Chapter 21 #7
They spent the next moments in a tender embrace, silently comforting each other.
Elizabeth did not dare to inquire further, though she suspected something quite dramatic must have occurred to trouble him so; he seemed unwilling to share more details, and she respected his decision.
After some time, he gently placed her back on the couch.
“Speaking of troubling situations—I understand Miss Lydia is determined to marry Wickham.”
Elizabeth blushed. “Unfortunately, she is. We could not convince her otherwise. I…my aunt and I suspect that they already…you know…”
“Yes, I suspect that, too. We spoke to Wickham earlier; the earl was exceedingly harsh with him. He finally seems to understand the extent of Wickham’s wild behaviour, and he was very upset to be deceived and betrayed for such a long time.”
“I feel sorry for the earl’s pain, but I am glad he eventually realised the whole truth. But…what shall we do now?”
“We discussed all the details. I must confess that the earl insisted on taking upon himself all Wickham’s expenses. I would have gladly borne it, but there was no room to argue with my uncle. He said Wickham is his responsibility.”
“Oh dear, what a shame. Because of Lydia’s reckless behaviour, the earl must—”
“My love, please believe me that your sister’s situation is not the only reason for the earl’s involvement.
You must not trouble yourself. Wickham will have his debts paid, and he will receive a new commission in the North.
They will likely marry in a few days and leave immediately.
I wish them to be far away before our wedding.
I hope you and your father approve these—”
“Thank you, my love,” she whispered.
“Now we must return; I would not force your father to come after us,” Darcy said laughing. “And… I cannot hope for you to sleep at our house again.”
“No indeed.” She laughed, blushing. “I must be here to help my aunt take care of Lydia, Besides, I do not believe my father would approve in any case.”
“Sad news, indeed.” He sighed, quite serious. “Fortunately, before long I will not need anyone’s permission for you to sleep in my house.” He stole a kiss from her moist lips.
Their return to the library was received with meaningful smiles and sharp glances. Elizabeth declared she would retire, but before doing so, she placed a gentle kiss on the earl’s cheek. He looked at her in surprise as she thanked him with a smile and left.
“We sent for Wickham,” the colonel said. “He will be here shortly.”
“Excellent; if this marriage must take place, it is better to do it sooner rather than later,” said Mr Bennet.
“When everything is settled with Wickham, I shall send a letter to Longbourn. Elizabeth and I will stay in town for the wedding.”“Excellent arrangement. If all goes well, we will have no reason to delay our own wedding,” Darcy said only a moment before Wickham was announced.
“Mr Bennet, Lord Matlock, such an honour to see you again,” the newly arrived said.
“Be quiet, George, and listen to me carefully. We wish to know whether you have given your situation proper consideration. Are you decided to marry Miss Lydia Bennet?”
“Indeed I am, sir!”
“Do you remember what we discussed earlier?”
“I do remember every single word, your lordship.”
“Very well. You will marry as you wish. Now—here is the list of your debts. I took it from Darcy, and I will pay it. You are now in my complete debt, George. You shall never bother Darcy again under any circumstance. Am I clear enough so far?”
“Very clear, sir. And I thank you deeply for your kindness—”
“Darcy arranged for a special licence; you will be married in a few days. You will receive a commission in a northern regiment and leave immediately after the wedding. I expect you to prove your intention of changing your habits immediately. I shall keep an eye on you every moment, George. Do not disappoint me again. I expect you to comply with your duties and take care of your wife.”
“I will, your lordship. I shall not disappoint you. I—”
“Oh, George, I am so happy to see you again,” cried Lydia, bursting into the library.
“Your uncle made me leave with him; I wished to wait for you, but he said you sent for me! And they tried to convince me not to marry you, and Lizzy was so mean to me. She said I will not be happy with you, but I imagine she is just jealous.”
“Lydia!” exclaimed Elizabeth, mortified.
“Oh, it is true, Lizzy; you are jealous. Everybody knows George was your favourite! Oh, I am so happy to see you, my love!” She almost threw herself onto Wickham’s neck while the others looked at each other in deep embarrassment.
“These will be very long days—very long indeed,” Mr Bennet said, and nobody attempted to contradict him.
∞∞∞
Two days later, life in Gracechurch Street was neither easy nor comfortable. Lydia’s behaviour did not change in the slightest; she remained just as careless, and nothing interested her except her “dear Wickham.”
Since the wedding was a certainty, Mr Wickham dined in Gracechurch Street every evening. Consequently, neither Darcy nor his sister accepted a dinner invitation.
Lord Matlock came the next day at Mrs Gardiner’s special invitation. He found her alone in the drawing room, her expression preoccupied and slightly flushed.
“Lord Matlock, I could not allow another day to pass without thanking you for your unexampled kindness to my poor niece. Ever since Elizabeth told me, I have been most anxious to acknowledge to you how gratefully I feel it.”
“Mrs Gardiner, I am exceedingly sorry that you have been informed about these particulars. To be honest, I asked for Mr Bennet’s confidence, but it seems I forgot to tell Darcy.
Please do not speak of gratitude; I did nothing more than what was my duty.
I would not want this situation to make you uneasy. ”
“It does give me uneasiness as it makes Elizabeth uneasy. We cannot but feel sorry that Lydia’s behaviour cost you and Mr Darcy such exorbitant expense—”
“Mrs Gardiner!” the earl interrupted her, stepping closer and gently taking her hand.
She averted her eyes but did not withdraw her hand.
“Mrs Gardiner, this situation is settled. Let us speak of it no more. I thank you for your kind words, though they are unnecessary. Now, is Mr Bennet home, I hope? Oh, and I almost forgot, Selina said she will call later; she wished to introduce my niece Anne to you.”
“I… Yes, my brother Bennet is in the library. I look forward to seeing Selina and Miss de Bourgh,” she said, a warm smile on her face.
”Excellent; I want to take him to the club. Darcy and my sons will join us.”
“He will be pleased, I am sure. And I was wondering…if you are not otherwise engaged, we would be honoured to have you as our guest for dinner tonight.”
“No, I am not otherwise engaged—thank you. I shall see you again later, then.”
“Excellent,” she said, and the earl laughed, as his words sounded quite strange coming from her.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth divided her time before Lydia’s wedding between her sister and Georgiana, who was reluctant to come to Gracechurch Street.
The second evening, just before dinner, Elizabeth received a note from Lady Selina, informing her that Lady Brightmore was hosting a party in three days’ time and insisted that Elizabeth and her father attend.
“Well, if you wish to go, we will go,” said Mr Bennet. “What do you say, Madeleine?”
“Lady Brightmore is a kind lady, and she is fond of Elizabeth. Her parties are pleasant and amusing; I see no reason not to go.”
“Oh, I want to go,” said Lydia. “Will there be a ball, too?”
“Ball or no ball, you will not be able to come,” Mr Bennet intervened. “You will marry that very day, and as Lord Matlock said, you are expected to leave London immediately.”
“Oh, but I am certain we can stay a night longer.”
“No, and you will not even have time to stop in Hertfordshire. A married woman must understand that nothing is more important than her husband’s duty.”
“Oh, that is so unfair! But I am sure we will have enough balls later. I shall invite Kitty to come and visit as soon as we are settled. Oh, but I would so like to go to Lady Brightmore’s party! It is so unfair!”
“So unfair, indeed,” replied Mr Bennet sternly.
Without any particular incidents, the day of Lydia’s marriage came.
Elizabeth, her aunt, and her father were joined by the earl and Darcy, and they went together to the church.
The colonel and the viscount excused themselves, declaring they had other engagements.
And so, the ceremony went as easily as expected, and Mr and Mrs Wickham departed in their carriage—a gift from Darcy—to start a new life, followed by the circumspect and worried faces of their relatives. It was done!
Elizabeth’s heart was heavy; she had little hope that her sister would be happy. She held Darcy’s arm tightly, her dazed eyes lost to the sky. She felt Darcy’s hand press hers as he whispered, “Do not worry; we will not abandon her.”
She returned to him a loving, grateful gaze, whispering, “Thank you.”
Later that day, after much torment, long discussions and shared concerns, Elizabeth, her father, and her aunt prepared themselves for Lady Brightmore’s party.
Darcy and Georgiana came to fetch them, and the group, happily reunited, arrived at Lady Brightmore’s residence with the pleasant anticipation of a delightful evening.
As before, the party seemed to number about thirty persons at least. Mr Bennet was introduced to Lady Brightmore, who welcomed him; she kissed Georgiana, and then her attention moved to Darcy and Elizabeth.