizabeth’s accusations rang in his ear. Yes, both men were connected to him. What were they supposed to think? “May I speak frankly, sir?”
“Please do.”
“At the risk of offending Miss Elizabeth, I will tell you that I ardently love your niece and have asked for her hand. She refused me, and I have fought hard for her esteem and respect. My honour would demand that I attempt to alleviate the concerns you now face whatever may befall, but I admit to having a lively concern for Miss Elizabeth’s peace of mind.”
“And if you are successful, to mitigate any reproach to your own family name,” Mr. Gardiner said as he withdrew accounting books from his desk.
“No, I do not worry about my family. What is Society’s opinion compared to the genuine fear you now have for your youngest niece? We have money and prestige enough.”
“You would have Elizabeth even if it tarnished your family? What of your sister?”
“Although I would once have thought otherwise, I now believe that any man to be worthy of Georgiana’s hand would love her if she came from no family, and had not a farthing to her name.”
“Very well. Then let us discuss how much you think Wickham will want before marrying Lydia. He would be a fool to ask for less than ten thousand, likely more if her delicate state is true.”
“He may very well ask for thirty thousand since that is what he would have gained if he had married my sister.”
Mr. Gardiner blanched.
“However, he has debts in Lambton and London. Surely, he has them in Meryton, as well. I will buy them. Additionally, my cousin can arrange a commission for him in the Regulars. He will have an income. It is possible we can bring him to a more moderate demand.”
“We cannot allow you to take on all the expense,” Mr. Gardiner insisted.
“It is my fault. His feud is with me, and he targeted your family because of it.” Mr. Gardiner seemed disinclined to accept the terms but also realised the fruitlessness of arguing his point. Darcy brought his fist to his mouth in indecision before deciding to wade forward. “Forgive my impertinence, but I must speak my mind. In the interest of Miss Lydia’s happiness, another route should be considered.”
“How? Will not the world know?”
At this moment, the door burst open and Lydia stormed in. “I will not marry him! I will not!”
“Hush, child,” Mrs. Gardiner attempted to pull her niece outside. “Allow the men to discuss this.”
“No!” Lydia clutched at the door and violently shook her head. “Let me to stay.”
“Lydia,” Mr. Gardiner began sternly. “You have caused enough trouble for us.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner,” Darcy interrupted the scene. “I believe she should stay. It is her future of which we speak.” Three sets of eyes looked at him in disbelief. Darcy stood and offered his seat to Lydia. “Here.”
Lydia sniffed and darted to the open chair. Darcy passed a handkerchief to her. “Thank you,” she murmured.
“Will you not join us, Mrs. Gardiner?” Darcy asked. “I believe a lady who has had experience in the world would give us much-needed insight.”
Gardiner nodded, and his wife sat next to Lydia. Darcy stood by the window as Mr. Gardiner remained seated behind his desk.
“We were discussing the probability of how much we will have to pay Wickham to marry you when interrupted.” Mr. Gardiner glared at his youngest niece.
“No! Mr. Darcy had suggested that I should not marry him. No one had even asked me what I want!”
“So, you would be willing to give him up?” Mr. Darcy asked. It had taken considerably more effort to convince Georgiana of Wickham’s profligate ways.
“He never loved me. If he can do all this and out of nothing more than spite…no, I would not have him. Whatever befalls—” She visibly gulped and clutched her belly— “us, we will bear.”
“Would you have another?” Mr. Gardiner asked. “Perhaps we could find some man willing to overlook your indiscretion.”
He looked at Darcy, who nodded. Yes, it was conceivable they could find a man for her to marry with the right amount of coin.
“I—I—I do not know,” Lydia sobbed into Darcy’s handkerchief. “I had not considered anyone but him.”
The Gardiners both looked at Darcy for acceptance. At the moment, they could table the concern. While she might be willing to give up on marrying Wickham, it seemed she was not as ready to make room for another in her heart or her life.
“I apologise if this is indelicate,” Darcy said. “However, we must consider the future, and a child complicates matters. Miss Lydia, how certain are you?”
Mrs. Gardiner cleared her throat. “She would have another two months, at least, before it would quicken. Nothing can be sure until then. Many of the symptoms in the early stages of pregnancy are consistent with a woman’s cycle.”
“But I have never had these symptoms before!” Lydia cried and noisily blew into the handkerchief again as tears streamed anew. “I’ve had to let out my stays!”
“Hush, child,” Mrs. Gardiner soothed.
“That is not possible,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “The timing would be impossible to conceal as our own arrival is expected in October.” She blushed a little at the announcement before a stranger such as Darcy.
Lydia, insensible to anyone but herself, burst into tears anew.
“Meg, will you take Lydia to rest, please?” Mr. Gardiner asked his wife, “We can decide nothing at present.”
Lydia clutched the arms of her chair and swung her eyes to Darcy who assured her. “I promise that we will discuss matters with you before any decisions are made. Allow yourself to rest after your shock.”
Lydia nodded and left on her aunt’s arm. After the door had closed, Gardiner turned his attention to Darcy. “Despite her wishes, I think we had better have a contingency for speaking to Wickham. And if I am not mistaken, that hinges on your asking Elizabeth to be your wife.”
“Sir!” Darcy exclaimed. He would not have her like this. “I will not extort her agreement to our marriage. She will accept me simply for the sake of her family.”
“Marriages have been made on worse stuff than admiration and gratitude.”
“I will lose her respect. She will come to loathe me. Indeed, she should for I could have prevented this entire disaster.”
“If she hates you as much as you suppose, then why is she sitting alone in my drawing room crying? Why is she not consoling her sister?”
Darcy had no answer and despised the hope that now burned in his heart.
“She is likely thinking of reasons she will no longer do for you. Go. Say your words. Tell her what is in your heart. Do not take no for an answer.”
Darcy frowned. “Do you honestly care about her happiness, or is this just to ensure your family’s reputation should Lydia’s marriage to Wickham be the only possibility?”
Gardiner pulled out paper and an ink blotter. “The way I see it, young man, protecting my family’s reputation is down to me, not you, but my niece’s happiness is for you to ensure. Now, I will write my brother Bennet about these matters. I will need his statement allowing me to act in his stead for all things. Do you understand me? You will not need to delay things by journeying to Longbourn.”
Seven Days With Mr Darcy Page 100
