Mrs. Gardiner tried to divert attention and asked Lydia to accompany her to see Mrs. Bennet. When Mrs. Bennet found out that Mr. Bingley had returned, she ordered Jane to come downstairs to greet him since he had come back for her... "Sister, I was sure Jane could not be so beautiful for nothing!"
A very flushed Jane went downstairs to greet them, and after a few minutes of forced conversation the gentlemen retired to Netherfield Park.
The two gentlemen rode in the carriage thoughtfully, until Bingley finally broke the silence, "Darcy, weren't you surprised by Miss Lydia's physical change? She seemed swollen…"
"Yes. I realized." was his only reply.
Neither of the gentlemen spoke the rest of the way, both of them hoping there was another explanation for Lydia's physical changes ...
The following day by mid-morning, Darcy and Bingley returned to Longbourn. Jane and Elizabeth met them outside the house, but since the windows were open, a loud argument could clearly be heard ...
"…I'm not going to let you kick my poor Lydia out. Brother you have to find Wickham and force him to marry her."
"You have to be reasonable, it's only for a few months", irritated replied Mr. Gardiner.
"Lydia, please don't cry. We're going to go live in Sandstone and we're going to tell our neighbors that you are married and Mr. Wickham is fighting in the continent. Yes, we're going to say that…"
"Fanny, that plan may fail and I don't want to risk further ruining my other nieces' reputations." He sighed, "Please, Johnny is asking about Mr. Bennet, go with him" Mr. Gardiner paused, "Lydia, you should go to your room. If we want to preserve what little remains of the family's reputation, no one must see you."
"But, Uncle…"
"Go away both of you!" Mr. Gardiner yelled.
Both Jane and Elizabeth were red with embarrassment and couldn't meet the gentlemen's eyes. Mr. Bingley left at once saying he had things to do at Netherfield Park, but Darcy said he was staying at Longbourn.
Jane entered the house, where the loud argument continued while Elizabeth sat with Darcy on a bench at the far end of the garden where little of what was still being discussed in the house was heard.
After a couple of minutes without saying a word, Elizabeth finally spoke, "Mr. Darcy, I totally understand if you want to end our engagement. In fact, I release you from any obligation you feel you owe me." She took a deep breath trying to hold back her tears.
Darcy hugged her tightly and determinedly replied, "I'm not going to let you release me from our engagement. The Bennets' situation is very delicate, I'm not going to deny it, but remember that you are Elizabeth Thompson not Bennet. Besides, when we marry you will be Elizabeth Darcy, and no one will associate you with the Bennets." he paused and sighed, "Unfortunately you will have to cut ties with your cousins, even Miss Mary for a while. Mrs. Darcy cannot be associated with this scandal."
Elizabeth shook her head, "Mr. Darcy, I can't do that. I am not willing to cut ties with Mary under any circumstances, and I would not want to cut ties with Jane either. On the other hand, my little brother adores Mrs. Bennet and I have to think about him."
"Elizabeth, for once you must do as I say. What happens to your cousins is not your problem. Remember that when we marry you are going to be a Darcy, and you have to obey me."
Probably it wasn't the right words Darcy said that day, but the truth is when you're in the middle of an argument you say things that you often regret.
Elizabeth stared at him with teary eyes and with a trembling voice she replied, "I'm sorry Mr. Darcy, but I cannot marry you under those requirements." Saying this, she ran towards the house.
Darcy briefly considered following her, but finally returned to Netherfield…