Chapter 20:

Kitty ran alongside Lizzy, not understanding what was the matter with Lyida. She has heard Lizzy say something about "Lydia" and somewhere in there were the words "Wickham" but Lizzy was not making any sense.

"Lizzy—I am not understanding you" said Kitty, in between breaths. They were not far from Longbourn and approached the back entrance within minutes. Without answering, Lizzy pushed through the kitchen doors and ran up the stairs, yanking Kitty up and up to Lydia's room.

When they entered Lydia's room, Lizzy and Kitty were both panting.

"Will you now explain yourself?" asked Kitty, holding on to the doorpost for support. Her eyes surveyed the room and a gasp left her—she unconsciously covered her mouth with her hand, aghast at the sight infront of her. Though Lydia's room had never been tidy, it was now simply and utterly destroyed. There were clothes, handkerchiefs, books, candles, bonnets, and all sorts of follies lain on the floor, bed, and chair. It was as if someone had rummaged through everything without much thought.

"Oh, Lydia, what have you done?" whispered Kitty, walking in the room and touching her desk, which was now covered with ribbons. Underneath the ribbons Kitty noticed a letter—addressed to her.

"Dear Kitty,

You will laugh when you know where I am gone, and I cannot help laughing myself at your surprise to-morrow morning, as soon as I am missed. I am going to Gretna Green, and if you cannot guess with who, I shall think you a simpleton or a bore like one of our sisters, for he is an angel. I should never be happy without him, so think it no harm to be off. I cannot wait to write to mama and papa and sign my name Lydia Wickham. What a good joke it will be! I can hardly write for laughing. I could not and would not be shipped off to Scotland. If I will go to Scotland it will be on my terms. My one and only dream has always been to marry the handsomest redcoat of all. Miss King's loss is my gain, dearest sister. La! What fun! I cannot write anymore for he is awaiting. I hope you will drink to our good journey.

Your affectionate sister,

Lydia Bennet"

"Foolish, foolish girl!" muttered Lizzy, after Kitty had finished reading the letter. "``Oh! thoughtless, thoughtless Lydia!'' cried Elizabeth when she had finished it. ``What a letter is this, to be written at such a moment. But at least it shews that she was serious in the object of her journey. Whatever he might afterwards persuade her to, it was not on her side a scheme of infamy." They were both in utter shock. Lizzy sat on the bed, holding on the pole for support, for she did not know if without it she would faint. Elizabeth might have thought a few months ago that Mr. Wickham would have married her but now she knew that he would not. They must find her and try to prevent as much gossip as possible.

Lizzy had tried, in vain, to prevent this, to put an end to Lydia's folly. And now, their entire futures would be ruined. For how could Fitzwilliam who was now so dear in her heart, ever accept to unite families with such a man? That is, if they even were to be married! Foolish girl!

"Lizzy, have you told papa?" asked Kitty, noticing and frightened by Lizzy's quite demeanor.

"Yes—he asked me to fetch you, he wanted to know if you knew anything else. By your reaction, it is evident you do not. I shall inform him, for he hopes to make it to London by this afternoon. I hope papa and our uncle can find them and soon" said Lizzy, regaining his voice.

"It will all be alright Lizzy" said Kitty softly, touching Lizzy's arm. "I can imagine this is quite a bit to take in and so close to your wedding, but they cannot have gone far"

"We do not know where they are Kitty and I hope you are not foolish enough to think that they are going to be married. Or that I will for that matter. He will use her and discard her and in the process ruin us all" said Lizzy bitterly, "I must speak with papa before he departs" she added, getting up and leaving the room.

Kitty watched her go in silence and sat on Lydia's bed, surveying the room one more time. How did Lydia get in touch with Mr. Wickham? And could Lydia be so stupid and selfish? Yes, sadly, she knew the answer was yes, she could.

PNPNPNP

Elizabeth Bennet found herself staring in the mirror—her reflection barely resembling herself. Oh how she wished Jane were here. After Mr. Bennet left for London, Elizabeth found herself tending to her mama who was in hysterics. Lizzy tried to plead with her mother to not be as effusive for they would not benefit from the servants finding out. It was to no avail—it was only a matter of time before everyone knew. The youngest Bennet daughter had run away with no prospects and the best case scenario was Lydia marrying the biggest scoundrel of their acquaintance, thereby ruining the small chance the Bennet sisters had.

Lizzy felt for Lydia everything she could not possibly feel for herself nor for her sisters. After a very hectic afternoon, Lizzy left her mother in the care of Kitty and Mary and wrote a hasty letter to Jane. She did not know if there was any way Matthew could help but if he could, it was absolutely time sensitive. Oh, how this would affect Jane! The embarrassment! After writing Jane's letter, Lizzy pulled out another piece of paper about to write to her Mr. Darcy but she could not.

The words would not come. She felt her future crumble in front of her. How could she notify him that instead of marrying her in less than a fortnight, she would now be releasing him from the engagement but he could not, he would not, marry her now. Everything Lady Catherine had said was in the front of her mind—even Mr. Darcy's proposal which was so far from now, was never more true.

She would write him tomorrow. Jane's letter needed to be dispatched promptly.

PNPNPNPNP

Jane woke up with a smile on her face—the birds were chirping right outside her window. Her husband had already gotten up early and she did not rush out of bed. Her maid brought her a tray to break her fast, which she enjoyed with a cup of tea, while overseeing the beautiful Downton gardens.

After getting washing up and getting dressed, Jane walked down to the library where she hoped to write a letter to Lizzy. Instead of finding the cozy room empty, she saw Lady Grantham, crying.

"Jane!" said Lady Grantham, wiping off her tears. "I did not know you liked frequenting this room. I apologize. I did not wish for anyone to see me like this"

"I apologize for disturbing your privacy" said Jane softly, wanting to give her mother in law a hug but not feeling comfortable enough to do so yet.

"I miss Robert terribly" said Lady Grantham, looking the other way as more tears were threatening to come out. "I have tried to be strong for Matthew, Mary, and even Laura, and of course you, my dearest, who have recently joined our family. I did not want it to be a dark time but I miss him. He was my soulmate. It was not a love match but it grew to be one."

By now, Jane was sitting next to her mother in law, and reached out for her hand squeezing it lightly. "I am always comforted to know that love is real, for it is the most beautiful thing in this world"

"It is and I am very thankful that my son has found love with you, Jane" said Lady Grantham warmly. A light knock on the door interrupted their conversation. A footman appear with a letter.

"For Lady Grantham" he said, bowing and handing the letter to Jane.

"Thank you" said Jane politely, then turned the letter around to see who it was from. "Oh it is from Lizzy—how strange, her writing is awful! She must have written this in haste" observed Jane.

"If that is the case, you must open it, perhaps it is important" said Lady Grantham, "I was leaving"

"No, please stay, I shall read it here. There is no need for you to leave" said Jane. She opened the letter and a gasp came out of her lips. Jane read the letter over again—this must be a mistake.

"Dearest Jane,

Something has occurred of a most unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of alarming you—be assured that we are all well. What I have to say relates to poor Lydia. She left a note addressed to Kitty to inform us that she was gone off to Scotland with Wickham! I am very, very sorry. So imprudent a match on both sides! His choice is disinterested at least, for he must know my father can give her nothing. Our poor mother is sadly grieved. My father bears it better. How thankful am I that you have married and escaped this for I do not know what will become. If they marry—think of the relations! If they do not, which is highly more likely and probably, she and we will be ruined forever. If there is anything your Matthew could do...papa is in London with our aunt and uncle. I must conclude, for I cannot be long from my poor mother. I am afraid you will not be able to make it out, but I hardly know what I have written.

Your sister,

Elizabeth Bennet"

"Jane, darling, what is the matter?" asked Lady Grantham. Jane hesitated, but her knees trembled under her.

"You look ill, shall I call for your maid?" asked Lady Grantham, knowing the contents of the letter had upset her but she did not want to impose.

"No, I thank you" croaked Jane, finding her voice, "There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well; I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn. I need Matthew, please, excuse me" she said, leaving the library in a hurry.

PNPNPNPNP

He rode his horse as fast as he could. He felt himself fortunate for he had found out in the morning and was able to reach Pemberley before nightfall. He had barely stopped, knowing that this matter was of utmost importance.

It had begun to rain, he was now covered and drenched. But he continued. He was almost there—he needed to get to Darcy before the day was done.

He almost jumped off his horse, approaching the entrance of Darcy's estate. Oh how he had envied such a fine and ancestral home.

The butler answered the door, perplexed at finding a wet gentleman gasping for air. The man clumsily handed the butler his card. It was not even minutes later that Darcy appear at the door.

"Charles! Good God, what is the matter?!" he cried.