In case you missed it, Lady Cat confronted Darcy in the last chapter. I wish I could high-five some of your comments! We'll be back to ODC next chapter.

Chapter 54

Wickham, never an early riser, ventured out mid-afternoon the day after having absconded with Lydia. His design was to use her father's purse to be seen and introduced at every event that could potentially spread gossip to Darcy's circles. He knew that he could only get so close, but all it would take was one relation of the first circles making the connection, he would need to do nothing else, society's wagging tongues would wage war on all their reputations, accomplishing his aim on his behalf. Little enough of a matter it was to him though, if society thought him a rake, so long as he ended permanently attached to Darcy's purse. Whatever he said, would be said well; and whatever he did, would be done gracefully, he was one invitation away from the life of comfort that he had always believed himself entitled to, fueling his resentment as his current poverty, justifying to himself any action to acquire what he believed to be rightfully his.

Lydia would think it all a grand adventure, delighting in the theater, finding enjoyment in London's superior shopping, but Wickham had a distinct purpose - for everyone to know he had eloped with Darcy's future sister. It would not do to have Darcy trade him for a more prudent groom, he knew his childhood friend would do everything in his power to separate him from Elizabeth's sister. He was, however, quite secure in his knowledge, that they, the two of them together, were perfectly suited for such a task as becoming the topic of gossip - he with his propensity for making fast friends and Lydia with her inclination for making a spectacle, their combined talents justified every expectation of success.

Had he run off with her purely for his own amusement, he would have taken every precaution to ensure he had his fill before they were found out - but as it was, they had no need to hide, now that they had spent a night together, their little adventure just needed to be made known. Thus the hotel was reserved in his name, seedy establishment that it was, to allow such impropriety, as he need not bother to hide his residence with an unmarried woman of no relation to gain a reservation.

Wickham purchased theater tickets and made plans to garner invites at gambling tables that he hadn't had the coin to frequent since old Mr. Darcy's death - they played too high, he was thus compelled to find cheaper tables when his inheritance was gone, losing (with his coin), his few society connections. He made his way to the inn where they were staying, feeling all the happiness that his latest scheme would surely bring him, as this time things would surely end with Darcy at his mercy.

"Lydia, I've acquired theater tickets for tonight. I could not bear to keep you from my acquaintances in London from viewing your loveliness and envying me for securing your favor. I mean to introduce you to every soul we come across, so soon as it can be arranged."

"What fun it will be! All my sisters have gone, except Kitty, but I have not, as I was not invited," pouted Lydia, with no concern for him showing her off prior to matrimony, feeling it a great compliment, sensible to none of the shame of her situation. Nor was it in her nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as her Wickham, especially as he only reaffirmed what she had been taught all her life.

"Your relations must have feared that you would outshine your sisters, that they would never marry, standing so close to one as handsome as you. They hid your beauty Lydia, but I'll allow it to shine, showing you off through the best of London before we take our wedding trip. The first circles shall envy me, my bride. I'll tell all of London that I've run off with the most beautiful of the Bennet sisters, even Darcy was second to me in his choice of bride. I shall not pretend to be sorry for it, that I have secured the heart of the most beautiful Bennet sister."

"Ha, as though she would marry him! She told him so herself."

Wickham was incredulous, "You cannot mean that she has refused such a man?"

"La, of course, she rejected him, she was very vexed and I myself find him rather dull. What lark, for who would believe she'd marry him? I shouldn't wish to marry a man that didn't wish to dance with me," laughed Lydia, utterly insensible to his designs.

Wickham, rather unable to keep himself from losing his temper, could not fathom her stupidly. Where did she think he was going to get the money to marry her? What of his designs to siphon off of Darcy's largesse? Rather enraged at losing a means to an end that he now felt entitled to, and true to form, he blamed another for his misfortune, unwilling to recognize it as the consequence of his own actions.

Eager for revenge, he tossed some coin towards her, which originated from her purse (but was by no means all of it), and with a snide tone, he bowed and said, " Pray, madam, enjoy your new profession. I have no doubt you'll continue to find it quite a delight, you being so well suited for such a life." He turned on his heel and left, thinking not at all of her misfortune, except for a passing thought to enjoy her humiliation at his hands -though by no means fully making up for his loss, his little victory over her did provide some comfort, though she had not yet been made to understand it.

It was now Lydia's turn to be incredulous, what could have put him in such a temper? La, why would he even care if Lizzy married that scowling Mr. Darcy. Wickham didn't like him anyway, why would he want him as a brother? What ever was he about tossing money at her, telling her to enjoy her new profession? Gentlewomen did not work, if he expected it of her when she married she would not have him.

She sat there, wondering if even a very handsome husband was worth having if he thought she should work. Missing his implications entirely, she wondered what for a living she could possibly do. Surely he didn't mean for her to be a maid, or a housekeeper, or somesuch. La, what a notion, she was not born to that station in life. She would put him straight or find a man just as handsome, let him be jealous for losing her, she the youngest had come the closest of all her sisters to matrimony. Surely, he would be easy enough to replace. When he returned she intended he would suffer the full effects of her tendency towards tantrums before she allowed him to induce any more favors, not considering his behavior implied little intent to return at all. How they were to be supported in tolerable independence, if they did wed, she did not bother to think on, as surely their good looks would afford them the good fortune of luxury, attending all the best balls and parties, all their friends envious of her situation.

I know Lydia is easy to hate. Her foolishness always disrupts ODC right when things are finally going well for them. Yes, she is selfish but she also clearly doesn't truly understand. I recently watched a video that pointed out though she likely knew it wrong to elope, she could not have had any idea that there was any chance he wouldn't marry her. Her family all approved and pointed out his good character, especially her mother and second sister. We the readers and Elizabeth no better at that point, but no one so much as warns he may not be what he seems (whatever their reasons, however justifiable). It's also easy to miss exactly how bad he is in cannon -the reason it's so horrible that he had no intention of marrying her is not only ruined reputations of all the girls (in a family that showed him so much hospitality) but also because he knew full well it was likely she would end on the street selling the only thing she had. Because it was so well known who ruined her, marrying another would not have fully solved the problem, especially because it would likely be a tenant farmer or some else well below her station. Furthermore, a man of his vices would have understood how awful a life that would have been for her, I think his selfishness far outweighs hers. What are your thoughts?