"Thank you, my dear," Uncle Edward said. "Darcy, if you will come with me to the study, we can have a look at the map. Excuse us, ladies."
With that, Fitzwilliam followed Uncle to his study, and Aunt Madeleine went to speak with Cook.
For several minutes, Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary just sat there, stunned by what they had learned.
Eventually, Elizabeth stood and walked to the window. She had been so worried about telling Fitzwilliam of Lydia's conduct, and now her sister had gone and done something even more outrageous!Stupid, stupid girl!She hoped Lydia had the sense to take some money with her. Was she running back to that young man—the butcher's nephew? If she was trying to travel back home by post, she would need a good bit of money. Could she mean to travel here? Regardless of where she meant to go, Elizabeth doubted her sister was prepared to pay her way. The Lydia she knew rarely saved her money. It was usually spent almost as soon as she received it.
Aunt Madeleine returned to the drawing room. She looked at them and sighed. "How are you holding up, girls?"
"Was it just yesterday that we were saying how relieved we all were that Lydia was in school and unable to get into any more trouble?" Mary asked, frowning slightly.
"Yes, it was only yesterday," Aunt Madeleine said. "Clearly, we underestimated her."
"There is no telling where she has gone," Jane pointed out, her expression worried.
"No, unfortunately, there is not," Aunt Madeleine replied. "A fact that will make your uncle and Mr. Darcy's search much harder."
The housekeeper came to inform Aunt that the food baskets were in the carriages. Soon after, Uncle and Fitzwilliam reappeared.
"We have come up with a plan," Uncle Edward said. "As I stated before, it will work to our advantage if Darcy and I split up. There is quite a bit of area to cover, and we will be able to do so more efficiently this way. Darcy has already sent a rider ahead to take rooms for us at an inn he is familiar with in Kent. Madeleine, should you need to get word to me, you will find the name and direction of this establishment on my desk. I know we are all probably extremely frustrated with Lydia right now, while at the same time worried for her. Try not to let your worry overwhelm you because it might take some time to locate her."
"Ladies, forgive me, but I must take my leave so that I may return home to prepare," Fitzwilliam said.
"Of course, Mr. Darcy, thank you so much for your help with this . . . unfortunate situation," Aunt Madeleine replied.
"Not at all. I hope with both of us looking for her, Miss Lydia will be recovered more quickly."
Fitzwilliam then looked at Elizabeth. She moved toward him, then together they walked in the direction of the entrance hall.
Elizabeth hardly knew what to say. She was so ashamed that her family needed his help to find her wayward, trouble-making sister.
"I know this was a shock. Are you well, Elizabeth?" he asked, his eyes on her.
"I am—my feelings are all over the place. As my uncle said, I am frustrated and worried all at once."And mortified that you must aid us in this shameful situation!
"I am sure you are. It is perfectly understandable." He paused, then took her hand. "I wish I did not have to leave you so soon, but I must go."
"I wish you did not have to leave either. You are going to so much trouble and expense on our behalf—" she said, intending to apologize that he had been swept up in all of this, but the words would not come. Instead, she simply said, "We are grateful to you."
"I am only glad to be of assistance."
She nodded. "Safe journey, Fitzwilliam."
He gave her a smile and squeezed her hand. Then he was gone.
Soon after Uncle Edward departed for Kent, Elizabeth and her sisters went to her room for privacy.
She shut the bedchamber door, leaned against it, and sighed. "So much for the idea that our imprudent family would not be able to cause us trouble here. Lydia has proven her ability to cause trouble from wherever she is!"
Jane shook her head as if not quite believing the situation they were in. "How could she do this? Why is that girl so set on ruining us all?"
"Because Lydia thinks of no one but herself," Mary said. "She certainly does not consider the consequences of her actions."
"That is because there never are any consequences to her actions," Elizabeth said bitterly. "She is always allowed to do just as she pleases."
"I want to believe that she had a good reason for needing to get away from that school, that perhaps she was being mistreated," Jane said, her brows pinched together. "But even if that were the case, could she not have written to Papa or to Uncle?"
"Of course she could," Elizabeth replied. "But when does Lydia ever care about doing what is prudent?"
