Page 30 of Resilience

“It cannot be!” Elizabeth cried in horror as she turned around and tore away in the direction of her aunt’s house.

“Perhaps she did not go, Lizzy.” Charlotte attempted to console Elizabeth as they made haste to the home of Mr and Mrs Phillips. “We have the letter. If Lydia is with your aunt, we can burn it. I will insist the horrible thing never existed.” Elizabeth calmed herself and approached her aunt’s door.

“Morning, Miss Lizzy.” The maid bobbed a curtsey and admitted them to the house.

“Aunt, have you seen Lydia this morning?” Elizabeth asked as she entered her aunt’s parlour, attempting to hide her fear. Aunt Phillips was a worse gossip than even Mrs Bennet and would not stay silent, even for the sake of her nieces.

“Hello Lizzy! Miss Lucas, how kind of you to pay a call. Would you like tea?” Mrs Phillips disregarded Elizabeth’s query entirely, which was not unlike her.

The two young ladies declined tea or refreshment. “Aunt I was meant to walk Lydia home, but I fear I was caught up talking with Charlotte. Is she here?”

“She left quite early this morning, Lizzy. You must have missed her entirely while you were out gallivanting on Oakham Mount on your own.” Mrs Phillips gave her niece a knowing grin and tutted. “All this way for nothing, but then you never feared a long walk.”

“Are you certain, Aunt?” Elizabeth pressed.

“I most certainly am, for she left me a note saying that she must return home early to trim her gown for the assembly. The maid, Meg, has already unmade the bed and aired the guest room.” Mrs Phillips shook her head. “I am surprised she left her dress so late, it is so unlike our Lydia, do you not agree, Lizzy?”

“Indeed!” Elizabeth stood, wild to return to Longbourn with all haste and speak to her father. “I should return home and make sure she requires no assistance.”

“And I believe that my gown ought to be checked to ensure it is just right myself, I should return to Lucas Lodge.” Charlotte rose to her feet and curtsied to the older woman. “It was pleasant to call upon you, Mrs Phillips, I will see you at the assembly tonight.”

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!”