Lydia Bennet's Story (16 page)

MR DARCY! WHAT COULD he be doing there? Lydia thought as she crossed the street with a sense of foreboding and ran up the staircase, demanding to know what he had wanted. She soon discovered that the odious man had been there for some time, upsetting her beloved boy, making him all cross and exceedingly gloomy. Even worse was the news that he was to call later on in the day in order to speak with Lydia.

“Why didn’t you send him away with a flea in his ear?” she remonstrated. “I do not want to speak to him. How dare he interfere!”

“Do not be so hasty, my dear,” Wickham answered, trying to calm her down. “He may be able to assist me. Proud and arrogant he may be, but he is rich, and if I could just extract a little money out of him, money that is due to me, my problems might well be resolved.”

“But if he is uncivil, as I expect, I will not suffer his company any longer than I must.”
Wickham roared. “Listen you silly girl, you will be polite to Mr Darcy and help me if you can. He owes me a living, and you might well be the person to help me get it, but you must heed my advice and ignore his requests. He may ask you to go with him. Above all, if he demands that you leave me, be firm and refuse.”
“Of course I will, George. Do you think it likely I would run off with him? But I do not see how he will give you any money on my account. Who am I to him?”
“You do not need to worry about that, just tell Darcy you are staying put and that you will not be removed. Leave the rest to me.”
Lydia was instantly thrown into a temper, though she did her best to keep her feelings from Wickham. She hated to see him so cross and wished only to make him happy. However, she was determined she would speak to Mr Darcy on her own terms, and though she wished to stay with George, she decided she would be as civil as she cared. George was not going to tell her how she must behave.
She could not say that she was left feeling any more cheerful by the interview that she was forced to endure with Mr Darcy in private. He dismissed Wickham as soon as he arrived and took a seat opposite her, staring at her a good deal before he chose to speak. Lydia looked back at him with as much intent. She noted his immaculate appearance: his dark coat moulded to his figure in the very best cloth, the starched, crisp folds at his neck and his dark eyes, which penetrated hers.
“Madam, I am at a loss as to understand the willful and wanton manner in which you have lately conducted yourself,” he began, looking about the place with an expression of contempt, “without any redress, thought, or consideration not only for your good parents but for yourself. Your total want of propriety, which I have often observed in your behaviour since first I was introduced to you, has been of the gravest concern to me and to your family, who are now beside themselves with worry for your welfare. But in the first instance, I must satisfy myself that Wickham has told me the truth about your willingness to follow him here. In short, I must ask you, Miss Bennet— for I would like to assure myself that you are not the selfish, licentious creature that at this moment you appear to be—to explain yourself. Did Mr Wickham force his attentions upon you and take you against your will? Or must I conclude, as I see your expression bears no symptom of unease, that you came with him willingly to this den of iniquity?”
“I came most willingly, Mr Darcy. It was my idea as much as dear George’s,” she professed, daring to meet his stern gaze.
“Have you not considered your position, madam? Look around you. Are you not sensible of the condition in which you find yourself?”
“I am wholly sensible of my condition, Mr Darcy, and it is one with which I am perfectly happy; indeed, I have never been more content with a situation in my life!”
“Mr Wickham is in most serious trouble, Miss Bennet. He has taken a young girl away from her friends and placed her in the most compromising, discreditable predicament. He is a libertine and seducer of the worst kind. It is neither safe nor seemly for you to remain here any longer under his roof, and immediate steps must be taken to remove you from his influence.”
“I will not be removed, whatever you say. I hate the very sight of you, Mr Darcy,” she declared, standing up to confront him. “You do not frighten me with your sour looks or your threats. How dare you accuse my darling George of seduction, when it should be plain that, not only have I encouraged our liaison, but have been instrumental in it taking place at all. I should be accused of seduction if anyone is to be blamed. Indeed, George did not stand a chance. I was determined to have him, and I would do it all over again. We would be married now if we had been rich enough, but you would have no idea what it is to be at the mercy of others for your fortunes!”
“Miss Bennet, you do not know what you are saying,” he replied in earnest. “Think of your mother if you cannot think of yourself. You must leave this place immediately and go home. I have a carriage waiting outside, and I can assist you in any way you wish. Do you have a friend you would like to stay with and visit? Please be sensible and consider what I can do for you.”
“No, I will not, Mr Darcy, and you cannot make me!”
“Well then, Miss Bennet, let me put this to you. I have money for you to buy new gowns, bonnets, and all manner of luxuries that I will put at your disposal if you will do as I ask and leave Mr Wickham this instant.”
“Well, I think you have a nerve, Mr Darcy, and I will tell you now, I do not care for you to interfere. I do not want your money. Mr Wickham and I will marry sooner or later without your help. I am not about to go and stay with any friends at your suggestion whilst I am having the time of my life with the man I love best in the whole world. Nothing you say or do will change my mind about him.”
“You cannot know the danger you face from him. You would be much better off staying with your friends.”
They sat in silence; Lydia could feel his temper rising, though he had all the appearance of a calm countenance. Lydia folded her arms and looked away as though she were regarding something of great interest through the window.
At last he spoke. “I will return tomorrow,” he said, standing to glower at her with his dark, brooding eyes. “I wish you would consider very carefully my offers of assistance to you. If you cannot oblige me, Miss Bennet, I beg you would think of your family, especially your parents and your sisters.”
He departed without giving George his compliments, leaving Lydia feeling quite triumphant, though her account of the interview did not improve her lover’s temper one jot.

Saturday, August 14th
Georgie is in better humour today, despite being closeted with Mr Darcy for half the morning. That man is the rudest I know; he scarcely nodded in my direction on his arrival before banishing me to the bedchamber, which, although the scene of many happy hours, is now beginning to pall. I declare I could recount each and every cobweb and spider on the tented canopy of our bed if I was called upon to do so!

I daresay we have not seen the last of Mr Darcy, but this afternoon we did not give him a thought. With George’s good spirits returned and his request to see me dance for him again, we might have been the only two people in the world. ’Tis surprising what effect an exhibition with two or three classically draped bed sheets can have on a young man, though it has to be said my efforts were slightly impeded by the vase which I held for authenticity. Afterwards, George pulled me onto his lap, and I fed him cherries as I sat on his knee, twirling his black curls through my fingers in rapturous elation.

I wonder if Lady Hamilton’s exhibitions for a certain Naval intimate command such euphoric encores? I would lay bets that they do not!!!

MR WICKHAM’S GOOD SPIRITS continued. Lydia suggested he must have a secret by the smile that played about his face, but it seemed he was not prepared to share it however much she pleaded with him. He insisted that, if all went according to plan, he would very likely have some good news for her on the morrow. Lydia did not think she could wait but wondered if all depended on Mr Darcy, who she surmised they would soon see again. By the very next day it was all settled. Mr Darcy appeared but did not stay for long. As soon as Lydia heard the door shut behind him, she emerged from the bedchamber, demanding a full report.

“Well, Miss Bennet, it seems you are to make my fortune after all,” Wickham declared mysteriously, a broad smile on his countenance. “I always did admire you, but this afternoon, I declare, I never felt more in love.”

“Do not flatter yourself, my love. It is, after all, quite what he owes me, you know. If everything continues as well as it might, all will be to our satisfaction, I am certain. You will be pleased to be addressed as Mrs Wickham, I think, will you not?”

“Whatever do you mean, George? Why do you tease me so?” “We are to be married, my dear.”
“Married, George?! Are you asking me to marry you?” “Why yes, I suppose I am. In any case, it is all arranged.” “George, you are so clever! I knew you would find a way and

to do it without me knowing a thing. But what did you mean by saying you only admired me before this afternoon? If I recall, you were the one desperate to have me run away with you. I never should have if I didn’t think you loved me.”

“Quite so, Lydia, as you say. But I have important matters to occupy me. Now, where is my account book? Let me attend to my finances.”

It appeared that his money worries had been resolved, yet she could hardly believe it had anything to do with Mr Darcy. He was intent on revealing their whereabouts to her uncle, and it transpired that her father had been in London searching the streets for days. She certainly did not want either of them turning up at their lodgings. Why they were making so much fuss she could not understand; she and George would have gone home sooner or later. Why could they not wait a bit longer? However, she could not be cross for long. She was to be married by the end of the month. Lydia thought they must be the happiest couple in the kingdom.

Mr Darcy soon made another appearance, telling her she must pack her bag and be ready to leave for her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner’s house first thing on the following morning.

“I will not go, Mr Darcy, and you cannot make me!” Lydia protested.
“Let me assure you, Miss Bennet,” Mr Darcy declared, “there will be no wedding unless you do strictly as you are told. If you comply with these wishes, Mr Wickham will be allowed to visit you at your aunt’s house whenever you please, although to tell the truth that is a privilege I would have denied you!”
Again she protested and appealed to Wickham.
“My dear, I think on this occasion,” he answered, “it would be well to do as Mr Darcy requests. We do not want to upset your aunt, do we?”
She was not looking forward to seeing either her aunt or her uncle, and only the thought that she and Wickham were soon to be married could make her visit there bearable.
George was unusually quiet during the whole interview with Mr Darcy. Lydia thought he was such a ninny around him. How could he let Darcy dictate what his behaviour and actions should be? When there was a pause in the conversation between the two men, Lydia asked, “Mr Darcy, have you happened to have seen my papa?”
“No, Miss Bennet, I have not had that pleasure,” he replied, “and I think you will understand when I say I am grateful that I have not had to witness his distress at this time.”
She was sorely relieved. Her father had never thrashed her in her life, but she owned that she had been terrified at each knock upon the door, for she was sure he would not have held back with either herself or her amour on this occasion.
“Your uncle will be acquainting your family with the particulars of the engagement in a letter, and I must add, Miss Bennet, that I think you are most fortunate to have such kind relatives to take in such an ungrateful girl and have the trouble of seeing to all the arrangements of your wedding. I hope you will be sensible and make yourself as pleasant and useful to your aunt as you can whilst you are under her care.”
Lydia was incensed. Who did he think he was? He scolded her as a brother might, and she was affronted! No wonder her sister Lizzy was so revolted by him; Lydia could see exactly what she meant now.

With great reluctance did she take leave of her dear Wickham and set forth to her aunt and uncle’s house on Gracechurch Street. Their welcome, although civil, was not exactly effusive and warm. She had just been relieved of her pelisse and shown to her room when her Aunt Gardiner appeared at her door, there to tell her exactly what she thought of her behaviour.

“Well, Lydia,” she said, “I have often thought that your behaviour was not always seemly and that perhaps a little less overindulgence would have curbed the worst excesses, but I was prepared to think that, because you had been spoiled in your youth, you could not entirely be blamed for your impetuous ways. But I am at a loss as to know what I can say to you on this occasion. How could you be so selfish? You did not consider anyone else but yourself before you acted so rashly. Did you never once think of your poor mama, your papa, or indeed your sisters, on whom your sins would blight? Do you realise what such a scandal will do for the reputations of your sisters as well as your own? What sort of alliances they will be able to make now, when this gets out, I do not know. I only hope your marriage may stem the worst of the gossip, although people will talk. Your imprudent and dissipated ways have cost your sisters dearly. Folly and frivolity have been your undoing, and I hope you will now consider the damage you have very nearly brought to your reputation!”