Page 99 of Near Pemberley

Mr. Bennet said nothing.

“She could remain with us,” said Gardiner.

“Or,” Darcy added carefully, “she would be welcome to remain where she is for as long as necessary.”

Elizabeth looked up.

Darcy’s expression remained composed.

“For a few weeks at least, London offers her something Hertfordshire cannot.”

“And what is that?” asked Mr. Bennet.

“Oblivion.”

The word hung in the room.

“In London,” Darcy continued quietly, “she is merely one young lady among thousands. In Meryton, she is the subject of every conversation.”

Mr. Bennet frowned. “That may serve for the present. It does not solve the difficulty.”

“No,” Darcy agreed. “It does not.”

The admission surprised them.

For a moment, he was silent.

“Miss Lydia cannot return home immediately. Not while she remains unmarried and the circumstances are still fresh in everyone’s memory. Nor can she remain hidden indefinitely.”

Elizabeth felt a chill pass through her.

“What, then, is to become of her?” asked Mrs. Gardiner.

“That,” said Darcy, “is the question we must answer.”

His gaze moved briefly from one face to another.

“At present, I am concerned only with giving her time. Time to recover. Time for the excitement to lessen. Time for us to consider what may yet be done.”

“And if nothing can be done?” asked Mr. Bennet.

Darcy did not answer immediately. The silence itself was answer enough. At length, he said, “Then difficult decisions will have to be made.”

No one appeared eager to ask what those decisions might be.

The discussion continued for some time afterwards, though with less disagreement than before. Plenty of refreshments were brought in, and a little port was served to steady nerves still unsettled by the discussion.

Darcy explained as much of the situation as prudence permitted. He informed them that the search for Mr. Wickham was continuing, though not for the reasons they might once have expected. The possibility of a marriage was no longer under consideration. Having learnt the full extent of Wickham’s conduct towards Lydia, he was persuaded that such a union would condemn her to a life of unhappiness.

His purpose now was altogether different. Mr. Wickham had already ruined enough lives. Darcy intended, so far as he was able, to ensure that he could not so readily ruin another.

No one present offered any objection. Even Mr. Bennet, who had questioned much else that afternoon, appeared to find little fault in that determination.

More practical matters followed.

After some discussion, it was agreed that Elizabeth should visit Lydia the following day. Mrs. Gardiner wisely observed that Lydia would take comfort in seeing one of her sisters yet might be overwhelmed by receiving too many visitors at once. Mr. Bennet, therefore, consented to postpone his own visit until the day after.

The arrangement appeared sensible to everyone.