Chapter 3 Lydia Questioned
Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education. –Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Pride and Prejudice
They would reach London within the hour. Thomas roused his daughters.
“Today has been the worst day of my life, and whether you know it yet or not, it is an evil day for both of you as well. Lydia, your conduct has set off a chain of consequences. Because of your recklessness, Jane must marry at once. This disgrace would be easier borne if she were already well settled.”
He frowned. “My heir will, I hope, do for Lizzy. I have prepared her to manage Longbourn. If the match proves suitable, the marriage will be arranged before the month’s end. Mary will no longer be out. I cannot afford new gowns for her, not with the tuition expenses I now face.”
He turned a stern eye on both girls. “You are both going to school, and I expect you to earn the sacrifice your sisters are forced to make. Am I clear?”
The sisters wiped their eyes and nodded.
“Yes, Papa.”
Bennet scowled. “You will write to me once a month. Never mention today’s disgraceful behavior in your correspondence.
If I find your letters acceptable, I will pass them on to your mother and sisters and allow them to write in return.
But every letter will be addressed to me.
I will not allow you to corrupt your sisters with any mention of this shameful conduct. ”
That evening, after dinner, Thomas withdrew to the study with the Gardiners and shared the events of the day.
“If Lydia is with child,” he said, “school is no longer an option. She must marry, and quickly.”
Mrs. Gardiner’s brow furrowed. “Has anyone asked her how far things progressed?”
“I have not,” Thomas replied. “Hill says her courses are expected next week. Madeline, will you speak with her? I have had to keep all this from Frannie.”
His sister-in-law blinked, then gave a quick nod. “Of course. If school remains a possibility, there is an academy in Nottinghamshire with a good reputation. I have family in the area.”
She met his gaze. “Shall I write to the schoolmistress? The students work off part of their tuition, which makes it affordable.”
“I would be deeply in your debt,” he said. “Tomorrow morning, I will review the advertisements and begin visiting schools here in London. I want Kitty placed within two weeks.”
Edward Gardiner, silent until now, spoke. “Thomas, one of my business partners, has three daughters in seminaries. Martin conducted extensive research and compiled a list of respectable, affordable schools. If you meet me at the office, I will gladly introduce you.”
Thomas nodded. “I am truly grateful to you both. This morning, everything seemed ordinary and peaceful. By midmorning, Lydia had disappeared, and the worst had come to pass. And yet, here I am, strangely hopeful. If Lydia is not with child, it will feel like divine mercy has granted all my prayers.”
Madeline reached over and laid a hand on his arm.
“We will face it together, Thomas,” she said gently.
The next morning, Madeline tapped softly on her niece’s door and let herself in.
“Lydia, I need a word. Here, take your wrap. Sit with me by the fire, it is warmer there.”
Lydia stood with her eyes fixed on the floor, slipped on the garment without a word, and crossed the room to sit beside her aunt, head bowed and hands clasped in her lap.
Madeline studied the girl in silence. “You surprise me,” she said quietly. “I expected defiance, not this quiet sorrow. But you must understand, your father, Uncle Edward, and I all want to help. First, though, I need to know what happened between you and Mr. Wickham.”
Lydia’s hands flew to her face as she burst into tears.
“I think Papa killed him,” she choked. “It is all my fault. We were kissing, and then I heard a crack. Mr. Wickham fell, just dropped at my feet, and blood was running down his head, down his neck. Papa hit him with a piece of wood.”
She looked up, her face blotched and wet.
“He did not deserve it, Aunt Maddie. It was not his fault. I asked him to kiss me. This is all my fault. It was in every way horrible.”
Madeline reached out and took her arm. “We do not know if he is dead. He may have only been rendered unconscious. Your father will learn more in time, but for now, we must turn our attention to you.”
She paused, her voice calm but firm. “Tell me everything, Lydia. What exactly did Mr. Wickham do to you yesterday? Your father says the man’s pantaloons were down around his knees when he found you.”
The girl’s face crumpled again, but she gave her account under gentle, pointed questions. The act had not been consummated.
Madeline exhaled and sat back. “When your courses begin, you must tell me immediately. Hill told your father they are due next week. Is that right?”
Lydia gave a slight nod, still staring at the carpet.
Later that day, Madeline joined Edward and Thomas in the study and shared what she had learned.
“Thank you,” Thomas said quietly. “If Lydia is telling the truth, there may be no lasting harm. I will hold onto that hope.”
Thomas threw himself into the search for schools. Kitty was enrolled before the week’s end, and in the afternoons, he met with solicitors, reviewing listings for modest homes in Brighton and Margate. He was considering leasing Longbourn, hoping to save for dowries.
Five days after writing, Madeline received a reply from a respected academy in the north. They were accepting students, and Lydia could begin at her father’s convenience.
A week later, Lydia’s courses began. Upon hearing the welcome report, Thomas raised a glass in Edward’s study, and his brother-in-law joyfully reciprocated.
“Against heavy odds, my daughters’ futures have been secured.”