November 29, 1811
Wickham lowered his musket, cursing his missed shot and immediately began to reload. Cocking the hammer back, he tore the pouch of powder open, pouring it down the barrel before spitting the shot from his mouth into his hand and slamming it into the barrel. Ramroding the shot and powder, he prepared himself to hit his target this time. Until he felt the barrel of a pistol at the back of his back, his finger readied to pull the trigger.
" It isn't right to shoot a man who has done you no wrong, Mr. Wickham," Mr. Denny said. Captain Carter tore through the brush, pistol at the ready. He stopped at the sight of Wickham standing facing the main road out of Meryton. " Captain, you have the restraints?"
Carter pulled out rope. Wickham lowered his rifle to the ground, keeping his hands in the air. Mr. Bennet advanced toward them through the brush, staring down the three men. " Go home, Mr. Bennet. Nothing to see here," He ordered the gentleman away. " Colonel Forster has this under control,"
Tipping his top hat, Simon bowed. " Give the Colonel my regards,"
Wickham made to speak, Mr. Denny swinging hard. " A gentleman never dishonors a lady,"
Turning on his heel, Simon permitted the men to carry out their task. He started to whistle. When he handed Thunder over to John and rested his feet in his father's study, he opened up the bourbon and poured himself a drink. " Excellent news, Father. Wickham is apprehended. Took a shot off at me and missed-"
Small arms wrapped around him. He turned around to find Lydia holding him. He put down the glass and held her close. She tried to say something over and over, obscured by his overcoat. Loftus paused in the doorway, unsure of whether to speak. " Wickham is no longer a problem," He said again. " We have Mr. Denny and Captain Carter to thank,"
" Miss Rowley departed a half hour ago. She left a letter in her place," Mr. Bennet handed it over. Simon set it aside next to his drink and walked Lydia back to the drawing room to the comfort of her mother and strongest supporter. Simon kissed her cheek and whispered into her ear the truth of Wickham's future. Relief put the lady at ease for now. Simon returned to the study to have his drink and letter at the same time.
He opened the letter, a ribbon flower crushed between the folds. Her name, signed, graced the paper. Loftus listened to Simon's full story, concern marking his features. Both men considered themselves lucky for the situation to work itself out without any harm coming to the parties involved. Separate letters, one to Darcy and one to Marina, discussed the plans for December.
December 3, 1811
The moment Bartlett Boording arrived at Longbourn prepared to wed his bride, Emma Bennet was dressing Lydia and everyone waited for the mother-daughter dramatic duo to join them in the vestibule. Simon wished Marina were here to see her hard work completed with a happy ending, but considering the circumstances, he knew that to be a bad decision and settled on writing Marina after the wedding breakfast. Jane kissed his cheek. " She's going to be good for this family, Simon, and I wish Lydia could see it too," Elizabeth exhaled and seconded Jane's remark.
" Soon it'll be the Bennet-Rowley ceremony," Loftus teased the flustered young man. Son glared at father and father chuckled. Mrs. Hill welcomed Mr. Boording into the home. " Mr. Boording, I presume," He stepped forward to intercept the man roughly his age. Mr. Boording was a tall, well muscled man accustomed to handling business and managing people. His visage could scare away Madame, and his deep, rich voice echoed of warmth and goodwill.
Mr. Boording glanced over the numerous daughters and appreciated their collective beauty. Simon extended his hand. They shook. " Lydia is with Mrs. Bennet upstairs. Might I speak to you in the study, Mr. Boording?" Loftus made to join them. " Alone,"
Secure in the study, Simon clasped his hands together. " I understand you are acquainted with the Rowleys of Derbyshire, Mr. Boording,"
" I am. Silas warned me of you, Mr. Bennet. She is a treasure, Miss Marina. You would not believe how meek she was as a child. I do recall her dearest desire to make her father happy. By all accounts, he would have approved of you," Bartlett answered, taking great pleasure in the apparent nerves of the young. " Does she still speak of people as if they are dolls in her little world?"
Laughing, Simon imagined her pulling the puppet strings. It brought tears to his eyes as he banished the thought. " No. That would be unladylike. She just states their faults in a non-judgmental manner that is arguably one of her best qualities," He exhaled and kept an ear out for his stepmother and sister. " Thank you,"
" For taking your sister as a wife?"
" Yes,"
Bartlett reached into his great coat and removed a letter. " Marina's letter convinced me that I needed to take a third wife. A man can die of loneliness, and Miss Lydia, as I understand, will keep me alert, alive, and active," He allowed Simon to read the letter, studying the young man's disappointment and bitterness with some interest.
Imagining Marina's voice as he read the letter, Simon swallowed hard. " I had no idea,"
" Her connections extend further than you imagine, Mr. Bennet,"
" Simon," He corrected the man. " Since you will be marrying my sister, call me Simon," Handing back the letter, Simon dropped into a chair. He didn't know that on top of the trust set up by her father that she also reasonably expected to inherit a small fortune from Bartlett Boording's estate. " She's giving up the investment her father placed in your care in return for your marriage to Lydia," Bartlett nodded, letting the meaning of the sacrifice sink in to its fullest depth.
Loftus entered the study. " Lydia is descending the steps," He whispered needlessly. They exited the study, Simon no longer smiling. " Is she not the portrait of youth and beauty, Mr. Boording?"
Mrs. Bennet released Lydia's arm and rushed forward to greet Bartlett. " Miss Lydia?" Bartlett bypassed Emma completely and extended his hand to Lydia. Lydia allowed her hand to be taken and held. " You are the most handsome lady in this house and I look forward to calling you Mrs. Bartlett Boording,"
Catherine and Mary held hands as they both suppressed joy for seeing Lydia soon to be wed to someone very respectable. Jane hushed Elizabeth when she made a witty comment not heard by anyone but Jane. Simon ushered them out of the house and to the multiple carriages. Simon joined his father and Mr. Boording in the first as the ladies entered the second carriage. Simon stayed silent on the sacrifice required to see Lydia well married, her reputation saved from complete ruin. The ride to the church passed too slowly as far as everyone was concerned except for Emma and Lydia. Parson Brooks welcomed them, congratulating Lydia especially before addressing Mr. Boording off to the side as the sisters seated themselves in a pew and schooled their faces to reveal nothing.
Catherine smirked as Lydia cried into her mother's shoulder. " I am sorry, Mama. Can I go home now? Do I really need-"
" He earns nearly 4,000 per annum, and you will be well provided for,"
" But he is so old!"
" And wealthy," Emma insisted as if that was all that mattered. Mr. Boording could have Mr. Darcy's wealth and it would not have mattered to the vain girl. " Now stop your crying. You're married before your sisters, just like you always said you would be-"
" But I was only jesting, Mama! I did not wish to-"
Simon cleared his throat as he stood behind the pair still in a tight embrace. " Lydia, wipe your tears. Mrs. Bennet, sit down. Mr. Boording is approaching and I do not want one more word of protest. You do not know what is being given up so you could be redeemed. You should thanking the good Lord above that enough people of means have gone so far to protect you from your own stupidity," That shut up Lydia's whining. " Smile. Pretend this is the happiest day of your life," He turned on his heel, with his arm held out to Mrs. Bennet. Mrs. Bennet reluctantly took his offered arm and Lydia composed herself.
Elizabeth nodded to Catherine. " Jane, you're soon to follow," Jane nodded, blushing at the imagined feeling of Mr. Darcy's hand in hers. Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
" One daughter married," Was all Emma could say for the next half hour.
December 4, 1811
Lady Lucas, Charlotte, Maria, and Marina debated the wisdom of allowing the oldest son to go into law when he'll most likely inherit Lucas Lodge. The entrance of Mr. and Mrs. Boording ceased the debate when everyone identified Lydia as Mrs. Boording. Lady Lucas cleared her throat while Charlotte and Maria gaped in shock. Marina sprung from the settee and hugged Bartlett without reserve. " Uncle Bartlett!"
" Marina, you have grown since I have last seen you," He rubbed her shoulder affectionately and kissed her forehead. " I must thank you for considering me when you said that Hertfordshire offered many a pretty lady for a wife," The genuine compliment confused Marina, her gaze shifting to Lydia then back to Bartlett.
Remembering her manners, Marina hastily made the introductions. She asked Lydia how it felt to be married finally, the lady not answering her. Lady Lucas mimicked Marina's confusion, Maria excusing herself to avoid censure, while Charlotte proceeded to ask Mr. Boording how he found Hertfordshire. A half hours idle conversation revealed that they were actually traveling to Suffolk where Mr. Boording resided and would not return to Hertfordshire for a spell. Lydia finally spoke, speaking of her plans for travel, and that she would put in a good word for the Miss Lucas for a good husband in Suffolk. Lady Lucas forbid her, Lydia quickly promising to do no such thing, further confusion Marina.
Bartlett finally sat aside from the ladies and noticed the difference in Marina. She wasn't guarded or defensive, open and vulnerable. Happy, he decided. Marina looked happy. He never saw her happy except at Combe Estate. Yes, Mr. Bennet certainly deserved her. " What is bothering Lydia?" She asked him hesitantly. " I have been attempting to determine what is bothering her. She should be happy, not…sad,"
" I told her that you sacrificed nearly 5,000 pounds so that I would provide her security and a home for the remainder of my days," Bartlett answered her. " On top the 7,000 pounds that Mr. Darcy has promised, she is finally realizing how damaged her reputation is,"
She couldn't lie – she was glad that the guilt finally settled on the silly girl. The lesson must be raw, and without a brother's support, it must distance the girl from the steady expectation that others would always support her. " And if you perish before the 5,000 pounds is exhausted?" She had some hope she might retain some of the small fortune but held no real hope of it.
" It will go to you," Bartlett covered her hand with his. " You're doing right here, Marina,"
" I know. But does she know that?" The thought lingered on both their minds as they considered the damaged, traumatized girl that managed to wreak havoc without actually being present to do so.
Bartlett claimed that they needed to travel soon, and the visit cut short. Lydia avoided eye contact with Marina, noted by the Lucas ladies. Charlotte reassured Marina that Lydia was always thoughtless and rude, while Lady Lucas exclaimed that Mrs. Bennet sorely lacked the ability to properly mother. Marina swore she heard Lady Lucas mutter a dark comment about Mrs. Bennet's nerves, Charlotte suggesting that they retreat to the pianoforte for a distraction from the upheaval.