A/N: We are coming up on the last 3 chapters + epilogue. When I was writing this story, I was tempted to broaden it out into a full mystery, but reigned myself in to do something a little unconventional. The ending is FAST, but that was by design. I wanted as a reader to feel like Elizabeth Bennet, like all of this really crazy stuff was happening in a whirlwind. Lydia and Mr. Wickham's part of the story and even Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam's story are important, but they aren't the main focus for me which is how to Elizabeth and Darcy get engaged? So buckle up, enjoy the ride, and let me know in the comments if you felt as I did reading this back: whoa? What just happened? XOXOXOX - Elizabeth
By the time they arrived back at the Forster town home, Lydia hurried upstairs, to visit with Mrs. Forster, and restore her appearance. Elizabeth politely inquired from the butler if there was any post for her, and to her surprise, she finally had a letter from Jane!
Overcome with joy, Elizabeth ripped the missive open and dashed to the parlor to read her post. Retreating upstairs risked another fight with Lydia. Looking at the date, it took Jane's letter nearly a week to reach Brighton.
My dearest Lizzy,
I read carefully your letters that we received. I have to say I was very surprised to hear the news that Mr. Darcy was visiting Brighton as well. Perhaps it is not so much of a coincidence that you spoke of. We have received word from the stores in Meryton that Mr. Bingley has ordered Netherfield Park to be reopened. No one is certain as to when he might arrive, but I imagine Mr. Darcy may be extended an invitation as well…
Elizabeth blinked at the intelligence in her hand. Mr. Bingley was returning to the neighborhood? Such a circumstance had to be the work of Mr. Darcy. The man truly was making amends for everything he had done, and Elizabeth felt sickened that it was all too late.
Tears blurred her vision and made reading the rest of the letter more difficult. But the end of her sister's letter finally offered the advice she so desperately needed. Jane agreed that writing to their father would not remove Lydia from Brighton. However, Jane suggested that Elizabeth speak to Colonel Forster about her concerns.
Laughing at her elder sister's advice that had matched her own two weeks prior, Elizabeth wiped her tears away. She held the letter in her hands and realized that Colonel Forster was so preoccupied with Mrs. Forster's delicate condition, that he likely had not noticed any changes in Miss Lydia. How could he? She only noticed that morning her sister's likeness resembled the times she had seen Aunt Gardiner with child.
Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth heard laughter from Colonel Forster's office. She waited and listened closely, and she heard more laughter. It did not sound as though the man was deep in work, and though she did not wish to interrupt him, she resolved herself to do exactly that. It wasn't just for her benefit, Jane's future with Mr. Bingley was at risk as well!
She had to knock twice before she was permitted entry. Colonel Forster sat at his desk with Mr. Denny standing uncomfortably rigid next to him. Elizabeth cocked her head to one side as the Colonel visibly exhaled a deep breath he had been holding. The situation appeared strange to her, but she could not have stated why if pressed.
"Colonel, I was hoping I could ask you for a private interview, sir. I have a matter that I must urgently bring to your attention."
Mr. Denny moved as though he would leave the office, but the Colonel placed a hand on the man's forearm.
"May I ask you who this matter concerns?" he asked.
Elizabeth gulped, feeling the burn of shame on her cheeks as she named her sister and Mr. Wickham. When she met the eye of Mr. Denny, instead of judgment, she spied compassion.
"I believe whatever you are to say on the issue of your sister and Mr. Wickham can be shared with Mr. Denny. He is Mr. Wickham's sponsor into the militia and close friend. If there is truth to your concerns, then he will be able to corroborate."
Elizabeth looked at the two men in confusion. Mr. Denny was nothing to her and her family, and her first reaction was to protest. But something in Mr. Denny's eyes gave her pause. He walked forward and closed the door behind her and aided her to the chair, next to the Colonel's desk.
"I have a report of an alarming nature to make. I believe my sister may be with child. Mr. Wickham's child," she said, with a sigh. She shocked both men by starting with a most indelicate subject.
"Miss Elizabeth, that is quite an accusation," Colonel Forster began, looking rather uncomfortable, but Mr. Denny sighed.
"I'm afraid it may be true, sir. I have served as a lookout for Miss Lydia and Mr. Wickham's amorous pursuits."
Colonel Forster became flustered. "What? What? Why did you not tell me at once?"
Mr. Denny gazed down at the floor. "I did so at Miss Lydia's insistence. I am afraid there's more bad news, sir."
Colonel Forster stood up from his chair, pushing it back with such force that the poor piece of furniture tipped backward and crashed to the floor. Mr. Denny rushed forward to right the chair immediately.
"Am I to understand that a Lieutenant in my own outfit has assaulted a young woman in my charge?"
Elizabeth hesitated as both she and Mr. Denny clarified that Miss Lydia was more than a willing participant.
"I believe they need to be made to marry," Mr. Denny stated. "But that will prove difficult."
Believing him to be speaking about the lack of funds, Elizabeth volunteered the other information that her sister shared.
"Mr. Wickham has promised my sister to marry. He recently came into a bonus of some kind from Captain Shawcroft."
"Shawcroft? That man deserted two days ago. He is accused of stealing from the Prince Regent's household," Colonel Forster explained, and Elizabeth gasped.
A loud thumping began in her ears as she felt as though the room was beginning to spin. She felt as though she could not breathe, hearing that Mr. Denny knew of her sister's shame. Worse, there was a charge of theft against the very captain that Mr. Wickham had involved himself with.
Mr. Denny did not notice Miss Elizabeth's distress as he had walked over to Colonel Forster to speak to the man in a hushed whisper. When he turned around and saw her anguish, the man hurried to her side.
"Miss Elizabeth, oh please, do not cry," he said, trying to calm her with a gentle voice.
Between sobs, she gasped for air. There was nothing to be done! Even if Lydia was made to marry Mr. Wickham, surely even the Colonel could see that the man was a cad.
Bewildered and overwhelmed by the disaster of it all, the maid she shared with Lydia was called.
The Forster household was soon in an uproar as Colonel Forster confronted both his wife and Lydia. Mrs. Forster confirmed that she suspected Lydia was in danger of a Jack-in-the-box. The entire ordeal turned uglier when Mr. Wickham appeared for his normal afternoon visit.
Unable to stomach the discussion around her, Elizabeth didn't bother to excuse herself upstairs. She merely walked away without notice. The maid dutifully followed her to her room and asked her if she needed anything. Shouts from downstairs, mostly from Colonel Forster, could be heard and Elizabeth winced.
"Can you brew a sleeping draught? My head aches," she said, touching her hand to her temple and sniffing to show that her sinuses were still congested. The young woman nodded and left to see to Elizabeth's request.
Instead of waiting for the woman to return, Elizabeth began to stare out the familiar window where she had often daydreamed about becoming Mr. Darcy's wife. There was no question such a dream could never come true.
Tears began to fall down her cheeks again as Elizabeth tended to her own undress and changed into a nightgown. When she was finished, the young maid returned with a tray of herbal tea and explained a drop of laudanum had been added.
Settling herself in her bed, Elizabeth thanked the maid and lifted the cup. She blew over the top of it gently and took a careful sip. Finding the water to not be too hot, she drank more freely and felt better that the loud voices had quieted from down below. Completely uninterested in comforting Lydia in any fashion, she finished the cup of liquid without delay.
Dreading the thought of writing to Jane in the morning, Elizabeth thought of the rest of her family back at Longbourn. She imagined her sisters would be most angry with Lydia, but potentially reserve some ire for her. After all, she had failed entirely to keep Lydia safe.
Refusing to cry again as she felt the familiar prickling sensation at the corners of her eyes, she forced them shut as she laid back on her bed, snuggling under the covers. Her last errant thought before sleep overcame her was that she began to understand why her mother took so often to her bed to avoid conflict.