“Then let us be about it. Girls, please return home and wait for us there. No more adventures—I beg of you.”
“We shall, Papa,” said Elizabeth.
Together with Jane, Elizabeth took her younger sister in hand and led her out of the alley. The moment they emerged, they were the subject of the scrutiny of the town. It was a relief to see that their neighbors and acquaintances looked at them with awe and admiration, rather than condemnation. They did not wait to speak to anyone, instead guiding Lydia away to the lane that led to Longbourn in the distance. Their neighbors would speak of this event for many months, but at least the Bennet name would not live on in infamy.
Chapter XIV
“W
hat did Papa mean, Lizzy?”
Caught up in her thoughts as she was, the question surprised Elizabeth. Seeing it, Lydia huffed her annoyance and clarified her question.
“He said you had seen matters more clearly than he. What did he mean?”
For a long moment, Elizabeth regarded her sister as they walked along the track to Longbourn, wondering if she should openly acknowledge her attempt to induce her father’s reconsideration. Lydia looked on her with a mixture of expectation and impatience, and this, as much as anything else, informed Elizabeth there was little need to conceal it. Perhaps Lydia would learn something further.
“The invitation to Brighton,” said Elizabeth. “When you received it, I spoke to Papa to persuade him against giving you permission.”
Lydia gaped at her, aghast at Elizabeth’s confession. “You tried to prevent me from going to Brighton?” The question was nearly a screech.
“Do you propose to make an issue of thisnow, considering the events of this day?”
Elizabeth’s harsh reprimand silenced her sister. Lydia did not know whether she should hold to her offense for the insult or subside for fear of making matters worse. Perhaps it was Elizabeth’s continued glare, warning her sister that she must remain silent, but Lydia did nothing more than huff in exasperation and kick at an inoffensive pebble.
“Do you not now think I was correct?” asked Elizabeth in a tone deceptively mild.
“I might have been married now,” muttered Lydia.
“I know you are not so senseless as to believe that,” reprimanded Elizabeth. “The suspicions you held of Mr. Wickham and his reprehensible way of confirming all must tell youthatat least.”
“Yes, I suppose you are correct,” muttered Lydia.
“This business of you wishing to be the first to marry has always confused me,” said Jane.
Lydia regarded her, not quite understanding her meaning. “Is it not our goal in life to be married? Mama drones on and on about it at all hours of the day and night.”
Ignoring the slight to their mother, Elizabeth said: “Mama believes that is the path to our security. While I would agree that marriagecan bea path to a fulfilling life, one cannot consider matrimony without recognizing that not all men are suitable, even if they are veritable paragons of male virility. Even if Mr. Wickham had not been the worst sort of rogue, do you suppose he could support a wife on the pay of a militia lieutenant?”
Contemplation took the place of confusion, and Lydia sighed. “I never considered that.”
“More than that,” said Jane, nodding to Elizabeth, “I cannot imagine why you aspire to marry so early.”
“I should not wish to remain a spinster,” protested Lydia.
“Most ladies do not,” said Jane. “But you are pretty, young, and lively, and you enjoy society and all it entails. Marriage, Lydia, is a rewarding state, but it also entails more responsibility than you have as a young, unmarried girl. You are yet fifteen and need not think of marriage for another five years at least. Why rush it and interrupt the fun you will have?” Jane turned an arch look on Elizabeth. “Especially when it appears you will gain access to higher society.”
“I am not engaged, Jane,” protested Elizabeth.
“No, dear sister, you are not,” replied Jane, reaching out to pat Elizabeth’s hand with affection. “But I dare say Mr. Darcy wishes you were.”
While Elizabeth had expected Lydia to exclaim on the subject, she remained silent, regarding Elizabeth and contemplating what Jane had said. Elizabeth had no notion the experience would impart any sense to her youngest sister, but perhaps she would put this silly wish of marrying first aside. Lydia concentrating on her amusements in society was far preferable to the girl doing everything she could to attach herself to any man she chanced to meet. She might not be any more proper, but at least she would not be seeking to ruin them all.
Recent days had altered her family to a certain extent, for while Mrs. Bennet had often been oblivious, she sensed a change in them when they entered the house. The scene as they departed kept her from speaking; for the moment, she appeared willing to wait for her husband’s return to have her questions answered. While Mary, Kitty, and Georgiana sat together speaking, Mrs. Bennet looking on and adding occasional comments herself, she paid less attention to the younger girls and more to the newcomers.
“What is it?” demanded she after a moment of studying them, proving Elizabeth’s conjecture incorrect. “Did something happen while you were in Meryton?”
“Something did happen, Mama,” replied Elizabeth.
