"I know you and your sisters must be frustrated, angry even, and you have every right to be. You three bear the mortifications of your family on a regular basis. But I think you can have faith in the gentlemen—in your gentleman, particularly—to be reasonable about the situation," Aunt Madeleine said, squeezing Elizabeth's hand.
Elizabeth considered her aunt's words. Was Aunt Madeleine correct? She dearly hoped so.
The housekeeper appeared in the doorway and nodded to Aunt Madeleine.
"Forgive me, Elizabeth, I need to go take care of some things. Will you be well?"
"Yes, Aunt, thank you."
Elizabeth watched her leave the room. Her aunt was correct about the mortifications they had borne. Elizabeth had suffered embarrassment because of her family for as long as she could remember. She had endured it again and again, knowing she could do nothing about their behavior. She could only control her own. So, she had worked to distinguish herself from them, not only in knowledge but in manner. Elizabeth loved her family, but they were often viewed by others as foolish and indecorous. And yet Fitzwilliam had looked past her family's faults and pursued her. His admiration and respect had meant so much to Elizabeth, and now they were the very things her family had likely cost her!
"Darcy! Good to see you!" Gardiner said. "Come in!"
"Good to see you as well."
"Mr. Darcy."
"Mr. Bennet."
He shook hands with the gentlemen and took a seat.
"Mr. Darcy, I have yet to thank you for the assistance you gave my girls before and after the storm in my absence. Now, I find I must thank you for your help in recovering Lydia as well," Mr. Bennet said.
"I was glad to be of assistance in both cases, sir."
"You spent a little time in the company of our family while in Hertfordshire, so I imagine you knew what you were getting yourself into to some extent when you decided to pursue my Lizzy."
Darcy nodded. "I did."
Mr. Bennet sighed. "Lydia is a foolish, hard-headed girl. There is no question about that. Still, I am surprised that she behaved this wildly."
"May I ask if you have decided on a course of action?"
"I have. I have chosen a different school."
"Indeed?" Darcy asked.
"Yes, it is the Bankhead School for Girls in Essex. The headmistress at the Ragland School gave Gardiner some interesting details about the place."
"Yes, when I met with her the morning we left Kent, she suggested this school might be a better fit for Lydia because of the layout," Gardiner said. "Apparently, there is a twenty-foot wall that surrounds the entire property. There is also only one way in and one way out. They have a gatehouse at the entrance where a security guard lives and controls who enters and who exits."
"I see," Darcy said, understanding Mr. Bennet's reasoning for choosing this school.
"I was aware of this place when I went with the Ragland School," Mr. Bennet said. "They both came highlyrecommended, but the Bankhead School is more expensive, so I went with the one in Kent. Of course, I did not know about the added security features, nor did I know they would be necessary for Lydia."
Gardiner nodded. "The headmistress in Kent has personally visited this school, and she says it is a lovely property. The grounds supposedly have lots of mature trees and gardens for the students to enjoy within the security of the walls."
"It sounds ideal for Miss Lydia then," Darcy said.
"I believe so," Mr. Bennet replied. "We are fortunate to have it as an option. Otherwise, I would probably be forced to marry her off so she does not ruin herself and her sisters."
Mr. Bennet told Darcy that Lydia had not been informed of this decision because they would have more peace in the house if she did not know. He had made arrangements with the school by express, and they were expecting them tomorrow. Darcy visited with the gentlemen a bit longer then excused himself to go find Elizabeth.
Elizabeth had begun to feel guilty for abandoning her sisters to Lydia for so long, so she had gone to sit in the drawing room with them for a while. Mary had then excused herself for her own reprieve for about an hour before returning. Jane had done the same thing. Now that they were both back, Elizabeth left again. She went back to the parlor and sat in the window seat. Over the last few days, her mood had become lower and lower. She stared out the window, lost in thoughts of Fitzwilliam, and then suddenly, he was beside her.
"Fitzwilliam!"
"Forgive me for startling you. I was about to walk to the drawing room when I saw you here. I could not resist coming in to surprise you," he said with a smile, raising her hand to his lips.
