12

LIFE IS STILL WORTHWHILE—IF YOU JUST SMILE

Elizabeth Bennet had settled into a spiritual ritual and Lady Anne’s painting was her icon. Her twice-daily repetitive actions helped to cope with the ever-increasing feelings of uncertainty, as well as the desperation she was trying to keep at bay. Every morning upon waking she would sit on the side of her bed, wrapped in his mother’s shawl, and stare at the painting on the opposite wall—where Mr Hill had hung it per her instructions. As she stared at the last place she remembered feeling content… no, it was more than contentment… it had been sublime delight. For one brief shining afternoon she had felt complete. Her ritual had her taking deep calming breaths and praying. Prayer kept her from condemning her silly sister for ruining the family and her chance for happiness. She believed in Christian charity and her reading of the bible had taught her of the righteousness of forgiveness, but Lydia’s sin was too immediate to her circumstances, and most importantly it reinforced her inability to acquit herself. The same ritual was repeated before she blew out the candle and retreated beneath the covers for yet another attempt at her guilt-ridden version of Macbeth’s fitful slumber.

Today her deep breaths were greater in number and her prayer was longer; for the rumour of Lydia’s action had surfaced among their friends and relatives in Meryton and its environs. Until this development, there was always the possibility of her being found in time; and she could come home, and no one in Hertfordshire would know of the Bennet family’s disgrace. Now it seemed, someone from the militia camp in Brighton had spoken of her elopement to a local, and had even speculated that the couple had not gone to Gretna Green. Mrs Phillips related hearing, what only she knew of her niece, being discussed by Mrs Goulding and Mrs Long. As best as she was able to determine, the information had first been talked of at the shop of Mrs Massey, the dressmaker.

She had hurried to alert her sister of the impending disaster to her nieces’ reputations. Mrs Bennet, who had only the day before ventured out of her bed since word of her youngest daughter’s disgrace had first come from Colonel Forster, immediately retreated back upstairs upon hearing her sister’s news. Her shrieks and laments could be heard throughout the house. Jane had been given the job of trying to calm their mother, and Elizabeth was assigned the task of writing to their father.

Dear Papa,

I write with heavy heart to inform you that word of Lydia’s elopement has reached Meryton. Aunt Phillips came today to inform us that Mrs Goulding and Mrs Long heard the news being discussed in Mrs Massey’s shop. The details of Colonel Forster’s pursuit, and the speculation that Lydia and Wickham did not go beyond London, have also become part of the gossip.

Please let us know as soon as there is some development in the quest for Lydia. Mama had calmed a bit, but now with this news, she has once again fallen into a state of extreme agitation. Her original fears centred on you fighting a duel with Mr Wickham, but when Uncle Gardiner joined in the search, we were able to assure her that was not likely. Now her apprehension has to do with being convinced all of her other daughters’ chances for marriage are non-existent with the ruin of our family. Jane is doing her best to calm her nerves.

Due to the importance of this development, I am sending this note by express. There should be no delay in informing you and my uncle of the escalation in the gravity of the situation.

Your loving daughter,

Elizabeth

Lizzy wished she could ask her father if Mr Darcy had joined the search, but she was afraid it would not be accepted as a proper question. Mr Hill had sent one of the young men from the stables to London with the dispatch. She had requested the lad, Samuel, ask Mr Bennet if there was a reply he wished sent back to Longbourn. While waiting for Samuel’s return and news from London, she and Jane adopted the philosophy to smile through their fear and sorrow. Jointly, they had resolved that to be the best course to calm Kitty, Mary and Mrs Bennet.

Georgiana and Richard joined Darcy for breakfast. His sister and Mrs Annesley had followed Bingley and him to London within a day’s time. Only when she arrived in town, was she informed of the reason for the sudden need for their journey. He had deemed this the prudent course. He did not want Miss Bingley or the Hursts to learn of the Bennet family’s troubles. The news of Lydia’s elopement had caused Georgiana to withdraw into a melancholy of sorts. Fitzwilliam felt he must address his sister’s anxiety immediately. She had made too much progress during her time with Elizabeth, and he did not want to see her slide back into despair.

Darcy and his cousin had met the night before after he returned from Cheapside. Colonel Fitzwilliam had used his influence to have Wickham locked up in a military stockade, one specifically designated for deserters from the regulars. He would not be able to keep Wickham confined there for more than a fortnight, but hopefully they could convince him, while incarcerated, to do the honourable thing.

In an initial discussion, he had demanded of Richard that all of his debts of honour be covered. Another point of insistence was the payment of what he owed to merchants in Meryton, Brighton, Lambton and London. The estimate for the total of these obligations was around three thousand pounds. In addition, he was demanding ten thousand pounds to finance the setting up of a residence, and to invest as a source of annual income. Darcy had scoffed when he had heard those terms. He knew Wickham would not invest the funds, and his gambling habit would deplete the amount quickly. Lydia would be left destitute.

Richard had offered to explore buying a commission in the regulars for him, but Wickham had refused to even consider continuing a career in the military. Tonight, Darcy would impart the information Colonel Fitzwilliam had gathered to Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner.

After breakfast, he and Georgiana spent time alone in his study. He told her he wanted to keep her abreast of what was happening with Lydia Bennet. That approach, he hoped, would lessen her thoughts of Wickham and shift her concern to the woman she had already begun to think of as her sister.

Instead of sitting at his desk, they sat on the settee together. Before he told her of the plan he had been formulating, he took her hands and looked directly into her eyes. “Georgiana, I would like for you to meet Miss Lydia Bennet. Currently, she is very distraught. She believed Wickham loved her and was sincere is his desire to marry her, when he proposed they elope. Now that she knows he was using her to hurt Elizabeth and me, she is feeling very remorseful for her behaviour and much like you, her confidence is shaken.”

Georgiana lowered her gaze from his and said in a barely audible voice. “I would like to meet Elizabeth’s sister. Does she know about my ordeal?”

“She does not, but I would like your permission to tell her.”

Georgiana hesitated and brought her eyes back to her brother’s. “Do you think she will resent me?”

“No, I believe the two of you will be able to commiserate and hopefully help each other in the restoration of your good humour. Miss Lydia was not shy and demure like you when Wickham convinced her to run away. She was much too forward; and her demeanour was bold and exuberant.” Darcy took his sister’s hands and gave her an encouraging smile. “As much as I disapproved of her audacious manners, I mourn that he has caused her to lose some of her high spirits. I believe you and Elizabeth spoke of how adept he is at tailoring his charm to his audience. Miss Lydia’s eyes were opened during her ordeal, and she is thoroughly convinced he loves no one but himself.”

“Of course you may tell her. We are to be family soon and there should be no secrets or concealment of shame among us. Brother, I thought I overheard you and Cousin Richard speaking of forcing Wickham to marry her?”

“Yes, unfortunately she was alone with him for several days; so unlike you, she is compromised, and society dictates they must marry.”

“Oh, Will please, is there not another solution? After speaking to Elizabeth, I believe he is a thoroughly worthless man. He does not deserve this bold and exuberant sister of our Lizzy. Besides, you said her eyes have been opened to his trickery and his lack of affection for her. What kind of a life is that?” Darcy heard his sister’s pain when next she whispered, “There but for the grace of God, go I.”

Darcy’s eyes, once again, became moist. He pulled his sister into an embrace to hide his emotion. He worried she heard the catch of grief in his voice when next he spoke. “You are correct. It is an unfair fate for her… she is but fifteen… but I know not what else to do.”

Georgiana pulled herself out of his arms and smiled. “Could I invite her and her aunt for tea tomorrow? I like Mrs Gardiner. She is easy to talk with.”

“Certainly, you may.”

“I look forward to their visit. I must go to the booksellers in the next street and get a copy of the book Elizabeth gave to me. The novel is called Sense and Sensibility by a lady. It tells of a young woman who is enamoured of a cad. Elizabeth thought it would help me to know that I was not alone, and that there were even novels that dealt with young ladies being tricked by handsome and charming rakes. I believe if she were here, she would want me to share the novel with her sister.”

“You and Elizabeth are very wise. I am certain Miss Lydia will appreciate your gift. I believe she is a great admirer of Mrs Radcliffe’s novels.”

Georgiana giggled at his disclosure. “I think all women are secretly, we just prefer not to let others know of our dubious addiction. Through her stories, we are allowed to have adventures vicariously that the strict rules of society forbid us in reality. Brother, could we invite Mr and Mrs Gardiner and Miss Lydia to the theatre with us next Thursday?”

The tip of Darcy’s tongue, in the habit he had borrowed from Lizzy and Bice, appeared between his lips as he contemplated the ramifications of her request. “I am not sure. Umm… we could ask. Georgiana, you do remember that it is Sheridan’s The Rivals that is being performed. We discussed its content when first you expressed a desire to attend. You assured me that it would not trouble you, and hoped the comic dialogue would perhaps help you to laugh at your folly. This unexpected journey has made it possible for you to see a performance sooner than expected, since the play is just starting a run. But, I should inform you that the character I told you about… the young woman who proclaims her goal is to marry purely for love… is named Lydia Languish. The object of her affection is, she believes, a poor and lowly ensign. I will tell Miss Lydia of the story and see if she is up to watching a comedy that mirrors her unfortunate circumstances so closely.”

Darcy paused a minute, as a significant flaw in his plan to introduce Elizabeth’s sister to his became obvious. How could he protect Georgiana from the complete reality of Lydia’s situation? His sister was still a maiden. He did not want her to learn of the seamier side of Miss Lydia’s ordeal. Remembering what she wore when she was rescued, he fumbled with his sister’s wish. “I am also unsure if she has appropriate clothes. Many of her gowns were… umm, lost during the journey from Brighton to London… when her trunk fell off the carriage.”

Georgiana looked confused as though she could not imagine how that would happen. She did not dwell on her brother’s odd remark, but instead smiled with glee as she thought how to remedy the unfortunate woman’s problem. “Perhaps we could go shopping together. I would love to accompany her to Mrs Rigby’s. She will need clothes if she is to wed.”

Darcy watched as her smile was replaced with a slight frown and assumed the reality of Miss Lydia’s future life was the cause. He knew that he would have to discuss his sister with Miss Lydia if he was to set his miscalculated plan to rights and ensure his sister learned nothing untoward. Once again, he was conscious of this tangled web in which he was caught. However, his object at this moment was to hide every trace of his sadness from his sister… so he just smiled as broadly as he could.

Just before noon, Samuel returned from London. He had two letters for the residents of Longbourn. One was addressed to Elizabeth and the other to Mrs Bennet. Elizabeth allowed Mrs Hill to take the letter for her mother upstairs. In order not to be disturbed with hers, she entered her father’s study and locked the door. She sat at Mr Bennet’s desk and ripped open the letter.

Dear Lizzy,

I am sending similar information to your mother, but this missive contains additional news that I do not believe prudent to share with her or your sisters at this time.

Lydia has been recovered and is here with me at your uncle’s. I am not disclosing to anyone, but you, the circumstances of her rescue. Mr Darcy, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy’s cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, found her. Mr Darcy knew to inquire about the whereabouts of a Mrs Younge. It was at her boarding house that Mr Wickham was keeping your sister a veritable prisoner. It appears his plan was to wound Mr Darcy by ruining Lydia.

Mr Darcy confessed all the history between the two of you. He believes his childhood companion, and current nemesis, was hoping to destroy his ability to wed you. I must admit I was hostile when he first arrived with Lydia. My anger was directed toward someone I thought so completely unconnected to my family interfering when he had no cause. He has won me with his heartfelt words of both his love for you, and his prideful guilt at not disclosing Wickham’s treachery when he was in Hertfordshire. If our family’s situation were not so dire, I would have enjoyed prosecuting your young man and watching him squirm.

Lydia has grown to admire Mr Darcy; and he seems to have developed sympathy for her plight. His sister’s near elopement weighs heavily on his mind when he contemplates your sister’s circumstances. Shortly after she and Wickham arrived in London, Lydia realized he had no intentions of marrying her. As I said before, he imprisoned her and his treatment was cruel. Sadly, your sister has been forced to mature considerably as a result of her ordeal. She had already disabled Wickham and was almost out the door of Mrs Younge’s boarding house when Mr Darcy arrived.

Mr Darcy and his cousin have taken on the task of convincing Wickham to marry Lydia. Your news of the gossip in Meryton makes their effort an urgent necessity to accommodate the rehabilitation of our family’s reputation. They are coming for dinner tonight with Mr Bingley, and I will share your letter with your young man.

My admiration for the maturity Lydia is displaying is gratifying, but it also causes my heart to break as it is most reflected in her acceptance of a cruel fate. She is very determined to ensure the happiness of Mr Darcy and you. It seems unfair that we pay this despicable man to marry a young woman whose life will most probably become almost unbearable the minute they are wed. She will pay the price for what is much more my negligence than her folly. Mr Darcy continues to hope for the miracle of an alternate solution to save her from what we all know she dreads. If the gossip had not started, we would have had more possibilities to protect our family’s reputation.

Your uncle is not so pleased with Mr Bingley. Your sister’s pain when she stayed with him last winter is fresh in his mind. He had a talk with him about his abandonment of Jane. We will see tonight whether any of the points my brother made have caused the young man to begin to re-evaluate his directionless life.

Lizzy, I admire your Mr Darcy. All my thoughts of his pride and arrogance have been dispelled. He is a serious, well-read young man, who is conscientious about honouring his obligations. A bit of liveliness in his life is something he desires, and he is certain you will provide just that. Once this business is concluded, he and his sister will return to Hertfordshire with me.

With love,
Your Father

When first she read of Will’s confession, Elizabeth feared he had told of compromising her. The more she read it became obvious he had concealed that information to protect her father’s confidence in her. This awareness caused her to sigh with relief, and a smile lit up her face with gladness as she envisioned her father and Will working together to find a solution to their dilemma.

Elizabeth had not expected Will to be able to rescue Lydia so quickly, but it bode well for a quick resolution. The sooner her sister and Wickham married, the sooner the rumours would be dispelled. Instead of ruining her, it would be the more minor misconduct of an elopement and hastily arranged wedding that was talked about. As she reread the letter, her mind began to contemplate the intelligence that Lydia did not want to wed Wickham, but was willing to pay the price to save her family. At the top of the list of those she hoped to save was Elizabeth. The gravity of that information threatened to overwhelm her, and the smile from before was wiped away. She wished Will was here so they could talk about alternatives. How would it be possible to be happy, knowing that her youngest sister was tied to a disreputable man that had been paid to marry her? Lydia was a beautiful and vivacious young woman. If she had not acted precipitously at such a young age, she was certain Lydia would have been successful making some man fall desperately in love with her.

The dinner at the Gardiners was pleasant. Darcy had sent a note earlier in the day asking for permission to bring Georgiana. Darcy also requested an audience with Miss Lydia and Mrs Gardiner before Georgiana was introduced to Elizabeth’s sister. They sat together in Mr Gardiner’s office while he asked his delicate question.

Once the door was closed and they were seated, he made his request. “Miss Lydia, I would like you to become acquainted with my sister. You have much in common. You are close in age, and she has given me permission to tell you of one other thing you both have experienced. Wickham persuaded her to elope with him last summer. She agreed, and it was only by accident that I visited her in Ramsgate before they left. Their plans were confessed to me, and I was able to keep her from accompanying him. He did not love her any more than he loved you. Instead, he wanted her thirty thousand pound dowry. My belief is that the two of your could become friends.”

Darcy looked at Mrs Gardiner to garner support for his next words. “One big difference though is that she is still a maiden, and knows nothing of the humiliation you experienced during your captivity. My request is that though I encourage you to exchange confidences regarding your shared tribulations, that she not be burdened with that particularly sordid knowledge. Would you be able to keep that information from her?”

Lydia blushed at his request and became engrossed in her hands, “Yes, Mr Darcy that will not be a problem. I am trying to forget those details, and have not even been able to tell my aunt what happened in any meaningful way.” After a few seconds of silence, she looked up and met his gaze. “Your idea for us to become friends is very pleasing, and I am flattered you think me worthy.”

“She will invite you and Mrs Gardiner to tea tomorrow. Further, she discussed taking you shopping for clothes. I am afraid I told an untruth to explain why you had so few clothes. I said that you had lost them when your box fell off the carriage while you were travelling from Brighton.” Darcy smiled sheepishly, “I am not an experienced prevaricator.”

Lydia giggled and said, “I have been known to tell fibs with abandon to accomplish my own selfish agenda, but I would not have been able to explain such an odd occurrence as losing one’s clothes. Your explanation is better than anything I would have said.”

“The reason the situation of your wardrobe was introduced is that she wants you and your father, and your aunt and uncle to attend the theatre with us next Thursday. I told her I was afraid you might not have anything to wear, as a way of putting off her request.”

“You did not want us to attend?”

Darcy’s face got red with embarrassment. “I would very much like you to attend, but I was afraid you might wonder at the motive for taking you to this particular play. The play is Sheridan’s The Rivals, and it is very humorous. There are two main sources of comedy. One is a woman—Mrs Malaprop—who throughout the play uses a word that is not precisely the one she means. For example she might say she ‘reprehends’ something when she really means she ‘comprehends.’ It is humorous because the meaning of her sentence is now different than she intended.”

Lydia looked a bit dubious that what he had described would be comic. “And what is the other source of comedy?”

Mr Darcy drew a deep breath before he spoke. “One of the main characters is a silly young woman named Lydia Languish. She is determined to elope with a poor, young ensign. Her goal is to marry only for love, regardless of the consequences.”

“Ah, and you believe I will become convinced this Mr Sheridan is making fun of me. Never fear, if he had written about me, I would feel deeply flattered that he thought my story worthy to entertain. I would be delighted to see this ‘Lydia Languish’ appear foolish on stage.”

Darcy saw the old exuberant Lydia, and said with matching glee, “You shall have your wish, if your family agrees.”

Georgiana and Lydia took to each other immediately, despite the difference in their manners. Before the evening was over they had plans to spend time in each other’s company every day. The expectation that they would soon become related—once the one’s brother married the other’s sister—caused them to act like giggling conspirators in a game of matchmaking. They pledged to remain friends for life and refused to allow the reality of Wickham to dampen the friendly confines of the world they were imagining for themselves.

Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam conferred with Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner about the status of the negotiations with Wickham. It was agreed that some provision must be put in place to ensure the security of Lydia and any children in the future. An outright grant of ten thousand pounds to Wickham would leave her vulnerable if he squandered the funds, as Darcy was certain he would. The colonel was given the mission of trying to convince him to take a commission as a source of income.

After Mr Gardiner and Richard had left to join the others in the drawing room, Mr Bennet gave Elizabeth’s note to Mr Darcy. He remembered her hand from the letter she had given him the day she left Derbyshire. This letter did not anger as that one had, but it did increase the pain he felt from being removed from her. He smiled at Mr Bennet after he had read her words. He knew he must hide his sadness. It would not do to let this man, who would become his father, know how emotional he had become.

Mr Bingley spent his time speaking with Mrs Gardiner while the conference about Wickham was happening. Her words to him were a kinder version of Mr Gardiner’s the day before. She seemed genuinely interested in his parents, Yorkshire, Scarborough, where he was educated but most of all his sisters. After she had gathered much information, her thoughts turned to encouraging him to meet with her husband, and discuss appropriate endeavours for a young man in want of a direction. He perked up when she hinted if he allowed Mr Gardiner to mentor him, perhaps Jane would be interested in coming to London to help with the Gardiner’s children. Bingley was unsure how those two scenarios fit together, or exactly how the additional knowledge that Mrs Gardiner was expecting another child was relevant, but he was definitely intrigued by the picture she was painting. He felt himself inspired to prove himself worthy to win both this couple’s approval and their niece’s.

Four days after the dinner at the Gardiner’s, Lydia Bennet was sitting in the Darcy box at the theatre. Her father had decided not to attend, but her aunt and uncle were present. She was wearing a newly fashioned gown in the latest style. The bodice displayed her ample bosom to its best advantage. The dress made of shimmering emerald green silk, encouraged all who beheld her this night, to remark how perfectly it enhanced her striking looks of alabaster skin, thick dark glossy hair, and ever-changing eyes. Tonight her eyes matched the colour of her dress, but when she was close to candlelight they shifted closer to hazel with flecks of gold.

She was seated to the left of Mr Darcy and Georgiana was on his right. He had promised to explain some of the dialogue to enhance both young women’s enjoyment. As she looked out at the assembled audience, she was awestruck by the fashionable men and women in attendance. Mrs Gardiner was on her left, and Lydia kept her quite busy as she whispered her admiration for this or that lady she spied. Her aunt was gratified by Lydia’s recently moderated behaviour, for she only whispered and did not point. However, Mrs Gardiner did notice that the gowns and jewels worn by the women caused her to experience symptoms much like intoxication.

Before the performance began, Lydia noticed an older woman with her hair coiffed like the painting of her grandmother Bennet hanging in the parlour at Longbourn. She was with a man who appeared to be around Mr Darcy’s age. He was a very large man… as tall as Darcy, but much bigger. His chest and shoulders were massive, but he in no way appeared fat to Lydia. His brown hair was a stylish mop of unruly curls. The most notable thing about his appearance was his smile. His face appeared to be permanently in a state of mirth; and this happiness was evidenced by the crinkles at the corners of his eyes, and the upward curl of his lips. His mouth opened often to expose beautiful white teeth. Somehow his smile caused her to forget tomorrow, and for some odd reason his optimistic countenance caused her to believe, for the first time in a fortnight, that her life could still be worthwhile.

The woman and the large man noticed them. They looked often in their direction and seemed to be discussing the inhabitants of Mr Darcy’s box. As she watched, the woman did something very odd thing. Once she had captured Mr Darcy’s attention, she seemed to scrutinize Lydia; next she covered the lower half of her face with her fan, and the final event in the sequence was that as she looked directly at Mr Darcy and winked. The gesture caused Lydia to look to her right and she observed him give the slightest shake of his head ‘no.’ The woman proceeded to perform the same ritual with Georgiana in her sights, and Mr Darcy, once again, indicated ‘no’… this time with just the slightest grin on his face. She donned a quizzical look, and said something to the man. He then proceeded to stare intently at Lydia. When he noticed she was observing him, the most magnificent smile lit up his face. A shiver of pleasure ran through her, and for a moment her heart raced and she had trouble breathing. She smiled back at the man, and with his smile that reminded her of sunshine and pleasant tomorrows still firmly in place—he nodded to her.