Page 20 of Heiress of Longbourn (Pride and Prejudice Variations)

The room, Elizabeth could see, was a small sitting room, with a side door leading to what was doubtless a bedchamber. Lydia and Wickham were sitting side by side, both with smiles on their faces.

Once the twosome had entered the room and shut the door, George Wickham rose to his feet and bowed. “Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth, how pleasant to see you this morning.”

Lydia, who had not bothered to stand up, said, “I did not know that you would be coming, Lizzy, but you can be my bridesmaid at my wedding. Is this not wonderful?”

“There is nothing wonderful about it,” Bennet said angrily. “Mr. Wickham, how could you do such a vile thing as to run off with my fifteen-year-old daughter?”

“Do not say such things about George,” Lydia snapped, leaping to her feet and wrapping her arm around her lover. “He loves me, and I love him, and we are to be married, and Mary can be the one who is never wed.”

Elizabeth, looking at her father, was alarmed to see his face turn bright red with fury. As much as she understood her father’s rage, she also did not think shouting would do any good in the face of such bold assurance on the part of the young couple.

She put a staying hand on her father’s arm and said, “Lydia, what do you mean, Mary will never wed?”

Lydia tossed her head, causing her dusky curls to sway. “Oh Lizzy, surely it is obvious that Jane was the heiress of Longbourn until she was engaged to Mr. Bingley, and then Father claimed that someone else will inherit. Well, I know very well what will happen; whoever is the last unwed daughter will be required by Mamma to stay unmarried, because she is afraid of losing Longbourn, and I am determined I will not be the one forced to live at home as a spinster.”

Elizabeth stared at her sister and said, “But Lydia…”

She trailed off and looked at her father, who now appeared more thunderstruck than furious.

“Sir,” George Wickham said in a courteous tone, “I am aware that our decision to run away was a trifle reckless, but I truly love your daughter and want nothing more than to make her my beloved wife, to care for her and protect her for the rest of her days.”

Lydia glowed at these words, and Bennet said with a sigh, “You have obviously forced my hand, Mr. Wickham, by running off in such a way so I give you my permission to marry Lydia, if not my blessing.”

“Thank you, sir,” the lieutenant said with a charming smile. “You are most kind. Now, perhaps we could spend a few minutes in a parlor downstairs and discuss the marriage settlements?”

Bennet’s jaw tightened, and he glanced at Elizabeth, who swallowed hard. Considering the situation, and given that Wickham was a spendthrift and a rogue, it was likely that he would require a substantial sum in order to follow through with his pledge to marry the foolish youngest Miss Bennet.

“Yes, of course, Mr. Wickham,” Bennet grated out. “Shall we?”

***

The Lion and the Lamb Inn

Thirty Minutes Later

“I think that is the Bennet carriage!” Alexander exclaimed, peering out of his window toward the equipage, sans horses, standing against a stone wall of the courtyard.

Darcy quickly looked out as well and said, “Is it? It looks vaguely familiar, but …”

“It is,” Alexander said confidently. “I recognize it. Mr. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth must be here, and maybe my brother and Miss Lydia are here as well.”

“Or perhaps they stopped for a meal,” Darcy said doubtfully. “Given the head start that George and Miss Lydia have on us, I would have thought they would be several hours north of here.”

“Well, we ought at least to consult with Mr. Bennet,” Alexander suggested, and Darcy nodded and pushed the carriage door open and stepped down, followed a moment later by Alexander.

Darcy spoke briefly with the coachman, and then the two gentlemen made their way to the front door and opened it.

A stout man stood within, dressed in dark broadcloth, and he stared at the pair with starting eyes and a slightly open mouth.

Darcy frowned at the man, bewildered and somewhat insulted at such a greeting, but Alexander said immediately, “I believe my twin brother is here, sir?”

The man looked startled and, after a long moment of cogitation, smiled. “Erm, yes, sir, indeed he is. As like you as two pennies, sir, most remarkable! He is in the parlor at the end of the hall if you would like to see him?”

“I would, very much, thank you,” Alexander said.

***

Parlor

The parlor was wonderfully warm, the glass in the windows thick and well-sealed, with a generous fireplace along one wall with a vigorous fire heating the air. Smoke-darkened beams arched over the room, while a handful of modest paintings of landscapes decorated the creamy walls. There was a small table near the window, and a number of comfortable chairs scattered here and there.

The two occupants of the room turning to look as Darcy and Alexander Wickham entered. Bennet seemed to have aged several years since Darcy had last seen him, his face downcast and miserably weary. George Wickham, across from him, was a study in opposites – exultant, young, handsome, and decidedly smug. This last slid away as he stood quickly, his chair rocking back on its legs.

“What are you doing here?” George demanded, rising to his feet and glowering at the two men.

“Calm down, George,” Alexander said in a soothing tone. “We merely are here to assist the Bennets in this difficult situation. Mr. Bennet, good morning.”

Bennet grimaced and said, “I fear it is not a good morning, Mr. Wickham; your brother is demanding that I pledge five hundred pounds a year to him and Lydia or he will not marry her.”

Darcy felt a surge of fury at these words, but he realized, looking at Alexander, that he was not at all surprised.

“Do you mind if we join you?” the parson asked.

“Please do,” Bennet said wearily, gesturing to the vacant chairs.

Darcy took a seat next to Mr. Bennet, and Alexander sat next to his twin, and for a moment, silence reigned.

“I think,” Alexander said finally, “that it would be helpful to clarify the situation. George, you and Miss Lydia spent the night together?”

The elder Wickham grinned in a way that made Darcy want to punch his teeth in and said, “Yes, indeed. We shared the same chamber and the same bed, with all that entails. As Mr. Bennet said a few minutes ago, it is obviously a necessity that Lydia and I marry, and soon.”

“George,” Alexander said, staring into his twin’s face, “if Mr. Bennet is willing to set aside two hundred pounds a year for you and Miss Lydia, will you marry her?”

George Wickham shook his head slowly, and an expression of regret filled his countenance. “I really do not see how Lydia and I can possibly live on such a small sum. Moreover, I do not think that five hundred pounds a year is unreasonable; after all, Longbourn earns two thousand pounds a year, and Miss Bennet will soon be married to a wealthy man. That leaves four daughters in need of support, and thus five hundred pounds a year is entirely reasonable.”

Darcy stiffened at this ridiculous remark, and Mr. Bennet said, “That is completely absurd! Longbourn requires much of its income to repair tenants’ cottages and pay for servants and the like!”

George shrugged delicately. “That is your problem, Mr. Bennet, not mine. Lydia spent the night with me, and based on her description of the letter she left behind, everyone in Meryton will know it soon enough. If she returns home unwed, your other daughters will be ruined. Indeed, I would imagine that Darcy himself would recommend that Bingley break his engagement with the eldest Miss Bennet, as the family will be entirely rejected both in Hertfordshire and, sadly, in London as well. It really is such a dreadful situation,” he finished with false sympathy.

Darcy felt an even stronger urge to strike his old enemy in the face, but Alexander, looking solemn, merely lifted a restraining hand and said, “I am certain that we can come to some kind of agreement here, but first, perhaps it would be advisable to enjoy some sustenance? We have all been traveling quickly and, doubtless, would enjoy food and drink.”

Darcy was too frustrated and angry to feel hungry, but Alexander caught his eye in a meaningful way, and thus he said, gloomily, “Very well, yes. I can go speak to the landlord.”

“I will do it,” Alexander said, standing up. “Mr. Bennet, is there anything in particular you would like?”

“Nothing in particular, no,” Bennet replied wearily. “But thank you.”

***

Bedchamber

Two Hours Later

After the raw chill in the air outside, Elizabeth was grateful for the warmth of the sitting room, and the comfortable and stationary chair with its plush upholstery and soft cushions. She was even more grateful for the platter of food delivered by a maid dressed neatly in a white cap and starched apron. The tea was brewed to perfection, and the toast was just mildly browned, precisely the way she liked it. But both food and drink turned to ash in her mouth, her stomach rebelling every time she thought of Lydia’s colossal stupidity. She firmly quelled it, well aware that she needed to keep her strength up, and took another sip of tea before lowering her cup to her saucer once more.

She had been largely silent ever since Lieutenant Wickham and her father had descended to the parlor. Lydia, of course, had not been quiet; the girl had rattled on at length about how excited she was that she would soon be married, and that she would be able to sit in place of pride at the dinner table at Longbourn, and that she would have a ring, and beautiful bride clothes.

It was incredibly exasperating and frustrating, and it was terrifying as well.

“But Lydia, do you not see that if you and Mr. Wickham do not marry, you will be ruined, and the rest of us with you?” Elizabeth finally demanded.

Lydia, who was standing near the fireplace, lifted a glass figurine of a cat off the mantle and turned toward her. “But we will be married, Lizzy. George and I, well, after last night, there is no other option!”

Elizabeth felt her face flush with embarrassment, and it took some time before she was able to speak. “So you were, erm, intimate with Mr. Wickham, Lydia?”

Lydia stared back and then turned back to the mantle, where she picked up a matching cat to the figurine in her left hand.

“Yes,” she said in a soft voice.

Elizabeth, while scandalized, was also confused; Lydia’s tone was far more subdued than usual.

She stepped up next to her sister and looked over to observe Lydia’s face, which was slightly puckered, and her downcast eyes were shiny.

“Is something wrong?” Elizabeth asked gently.

Lydia brought the two figurines together nose to nose and then turned toward Elizabeth with a determined smile on her lips.

“It was rather odd, that is all,” she said brightly. “I am certain that I will, well, I will like it more in time… it was new to me, that is all, and I did not speak to Mamma about what would happen and … and I wish I had. But George loves me and I love him, and I will be married first of all my sisters, or maybe even along with Jane. That is an idea; we can return to Meryton and Jane and I can be wed at the same time! I am certain Father can purchase a license for us so we will not need to wait for the banns to be called. And I will not be a spinster!”

The admission that Lydia had been intimate with the elder Mr. Wickham was not unexpected, but it was still a shock. Moreover, it was obvious that Lydia had been rather taken aback with the act itself, which again, was no great surprise. Elizabeth, living on a farm, had a reasonable understanding of such matters, but as a maiden, she had never thought a great deal about it.

And frankly, until she was in love and engaged, she did not wish to think of it.

There was a tap on the door, followed by the door opening to reveal Mr. Bennet, looking unhappy, along with Lieutenant Wickham, who was, she admitted, remarkably handsome in his red coat and with a pleased look on his countenance.

“Lydia,” Bennet said grimly, “we have settled the financial aspects of your marriage to Mr. Wickham. It is time to come along.”

Lydia’s eyes brightened at these words, and she turned a glowing smile on the lieutenant, who smiled back in return.

Elizabeth, in turn, could hardly bear to look the man in the face. How could he be pleased at running away with a fifteen-year-old without the blessing of her father? How could he be so complacent under such circumstances! It seemed there were no limits to the impudence of an impudent man.

“A maid must help me pack up,” Lydia declared, and Elizabeth said, “I will assist you.”

The two girls made their way into the rather messy bedchamber next door, and Elizabeth, with only a little help from Lydia, packed up the various garments into a trunk, one which must have come from Wickham, as Elizabeth did not recognize it. Within ten minutes, they were finished, and when they had emerged back into the sitting room, George Wickham held out his arm to Lydia and they proceeded out of the room. Elizabeth wished to know what arrangements had been made, but seeing the fatigue in her father’s eyes, decided that questions should wait.

He held out his arm to her, and she took it silently, and they followed Lydia and her lover down the stairs to the vestibule of the inn, and then out the door to the courtyard, and from there to the Bennet carriage, which was now hitched up to four horses.

Wickham assisted Lydia in, who took the forward facing seat, and then sat down beside her, while Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet sat down across from them.