Page 56 of First Impressions (Passion and Perseverance #1)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

“What?! What do you mean she ran away? Why? Where did she go?” She demanded, completely confused as to how such a thing could happen.

“It’s not just that she ran away. She’s pregnant, Beth; and George is the father.”

“Oh my God, not George.” That fucking asshole. Beth felt the blood rush from her head as she grabbed ahold of the banister to steady herself, lowering herself to the ground to sit against the patio railing. “Does mom know? Where is she going?”

“I don’t know where she is going. She sent me an email fifteen minutes ago, telling me that she is pregnant and going to either convince George to marry her or she is going to run away. I think Kat and I are the only ones who know.”

“God, Lydia. How did this happen?”

“I’m not completely sure.” Beth heard her sister pause to blow her nose; she’d never heard Jane so upset.

“M-mom is going to be devastated. I called Kat to see if she knew anything; all she could tell me is that Lydia has been sneaking out at night a lot lately to see George and then coming back home before dawn. How could she do this, Beth?”

“Because she doesn’t think about anyone but herself. Is George going to marry her?” Dumb question. Beth already knew the answer to that, even if Jane didn’t, “I can’t see that happening. She knows nothing about him or what he’s done.”

There was no way George would marry Lydia; she had no way of getting him the job or career that he was after.

“Kat said she’s known she was pregnant for several days now and has been basically trying to convince George to marry her because she thought that’s what he wanted, but he kept putting her off.

So, now she’s gone to see him and basically threaten him that either he marries her or she will run away and he will be blamed for it. ”

He won’t give a shit what she does, as long as it doesn’t interfere with his plans - which having a baby definitely would.

“Beth, how are we going to tell mom? I don’t know how she’ll survive if Lydia runs away.” Jane was sobbing now and Beth couldn’t wipe her tears away fast enough.

“I’ll think of something, just don’t say anything. I-I’m going to head home now and we’ll figure something out ok?” She tried to sound reassuring but knew that it wasn’t much use.

Jane agreed and hung up. As soon as she set the phone down, a sob involuntarily broke free of her lips as she tried to stifle her cries with her arm.

You need to pull yourself together and get home.

Even though the tears kept falling she wiped off her face just in time to see Darcy’s jean-clad legs in front of her before his strong arms were hauling her up against him and holding her to him.

“Beth. What’s wrong?” He held her as she tried to calm herself down, explaining in disjointed phrases what had happened.

“Lydia is pregnant.” Sob. “It’s George.” Sob. “W-won’t m-marry her.” Sob. “My m-mom...” Sob.

He got the gist of the situation and she felt his muscles clench at the mention of George’s name. He held her, supported her, for a minute as she forced her tears at bay. His presence, his strength, and decisiveness, God, how she could use that now.

“I-I need t-to go h-home. N-now.” She pulled herself back from his embrace as much as he would let her. Be strong. You have to do this on your own; he’s not yours to use.

His arms finally released her to wipe the remaining tears from her eyes; eyes that looked up at him guiltily.

“If only…” she began, shaking and ducking her head before she began to cry again.

If only I had listened to you at the Ball, none of this would have happened to Lydia.

“This is not your fault. Do you hear me? George is a low-life, piece of shit. Nothing you did caused this.” She felt his fingers underneath her chin, lifting her gaze to his. His hard stare was unwavering as it bore into her, destroying the guilt that had started to consume her.

She gave a quick nod and stepped away from him.

“I have to go home. I have to find a way to tell my mother and the rest of my family. We need to figure out how to find her.”

Darcy’s jaw clenched. “Of course.” His hands released her and she immediately felt the loss of support.

Numbly she walked back inside the house, Darcy trailing behind her, hoping she could hold it together in front of his sister. As they re-entered the room, Beth saw the concerned and questioning stares from Phil and Georgiana.

“Phil, I’m sorry. T-there’s been a small family emergency. I need to get back home.” Her voice only shook a little as Phil’s eyes widened in shock and he set down his fork and stood up immediately.

“Of course. Of course.” He came over to her and put a supporting hand on her shoulder. “Thank you both so much for your hospitality and for lunch; it was delicious. Georgiana, it was a pleasure talking with you; good luck at school. Darcy, we’ll be in touch.” He reached out to shake Darcy’s hand.

Georgiana had stood up at Beth’s announcement and now walked over to her and enveloped her in an unexpected hug.

“It was wonderful to meet you, Beth. I hope everything is ok and that we’ll get to see each other again soon.

” Beth could have cried at the sincere kindness that emanated from her.

She hugged Georgie back biting her own lip in an effort to avoid tears.

Even after only meeting her less than an hour ago, Beth knew that she could have become closer to this girl than all of her other sisters; well, besides Jane of course; she instinctively felt a bond between them, a bond that would eventually wither and disappear as she had effectively severed her future with Darcy.

Don’t think about that now. Think about Lydia. Think about Jane.

Focus.

“Thank you,” she responded quietly, pulling herself out of Georgie’s embrace and turning to Darcy .

“Mr. Darcy. I’m sorry we have to leave so abruptly. You have a beautiful home and an even more beautiful sister. I can see why you treasure her so much.” She gave him a small smile.

Even though he looked like he was about to say something back to her, she was reminded of the urgency of her situation when her phone began to buzz again. She broke from his stare and answered the call from her dad as she and Phil were escorted out by Darcy and Georgiana.

“Dad?”

“Beth, have you talked to Jane?” He sounded distraught. Her parents knew.

“Yes. I’m on my way home now. Does mom know?” As if in answer to her question she heard a loud wailing sob in the background.

“Yes. She’s hysterical. What was Lydia thinking? Did you even know she was seeing this George person? Your mother claims she had no idea.”

“I don’t know. She didn’t say anything to me. I’m so sorry dad—” she broke off as she began to cry again. Phil took the phone from her as they reached the car and talked to John as Darcy helped Beth into the car.

“What do you need me to do, John? Does anyone have any idea where he would take her or where they would go?” Phil waved at Darcy and got in the car, focused on his conversation.

Beth looked out the window and watched Darcy as he listened to what Phil was saying.

When Phil asked her dad those questions, she saw Darcy’s face harden as he turned and stalked back into the house, pulling out his cell phone just as the door closed behind him.

Phil got in the car and drove them back to the city as fast as possible.