28. Chapter 28
T he next morning, Elizabeth was sitting in the drawing room with her aunt and sisters.
She was attempting to read a book, but after reading the same page several times and comprehending nothing, she finally gave up the endeavor.
Her mind was on other things. Elizabeth knew she would see Fitzwilliam at some point today and would need to tell him what had transpired with Lydia.
She was not looking forward to it. Everything had been going so well between them.
Their courtship was all she had hoped it would be and more!
Now, there was this situation with her sister.
It would certainly highlight the lack of discipline and oversight in her family.
Once she told him everything, would he still see her the same, or would his view of her change?
She wanted him to see her as an equal, to esteem her, not be ashamed of her!
When Fletcher suddenly walked in and announced Fitzwilliam, she knew the moment had come. They all stood to welcome him. After greeting Elizabeth warmly and kissing her hand, he sat next to her on the couch.
"How was the dinner party last evening?" he asked.
"We enjoyed it," Aunt Madeleine replied. "It was a good mix of old friends and new acquaintances. How was your evening?"
As Fitzwilliam fell into conversation with her aunt, Elizabeth remained uncharacteristically silent.
She was wondering how to broach the topic of Lydia's recent behavior when she noticed Fitzwilliam glance at her inquisitively. Elizabeth smiled and tried to appear interested in the conversation.
Mary inquired after Georgiana and began describing the progress she had made with her new sheet music.
Perhaps it would be best to pull him aside to tell him so that there are not so many eyes on him. With a measure of privacy, he will not have to be so guarded in his response.
"What do you think, Elizabeth?" Aunt Madeleine asked.
Elizabeth's focus snapped back to her aunt. A quick glance at her sisters told her they knew she was not paying attention. "Forgive me, Aunt. I was not attending."
"The first young lady who performed at the pianoforte last evening, did you notice how nervous she was?" Aunt Madeleine asked patiently.
"Yes, I did, but I thought she acquitted herself quite nicely. She was very talented."
As Mary added her opinion, Fitzwilliam placed his hand on top of Elizabeth's and leaned close to whisper. "Is all well?"
She hesitated for a moment. "There are some things that I must tell you."
He looked closely at her, then nodded.
"Mary, perhaps you and Miss Darcy could play for us," Aunt Madeleine said. "Mr. Darcy, would you and—"
"Forgive me, my dear," Uncle Edward interrupted as he entered the room. "We have a problem. Hello, Darcy."
"Gardiner," Fitzwilliam said as he stood.
"It is probably just as well that you are here to learn of it now rather than later. Besides, I would appreciate your input."
"Of course, how may I help?"
"What has happened, Edward?" Aunt Madeleine asked.
"I received an express from Kent. Bennet listed me as an emergency contact with Lydia's school. It appears she has run away."
"Run away?" Aunt Madeleine exclaimed. "Oh no, Edward!"
Elizabeth was thoroughly shocked. How could this happen?
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself.
When she opened them, she looked at her sisters and saw they were looking at her with similar expressions of shock and horror.
However, Elizabeth's shock was soon replaced with anger.
Why must that girl always be so reckless and selfish?
Later, the three of them could vent their feelings in private.
Right now, Lydia's safety was, of course, the primary concern.
Elizabeth hoped no harm would come to her sister.
She had foolishly put herself in a very dangerous situation.
"I was not aware that Miss Lydia attended school," Fitzwilliam said, looking first at her uncle, then at Elizabeth.
"It is a recent development," Elizabeth said, meeting his gaze. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. "I had planned to tell you of the circumstances today."
"Before you do that, Lizzy, allow me to begin making plans," Uncle Edward said. "Darcy, how familiar are you with Kent?"
"I am very familiar."
"Have you heard of the Ragland School?"
"Yes, I know exactly where that is."
"Good. I would welcome any suggestions you have on where I should focus my search."
"Of course, and I would be happy to help in the search as well," Fitzwilliam offered.
"Thank you, I appreciate your assistance. Since you have met my niece and will recognize her, we should split up so that we may cover more ground more quickly."
"Good idea."
"Madeleine, I have sent an express to Bennet," Uncle Edward said. "I suspect you shall see him within a few hours."
She nodded. "I will go have Cook prepare baskets for both your carriages so you will not have to stop for food."
"Thank you, my dear," Uncle Edward said. "Darcy, if you will come with me to the study, we can have a look at the map. Excuse us, ladies."
With that, Fitzwilliam followed Uncle to his study, and Aunt Madeleine went to speak with Cook.
For several minutes, Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary just sat there, stunned by what they had learned.
Eventually, Elizabeth stood and walked to the window.
She had been so worried about telling Fitzwilliam of Lydia's conduct, and now her sister had gone and done something even more outrageous!
Stupid, stupid girl! She hoped Lydia had the sense to take some money with her.
Was she running back to that young man—the butcher's nephew?
If she was trying to travel back home by post, she would need a good bit of money.
Could she mean to travel here? Regardless of where she meant to go, Elizabeth doubted her sister was prepared to pay her way.
The Lydia she knew rarely saved her money.
It was usually spent almost as soon as she received it.
Aunt Madeleine returned to the drawing room. She looked at them and sighed. "How are you holding up, girls?"
"Was it just yesterday that we were saying how relieved we all were that Lydia was in school and unable to get into any more trouble?" Mary asked, frowning slightly.
"Yes, it was only yesterday," Aunt Madeleine said. "Clearly, we underestimated her."
"There is no telling where she has gone," Jane pointed out, her expression worried.
"No, unfortunately, there is not," Aunt Madeleine replied. "A fact that will make your uncle and Mr. Darcy's search much harder."
The housekeeper came to inform Aunt that the food baskets were in the carriages. Soon after, Uncle and Fitzwilliam reappeared.
"We have come up with a plan," Uncle Edward said.
"As I stated before, it will work to our advantage if Darcy and I split up.
There is quite a bit of area to cover, and we will be able to do so more efficiently this way.
Darcy has already sent a rider ahead to take rooms for us at an inn he is familiar with in Kent.
Madeleine, should you need to get word to me, you will find the name and direction of this establishment on my desk.
I know we are all probably extremely frustrated with Lydia right now, while at the same time worried for her.
Try not to let your worry overwhelm you because it might take some time to locate her. "
"Ladies, forgive me, but I must take my leave so that I may return home to prepare," Fitzwilliam said.
"Of course, Mr. Darcy, thank you so much for your help with this . . . unfortunate situation," Aunt Madeleine replied.
"Not at all. I hope with both of us looking for her, Miss Lydia will be recovered more quickly."
Fitzwilliam then looked at Elizabeth. She moved toward him, then together they walked in the direction of the entrance hall.
Elizabeth hardly knew what to say. She was so ashamed that her family needed his help to find her wayward, trouble-making sister.
"I know this was a shock. Are you well, Elizabeth?" he asked, his eyes on her.
"I am—my feelings are all over the place. As my uncle said, I am frustrated and worried all at once." And mortified that you must aid us in this shameful situation!
"I am sure you are. It is perfectly understandable." He paused, then took her hand. "I wish I did not have to leave you so soon, but I must go."
"I wish you did not have to leave either. You are going to so much trouble and expense on our behalf—" she said, intending to apologize that he had been swept up in all of this, but the words would not come. Instead, she simply said, "We are grateful to you."
"I am only glad to be of assistance."
She nodded. "Safe journey, Fitzwilliam."
He gave her a smile and squeezed her hand. Then he was gone.
Soon after Uncle Edward departed for Kent, Elizabeth and her sisters went to her room for privacy.
She shut the bedchamber door, leaned against it, and sighed. "So much for the idea that our imprudent family would not be able to cause us trouble here. Lydia has proven her ability to cause trouble from wherever she is!"
Jane shook her head as if not quite believing the situation they were in. "How could she do this? Why is that girl so set on ruining us all?"
"Because Lydia thinks of no one but herself," Mary said. "She certainly does not consider the consequences of her actions."
"That is because there never are any consequences to her actions," Elizabeth said bitterly. "She is always allowed to do just as she pleases."
"I want to believe that she had a good reason for needing to get away from that school, that perhaps she was being mistreated," Jane said, her brows pinched together. "But even if that were the case, could she not have written to Papa or to Uncle?"
"Of course she could," Elizabeth replied. "But when does Lydia ever care about doing what is prudent?"