Chapter 21 #2
“I doubt Mr Wickham would be interested in a career. He has been given many opportunities to make a respectable living, but instead he chose a life of easy gains and dissipation. He is likely deep in debt and unable to support himself since he left the militia a year ago. And Lydia was easy prey to him. But I will surely not use the family’s fortune to indulge George Wickham! ” Elizabeth declared severely.
“So, what do you think is the best choice, Lizzy?” her father asked.
She abandoned her severe tone. “I am not sure, Papa. What matters to me is to know Lydia is safe and her actions are of her own will. If she has decided to marry him, I doubt we shall be able to change her mind. You should find them and speak to them both. I cannot think further.”
“We should leave then,” Mr Gardiner concluded.
“Your aunt Gardiner and the children have moved in with Jane, to keep her company. It will take us days to reach Gretna Green and return. You should proceed with your travelling plans and return to London. We shall all meet in town as soon as we resolve this distressing situation.”
The three departed, Mr Bennet casting a remorseful glance at Elizabeth. She noticed it but had no strength to put him at ease.
Elizabeth was so troubled and upset that she barely heard her husband and grandmother’s attempts to comfort her.
She felt guilty that her family could draw these two gentle and flawless people into such a scandal.
She was angry that selfish Lydia had repaid Lady Kendal’s generosity in such a thoughtless manner.
She apologised to them repeatedly and was rewarded with their kind understanding.
But her torment, as well as her fury, increased with every passing hour.
Once again, George Wickham had infected their lives, despite Darcy’s magnanimous efforts to protect them.
There was nothing left to do but pray for Lydia to be unharmed and for Lady Elizabeth Alveston to have a chance to speak to George Wickham directly!
∞∞∞
At the end of August, Elizabeth and her relatives returned to their own homes. Waiting for her husband and her youngest daughter, Mrs Bennet refused to return to Longbourn alone and remained in town at the Alveston residence.
Mr Bennet, Mr Gardiner, and Mr Bingley wasted a week on the road, chasing the fugitives north.
They did meet Mr Darcy on the way, as he travelled towards Pemberley, but there was not much help he could offer.
By the time they found Lydia and Wickham, the two had wedded and were on their way south to London.
As part of his obvious plan to marry Lydia, Wickham had not kept the elopement a secret.
His friends were all aware of it, and the reports quickly spread amongst the ton.
The new Lady Alveston’s sister eloping with a former militia officer was delicious fodder for the gossips for several days.
Later in September, with total disregard for the distress of others, Mr and Mrs Wickham returned to town as guests of the Gardiners in Cheapside.
Mrs Bennet was in raptures, calling the wedding of her youngest daughter the happiest of news—forgetting the scandalous circumstances that caused it—and immediately made plans to return to Longbourn with the report of three daughters married.
Mr Bennet found the strength to speak to Elizabeth and to share all the details of the painful journey with her.
“Wickham is the most impertinent man I have ever met, Lizzy. I was so ashamed to see Darcy—he is truly a remarkable fellow,” Mr Bennet declared, while Elizabeth blushed, warmed by the mere mention of the man.
“What did he do, Papa? Wickham, I mean. Besides eloping in the middle of the night with a young girl, like a thief.”
“His behaviour is outrageous. He has declared he has debts of over five thousand pounds and that he will not be able to share a comfortable life with his new wife until he is relieved of those. Can you imagine?”
Elizabeth was stunned and appalled. “He expects his debts to be paid? Of course he does. By whom?”
“I do not know. He seemed to presume Mr Darcy would do something for him. For some strange reason, Darcy feels responsible for the scoundrel. He was tempted to purchase his debts. He said this way he would have Wickham in his power. But I strongly opposed the idea! Despite their past, Wickham is now my son-in-law. If he must be someone’s responsibility, he should be mine. ”
Elizabeth felt ill, staring at her father in disbelief. “Mr Darcy wished to purchase Wickham’s debts? Dear Lord, I am so happy you opposed it, Papa! Mr Darcy has already wasted too much money and too much time on that poor excuse for a man! Why would he keep doing so? It is not his duty!”
She spoke to her father but to herself too, her heart melting at this new proof of Darcy’s kindness.
Instead of being offended that they had ignored his warning, he had offered his support in finding the fugitives.
And his intention to purchase Wickham’s debts was certainly a new attempt at controlling the man who had become a plague on their lives.
“Will you speak to them tomorrow, Lizzy? The Wickhams asked for the favour of introducing themselves to your family, but I could not even grant them an answer.”
“I will. Sadly, Lady Kendal has been kind enough to invite them to dinner tomorrow. I am afraid she will show them more generosity than they deserve. Now, Papa, go to your room and rest. You looked exhausted, and I am worried for you.”
“I am less tired and less affected than I deserve to be, Lizzy. All of this is my fault.”
“Perhaps. But you will be of no use if you fall ill. Please rest, you have done all you could. There was no other choice,” she said, suddenly trembling inside as she recollected another circumstance where she had been forced to say the same words.
∞∞∞
The family party, hosted by Lady Kendal, brought together the Bennets, Bingleys, and Gardiners, as well as the new Mr and Mrs Wickham.
The newly-wedded couple showed no remorse, no restraint, only proclaiming their happiness. Lydia repeatedly declared how happy she was as a married woman, and Wickham expressed his gratitude for being welcomed by such an illustrious family.
Elizabeth held her temper until Wickham impertinently called her dear sister. At that moment, her self-control betrayed her.
“So, Mr Wickham, have you considered your options for a future career?” she enquired bluntly. “I am sure you must have considered the matter thoroughly before you decided to marry.”
He looked momentarily disconcerted. “I have considered it, but I have reached no conclusion yet. I am sure I shall find the best option, as soon as I am relieved of some of my present worries.”
“Present worries? What would they be? I would assume a man would solve his problems before deciding to bind himself to a young wife,” Elizabeth insisted.
“Yes, well…I admit the marriage was rather unexpected, and you must know yourself how such a situation can be. Three months ago I would never have suspected you would have married so soon, Lady Alveston.”
The rudeness of that comparison increased Elizabeth’s ire until it became unstoppable. She took several sips of wine then, from across the dinner table, under the watchful eye of her husband, she spoke coldly.
“Mr Wickham, rest assured that we all know the reasons behind your unexpected decision to marry. Let us not play the game of innocence. In other games, you may excel, but in this one, you have quite failed.”
Wickham panicked while the others looked at Elizabeth in astonishment. Nobody expected such an outburst at the dinner table.
“My dear sister, I am at a loss as to what you mean,” Wickham mumbled.
“I doubt it. Of one thing you may be sure, sir. I have been easily deceived once but never again. We would gladly offer you support in building a career to support your wife but will never provide an easy way of living to someone unwilling to put in any effort. My husband has several estates and a few other businesses where we might need your help. You are free to choose how you wish to earn your living. Consider it properly for a few days, then inform me, Lord Alveston, and Lady Kendal. All of us are ready to help anyone in need and to offer support to the deserving. And you may call me Lady Alveston, Mr Wickham!”
When she ended her tirade, not even Mrs Bennet dared to contradict her. Elizabeth’s statement left no room for debate, nor any doubt regarding her decidedness. Lydia attempted to say something, then ceased, keeping her attention on her plate. Wickham was red with anger but dared say nothing more.
The rest of the evening passed rather awkwardly, just as the newly-weds deserved.
It was the first time that Lady Elizabeth Alveston had imposed her will and demanded obedience, and nobody—not even her closest family—opposed her.
Mrs Bennet returned to Longbourn with her husband and her younger daughters, including Lydia and Wickham.
The Bennets’ return was received with delight and curiosity in Meryton.
The old rumours about Mr Wickham still abounded, but their strength had diminished after a year of absence, and the gentleman’s charming manners carried the day.
Adding to her satisfaction, Mr and Mrs Collins were visiting with their young child.
Describing to Mr Collins the blissful marriages and coveted situations of her eldest daughters, and how Elizabeth now owned five estates and several houses in town, was among the happiest moments of Mrs Bennet’s life.
The new Mr and Mrs Wickham were allowed to stay at Netherfield for the first few months of their marriage, as the estate was empty. Expecting their first child soon, Bingley and Jane had decided to remain in town until spring, to be close to the doctors and midwives.
With Lady Kendal and Philip’s approval, Elizabeth paid Wickham’s debts but instructed him to find a way to repay the money by starting to work and earning an income.
The Wickhams may have hinted at an invitation to London for the Season, but their expectations went unfulfilled. So, they entertained themselves in Hertfordshire at occasional private balls and parties.
Wickham delayed the decision regarding his future living for as long as he could.
However, several months after his wedding to Lydia, Elizabeth informed him that he might be of use at their estate in Oxfordshire.
Wickham was asked to move there with his wife and to learn about estate management from the steward and the solicitor of that property.
Wickham’s presence in Oxfordshire was not truly needed, but Elizabeth showed no tolerance for his old inclinations and intended to allow him no easy living.
He would learn to be humble and to experience the sensation of feeling grateful for the smallest favour that he was offered through hard work.
Far from his old temptations, with no one to practise his charms on except his wife, solicitor, and the steward, Wickham had to accomplish tasks he had ignored his entire life.
He received regular letters from Elizabeth regarding reports from her steward and enquiring about his progress.
Wickham could not recognise the enchanting Miss Elizabeth Bennet behind the severe, scrupulous Lady Alveston, who seemed to have mastered and been leading the family business. And he was at her mercy entirely.