Chapter 22:

Lydia Bennet could not contain her joy. They were situated in a quaint little room in London with a spacious bed, which they had spent a lot of time in. She was so excited to be married and to be in the arms of such a handsome man was beyond her wildest dreams.

Lydia got up from the bed, closed her robe around her nightgown, and went to the window. She pushed aside the white lace curtains and looked outside—hoping to see a glance of her soon to be husband. She could see him standing outside, talking to Mrs. Younge, who had given them a room in her establishment.

Lydia yawned, closed the curtain and got dressed with leisure. She put on her dress, struggling to close it without a maid but managing to look as beautiful as ever. She pinned her hair back and after approving her reflection on the dainty mirror in the room, she decided to go down to surprise her Wickham. He had been mysterious these past two days in London and had refused to take her out—she did not know why he had been so fastidious! Oh how she loved a good laugh and wanted to see his reaction! Perhaps he would sweep her off her feet and twirl her like she imagined lovebirds to do. She did not care much for propriety and fancied herself in love.

She thought back to a few earlier weeks when she had seen him after his broken engagement to Miss King, that poor freckled thing. He looked despondent and was pleased when she tried to raise his spirits. At this point her father did not let her out in society but she had gone for a walk and found herself in Meryton, browsing the shops when she saw the most handsome redcoat she had ever laid eyes on: Mr. Wickham. Suddenly she felt air rush to her lungs and he became her newfound escape. Perhaps he could save her from her harsh father. She found it odd that he kept asking about Lizzy and Mr. Darcy but Lydia did not pay much attention to details. They reconnected that afternoon in Meryton and they parted as friends—Lydia asking if she could write to him. After her father had announced she was to be shipped to Scotland like a piece of meat, she wrote to him asking her to rescue her. Her own knight in shinning armor and rescue her he did.

Lydia was about to push open the door of the establishment they were temporarily staying in, when she heard George's voice. She felt a blush on her cheeks—remembering his sweet words to her. She felt an impulse to open the door and rush to his arms but was stopped when she heard him say:

"That silly girl" his handsome voice pronounced. Who was he speaking about? Wondered Lydia. "She is my ticket out" he whispered to Mrs. Younge, who though Lydia could not see, was with him. "I wrote to Darcy asking for a large dowry or perhaps he will pay me off and I can be done with her. I am becoming quite bored with her"

Lydia stumbled back. Though she did not think he was in love with her, she did think he was very close to being in love. Did his touches and words mean nothing? And he was speaking of her like this to another woman? She suddenly felt cold and weak and wanting to be back in her room in Longbourn. Suddenly the reality of what she had done hit her like a block of ice and she stepped back, going into their room and shutting the door.

He did not want to marry her.

She had not cared being with him for she knew they would get married. She had thought they had both rescued each other and would live a happy and giddy life, full of fun and excitement. Oh, she was a foolish girl. What was she to do now?

"Hello darling" he said, entering the room, completely unaware that she had overheard him.

"Hi" she said, unsure of how to act. She did not want him to suspect anything but she was still not sure what she thought or felt and even less what she should do. "When are we going to Scotland?" she asked, eager to see his response.

"Oh" he said, taken aback. Since they had arrived in London, she had not bothered asking questions, seemingly content with their present situation. "Eventually, my dear. I just have some business to attend to here in London" he answered in a very composed manner. He knew how to be very charming.

"I would like to visit my aunt and uncle" she declared.

"That will not be necessary" said a booming voice from behind them before a kick and a thump and the door flew open. There were gasps and screams and a flying punch and Wickham laid on the floor, blood coming out of his nose.

"Hello Wickham" said Mr. Darcy looking at him like scum. "The authorities are on their way for it seems you have forgotten I had bought your debts here"

"You would send your brother in law to jail?" teased Wickham, smiling and somehow looking handsome even though blood was trickling down his face.

"You have not married her" said Mr. Darcy confidently, "And you will not."

"Lydia" said another strong voice, she looked around and saw to her horror Lord Grantham, Jane's intimidating husband. She did not blush like they all expected her to for though she felt some sort of horror at the realization that Wickham had tricked her—she did not experience the embarrassment that a gentlewoman should. "How could you?" spat Matthew, "Gather your things, I am taking you to your aunt and uncle"

She did not hesitate for she understood now more than she had wanted to. Wickham never loved her and did not intend to marry her. But she did not comprehend the consequences of her actions and how they would impact her family. So she looked unaffected to the men who came to rescue her.

Lord Grantham quickly brought her to the carriage, looking around, hoping no one had seen them, and closed the door and to her surprise her aunt Gardiner was already inside. Lydia had never felt any closeness towards her aunt who had always favored Jane and Lizzy and although Lydia wanted nothing more than to be embraced by loving arms, she kept to herself during their quiet ride to Cheapside.

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Lydia entered the Gardiner residence and was ushered straight into a room. Mrs. Gardiner spoke with her at length, hoping she understood the atrocity she had committed. To her astonishment, Lydia was silent.

"Do you understand, Lydia?" asked her aunt, "You have lived with another man before being married. You have destroyed your chances of matrimony and your sisters!"

"I thought we were going to be married" said Lydia, shrugging her shoulders, "I thought we were saving each other" she added in a whisper.

"Oh child" said Mrs. Gardiner, reaching for Lydia's hand, "I am hopeful your brothers and father will come to a solution. Come, let us go to the drawing room. Mr. Darcy and Lord Grantham should be here soon."

Indeed the said gentleman were already there, alongside Mr. Bennet who nodded in silence as his sons in law spoke with him.

"She has ruined us all!" said Matthew, wanting Mr. Bennet to react or to at least assume responsibility. But he did not. "We must marry her off before these news are found out or worse she is with child"

"Who will marry her?" asked Mr. Bennet incredulous, "She has no dowry and is a fallen woman"

"She is a fallen child, Mr. Bennet, and you should have—"

Mr. Darcy interrupted Matthew with a slight touch on his shoulder.

"Mr. Bingley has a friend who in a gentleman in desperate need of funds. He has an estate in Kent that yields one thousand pounds a year. Lord Grantham and I are willing to put money for her dowry. He is an honest and hardworking man. She will be married tomorrow" Mr. Darcy explained.

"Thank you" said Mr. Bennet, "I will retire for the night, this has been a very trying few days."

"Do you not wish to see Miss Lydia before her wedding tomorrow?" asked Matthew.

"No, I do not believe that is wise" he answered, "Good night." They all bowed and shook their heads disapprovingly.

"I am to be married?" asked Lydia, entering the room shyly. She knew her brothers were not happy with her.

"Yes and you are to count your blessings for that" said Matthew, "We found someone who will have you and it must be done tomorrow. We cannot waste another second."

"Mr. Bingley" said the footman, announcing the gentleman's arrival.

"What is he doing here?" asked Lydia incredulously. And then looking at how Lord Grantham greeted him warmly. Was she imagining things?

"Is it taken care of?" asked Matthew to Charles. The latter nodded in response.

"Mr. Wickham tried to escape debtor's prison. He was shot" said Mr. Bingley hesitantly, knowing this must cause Lydia pain.

"He is dead?!" she cried, muffling a cry. Though in their last moments together she had realized he had not been sincere, he was still so charming and there was a part of her that would always remember their time together fondly.

"Who is this man I am to be sold to?" she asked defiantly, feeling as if something the men in her life could easily sell.

"His name is Mr. Robert Nudell. He is a widower and has two young children"

"He is old?" asked Lydia, horrified.

"He is not seven and thirty. He is an honorable man and has agreed to marry you, despite you having lived with a man before being married!" said Matthew harshly. "You should be thankful"

"Why should I? You are not doing it for me. You are doing it for my sisters. Always my beautiful perfect sisters. It was my turn to outshine them!" she said, tears streaming down her face. For the first time since this whole ordeal she cried, cried like the young child that she was. "I did not know…."

"I apologize" said Matthew softly, "You are still so young. You should have been better protected. But you must count your blessings sisters for Robert is a kind man but also a gentleman and you must act accordingly. You could both, together, make the estate produce more. With our help, you will be comfortable and perhaps even love your husband. I know this is not what you wanted but you have to try"

"I want to go home to mama" she said, crying. It hit them all just how young and naive Lydia really was.

"I am sorry" said Mr. Bingley sympathetically, "You cannot but I know Robert and he will be kind with you."

Lydia could not take it anymore. Her life had been turned upside down. And though she wanted to blame everyone, she knew that although young, she ought to have known better. And when looked around to see who to blame, all she saw was herself.

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Wow, what a response to the last chapter! Thank you!

Oy Lydia. I do think she is a child and I wanted to convey that here, I don't think she is evil...she is really just really immature and has had no guidance. I could not leave her with Wickham, not only because that would have been horrible for her but that was the one thing I did not like from P&P, how can they end up being related to him and keep helping him? I tried to get in her head in this chapter, how did I do?

Lydia obviously needs to get married. I didn't want to do a tradesman, I felt an older man, with kids, who is serious and responsible who will be like a father figure to her would be better. He is not very rich (makes half of Mr. Bennet's income) so lydia will have to adjust to that but can still provide for her.

What did you think?