Bennet’s eyes widened. “You do not know why he warned me?” He stood and walked to the window. “I forget you are only fifteen, my dear. You are still a child, though taller than Lizzy and looking nearer nineteen. But truly, you are only a child.”
Lydia’s nostrils flared, and her face reddened. “I am not a child. I am fifteen years old and have been out already for a full year.”
Bennet shook his head. “I do not know what I was thinking. Clearly, I was not thinking.” He sat in the chair beside her and looked directly into her eyes. “I am sure you do not understand the gravity of the wager, but if any of our neighbors hear of it, you will be ruined, and so will all your sisters.”
Lydia bit her lip. “Ruined? What do you mean by ‘ruined’?”
“If a woman is ruined,” Bennet said, “no self-respecting man will marry her. In this case, all five of my daughters would be ruined. Do you understand?”
She shook her head, her eyes wide. “I do not understand why no one would want to marry me. Mamma says I am the prettiest of all my sisters, and I am taller than all of them except Jane. Mamma says everything I wear looks well on me. Everyone wants to marry me.”
Bennet frowned. “Who is everyone?”
She shrugged. “All the soldiers want to marry me. That’s what the wager is all about.”
Bennet studied her face. She would not fully understand him, but he would try. “The soldiers do not earn enough to support a wife. They cannot pay rent for a house or buy their wives fine clothes. That is why they are not married. Only the colonel makes enough to keep a family. I am afraid this Mr. Wickham only means to trifle with you, to ruin you, and then move on to the next pretty girl.”
Lydia jumped to her feet, and she placed her hands on her hips. “That is an insult, Papa. Are you saying I am not good enough for him? That I cannot keep his attention?”
Bennet patted her arm. “No, my dear. I am saying you are too good for him. He is not worthy of you. Besides, he is an old man.Lydia, you, Kitty, and I are going to London tomorrow to visit Uncle Gardiner and to meet the new baby. How would you like to meet baby Aimee?”
She smiled. “You and I and Kitty? Mamma and my other sisters are not going with us?”
“No,” Bennet said, standing. “Tomorrow is a special trip. Just the three of us are going.” He paused, then added, “And Mr. Collins. Your mamma will remain at home with the older girls. Now ring the bell. I want Ruthie to help you and Kitty pack, for we will leave right after breakfast.”
Lydia hopped up and rang the bell.
“I will give you and Kitty extra pin money,” Bennet said, “and Aunt Madeline can take you to the draper’s at Covent Garden. She knows a fine seamstress who can make up a dress for you.”
Lydia clapped her hands. “Oh, Papa, I have always wanted to visit London. I am going up now to begin packing. How long will we be gone?”
“I do not know,” Bennet replied, rubbing his jaw. “We will ask your aunt how long she will have you. Take everything you like best, in case she keeps you a few weeks, or a couple of months.”
Lydia ran from the room and up the stairs.
Bennet rang the bell again. When Hill appeared, he said, “Hill, I am taking Lydia and Kitty to London. Send Ruthie to help them pack. They do not know it yet, but they will be away for some months. Do not tell Ruthie; only see that she packs all their clothing into two separate trunks. If Mr. Gardiner agrees, Lydia will remain with them until the militia is gone, and Kitty will be placed in a women’s seminary.”
Hill nodded and turned to go.
“Please send Kitty to me,” Bennet added. “I have not told her yet.” He paused, then said, “Hill, do not tell Mrs. Bennet. I will speak to her after the afternoon calls.”
“Yes, sir.”
Bennet left his study and walked to the drawing room. Collins stood at the window.
“Lydia and Kitty are packing for an extended trip to London,” Bennet said. “You are going with us. I have only one riding horse. You will ride it, and I will travel in the carriage with my daughters.”
Collins blinked but said, “Very well. I understand.”
“I know Gardiner will keep Lydia for at least a month or two,” Bennet continued. “I will look for a school for her during that time. Kitty will be placed in a women’s seminary, which may take a week or two. You cannot remain under the same roof with my daughters, so you will assist me in finding a school for Kitty.”
Collins nodded. “I understand. I will pack enough to last me two weeks.”
Bennet gave him a curt nod and returned to his study.
Kitty entered soon after. When Bennet explained his decision, she began to cry at the mention of school.
“Comport yourself, Kitty,” he said sharply. “I am ashamed that my seventeen-year-old daughter did not have the sense to tell me her little sister was consorting with soldiers, grown men loitering about the shops in Meryton.”
