Chapter Thirteen
It was more than a week before Lydia was found, and nearly two weeks before she was married in London, and by then the entire village had turned on the Bennets.
The ladies of Meryton were heartily sick of competing with the Bennet daughters, and most of them were eager to see the ladies banished from society.
Mr Bingley was in Mr Bennet’s book room when Elizabeth rushed into the house with Lydia’s note in hand.
Charlotte had parted with her at the turn to Lucas Lodge, promising to keep the unhappy secret as long as she could, praying that Maria would listen to her and say nothing to their mother.
Elizabeth was not hopeful on that point.
Lieutenant Wickham was settled in the neighbourhood when Elizabeth returned from London, but he had not spoken to her very much after asking her how well she knew the Darcys.
Kitty, Lydia, and every girl under eighteen–and even a few above that age–were mad about the gentleman.
Sadly for them all, it seemed that other than his exceptional good looks, he had very little or nothing in the way of expectations, so most of the more mature young ladies were not so affected by the gentleman.
“That bounder!” Mr Bingley jumped from his seat as the letter was passed around. “I say nothing when that weasel turns up in the local militia, giving him a chance to mend his ways, and this is my reward?”
“I beg your pardon, Mr Bingley, but did you just say that you knew that Mr Wickham was untrustworthy and said nothing to anyone, not even your young and impressionable sisters by marriage?” Elizabeth was shocked.
“How could you? He has dined here at least thrice this last month, and Lydia follows him everywhere! Papa! Did not Mr Bingley inform you about this man?”
“No, he did not.” Mr Bennet was obviously furious. “Bingley, you are husband to my eldest daughter, brother to my younger daughters. How could you not inform me that they were consorting with a rogue?”
“I think we must hear what Mr Wickham’s past crimes have been.” Elizabeth folded her arms.
Mr Bingley’s face paled. “It is not my business to speak openly of the particulars. They are Darcy’s concerns.
I do not know everything that has been done, only that the man endeared himself to Mr Darcy’s father, wasted his education, and has created many debts which Darcy paid to save his creditors.
Darcy never acknowledges the man, who always disappears when he learns Darcy is nearby.
I have learnt to ignore his proximity. But this time was different.
Darcy was not here to be offended by his presence, and he seemed respectfully employed. ”
“Well if you care not about your sisters or the other ladies of this village, you might have at least warned the magistrate and the shopowners.” Mr Bennet was grim.
“Bennet, all officers are a danger to shopkeepers. And to everyone’s daughters, I might add.
” Bingley shook his head. “I will write to Darcy and Collins. They have more experience dealing with Wickham than I have and will know where he might be found. Collins is in Hunsford, it should take little time to get word to him.”
“Will you go to Gretna Green, Papa?” Elizabeth begged.
“There is no need for that, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr Bingley said. “I will go after them.”
“Papa!” Elizabeth exclaimed. Mr Bennet was disinterested enough in his family without Mr Bingley encouraging him.
“There is no need, Lizzy.” Mr Bennet’s gaze hardened. “Lydia is certainly not on her way to Gretna Green. That is not how this game is played.”
“What do you mean, Papa?” Elizabeth asked.
“He means that Mr Wickham is not in love with your sister. He is interested in the dowry money that your two youngest sisters and your mother have bragged about endlessly in the village.” Mr Bingley was sympathetic.
“If they raced to Gretna and married, why would Mr Bennet pay him? Wickham will go to London and hide with Lydia in the city until she is well and thoroughly ruined, then he will write and attempt to negotiate the payment of every penny your father has before he will marry her.”
“And he will not receive a penny,” Mr Bennet spoke up.
“Papa!” Elizabeth cried. “You would not allow the rest of us to be ruined!”
“You ruined yourselves.” Mr Bennet waved a hand at her from his chair.
“You and Mary should have been watching Lydia. I specifically ordered you to do so, and I am sure that Kitty has not helped matters. She never does. I have all that I need, and I dislike society. What do I care if you women never receive another invitation? I am sick to death of the fact that the moment I obtained a farthing, I was expected to give it away to you females who have never done anything to deserve it. If I must, I will abandon you all and go back to Oxford if I must. Then you may fend for yourselves alone here until Mr Collins takes possession.”
“Well, if Miss Lydia is ruined, then so will my sister be. While she does not reside with me any longer, I still have hope that she might one day be wed,” Mr Bingley interrupted.
“I will do what I can, for I would hate for any of this to taint my wife. Bennet, I do hope that when I find them, that you will find it acceptable to contribute something.”
“I doubt it.” Mr Bennet reached for his paper and waved them away.
“If you were worried about your wife and your sister, perhaps you should not have been quiet when he entered the neighbourhood nearly a month ago and eventually ran away with one of my daughters. You may manage the whole affair, Bingley. Now, if you two would not mind, I would like to finish this paper.”
Hunsford Parsonage
Kent
Cousin,
I am grieved by word from Bingley about the disappearance of your youngest daughter.
I am to London first thing in the morning to assist Bingley in finding Wickham.
I have assisted Mr Darcy in flushing the rogue out on more than one occasion, but none so bad as this.
I wish I had known the man arrived after my departure, I would certainly have written to you with a warning.
Bingley, unfortunately does not know all, nor did he comprehend the very real danger, I think.
Wickham never remains long in any vicinity where the Darcys or Matlocks are present, and Bingley had also never seen the man properly employed.
I fear the commitments of my office prevent me from being more explicit, but in the name of family, I will do what I can.
I have sent an express to Mr Darcy. He has intervened in Wickham’s business before, and knows best how to find the miscreant.
Your Servant,
Collins
Tuesday 4 February 1812
Pemberley
Derbyshire
Dearest Lizzy,
I am grieved to hear of what has befallen poor Lydia.
Oh, how I wish that Fitz and I were there when that rogue entered the neighbourhood!
George Wickham was my father’s godson, and he grew up here at Pemberley, and was Fitz’s closest companion besides our Cousin Richard.
I fear that he grew up quite wild, the stories of his deeds in the village are not very nice.
After all of the times that my brother has been called upon to answer for him, Fitz feels badly used indeed, and he has not been welcome at Pemberley in years, though I do not know every particular.
Fitz tore off in a great rush when the news arrived from Mr Bingley.
He is on his way to London with all speed, he will find them and make them marry, I am certain of it.
Is it very terrible in Meryton now? Oh, I am certain it must be, how I grieve for the unkindness you and your sisters must be receiving from your neighbours.
But surely once George and Lydia reappear, married, all will be forgiven.
I hope you will forgive us for the appearance of that rascal in your neighbourhood.
We are all ashamed here in Derbyshire whenever his name is mentioned, he has shown himself to such ill advantage.
Poor Lydia…but perhaps becoming a husband will make him remember his obligations.
Perhaps Lydia might encourage him to change his ways?
Do write to me as soon as you know anything. I do not trust my brother to remember to do so.
Georgiana Darcy
In the end, the pair were found, unmarried and in a scandalous state.
Mr Bingley was grim about Lydia’s behaviour in the matter.
Elizabeth was not informed how much Mr Wickham was paid by Mr Bingley to bring the marriage about, but she did know from both Georgiana’s letter and Mr Bingley that Mr Darcy was involved.
The only other thing she knew was that her father had contributed nothing to the matter, only promised his youngest one hundred pounds a year for his lifetime, and then there was a terrible row regarding Lydia and Wickham visiting Longbourn before their journey north to Mr Wickham’s new regiment.
Mr Bennet declared he would not have the couple in the house, and as much as Elizabeth agreed, she had to side with her mother and other sisters.
If Lydia and Wickham did not return to Meryton to be publicly accepted by the Bennets before they travelled north, then the family would not regain their standing in society.
Mr Bennet did not much care about the family’s standing.
He had money, port, and books. However, the caterwauling of his wife eventually won, and Mr Wickham and Lydia were received at Longbourn just after Saint Valentine’s Day.
Elizabeth did all that she could to avoid them and so did her sisters.
Mr Bennet barely left his book room, but Mrs Bennet was vastly attentive to them and ensured that Lydia visited every household that had shunned her mother and sisters with her husband in the three days they were there.