Then Frances Bennet turned back to speak to her least favored daughter. “As soon as you are dressed, go down to the kitchens. I need your help.”
Mr. Collins remained at the table with Mr. Bennet. “Cousin, I was at the haberdashery yesterday purchasing new riding gloves and overheard two militia men speaking of my youngest cousin, Lydia.”
Mr. Bennet sat up straighter. “Go on.”
“They are wagering that she will fall to a militia man named Wickham.”
“Wickham?” Bennet exclaimed. “I cannot imagine where she could have met such a man. We do not allow soldiers to visit Longbourn.” His expression darkened. “What else did you hear? Do not hold anything back.”
Collins’s voice turned grim. “Wickham is an acknowledged rake of eight and twenty, a man full-grown. And he is chasing after your youngest child.”
Bennet stood and began to pace. “I wonder how many have heard of this wager?” He rang the bell.
Hill appeared a moment later.
“Send Lydia down to my study at once,” he ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
Bennet turned to his cousin. “I am much obliged to you for telling me. I shall get to the bottom of it. I may not be free to entertain our guests, as I will likely be tied up with Lydia.”
Collins nodded. “I will go upstairs and change.”
Bennet went straight to his study and stopped short when he found Elizabeth seated in her usual chair.
“I thought you were above stairs resting,” he said.
“I was. Papa, I heard the most scandalous thing straight from Lydia’s lips at church. She was recounting a wager with Kitty, behaving as though it were the funniest thing in the world. Members of the militia are wagering on a relationship betweenher and a soldier. I fear we are standing on the brink of ruin if word of this spreads.”
Bennet was stunned. “That silly chit knows soldiers are bandying about her name, and she is bragging about it in church?” His face darkened, and he began to pace.
“I was going to ask you to send me to Aunt Maddie to help with little Edward. He is keeping her very busy now that her nanny is caring for baby Aimee. But perhaps you should send Lydia instead. It would not appear suspicious. She would simply be going to help with the children.”
Bennet halted and turned to her. “That is a fine idea, Lizzy. If it were not Sunday, I would take her today, but tomorrow will do.” He paused, thinking. “In fact, I will take Kitty too and place her in a ladies’ seminary. She needs to mature. She should have been the one to bring this to my attention. I must protect her from the Regiment as well.”
He walked to the door. “Run along, Lizzy. I expect Lydia any moment, and I would keep you out of it. Your mother would turn on you in a minute if she thought you had brought this tale to my notice. As it happens, your cousin heard of it in the village yesterday and brought it to my attention after luncheon. Now run along.”
Elizabeth nodded and slipped quietly from the room.
Chapter 4: Interview With Lydia
“What is it, Papa? I do not have time to talk. I need to dress for our callers.”
Bennet looked at his daughter through narrowed eyes. “Sit down, Lydia. I need to ask you a few questions.”
The girl flounced onto Lizzy’s favorite chair. “Well, what is it? I am in a hurry.”
Bennet’s brow furrowed. “I heard something very disturbing today, and I would like to hear what you have to say.”
Lydia tilted her head, curious to learn what he had heard.
“I understand the soldiers of the militia have a wager going,” Bennet continued.
Lydia giggled. “How did you hear about that?”
Mr. Bennet’s expression turned grim. “Two soldiers were discussing it yesterday. Mr. Collins overheard the conversation and warned me.”
Lydia wet her lips with the tip of her tongue, frowning in thought. “Warned you? What do you mean, Papa? Why should he warn you?”
