The last chapter was posted less than a day ago, just incase you missed it.
Chapter 65
Elizabeth had been sick to her stomach upon hearing that her sister was discovered. This was it - her sister's situation would ultimately determine whether she could marry Darcy. He may be willing to endure it, but she was not willing to put it upon his shoulders if the situation was irredeemable in society's eyes. And Lydia, poor, stupid Lydia, she prayed she was all right. Elizabeth could not imagine what all she had been exposed to; was she terrified, or entirely ignorant of the danger she was in, still, thinking it all a fine joke?
For the better part of two hours time, she suffered every possible dreadful scenario running through her mind. All would be well, she finally thought. However bad the situation Lydia was found in, at the very least she would today be restored to the care of her family, so long as she allowed it. That was a scenario that had not run through Elizabeth's mind, until just now. She had been meditating on everything she may have endured; but what if she were enjoying herself and refused to quit him?
A knock upon the door was heard; the ladies could hear the butler attend the summons. Lydia's voice was heard in the vestibule; the door was thrown open, and she ran into the room. Lydia could not have appeared more irreverent in her demeanor; she entered the house smiling and laughing, insisting she should have the most for her wedding clothes, as she, the youngest, had done what none of her elder sisters had, exclaiming she'd be happy to advise them on their wedding night.
Jane blushed; Elizabeth was horrified. Had she carried on in such a manner in front of Darcy? Was that why he was not with them? Her youngest sister seemed to delight in her disgrace; feeling none of the shame of her current predicament. Jane more especially was affronted by Lydia's entrance, she gave Lydia the feelings which would have attended herself, had she been the culprit, and was wretched in the thought of what her sister must endure -now seeing her, she could no longer doubt that her sister was without remorse, not even her good nature could make an excuse for her sister's demeanor. Mr. Bennet's countenance rather gained in austerity, and he scarcely opened his lips. The easy manner of Lydia, indeed, was enough to provoke him -yet on the carriage ride to the Gardiner's he had been afraid to provoke her until she was behind closed doors. It would have been far too easy to lose her to London yet again. It could not be risked; however tempting it was to finally discipline her.
Upon their arrival the elder Bennet sisters both had dreaded learning what their sister had endured, just a moment ago they thought to reunite with an embrace, swearing sisterly support regardless if society were to shun them too. To witness this, an utter lack of repentance; entirely insensible of the agony she had caused, and worse to be a braggart about her downfall - it was too much!
Whatever the elder sister's feelings on the matter Lydia was insensible to it - Lydia was Lydia still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless; she had undergone no great change in her character as a result of her circumstances. She turned from sister to sister, demanding their congratulations as she had been the first to almost marry, mamma would be so proud; and when at length they all sat down, looked eagerly round the room, took notice of some little alteration in it, and observed, with a laugh, that it was a great while since she had been there. It seemed her elder sisters enjoyed all the invitations; had she known how much fun it would be to come to London without them, she would have taken matters into her own hands sooner.
The elder Miss Bennet's looked to one another; utterly incredulous, not even Lydia could be so lost to reason. Elizabeth blushed, and Jane blushed, but the cheeks of the younger sister who caused their embarrassment suffered no variation of color. Everyone else besides Lydia was frozen in shock at her demeanor, carrying on with intimate details that were hardly ever bantered about even among married women.
Finally, her speech jarred them from their amazement. "Lydia!" Jane cried, feeling full of anxiety at the current situation. "Have you no fear you are with child?"
"La, what would I want with a child? I'm still young, though I was almost married. I should prefer my figure." The other girls look to their aunt, who herself could not find the words, but Lydia carried on, before she could comment, "I daresay, I shall need it, my fine figure that is, as I don't mean to marry Wickham anyway. La! He is so strange! Such odd notions he has about things. He doesn't even like Darcy, and he threw a fine fit when I said the two of you would not marry. What should he care about it anyway? He left in a huff, foolish man, as though I would chase him. To think I would seek employment - does he not know gentlewomen do not work? I thought we should have a house bigger than Longbourn, the attics are so small. Anyway, why should I have him when I could find a husband with far better looks? He tossed coin at me and told me to enjoy my new profession. La, as though I would work! Whatever did he mean by it? I care not, I went shopping and bought myself a new bonnet, ugly thing it is but I shall remake it. I hope that you have not done too much of your own shopping Jane, I should still like to do mine. I mean to find a husband right away, as it's no fun being stuck at Longbourn, and that Lady Catherine with her fowl face said she means to send a governess. Whatever would I need one for? I mean to teach all my sisters how to find a husband. La, what a fine joke it will be - the youngest teaching the eldest."
It was intolerable; her aunt tried to explain it, her father tried to impress the reality of the situation upon her, and her uncle nearly lost his temper. Yet, it was not to be supposed that time and the weight of their current conversation would give Lydia that embarrassment from which she had been so wholly free at first. In the end, Lydia declared she should not be made to hear such nonsense, had she known how they would vex her, she should have stayed at the hotel and enjoyed her stay in London all the better for it. She would marry soon, after all, little did it matter when - or to whom, for she had no man in mind for a groom, she seemed to imagine it was as simple as running off. She declared the most handsome men could be found in London, so she would pursue the matter there. Towards the end of her tirade, she insisted she must refresh herself before the evening meal, asking her aunt to show her to her rooms. Madaline Gardiner immediately obliged, shooting the others a pointed look, she had things she needed to communicate to her niece outside of mixed company.
Elizabeth and Jane remained, shocked and appalled, unsure what to make of the situation and fearful Lydia's own boasting might be her ruin. Elizabeth finally turned to her father and insisted on knowing the details of the situation her sister was found in and inquired after Darcy's absence- ultimately sighing with relief, both for the potential to reduce the scandal and the knowledge that Darcy had not witnessed her sister's lack of remorse.
Based on my work schedule it will be hard to write again before the weekend. I'm glad I had these to two to post this week, the just needed an edit. I am hoping to knock out a few chapters to post next week though. There isn't much left. After the Lydia situation is resolved, we'll deal with the neighborhood's incredulity at Darcy/Elizabeth.