Two chapters in one night so if you did not read the previous one, go back and then read this one! Enjoy :)
Chapter 23:
Mr. Robert Nudell gasped when he saw his bride, Miss Lydia Bennet. He had not known she was that beautiful. He knew she had run away with a man and had lived with him, but he also desperately needed the help. He needed the funds for his estate, his children and his future depended on it. His two children also needed a mother and in his current financial state, he would have difficulty acquiring a wife. Overall, he was happy with his decision and hoped the transition would be smooth.
He tried to make eye contact with Lydia at the wedding but she looked as somber as a castigated child. He reminder her of young Robert and had to hide a chuckle when he saw her frowning as the priest recited the opening phrases. She did look up when she said her vows and he thought he had seen a glimmer of hope in her eyes—perhaps they could be happy together. He certainly wished they could.
After the wedding was officiated, they were then received at the Gardiner residence for a small wedding breakfast. Mr. Bennet, the Gardiners, Mr. Darcy, Lord Grantham and Mr. Bingley were in attendance. The party seemed downcast, there was a general sadness in the room and likewise a great sense of relief. At least she was married. Gossip would spread but they would try to curb it as much as possible.
"I thank all of you" said Mr. Nudell, raising his glass, "For hosting this splendid wedding breakfast." He turned to his now wife and hesitated, should he call her by her first name or by her now married name, he knew she would need time to adjust so he settled for, "Mrs. Nudell, are you ready to start our journey? I would like to make it to Kent before nightfall. Robert and Lucy are eagerly awaiting our arrival"
"Of course" she muttered, putting down her fork. Her plate remained untouched. She had no one to say goodbye to for she did not care if she saw any of them again. Her father cleared his throat.
"May I speak with you for a few minutes, Lydia?" he asked, shocking all of those present. She nodded and allowed him to lead her to smaller drawing room. "Hello my dear" he began, reaching out for her hands, "I am sorry that I have not been the best father. I should have taken an interest in your education a long time ago. And even with sending you to Scotland—it would have been better to bring someone home. I wanted the problem to be fixed, not to have to fix it. But you, my dear, though misguided, are not a problem. I am the problem. I am very thankful to your brothers who have taken care of you and I will forever be in their debt. I understand if you do not want to further our relationship but I would like to correspond with you and perhaps visit you in due course. You will always be welcomed at Longbourn"
"Thank you" said Lydia, crying and then impulsively hugging her father. "I am sorry"
"I know you are my child, come, your husband awaits" he said. They joined the others by the entrance. Lydia took Robert's arm with some hesitation and then joined him in their carriage.
Once the horses started pulling the carriage, Robert took the chance to once again look at his beautiful wife.
"You must be scared" he noted, pulling Lydia's attention from the window to him. Lydia looked frightening, sad, angry, and confused. He wanted to ask about what had happened and how she felt, but he did not want to infringe upon her. He hoped she would open up in due course.
"I do not know you" she answered simply, "And I am more scared of the world now"
"You do not have to fear me. I will respect you and I hope we will grow to love each other. It will not be easy managing my estate and raising my young children. The choices we made in the past are in the past, I hope we can focus on building a future together" he said, reaching out of her hand. She gave it to him and smiled.
"I would like that" she answered, a tear escaping her eye. She feared he would question her about Wickham. And there was nothing she could say. She had been a fool and though still angry, she did not want to talk about it.
"May I request to call you Lydia and for you to call me Robert?" he asked.
"Yes" she said, her shoulders relaxing. She looked at her husband and though he was almost twenty years her senior, he had a very pleasing face and could have once been called handsome.
"Do you like what you see?" he teased, smiling with her. She teased him with a smile instead of answering. The rest of the ride passed on quietly, they spoke a little but they were each still uncomfortable around each other to speak freely.
PNPNPNPNPN
The next day saw a flurry of emotions at Longbourn.
"Fitzwilliam!" cried Elizabeth, running outside to greet him. He came on horseback, ahead of Mr. Bennet. "What news do you bring?" she asked, wanting to run into his arms. He reached for her hand and kissed it. Oh, how I've missed you.
"Lydia has married a Mr. Nudell" began Darcy, telling her about her new brother in law. "I do not know him well" he said when concluding the story, they were now sitting by one of the benches in the garden, "Mr. Bingley suggested the idea"
"Mr. Bingley?!" asked Lizzy incredulously, "How did that come to be?"
"He overheard you telling Miss Catherine and rode all the way to Pemberley to tell me" said Mr. Darcy, "He was very brave and the true savior in this story. Not only did he get me, knowing that I knew where that scoundrel would have hid, but he acted with dignity and harmony alongside Matthew and I"
"Wow" was all that Lizzy could say, "I am quite shocked"
"I hope you will be pleased to hear I have asked him to stand up with me at our wedding" said Mr. Darcy.
"Of course" said Lizzy, being inwardly thankful that Jane would not be in attendance. "I have asked Kitty or I should I did before this whole ordeal happened. I did not know if you would still want to marry me..."
"Elizabeth! You are soon to be my family and family protects each other. I think Matthew and I were able to keep this as quiet as possible, though there will be rumors, and I am hopeful that the new Mrs. Nudell will be happy"
"Oh Lydia! She is but a child—and she is to be a mother too!" cried Elizabeth.
"She will grow from this" said Mr. Darcy, "I hope you are pleased." Lizzy gave him a frown.
"Of course I am pleased her reputation is safe and she has married a decent man, but I cannot be pleased with the situation she put herself in and the danger she brought to the entire family without a thought"
"I think she will come to understand if she has not already" he said, reaching for her hand. "Elizabeth, I cannot believe that you would doubt my love and commitment to you. I am very much looking forward to marrying you in a week's time"
"Thank you for saving my sister and my family" said Elizabeth, tears streaming down her face.
"For you, my love, always" he responded, bringing her hand towards his lips and kissing her knuckles softly.
PNPNPNPNP
Charles Bingley was in his library, reading his correspondence when a knock on the door interrupted him.
"Mr. Bingley, there is a caller at the door" said the butler, handing Mr. Bingley the card.
"Thank you, you may bring him inside" said Mr. Bingley, holding the card in between his fingers. He could hear the footsteps coming closer and then the face that he had once loathed come into focus.
"Lord Grantham" said Mr. Bingley.
PNPNPNPNPN
What?! Two chapters in one night?! Yes! The story just kept flowing out of me and though there is a mountain of dishes, toys on the floor, and who knows what else I have to do, I decided to release my energy on this story.
A lot of you have guessed or requested a certain alliance between Bingley and Kitty, I will say this...I have a plan for him, a second chance for bingley, so to speak, but I cannot say what it is and it will obviously still have some plot twists. but ultimately, he is not yet ready.
p.s. #sorrynotsorry for the cliffhanger! What do you think Matthew wants? and what do you think of Robert for Lydia?