“Lydia will not be happy with me; she has written to me to complain already about not being invited to Pemberley this summer. I am afraid she will view my decision to stay at Longbourn as a betrayal. While Jane and Mary will support me in my decision, Lydia will abuse me for it, and I would prefer to have your support, Aunt,” Catherine explained to her aunt during one of her visits to her aunt and uncle’s home. During this last year, Catherine had visited her London family often during holidays and school breaks, growing close to her aunt in particular. Given her father’s indifference, Catherine was oftenuncertain how to be in company with her uncle although she adored spending time with her aunt and cousins.
Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece for several moments. “I will accompany you, but I admit, I find it difficult to be in Mrs. Bennet’s presence after what she has done and said. If you prefer it, you may stay with us in London until we head north to Pemberley. That may only delay the confrontation that will inevitably occur, depending on your plans after our visit. You are sixteen now, Catherine, and may do well to remain at home this coming year instead of returning to school. If you prefer to attend another year, you might.”
Catherine nodded at this. She knew what her options were but had not made any decisions just yet. “I want to spend this next month at Longbourn before I make any decisions. Elizabeth has introduced me to her sister by marriage through letters, and I have been corresponding with Georgiana Darcy. The two of us want to see how we get along, but she has invited me to stay with her at Pemberley. We have not discussed it with Elizabeth or Mr. Darcy, but she thinks we can share her companion and do our lessons together.”
“And Elizabeth and William do not know about this plan?” Mrs. Gardiner repeated.
Catherine flushed slightly. “No, we wanted to wait to see how well we got along before we mentioned the idea to them.”
Mrs. Gardiner smiled at her niece. “That seems wise. Well, when we are at Pemberley, I will see what I can do to forward the idea if I think it is sound after seeing the two of you together.”
“Thank you, Aunt,” she gushed. It was still such a novel notion to have someone want the best for her, something she now realisedher parents had never done. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet had been far more concerned about themselves than ensuring their children had the support and education they needed.
When Catherine arrived at Longbourn, she was met by her two elder sisters. “I am sorry, Catherine, but Lydia sneaked into the main house yesterday and overheard us speaking of your intention to remain here with us. She was annoyed, certain we were lying, and I am afraid she will not receive your news well. We did not truly expect her to—she appears to have become more selfish at school rather than less—but I am afraid overhearing us has made her even less accepting of your decision.”
Catherine and Mrs. Gardiner both frowned at this news. After a moment Mrs. Gardiner looked at her nieces and shrugged. “I suppose it is for the best. They likely have gotten over the worst of their reaction by now, surely.”
Jane cleared her throat. “I do not think they have. They are rather upset that no one is willing to give into their demands. Lydia arrived home a few days ago and truly believed she would be able to move her and Mama back into Longbourn. She also expected me to hand the reins back over to Mama, allowing her control of the home and the funds. Since arriving, she has visited multiple times each day, attempting all manner of stunts to get what she wanted. She sneaked into mine and Mary’s rooms and went through our clothes, hoping to abscond with some dresses and other items. Each time, she was encountered by a servant, and now all the servants are aware of her intent. She surprised us yesterday when she arrived in the parlour, just as we were all sitting down to tea, which is how she learned of your plans.” She looked at Catherine as she said this, who appeared surprised at her youngest sister’s audacity.
“Lydia’s letters were full of plans. She was certain she would be able to work on you and Mr. Collins to obtain the dresses and other items she wanted. Several letters complained that she had not received an allowance since she had been at school, and I know she expected to be given those funds upon her arrival so she could purchase whatever she wanted,” Catherine answered.
“Well, she cannot make any purchases in town without ready cash—neither can you nor Mary. I apologise for what may seem an inconvenience, but it was easier to make it a requirement for all my sisters and mother rather than to make it seem as though I were singling out those at the dower cottage,” Jane told her.
“Are there funds in the study that Lydia can get to? I would not put it past her to take what she wants,” Mrs. Gardiner suggested.
Jane shook her head. “The study is kept locked, and Mr. Collins keeps the key on his person. Additionally, the household funds are kept in a safe which is always locked. Mrs. Hill has a small purse that she keeps in her pocket for the post and other small expenses.”
“I think that someone should keep an eye on Lydia and the dower cottage,” Mrs. Gardiner said, her brow creased with concern. “We cannot be certain what she might attempt, especially if she has already attempted to steal into the house and take things that are not hers. What has Mrs. Bennet said about any of this?”
“My husband escorted Lydia home after she was caught with the dresses and other items from our rooms. Mama excused her behaviour, claiming that Lydia was taking what she was owed since she had not been given her allowance in the last year. She also said that Longbourn was Lydia’s home, and that we could not prevent her from entering the house if she wished.”
Mrs. Gardiner shook her head sadly. “I am unsure what it will take for those two to see reason, or if they can even be persuaded to understand the truth of the situation. Jane, would you please send a note to the Phillipses asking them to visit? Mr. Phillips is Lydia’s guardian, along with Mr. Gardiner, and perhaps together they can address Lydia’s behaviour. She will only get worse the longer she remains with her mother. Surely there is a school where she can attend year-round until she learns to behave properly. If not, we may need to hire a companion whose sole responsibility will be to prevent Lydia from committing a crime or running away.”
Before Jane could do as asked, Lydia appeared in their midst. “I will not go back to school. You cannot make me,” she yelled.
Chapter Forty-One
For a moment, silence fell over the room as everyone listened to Lydia rant. Suddenly, Jane reached over and slapped her youngest sister, silencing her hysterical demands. “You are a fool, Lydia. Despite everything you have been given, you still do not understand how easy your life has been so far. It could be far worse, especially if others had not taken pity on you, your mother, and your sisters. People have paid for your schooling, your clothing, and everything you need, and yet you continue to demand more. You seem to believe you have a say over what happens to you, forgetting that you are penniless and have yet to reach your majority. Our uncles are your guardians, and they can send you wherever they choose. You have complained about not receiving your allowance, but you were informed before you left for school that you would not be receiving one, nor did you need one.”
“In fact, you were informed you would only receive an allowance if your behaviour at school was acceptable,” Mrs. Gardiner inserted. “Your uncle has been in regular contact with the headmistress; even if you had received an allowance, you were not permitted to venture from the school to spend it anywhere. According to reports we received, you were on restrictions more often than not for your refusal to comply with the most basic of instructions or to complete assignments. Even had you wanted to, you could not go back to the school where you were.”
“What do you mean by that?” Lydia bit out.
“The last letter your uncle received from the headmistress just before your departure informed him that you were not welcome back. Neither the instructors nor your classmates wish for your company.”
Lydia scowled at that. “Why would I care about them? Lizzy will take me to London and help me find a spectacular match. If she will not, surely Jane and Collins can do so.”
Mrs. Gardiner laughed at that. “No one will take you anywhere, child, nor are you ready to participate in London society. You would be laughed at if you behave there the way you do everywhere else. You are far too young to even contemplate marriage.”
“I will be the youngest of my sisters married. Maria Lucas wrote to me that a company of militia soldiers will spend the autumn in Meryton; one of them will wish to marry me and take me far away from all of you. We will be happier and livelier, and I will have the best of everything.”
Such a foolish statement earned laughter from all gathered in the room. Mrs. Gardiner was the one who chose to address it, being the only one to whom Lydia might listen. “There are several things wrong with that statement, Lydia, though I wonder if anyone is able to help you see the error of your ways. When those militia officers come, know that none of them are acceptable suitors for you; none of them can give you the life you think you deserve. Those men typically have barely enough to live on themselves and will not be able to keep you in pretty dresses. Nor will you attend parties nearly as often as you think, for you will be too busy with the cleaning and the cooking to attend. Once children come, you will be kept even busier.”
Lydia shrugged off such concerns. “La, you cannot stop me from doing as I wish. I will marry an officer who will adore me and give me everything I want.”
The housekeeper came into the room then, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Phillips. Though the letter had not been dispatched, Mrs. Gardiner had been expected, and the two hoped to speak to her about the exact issue that was presently being addressed.
“Ah, Sister, you are already here, and since Lydia is in the room, I must assume you already know what we wish to address with you. Something must be done about the girl before she completely ruins herself,” Mrs. Phillips said as she entered.
