Page 166 of Bitterness of Spirit & The Painting

Half an hour ago, they were all getting ready for bed when they received Bingley’s shocking visit. He asked to speak to Mrs Gardiner privately, then Mary was left with the children, while she and Jane were summoned to dress.

Only when they were outside, fearful of not disturbing the other guests, did Mrs Gardiner tell them what had happened. They sneaked out like thieves, to avoid being seen, to the main road where Bingley was expecting them with the carriage prepared.

Elizabeth glanced at Jane’s pale and distressed face and wondered where her sister’s glow had disappeared to in such a short time. Next to her, Bingley sat confused, embarrassed and helpless.

“Mr Bingley, the colonel said Lydia did not leave the house at all; am I correct?”

“Yes, Mrs Gardiner. He caught Miss Lydia in time.”

“We should thank the Lord for that,” Mrs Gardiner said. “I imagine the colonel was very angry.”

“He was, ma’am, and he blames himself. But Darcy was even angrier, I do not remember ever having seen him like this before.”

“But what can Mr Darcy do?” Mrs Gardiner continued.

“I do not know. He seemed confident he could settle the matter once and for all. That is what he said.”

Elizabeth barely listened to them, overwhelmed by guilt and despair. She had known the truth and could have easily anticipated Wickham’s schemes. She should have been more careful, especially once Jane’s engagement was announced. With her sister to be married so well, Lydia had gained more interest for a fortune hunter like Wickham. He knew he could benefit from a rich brother-in-law. That was if he actually intended to elope and marry Lydia at all.

Even with the elopement interrupted, the shame would remain and would affect their name so much that it could be reason for Bingley to break the engagement. He would likely not do it, as he was too much in love with Jane.

But the officers would surely find out, and rumours might have already arisen at Crawford Cottage due to their sudden departure.

The gossip would spread around like the wind. Elizabeth barely dared to think of Darcy. After all he had been through, after all the torment, the grief, the suffering—caused by his memories as well as by her rejection and accusations—he had finally found some tranquillity, which had been ruined in an instant.

Surely she could not expect him to be associated with such a scandal, especially with the man who had tried to hurt his sister too. If she had some reason and sensibility left, she would abandon any hope of a second proposal. Even his friendship was unlikely under the new circumstances and he would very likely leave Brighton the very next day. Any man in his position would do the same—especially one that had already been rejected once.

“Lizzy, we have arrived. What is it, my dear? Are you crying?” Jane asked.

“Why would I cry? My eyes are just tired; I am exhausted and very angry.”

“Come, let us enter,” Mrs Gardiner said. “We will have time for anger and arguments later.”

The colonel’s wife met them with her usual serenity. She seemed unaffected and even invited them to have a cup of tea.

“Thank you, Mrs Forster but we are in a great hurry. Please show us where Lydia and Kitty are and we will take them home,” Elizabeth said harshly.

“They are in their usual room. Only it is locked—my husband insisted on it. What an unpleasant situation, just before the ball! I assume you will not attend, will you? If not, I will have to find other ladies, or else the party will be ruined!”

Elizabeth could barely hold her composure. Inside the chamber, Lydia began to whine the moment she saw them.

“You are all horrible and unfair to me! I love Wickham and I will marry him, no matter what! I will elope again, you will see! He will come after me! Mama would understand me! She would be so happy to know I was marrying a handsome officer!”

Elizabeth grabbed her arm so tightly that Lydia squealed in pain.

“Lydia, shut your mouth this very moment. Now! Kitty, collect your clothes and let us leave. Now!”

“But Lizzy—”

“I said NOW. Do not tempt me, Lydia, or else I will punish you as Mama and Papa should have done a long time ago! Do not embarrass us further. Keep your mouth shut and let us go to the carriage. This instant!”

With whines and cries, Lydia followed her, while Jane took Kitty’s arm. At the bottom of the stairs, Mrs Gardiner was waiting, together with Bingley and Darcy. The latter glanced at Elizabeth briefly but she averted her eyes, too mortified to face him.

Within minutes they were in the carriage, with only Bingley joining them. Elizabeth longed to know about Darcy but did not dare ask.

Lydia began to whine again, while Kitty kept repeating it was not her fault and Jane tried to comfort them both.

“Lydia, listen to me well,” Mrs Gardiner interjected. “I will go back to Mrs Crawford’s to be with my children. You and Kitty will sleep at Mrs Clarke’s cottage, with Jane and Lizzy. You will share one room, all together. And tomorrow afternoon we will return to Longbourn.”