Despite his pride, she enjoyed the society of an intelligent man. Darcy had lofty manners, but she supposed it fitting for someone of high birth, even if he seemed too proud of it. It might be his greatest fault, for otherwise Darcy was immensely rich, handsome, and what the world called accomplished, to whom every society was open.
As rude as he had been, she still liked the earnest conversations they had.
While returning to her mother, who was sitting by the fire amid a group of indifferent chaperones enlivened by spirits, Elizabeth looked for her friends and sisters. She noticed Georgiana near to the door. Mrs Younge stood in front of her, blocking some of her view. But she saw Georgiana standing close to Wickham in deep conversation. He then took hold of her hand, pressed a lingering kiss to the back of it, and then went through the door.
Georgiana pressed her hand to her chest and fell into her seat with a sigh, and Elizabeth turned away.
It was a good thing Darcy was dancing and Mrs Younge was standing where she was, otherwise he would have noticed and caused a disagreeable scene. Wickham was now gone, and there was no harm done. She would let Georgiana have her moment of enjoying a man’s attentiveness, especially since, given his flirtatious nature, he meant nothing real by one parting kiss.
Twelve o’clock struck far too soon for the Bennets’ liking, and the master of ceremonies silenced the players in the middle of a reel. But Lydia was perfectly satisfied, and quitted the assembly rooms under the delightful persuasion that Wickham would make his addresses in the morning.
Elizabeth was glad Darcy had already left with his sister and Mrs Younge and would not hear all of Lydia’s high spirits and Kitty’s jealous sulking. Although she doubted Wickham would confess an undying affection for her youngest sister, Elizabeth wondered why he came to the assembly only to dance with Lydia and then leave.
He must have known he would encounter Darcy, and it was plain Darcy had been tempted to cut Wickham on sight. Was it worth it for one dance? Was he trifling with Lydia, or did he love her? If there was any affection there, she would have to press Darcy for details aboutWickham’s alleged offences. Her mother and father would never enquire, so it would be up to her.
“Lizzy,my love, go wake up Lydia,” her mother said. “It was not a late night, and we want to eat breakfast.”
Elizabeth had been writing about the previous evening in her journal. Sometimes recording her thoughts felt like the only way to arrange her own mind in a house full of people who did not understand her. They loved her, of course, but they did not always comprehend her. Who else was she to talk through all of her views of the world and all of her expectations?
“I am almost finished,” she said without looking up. “Lydia might be tired from all of her dancing.”
“Wickham insisted on dancing with her first,” said Kitty. “It was so romantic. I wish I had a man seek me out like that.”
“He is a delightful man,” her mother agreed. “So handsome. Lizzy, stop writing and go wake her up.”
Kitty giggled, and Elizabeth sighed over her mother being unwilling to climb one flight of stairs to shake her youngest daughter out of bed. But since she was also hungry and tired of waiting for Lydia to appear, she grudgingly went. However, Lydia was not abed, and when she asked their maid Sarah, she said she had not seen Lydia all morning.
She returned to the breakfast table and, sitting down, said to Kitty, “Did Lydia go out on her own this morning?” Her sister shrugged, staring at her breakfast, smiling to herself.
“She must have,” her mother insisted. “But why would she not take Kitty with her if she wanted to walk to the beach or the lighthouse? Kitty, did you not feel well enough to walk with your sister?”
Kitty refuted being too tired from the night before or any other ill effects, but Elizabeth thought she had a suspicious air. “Do you know where Lydia has gone?”
She could not refuse this direct inquiry, and said with a grin, “What fun it is to know more than you! She begged me to stay silent. Lydiahas run off with Wickham! They left before dawn and are for Scotland.”
Elizabeth gasped while her mother shrieked. She could not tell if her mother’s reaction was glee or alarm, but Elizabeth was grieved. “Thoughtless, thoughtless Lydia!” she cried. “And you,” she said angrily to Kitty. “How could you have concealed their plan?”
Upon being scolded, Kitty burst into tears. “It was a matter of confidence!”
Elizabeth ignored Kitty and turned to her mother. “What shall we do?”
Her mother sniffled into a handkerchief. “At least she will be married. She will write to us when it has taken place.”
“But Mr Darcy says Wickham has no money at all. His choice is disinterested at least, for he knows my father can give her nothing.” Horror and anxiety washed over her. “Mamma, what if he does not intend to marry her?”
“Of course he will,” her mother cried. “Such a charming man could never act like a villain.”
After what Darcy hinted at, she feared he could. But how was Lydia to be found before anyone knew she was gone? Her hands shook and she could scarcely breathe. Her mother would not act; she wanted her daughter married at any cost. She had no one to help her bring Lydia home before her reputation was lost or she was forced to preserve that reputation with an imprudent marriage.
The door to the breakfast room opened, and the maid showed in Darcy. To his credit, he took in the room and looked immediately as though he wished to quit it.
“I, I am sorry to intrude. I was looking for my sister. I thought to meet Georgiana for breakfast, but she was not home. Her maid said she and Mrs Younge were gone for the day but did not know where. I thought perhaps she came here to talk over the evening with her friends, but I can see…”
He could see they were in the midst of some disaster, but only bowed and wished them a good day. But there was no one else who could advise her. She did not expect consolation, but Darcy might know something of Wickham’s movements and know how to proceed.She sprang to the door and shut it, keeping the maid outside and drawing Darcy apart from her mother and Kitty.
Hopefully, her inclination to trust him proved right. “My youngest sister has eloped—has thrown herself into the power of Mr Wickham.”
He blew out a breath and gave her a grave look. “And what has been attempted to recover her?”
