Page 31 of Resilience

“You ruined yourselves.” Mr Bennet waved a hand at her from his chair. “You and Mary should have been watching Lydia. I specifically ordered you to do so, and I am sure that Kitty has not helped matters. She never does. I have all that I need, and I dislike society. What do I care if you women never receive another invitation? I am sick to death of the fact that the moment I obtained a farthing, I was expected to give it away to you females who have never done anything to deserve it. If I must, I will abandon you all and go back to Oxford if I must. Then you may fend for yourselves alone here until Mr Collins takes possession.”

“Well, if Miss Lydia is ruined, then so will my sister be. While she does not reside with me any longer, I still have hope that she might one day be wed,” Mr Bingley interrupted. “I will do what I can, for I would hate for any of this to taint my wife. Bennet, I do hope that when I find them, that you will find it acceptable to contribute something.”

“I doubt it.” Mr Bennet reached for his paper and waved them away. “If you were worried about your wife and your sister, perhaps you should not have been quiet when he entered the neighbourhood nearly a month ago and eventually ran away with one of my daughters. You may manage the whole affair, Bingley. Now, if you two would not mind, I would like to finish this paper.”

Hunsford Parsonage

Kent

Cousin,

I am grieved by word from Bingley about the disappearance of your youngest daughter. I am to London first thing in the morning to assist Bingley in finding Wickham. I have assisted Mr Darcy in flushing the rogue out on more than one occasion, but none so bad as this. I wish I had known the man arrived after my departure, I would certainly have written to you with a warning. Bingley, unfortunately does not know all, nor did he comprehend the very real danger, I think. Wickham never remains long in any vicinity where the Darcys or Matlocks are present, and Bingley had also never seen the man properly employed. I fear the commitments of my office prevent me from being more explicit, but in the name of family, I will do what I can.

I have sent an express to Mr Darcy. He has intervened in Wickham’s business before, and knows best how to find the miscreant.

Your Servant,

Collins

Tuesday 4 February 1812

Pemberley

Derbyshire

Dearest Lizzy,

I am grieved to hear of what has befallen poor Lydia. Oh, how I wish that Fitz and I were there when that rogue entered the neighbourhood! George Wickham was my father’s godson, and he grew up here at Pemberley, and was Fitz’s closest companion besides our Cousin Richard. I fear that he grew up quite wild, the stories of his deeds in the village are not very nice. After all of the times that my brother has been called upon to answer for him, Fitz feels badly used indeed, and he has not been welcome at Pemberley in years, though I do not know every particular.

Fitz tore off in a great rush when the news arrived from Mr Bingley. He is on his way to London with all speed, he will find them and make them marry, I am certain of it. Is it very terrible in Meryton now? Oh, I am certain it must be, how I grieve for the unkindness you and your sisters must be receiving from your neighbours. But surely once George and Lydia reappear, married, all will be forgiven.

I hope you will forgive us for the appearance of that rascal in your neighbourhood. We are all ashamed here in Derbyshire whenever his name is mentioned, he has shown himself to such ill advantage. Poor Lydia…but perhaps becoming a husband will make him remember his obligations. Perhaps Lydia might encourage him to change his ways?

Do write to me as soon as you know anything. I do not trust my brother to remember to do so.

Georgiana Darcy

In the end, the pair were found, unmarried and in a scandalous state. Mr Bingley was grim about Lydia’s behaviour in the matter. Elizabeth was not informed how much Mr Wickham was paid by Mr Bingley to bring the marriage about, but she did know from both Georgiana’s letter and Mr Bingley that Mr Darcy was involved. The only other thing she knew was that her father had contributed nothing to the matter, only promised his youngest one hundred pounds a year for his lifetime, and then there was a terrible row regarding Lydia and Wickham visiting Longbourn before their journey north to Mr Wickham’s new regiment.

Mr Bennet declared he would not have the couple in the house, and as much as Elizabeth agreed, she had to side with her mother and other sisters. If Lydia and Wickham did not return to Meryton to be publicly accepted by the Bennets before they travelled north, then the family would not regain their standing in society.

Mr Bennet did not much care about the family’s standing. He had money, port, and books. However, the caterwauling of his wife eventually won, and Mr Wickham and Lydia were received at Longbourn just after Saint Valentine’s Day. Elizabeth did all that she could to avoid them and so did her sisters. Mr Bennet barely left his book room, but Mrs Bennet was vastly attentive to them and ensured that Lydia visited every household that had shunned her mother and sisters with her husband in the three days they were there.

Jane hosted a dinner for the newlyweds, encouraged by her husband to use her position in Meryton to help drive away the scandal. Elizabeth, Mary, and even Kitty suffered through the entire night at Netherfield’s table while Lydia and Mr Wickham merrily made a spectacle of themselves.

Saturday 22 February 1812

Longbourn

Meryton, Hertfordshire

Dear Georgie,

Your letter was a balm to my soul, and I took great comfort (and great mortification) in knowing that Mr Darcy was to manage the matter. My father was as indolent as ever regarding this matter, and I feared Mr Bingley would not know how to find my sister.

I am grieved to know my sister is now married to a man who has caused your family such pain. What will your brother think of Lydia? What will he think of me? I cannot comprehend either of you being anything other than disgusted by Lydia’s choice.

My sister and her husband joined us at Longbourn on Monday, and left for Mr Wickham’s new regiment in Newcastle yesterday. I am ashamed to admit it, but I hope Lydia has learned something from this, and I cannot deny that I do not look forward to hearing from her anytime soon.