“Fletcher, please let Cook know we will have one more for dinner, and ask her to hold dinner for the moment. I shall let you know when we are ready to dine.”
“Very well, ma’am.”
Fletcher closed the door behind him.
Uncle Edward pierced Papa with a look of disapproval. “What happened, Bennet?”
Papa sighed. “The day after I received your letter informing me of Lizzy’s courtship with Mr. Darcy, I noticed Kitty and Lydia preparing to walk out. Up until then, I had been considering the schools you recommended, Gardiner, but I had not yet curbed their freedoms. Nor was I keeping a closer eye on their doings. I determined that, going forward, they would not leave the house unless in the company of their mother or me. But for that moment, I wanted to see if there was anything afoot that I should know. So, I sent Matthew out to follow them. It was not long before he returned, hauling Kitty and Lydia with him. He had caught Lydia and a young man behind a tree. Kitty was acting as lookout.”
Aunt Madeleine sighed. “Of course she was.”
“I scolded her. I scolded Kitty. I told them they would no longer be allowed out of the house unless accompanied by an adult. Apparently, though, none of this mattered a fig to Lydia, because a mere two nights later, after everyone had gone to bed, she was caught leaving Longbourn with the same young man. Again, it was Matthew who spotted them.”
“Goodness!” Aunt Madeleine exclaimed.
“Who is this young man?” Jane asked.
“It appears he is the same one Lizzy caught her behaving inappropriately with at the assembly. He is the butcher’s nephew.”
“There is no telling how long they have been sneaking off together at night!” Elizabeth said, her voice pitched high in frustration.
“Kitty says she knows of at least one other time, but you are right, Lizzy, there is no telling what the truth is,” Papa said.
“And there is no point in trying to get it out of Lydia,” Elizabeth added hotly.
“Indeed,” Papa said. “A fact which made it difficult to ascertain what intimacies had taken place. Kitty said she knew Lydia had allowed him some liberties, but she did not know to what extent. Fortunately, Lydia’s courses came several days later. Mrs. Hill confirmed it. So, while her virtue is in question, at least pregnancy is not.”
“So, is the situation contained? Will you be able to keep it quiet?” Uncle Edward asked.
“I believe so. I spoke with the young man. I think Matthew also threatened him.”
“Who is keeping an eye on the girls while you are here, Thomas?” Aunt Madeleine asked worriedly.
“They are both in school now. As soon as Lydia’s courses appeared, I made plans to take the girls from Longbourn to enroll them in school. I told them they were not to speak of what happened to anyone, including their mother. Only Mrs. Hill was allowed to attend them since I did not trust them around the other maids. I told Fanny she had twenty-four hours to spend with the girls before they would leave for school. She did not like the idea of the girls going to school, but I told her it was not up for discussion. For Lydia, I decided on the school in Kent for difficult girls. For Kitty, I went with a finishing school here in London. Kitty and Lydia were packed up, and we left Longbournon Thursday for Kent. I had arranged accommodations at an inn near the school. I took Kitty and Lydia to the local modiste there in Kent so they could both be fitted and order their school clothes. It took a few days, but when the orders were ready, I took Lydia to the school, enrolled her, and we said goodbye. Afterwards, Kitty and I traveled back to London and checked into an inn for the night. Around mid-morning today, I enrolled her at the finishing school. I have told Kitty, Lydia, and Fanny that any letters they wish to write to one another or anyone else for that matter must first go through me. The schools know this. Mrs. Hill knows this. I am sorry, girls, for not doing more to protect you. I hope these measures will help contain the situation and protect your prospects.”
“I hope so, too, Bennet, because all three of your eldest daughters are being courted,” Uncle Edward said without preamble.
“My . . . are they indeed?”
“Yes, they are. You probably missed my letter since you left early on Thursday morning. I had written to tell you that Jane had entered a courtship with Mr. Darcy’s cousin. He is Richard Fitzwilliam, formerly a colonel in His Majesty’s Army. He is also the second son of the Earl of Matlock. And, as of last night, Mary is also being courted. His name is Mr. Whitney Hadley. He is the master of a very prosperous estate. I know him very well, and he is an excellent young man.”
Papa was obviously surprised by this news. His face also seemed to hold more worry after hearing it. Elizabeth was glad to see he was taking the matter seriously. He ought to be worried! She certainly was.
The next morning, they saw their father off after breakfast. He said he would notify them right away if there was any talk whatsoever. After he left, Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary expressed their relief that at least now Lydia and Kitty were safely away atschool and unable to cause further harm. Of course, they would still need to tell their respective gentlemen what had occurred with their youngest sister. Elizabeth would have liked to get the dreaded conversation about Lydia's conduct over with, but it was not to be. Fitzwilliam had business occupying his time today, and Elizabeth would attend a dinner party that evening. The discussion would have to wait for another day.
Chapter 28
The next morning, Elizabeth was sitting in the drawing room with her aunt and sisters. She was attempting to read a book, but after reading the same page several times and comprehending nothing, she finally gave up the endeavor. Her mind was on other things. Elizabeth knew she would see Fitzwilliam at some point today and would need to tell him what had transpired with Lydia. She was not looking forward to it. Everything had been going so well between them. Their courtship was all she had hoped it would be and more! Now, there was this situation with her sister. It would certainly highlight the lack of discipline and oversight in her family. Once she told him everything, would he still see her the same, or would his view of her change? She wanted him to see her as an equal, to esteem her, not be ashamed of her!
When Fletcher suddenly walked in and announced Fitzwilliam, she knew the moment had come. They all stood to welcome him. After greeting Elizabeth warmly and kissing her hand, he sat next to her on the couch.
"How was the dinner party last evening?" he asked.
"We enjoyed it," Aunt Madeleine replied. "It was a good mix of old friends and new acquaintances. How was your evening?"
As Fitzwilliam fell into conversation with her aunt, Elizabeth remained uncharacteristically silent.
She was wondering how to broach the topic of Lydia's recent behavior when she noticed Fitzwilliam glance at her inquisitively. Elizabeth smiled and tried to appear interested in the conversation.
