Chapter Twenty Five: Mary's Despair
As the day progressed, the Captain did not arrive. Mary began to feel the weight of her anticipation closing in on her. She began to doubt the love that she had for the Captain or that he had for her, and she worried that something had happened. Every different form of tragedy came into her mind; perhaps he had fallen from his horse and was lost in the woods, or perhaps he had been summoned away because of war, or perhaps something had happened during the night. Every form of misfortune gave way to doubt of their love; perhaps he came to realize his true feelings before any attachment could be formed or perhaps someone else had come into his acquaintance to make him doubt. With every passing moment, Mary fell deeper into despair. She knew that an interview had been commissioned with her father and he had accepted to meet with the Captain. As the day progress and the meeting was missed Mary became convinced that he was not going to come. She believed that she had been mistaken or something had changed the Captain's mind and soon she was quite sure, as the day became dark, that he was not coming to the meeting.
Mrs. Bennett did not aid in the situation. She had spent most of her day sitting with Mary, and waiting for the announcement of the good news. As time progress, and as she came and went to check on Mr. Bennett, she too began to despair. This despair made Mrs. Bennett very vocal about the situation.
"My dear Mary he has used you very ill." Mrs. Bennett cried at about mid day, "To not show up? How rude that is. His character is not completely set!"
"Momma perhaps something has happened," Mary said trying to keep her composure.
"Then would you not sent a note?" Mrs. Bennett screeched, "No indeed, he is standing your father up and is being very rude in the meantime. I would not accept him if he does come, but he is so very rich, so you must."
"Momma, please," Mary cried.
"I will leave you then child, and you can think on it. Take my word, he had used you very ill, indeed." Mrs. Bennett huffed and left to complain to her other daughters.
Anne and Caroline had become quite good companions, and stumbled upon Mary as her emotions began to get the better of her. She looked fearfully nostalgic and contemplative as she sat staring out of the window and soon Anne and Caroline both became quite disturbed by the normally collected Mary Bennett.
"Miss. Mary, are you alright?" Anne asked as she sat down with Mary.
"I am quite reconciled to be alright," Mary said a tear in her eye, "but for now I wish to be miserable."
"Whatever for," Caroline asked as she came and took up a seat with Mary.
"I believe myself deceived," Mary sighed sadly.
"Deceived by whom," Anne asked as Colonel Fitzwilliam entered the room.
"I beg your pardon, ladies," Colonel Fitzwilliam faltered as he stood in the door.
Mary glanced up at the Colonel and for a moment was filled with hope, "was the Captain with you," she asked.
"No, I have not seen my friend all day," Colonel Fitzwilliam answered.
Mary's face fell again, and her sadness returned.
"The Captain did not come?" Anne asked as most of the ladies in the house had come into the knowledge of his anticipated visit.
"He did not," Mary answered.
"Well something has to have happened," Caroline said feeling compassion for Mary, "perhaps he was called away or there has been something that needed his attention on the estate."
"Yes, surely he would have sent some kind of notice." Colonel Fitzwilliam said, "You will hear from him, I can guarantee it."
"The sensible side of me believes you," Mary said, "but there is a part of me that is in despair."
"Do not make yourself uneasy," Anne said, "there has to be an explanation."
"Indeed there must," Caroline said, "have you seen Kitty? Perhaps she knows."
"She had been missing all day," Anne stated.
"But I did see her and Lydia as they took a turn together this very morning," Caroline stated.
"Perhaps they have not yet returned," Anne said.
"Or perhaps someone is up to no good," Caroline said.
Georgiana came into the room at that moment. She saw the sadness in the eyes of all those that were gathered, and knew it was time to speak. "What has happened?" She asked feeling a heaviness that had come over the gathering place.
"The Captain has not come." Caroline stated, "He was due this morning, and it is now starting to turn to darkness. He has not sent word or has been seen by anyone."
"I hope he is alright," Georgiana said.
"The odd thing is, Kitty and Lydia have been missing all this day as well," Anne stated.
"I want to believe that Kitty is not involved in anything," Mary said, "but Lydia may have done something in her jealousy and hatred."
"Do you really believe that you sister could hate you?" Anne asked, "Or perhaps you are just looking for an answer in your distress."
"Lydia and I have never gotten along." Mary said, "If it was always hatred, I cannot say, but recently I believe she does hold a great jealousy against me. It my be because of how I have been treated by everyone here. I think hatred has developed in Lydia's mind."
"We cannot jump to any conclusions as of right now." Caroline said, "I think we should all try to stay calm. If we had proof of such horrors, as may be imaginable by Lydia's vile behaviour, then let them be known to us. Until then she must remain innocent until we have proof of her guilt. Please try to stay calm."
"I agree with you Caroline, it is very good of you to be optimistic." Anne said, "Have you seen Kitty or Lydia today, Georgiana?" she asked as she turned to her cousin.
"No I have not, perhaps I should go look for them," Georgiana said.
"Someone should," Caroline said.
"I will do it," Georgiana smiled and took her leave of the gathered assembly.
A short time later Georgiana returned and entered the drawing room once again. She looked out of sorts and out of breath, but there was a determination in her eyes. Her hair was a mess, and there was dirt on her gown where it looked like she may have fallen onto her knees, but she seemed uninjured.
"What has happened to you?" Anne asked in shock.
"I am alright, do not be alarmed," Georgiana said.
"What is your news?" Caroline asked.
"I have found them both," Georgiana stated, "and I have dreadful news to tell you. Lydia has done something incredible vile, and both Mary and Kitty are to suffer from it." she stated as she took a seat angrily, "Lydia is now about the grounds hiding or perhaps she is where I left her, and that is all I know as of right now. No particulars could be obtained, but I know that the Captain had come and had left, and so has Mr. Spencer."
"What do you mean by she may be where you left her?" Caroline asked looking at Georgiana strangely.
"That vile girl attacked me," Georgiana said in absolute shock, "but I put her in her place. I am not proud of it, but it is done," she added angrily.
"What did you do?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.
"Something very unladylike and I am not proud of it, as I said, and I did not know it was even in me but I had to do it in self defense and I did manage to get away," Georgiana said.
"Is that how you ruined your gown?" Caroline asked in shock.
"Yes," Georgiana stated as she looked down at her dress and its state.
"Did she threaten you?" Anne asked horror struck.
"Yes," Georgiana said bringing herself up to her tallest high.
"Did you knock her out," Mary asked angrily.
"I did," Georgiana said.
The gathered ladies gasped in shock.
"I am not as weak and as innocent as people believe but I would rather that this does not get out," Georgiana stated, "although I believe it may be a swaying factor to having Lydia disgraced and thrown out of my home. I have had enough of her being here."
"I will not tell anyone that you rendered Lydia unconscious for a time, in fact, I will take great pleasure in it," Mary said angrily, "and I hope she is released from our company this very night."
"What has Lydia done, exactly?" Anne asked as she took Mary's hand.
"I do not know the particulars of the interview with the Captain, but from what I can deduct, something was said to the Captain to keep him from meeting with Mr. Bennett." Georgiana said as Mary burst into tears, "As far as what she has done to me, she came upon me just after I had found a very distraught Kitty. They exchanged words, and Kitty ran off in the direction of this house. I was left alone with her, and she threatened to ruin my reputation. At this point, I vocally condemned her behaviour, and vowed to make her character known. Then, all at once, she attacked me."
"Lydia will ruin everything, all the time," Mary sobbed.
"I am terribly sorry, Mary, but Kitty is determined to set things right," Georgiana said as she rushed to Mary's side.
"How could anything Lydia say change the Captain's mind about coming here," Anne asked.
"I do not know," Colonel Fitzwilliam said, "but I am determined to find out. Do not be too distressed, Miss. Bennett, I will visit my friend directly." He added and was on his way.
"And I must go to my brother," Georgiana added, "for I think he should know of Lydia's violence."
"I want you to assure us that you are alright," Anne said concerned for her cousin, "you were violently attacked."
"I believe Lydia ended up far worse then I," Georgiana stated, "but we are wasting time on me right now and I must go."
"We will stay with Mary," Caroline said, and Anne nodded in agreement.
"We will get to the bottom of this tonight," Georgiana said with utter determination, "and I vow to you that Lydia will pay," she stated and excused herself from the room.
Georgiana was rather shaken and shocked by her own behaviour. She had never felt such adrenalin before and was sure that had it happened under any other circumstances. She would have fainted, but today she felt strong and determined, and a genuine dislike for Lydia fueled her onward.