Chapter 21:
"Come inside, you must be freezing" said Mr. Darcy, ushering his friend inside. "What could possess you to drive in the rain and for hours?" added Mr. Darcy, in utter disbelief.
"Darcy, we do not have time. Miss Lydia Bennet has run away with Wickham, I do not know particulars for that is all I overheard but I think you know him best to know what to expect" said Mr. Bingley, in between breaths.
Darcy felt as if he had been punched. His body felt heavier. Wickham was trying to ruin his family-he would not permit it!
"Please come warm up while you tell me what you know. We will set out to London within the hour" he said firmly, "Mrs. Reynolds, please bring Mr. Bingley some blankets, tea, and a warm change of clothes" said Mr. Darcy to his trusted housekeeper.
"Yes, Sir" she said, before scurrying off to bring what he had requested.
"How did you even find this out?" said Mr. Darcy, still in shock. How was his Elizabeth? Oh she must be devastated. Did she write to him? Would she confide in him? When did this happen? He had a flurry of questions that begged to be answered but he did not even think that Charles knew the answers.
"I was in Hertfordshire" he began, taking a few sips of tea and a warm blanket around him, "I had some business to attend to in Netherfield. The weather was lovely and inviting so I took a walk and changed upon Miss Catherine Bennet. I was pleasantly surprised by our conversation for you know, my former attachment to the elder Miss Bennet. Miss Elizabeth came upon us and I left, not wanting any awkwardness. As I walked away, I overheard Miss Elizabeth telling Miss Catherine to make haste for Miss Lydia had run away with Mr. Wickham"
"That does not explain why you are here" said Mr. Darcy, eying his friend quizzically.
"I do not know why. I think this is my form of redemption for the heartache I caused the Bennets. Though I do not pretend to be responsible for this, I was neglectful in the way I singled out their eldest and then abandoned her. Having been privy to this particular information, I felt it was my duty as a friend to reach you at once for you would know how to handle this" said Charles.
"I thank you" said Mr. Darcy, patting his friend on the his shoulder, "They are my family now and Wickham has tried destroying my family too many times. I do not believe Miss Lydia would have left without a promise of marriage, which would mean he would have suggested Gretna Green. However, if I know that scoundrel, he would never marry her. Not without connections or serious inducements. I think he took her to London and there is one disreputable lady that I am sure he made contact with. We must make haste. If you prefer, you can rest here and I will go on"
"No, I want to come with you" said Mr. Bingley, feeling confidence rise within him, "I want to make this right." This was his chance for vindication. He had once acted cowardly but now he would be strong. He may have not had the courage to be worthy of Miss Jane Bennet, but he would have the courage to give to her and her family in a way that he now could.
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Longbourn had gone from the hub-hub of wedding preparation to something similar to a house in mourning. Mrs. Bennet was dressed in black—barely leaving her room. Elizabeth volunteered to keep her company, hoping to monitor her mother, for she wanted to prevent the servants from finding out too much. She knew it was futile for they would know, but Lizzy hoped that her father and uncle could find Lydia and then….and then what? She did not know. She knew what they should hope for would be that they actually got married but how can she wish that upon her sister? A lifetime with a rake? But alas, would be the alternative?
"When will you write to your Mr. Darcy, Lizzy? Oh I cannot even think of the wedding!" she exclaimed, smelling her salts. "Did you write to Jane? I hope Lord Grantham comes to our rescue!" Lizzy controlled herself to not roll her eyes for her mother was as ridiculous as she sounded. It was so typical of her parents—to create a situation and then want someone else to solve it.
"I have written to Jane, mama, and I have not written to Mr. Darcy. I do know that I will" said Elizabeth quietly.
"Why-ever not? He is part of this family and we need his help" said Mrs. Bennet forcefully, as if she was speaking of duty. The irony, thought Lizzy. Thankfully, Kitty came to her rescue.
"Lizzy, would you like me to stay with mama? I could use a break indoors and I am sure you could use one outdoors" said Kitty thoughtfully, Lizzy gave her a genuine smile.
"I thank you" she whispered softly, curtsying and leaving suffocating room. Lizzy found Mary in the drawing room reading a sermon on the importance of virtue. She attempted to read some excerpts to Lizzy but though she knew Mary needed positive attention, she could not endure another soliloquy on the virtue of women and the loss and consequence that would now prevail all of them.
After losing herself in the garden and feeling somewhat revived from her short walk, Lizzy came back in the house to find that Kitty and Mary had traded places.
"I do not know how you survived mama's company!" said Kitty, slumping into the chair.
"Hush Kitty, for the servants may hear you" teased Lizzy, winking at her sister and sitting beside her.
"If our world really over?" asked Kitty timidly, having now understood the consequence of Lydia's actions.
"I do not know for sure, Kitty, we may not know until it is all done. We can just hope and pray that she will get married. I fear that I do not expect Mr. Wickham to do so" confessed Lizzy. Kitty gasped.
"How could she?!" said Kitty, tears threatening to come out.
"It is quite alright Kitty, I am not sure how, for you know, cynical as ever, but we must harness our inner Jane and think the best of the individuals and the situation, that is what she would tells us, it will all be alright" said Lizzy hopefully. "Pray, tell me, for I had not inquired about your meeting Mr. Bingley yesterday—how did that come to be?"
"Oh, that" said Kitty, a blush appeared on her cheeks which she hoped Lizzy did not notice. "I was walking and went into Netherfield and he was riding his horse. We collided and he accompanied me to Longbourn or most of the way to Longbourn. He was very pleasant"
"I am glad you hear that" said Lizzy, "He is a very charming gentleman and I am sure that this experience has helped him grow"
"I do not know. He seemed less giddy and more pensive but not as affected as I thought he would be. I am obviously not sure of the particulars between him and Jane but he seemed very remorseful and eager to amend" said Kitty, surprising Lizzy with her thoughtful assertion.
"I do not know how he could help our family, unless he would find and save Lydia" teased Lizzy, laughing with Kitty, unaware of the irony.
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Matthew could barely control his anger. His sister had warned him that the Bennet connections and the younger girls behaviors could come to harm them but he did not cared then. Jane was to be the perfect Lady Grantham and he had no qualms about that. Every family has some members that create uncomfortable situations and what would be the fun of family gatherings if not for that? Until now. He could barely contain his rage. Mr. Bennet had failed his daughters. He had failed his Jane. And he had now failed him.
Just thinking of Jane's beautiful face covered in tears made his blood boil. Mr. Bennet knew his youngest daughter needed serious intervention.
Matthew kicked the horse harder, he wanted to get to the Gardiners by nightfall. He was already three days behind Lydia and Wickham's departure. He needed more information and he knew Uncle Gardiner would direct him. This needed to be solved and fast.
He dismounted his horse, handed it to the footman and knocked on the front door—to be received instantaneously by Uncle Gardiner.
"Matthew, so glad you are here" said a familiar voice. Matthew turned around and saw Mr. Darcy approaching him.
"I came as soon as a I heard" he said taking off his wet coat and dusting his hat, droplets falling.
"You remember Mr. Charles Bingley?" said Mr. Darcy, clearing his throat.
Matthew looked up, stunned.
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Thank you to everyone that reviewed, liked and favorited the story! I really cannot believe the response and love this story is getting so I thank you. I did not expect this when I set out to write it. I always found regency writing to be intimidating but I needed a release during these crazy times and I hope that you have enjoyed escaping reality for a few minutes while reading this story. And for those of you that are hesitating, just write! You might surprise yourself!
Thanks for all the reviews that point out inconsistencies or mistakes, I really do appreciate it! I do not have a beta because I am writing this for fun, not looking to publish and want to update as fast as a I can.
I have outlined the rest of the story which is very exciting! I had a few chapters were I was not sure what was going to happen but I knew Lydia had to do this...its the worst part of the P&P but is what makes the redemption so much stronger! AND I felt it was a good chance for another character to have a moment ;)
How do you think matthew will react? What is going to happen? What will be with lydia and wickham? Ahh! We shall see :)