“Then Mr. Wickham will be called to account for his crimes.”
“That he will, Elizabeth,” replied William.
“I am pleased to hear it.”
“What will happen to him?” asked Charlotte.
“Court-martial and likely debtors’ prison—unless they decide to have him transported.”
Elizabeth nodded, considering the situation. “Given the amount of his debts, transportation might be for the best—there is no way he will ever pay what he owes.”
“That is my thought also.” William shrugged as if the matter was one of indifference to him—it was, Elizabeth knew, for he had washed his hands of the libertine years before.
“For that, you could have waited until we arrived at Rosings,” said Elizabeth.
“And refuse the excuse to see you again? Never!”
Elizabeth laughed.
ELIZABETH WAS MOSTdispleased with her father. Though they had made significant progress in reforming Kitty and Lydia’s behavior, he proposed to allow Lydia to accept this invitation from a woman only a few years older and no wiser than Lydia was herself. Mr. Wickham was no longer a threat, but how many others of his ilk were part of the regiment?
“Papa,” said Elizabeth, trying to maintain her calm, “to allow Lydia to go to Brighton is folly. Shehasimproved, but all that improvement will be undone if she goes with only Mrs. Forster for guidance.”
Mr. Bennet regarded her, his diversion suggesting he knew something that she did not. “Do you have so little respect for Colonel Forster’s abilities?”
“Colonel Forster will not have the primary responsibility for my heedless sister,” rejoined Elizabeth. “The colonel must concern himself with the regiment. When he is away on business, Lydia must rely on Mrs. Forster, a woman as silly as Lydia.”
Mr. Bennet was barely restraining his mirth. “Then what shall I do? Lydia will be impossible if I inform her that she will not go.”
“That is better than allowing her to ruin our reputation.”
“Oh, I do not think it is so bad as that, Lizzy. In fact, I shall predict that Lydia will emerge from the next months unscathed, though still as silly. When you are married, you can invite her to your new home in the north—when your husband fixes her with his implacable glare, I have no doubt he will reform her in an instant.”
“Papa,” chided Elizabeth. “This is no laughing matter.”
“No, I dare say it is not. Your engagement to Darcy appears to have done you good—you would not have spoken to me so severely before.”
“If you wish, I shall have William speak to you. Lydia’s behavior will now reflect on him.”
It appeared she had gone too far in her pique, for her father lost some of his diversion. He peered at her for a moment, then grinned again, his amusement restored.
“I will ignore your last comment, Lizzy, for I know you did not mean to diminish me in favor of your future husband.”
Abashed, Elizabeth stammered: “N-No, indeed, Papa.”
“I am not so fearsome as he, my dear, but I am not blind. This situation is my own doing, for I led you on when I should have been reassuring you.’
Suspicious, Elizabeth asked: “What do you mean?”
“Just that you were too hasty in your denunciation of this scheme. There was no need for me to forbid Lydia from going, for your mother refused to hear of it the moment Lydia raised the subject.”
That caught Elizabeth by surprise. “Mama forbid her?”
“She did. With your wedding approaching, your mother had no wish to allow your sister to go off to Brighton when she wishes all her daughters present to witness her triumph.”
Elizabeth regarded him, wondering how this all came about. “Then why has Lydia not lamented her ill fortune?”
“If you recall, Lizzy,” said Mr. Bennet, “Lydia has been absent this morning. While you were out on your walk, your mother informed her that she was not going, and when Lydia started making a fuss, she sent Lydia to her room, threatening to return her to the nursery if she persisted.”
