Page 68 of Master of Himself

Richard,

Please come to 314 Gracechurch Street as quickly as possible.

I need to quickly arrange a commission for our erstwhile friend, GW.

FD

After Darcy had written his note and sent it off with Mr Gardiner’s servant, Lydia’s voice rang out from another part of the house.

“No, Papa. I shan’t go without seeing Wickham.”

“You will do as I say.”

“What’s going on, Madeline?” Gardiner asked his wife.

“Oh, Edward, I’m at my wits’ end, and the children are frightened,” Mrs Gardiner said with a harried frown. “Thomas insists on going home, and Lydia refuses to leave town. She’s locked herself in the study.”

“Have no fear, my dear. Mr Darcy has suggested a perfect solution,” Mr Gardiner said, then gestured for everyone to follow him to the study. “Lydia, dear, please come out and speak with us. We have an excellent proposal for you, and I promise you will approve of the idea.”

The key turned in the lock and the door swung open. Lydia emerged, her eyes suspicious and her lips pressed into a thin line. “Will you allow me to marry Wickham, after all?”

“No, my dear girl, but Mr Bingley has offered to recommend you to Miss Huntington’s Seminary for Young Ladies,” Mr Gardiner said, beaming broadly.

Lydia’s eyes grew wide in revulsion. “School!” she said with an irreverent sneer. “How can you even suggest it?”

Despite his niece’s brazen tone, Mr Gardiner maintained his composure. “Well, my dear, Miss Huntington has the best reputation in town for educating the most sought-after young ladies.”

“I think it’s an excellent notion,” Mrs Gardiner said with a hopeful glint. “You’re bound to find an advantageous match under her tutelage.”

Lydia scoffed and stomped her foot. “I’m already out of the schoolroom. All I need is a husband.”

Mrs Gardiner wrapped a firm arm around Lydia and led her to the drawing room sofa. “Yes, my love, but you can’t run off with a man of no fortune and expect him to keep you in the life to which you are accustomed, no matter how handsome he might be.”

“I assume you wish to be mistress of your own home, and not a governess or a shop girl,” Darcy said, finally catching Lydia’s attention. “Because if you marry a man with no fortune, you shall certainly have to work for a living.”

“You’re handy with a needle. Perhaps you could take in mending or laundry,” Mr Bennet said in a jovial tone, to which his daughter shrieked in horror.

“Men like Wickham tend to spend money they don’t have,” Darcy said. “Men of fortune prefer accomplished, educated wives, who can efficiently manage the household and entertain their guests with intelligent conversation.”

From Lydia’s blank stare, Darcy surmised that he had yet to convince her.

“None of your friends or sisters have had a similar opportunity to study under Miss Huntington’s excellent tutelage,” he said, repeating her earlier zeal to best her sisters.

Her focus drifted off as she considered this. “They would be so jealous.”

“Naturally,” Charles said. “It’s one of the most prestigious schools in the kingdom.”

Darcy doubted the truth of this claim, since there were several other well-known seminaries with outstanding reputations, but he nodded his agreement.

“I would need more gowns,” Lydia said with a determined air.

“I think we can arrange that,” Mr Gardiner said, then addressed his brother-in-law. “Can we not, Thomas?”

Mr Bennet glanced between Mr Gardiner and his daughter without a trace of his usual amusement. “You are a wretched, thoughtless girl, Lydia, acting as though you haven’t just disgraced yourself and your sisters by running off without a chaperone, in the company of a man of dubious character. In the eyes of the world, you are ruined.”

“No, Papa, I’m still a maid.”

Mr Bennet threw his hands in the air. “That’s beside the point, you feather-headed child,” he bellowed, hovering over his daughter. “You spent the night in the company of a man who is not your husband. Everyone will assume the worst of you, and no reputable man would consider marrying a fallen woman. You are in no position to negotiate and should be on your knees, begging me not to cast you out and promising to make amends for the shame you have caused your family.” He pointed out to the street. “You will go to Miss Huntington’s school and use this opportunity to salvage what’s left of your reputation.”