“I do not believe I ever hated him, Jane. But I disregarded him, and I held a grudge against him, first because he offended me at the assembly, then because I heard him chatting with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst about our family in a most unkind manner, and I blamed him for Mr. Bingley’s departure. But mostly, I was ready to believe him to be cruel for how he treated Mr. Wickham. Between a man who offended me and one who always flattered me, my vanity chose to trust the latter, of course. So, when Mr. Darcy proposed, I was stunned and angry and resentful.”
“That is easy to understand, Lizzy. I cannot blame you for refusing him.”
“I do not blame myself for refusing him either, but I do blame myself for the manner of my rejection and for all the unfair accusations I threw at him, which I regretted almost immediately.”
“Your letter from Pemberley sounded very warm. You spoke very highly of him.”
“And deservedly so, Jane. If I only had time to tell you everything that proves his real character and his generous nature… I truly believe that he is the best man I have ever known.”
“And…do you believe he intended to renew his proposal?”
“I do not know what he intended to do. But I do know that Lydia’s elopement is an obstacle impossible to overcome. Even if Mr. Darcy was ready to help Uncle find the fugitives, who would want to be connected in such a way to his enemy? That would hurt not only his honour but his name, as well as his family. I do not believe he will renew his proposal, Jane, and neither will—”
She stopped, looking at her sister, who had turned slightly pale.
“If you mean Mr. Bingley, I have long abandoned any expectation of seeing him again other than by mere coincidence. Mr. Bingley has become nothing but a lovely memory.”
Elizabeth wished to tell Jane about Mr. Darcy’s promise of providing Mr. Bingley with all the unknown details. But she chose not to and instead only embraced her sister.
What use could there be in troubling Jane’s heart and giving her reason for hopes that were far from reality? Even if Mr. Darcy kept his word, the reports about Lydia’s elopement would soon be known to everyone. Would Mr. Bingley wish to overlook them when he had not fought for Jane’s love before such impediments existed?
The day after their return, Mr. Gardiner’s carriage arrived from London with a letter for Mrs. Gardiner. It contained the news that the fugitives had been found. Lydia was at Gracechurch Street while they were negotiating with Mr. Wickham, who had several demands if he was to agree to marry Lydia.
We have tried the impossible to convince her to distance herself from the man, with the promise that we would find a reasonable solution to cover up this error. But she declined quite angrily and would not listen to any other solution but marriage, whenever that may happen. So now, we must deal with his claims. He has a long list of debts that must be urgently covered as well as the need for a new living. We shall see how we reconcile what he wants with what we are willing and able to give him.
I would kindly ask for you to return to London; your presence would be of great help in dealing with Lydia.
Your loving Edward.
Mrs. Gardiner shared the contents of the letter with only Elizabeth and Jane, causing one to be enraged and appalled and the other grieved and ashamed.
“Hateful, horrible man! Poor, silly Lydia — she is condemning herself to a life of misery! If only someone would beat that man senseless! How dare he assume Papa will pay his debts! Is he out of his senses? How can he imagine ever being accepted by our family?”
“Calm yourself, Lizzy. I shall tell your mother that the couple have been found and that Lydia is safe. Your uncle has sent me the carriage, so he must truly need me. I shall return to town today, and I promise to send any news that I have.”
In the following hour, while the eldest girls helped Mrs. Gardiner and her children pack, Mrs. Bennet and Kitty filled the house with cries of joy.
“Oh, my dear Lydia, she will be married! How wonderful! She is not even sixteen yet and will be the first of you all to marry! And what a handsome husband she will have! I cannot wait to tell my sister Phillips and Mrs. Long and Lady Lucas!”
“Mama, you cannot tell anyone yet!” Elizabeth interjected harshly. “First, because we are not sure theywillmarry! Lydia’s future handsome husband has demanded more money than Papa could possibly afford! And even if they do wed, surely you have not forgotten all those terrible reports about Mr. Wickham’s dishonourable actions and faulty character!”
“Oh hush, Lizzy, do not be jealous! I know Mr. Wickham was your favourite once, but now he likes Lydia better! As for his actions, any young, handsome man — let alone an officer too — enjoys playing cards, drinking, and flirting with girls! You cannot hold that against him!”
“Mama, your memory is painfully inaccurate,” Elizabeth responded, enraged. “Mr. Wickham ceased being my favourite once I discovered his true nature and horrible habits, and I know Lydia will be miserable if she marries him. And her unhappiness will be our fault for allowing her to go to Brighton alone. She was too young to even attend balls and parties, let alone be left unchaperoned.”
“It is nobody’s fault that she likes ball and parties! She is such a pretty, joyful girl! Everybody loves her! And that is why Mr. Wickham liked her more than you!”
Jane’s attempts to calm Elizabeth were more successful than those of Mrs. Gardiner trying to temper Mrs. Bennet, who insisted that indeed they must marry.
Mrs. Bennet was happy with the outcome and ready to share it with the world.
That afternoon, Mrs. Gardiner left Longbourn, and two more days of increasing chaos and griping turmoil followed whilst they waited for new reports.
When they least expected it, they received a most unwanted visit from Mr. Collins. Mrs. Bennet ran to her room, refusing to see him, and Kitty followed her.
The burden was left to Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary; the clergyman declared he had come to personally express his feelings — as well as Lady Catherine’s — about Lydia’s elopement, adding, “Dear cousin Elizabeth, I must warn you not to expect another invitation to visit Hunsford at any time soon. Her ladyship said she cannot be connected in any way with such scandalous circumstances, and she has requested the same from my dear Charlotte.”
“This is tragic news, Mr. Collins, but somehow I shall live with the disappointment.”
