Chapter 8
About an hour before the scheduled meeting at Longbourn, Kitty and Lydia returned from Lucas Lodge to a peaceful Collins-less Longbourn; it was not hard to see the youngest Bennet was in high dudgeon.
“You will not believe what Mariah told me!” Lydia screeched.
Charlotte was about to take Eliza aside to inform her of the upcoming meeting so she would not be taken by surprise, but Lydia’s commanded everyone’s attention before Charlotte could do so.
“My Wickham is betrothed to Mary King! How dare that freckled thing steal my love!”
As his youngest screeched, Bennet realised how close they had come to ruin.
It seemed Wickham’s seductions were not restricted to merchants’ and tradesmen’s daughters.
Bennet looked at Charlotte, who nodded, making him understand her expectation.
He needed to invite Miss King’s uncle to at least part of their meeting.
Bennet went to his study to write a note and send a footman to deliver the missive directly into the hands of Miss King’s guardian.
“So what if she inherited ten thousand pounds! I am still prettier and livelier than any of the girls in Meryton. Mama used to tell me I could catch any man I want, and I want my Wickham!” Lydia announced loudly enough to inform the whole county as she stamped her foot petulantly.
Charlotte looked at her friend Eliza and was gratified to see disgust in her mien. She was sure she was finally, and rapidly, re-evaluating her belief in Mr. Wickham’s honour.
“Lydia, calm yourself,” Jane attempted to quiet youngest sister.
“I WILL NOT! I WANT MY WICKY…” Whatever Lydia was about to scream next would never be known, as Charlotte stood and slapped Lydia’s face.
The four seated Bennet daughters were caught unawares, and Lydia stood, holding her cheek with her mouth gaping—but at least no sound was emanating from it.
“I thank you, Miss Lucas, for ending that childish display,” Bennet stated calmly, as he entered the drawing room.
He turned to his youngest, who was still in shock as this was the first time anyone had ever stopped her from making a scene.
“As of this moment you, Lydia, are back in the nursery.”
“Noooooooo Papa! I hate you…” Lydia started but halted when Bennet raised his hand as he would when he wanted silence and would not stand for any more whining.
Lydia’s jaw snapped shut. “Not only are you not mature enough to be out, but you are certainly not ready to be around men! Based on your conversation before Miss Lucas stopped your tantrum, I would surmise you have had far more unchaperoned time with the officers than I suspected. I want to know all now, Kitty, or you will join your sister in the nursery!”
Lydia shot her father a defiant and mutinous look. “Often times when we say we are going to visit Aunt Phillips, we meet the officers,” Kitty related with her head down.
“KITTY!” Lydia screamed, “How could you betray me in this fashion?”
“One more word, Lydia, and I will request Miss Lucas to discipline you in truth,” Bennet threatened.
He did not believe in corporal punishment for a male, let alone a female, but right now the threat seemed to have the required effect.
Lydia closed her mouth again and sat down on a chair, her arms crossed and angry tears of flowing down her cheeks.
“Lydia, I am sorry, but I will not return to the nursery because I was not honest with Papa.” Kitty turned back to her father; her head raised slightly.
“We never allowed the officers more than a kiss or two. Mr. Wickham wanted more, but I was able to convince Lydia it was not a good idea, although just before Mariah told us about Mary King, my sister agreed to sneak out at night and give Mr. Wickham anything he desired.” Kitty burned red with embarrassment as she related this before her father, sisters, and Miss Lucas.
Lydia was red as well, but with fury at having been found out.
“Mr. Hill!” Bennet called. “Miss Lydia is to be removed to the nursery. She is not to leave it for any reason. Have Edward nail the windows shut as a precaution; I do not want this stupid child falling to her death. Once done, Edward and the other two footmen will take turns on duty outside her door at all times.” Hill nodded his understanding and left to have the footman bring a hammer and nails to secure the window before moving Miss Lydia into the nursery.
Elizabeth was reeling. Every word Charlotte ever said about Mr. Wickham replayed in her mind, and she could not but admit the fact the man was nothing but a scoundrel, possibly even worse.
“I have been a prejudiced fool, have I not?” She asked no one in particular.
“I thought I was so intelligent and could sketch characters to perfection, yet my pride did not allow me to see the facts in front of my face! Charlotte, you were completely correct,” Elizabeth acknowledged openly.
“Even I did not suspect how truly evil the man is, Eliza,” Charlotte soothed.
Lydia was about to try and defend her erstwhile lover when Hill and the footman Edward returned.
At Mr. Bennet’s nod, they lifted the defiant girl and carried her, kicking and screaming, up the three flights of stairs to the nursery.
Once they reached the third floor the noise of Lydia’s tantrum lessened for those in the drawing room, and once the door slammed shut, peace once more reigned.
“I was going to include only Elizabeth in a meeting which will be held here in less than an hour, but I think it would behove all of you to be present,” Bennet decided after Charlotte said something quietly in his ear.
“Keeping salient information from you is no way to protect you. I also promise, starting now, not just after I marry, that I will be more aware of what happens any of my family. Kitty, are you mature enough to not repeat anything you hear in the meeting to anyone but those present?”
“You have my word of honour, Papa. But who are you marrying?” Kitty squeaked out the last taking her completely by surprise.
Bennet realised his faux pas, but as he thought about it, mayhap it was for the best and fit his new determination not to hide pertinent information from his daughters. Bennet stood, walked over to Charlotte, and took her hand. “Miss Lucas. Charlotte and I will marry on Saturday coming.”
“Mariah will be my sister?” Kitty asked in confusion.
“No, Kitty, as I will be your stepmother, Mariah will be your aunt, technically,” Charlotte explained.
After wishing her father and Charlotte happy, Kitty agreed not to say a word to their Cousin Collins, fully understanding why Lydia would not be told until after the ball.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Mr. King joined Bennet, his four older daughters, and Charlotte, along with Mr. Phillips, Sir William Lucas, and Colonel Forster, in the Bennet drawing room. He asked why he had been summoned and was asked to be patient for a few minutes when a carriage drew to a halt in the drive.
Mr. Darcy had been expected, but it was a surprise to them all when Hill announced Andrew Fitzwilliam, Viscount Hilldale, and the Honourable Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.
“I hope I was not presumptuous,” Darcy apologised.
“My cousins arrived as I was preparing to depart Netherfield Park, and upon hearing the subject of the meeting, asked to join us.”
“Why is that man here?” Mr. King pointed at Darcy. “My niece’s betrothed told us how Mr. Darcy is jealous of him and hates him! I know it all; you will attempt to blacken his name, so I will not remain here and hear you try,” Mr. King stated, starting to stand.
“Yes, Mr. King, I was fed the same lies by my Lieutenant,” Colonel Forster stated.
“Forster! What are you doing here?” Richard recognised his friend, who he had not noticed before the man spoke. He had been distracted by the pretty faces he saw, especially the one with glasses who tried to hide her light in a corner and observe without being seen.
“Good to see you, Fitzwilliam. I am in command of the contingent of the Derbyshire Militia encamped in the environs of Meryton.” The two Colonels shook hands.
“So you have the pleasure of having that libertine Wickham under your command,” Richard shook his head that such a man would be allowed to sully the uniform.
“What is it I do not know about Mr. Wickham?” Mr. King asked. All his former bravado dissipated as he watched high-ranking men who obviously knew and respected one another commiserate over a man he had just met.
“Let me guess, Sir. You were told I denied him a living my father designated for him at Kympton near my estate in Derbyshire?” Mr. King nodded.
Elizabeth nodded as well, although Darcy did not see it, as others in the room did.
“It is true, I did in fact deny him the living—when he applied for it after first refusing to take orders and accepting three thousand pounds in return for relinquishing all claim to said living.
He signed a document relinquishing that claim, which is in the hands of my legal counsel, Norman and James.
If you wish to see it, I will have a copy delivered for your perusal.
He left with that three thousand and an additional thousand pounds my father gifted him in his last will and testament.
In less than two years, all that money was gone; that is when he insisted he was ready to take orders.
I hope you will understand why I denied his request, as he is the last man on earth who should be a clergyman.
“Let me guess that your ward recently inherited a substantial sum of money, and then Wickham began to pay her attention. Before that, did he pay her no heed?” Darcy asked, already knowing the answer.
“If you are all here then he must have meddled with some young girls in the town or run up debts he cannot hope to pay, or perhaps both?” Miss Lucas and the men other than Mr. King all nodded.