Hi everyone. I am back with an update!
Thank you all for continuing to read this story. Today marks one year since I posted my first attempt at writing fanfiction ("Grateful"). I have been posting here for one year! I never thought I would still be writing one year on… I never thought I would be writing long stories… If it had not been for the lockdown, I probably would not have considered writing and sharing the work of my imagination. Thank you so much for welcoming me here despite my limitations. I read the first chapters of this story recently and I think they are awful LOL. I hope that one day, perhaps when I complete this story, I can go back and take this work down to edit and repost.
Thank you to the readers who left reviews:
Wyndwhysphyr, Guest, lpinney, Jansfamily4, ChrisM0519, Deanna27, midnitewanderer, Colleen S, Levenez, M, Maria Teresa C, Motherof8, Lisa, tanseynz, Guest, Shelby66 (via PM)
So let us continue this story…
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Denny soon returned to report that there was still no sign of Colonel Forster. Colonel Fitzwilliam made the decision for them to take Wickham to his superior instead of waiting at Longbourn, and instructed the officers to ensure that Wickham did not possess any more concealed weapons, and to tie him up securely.
"Darce, you need have your hand attended to. It is bleeding," the colonel suggested.
"Do not worry about me, Richard. It is more important that Wickham is brought to Colonel Forster immediately," Darcy replied.
"I would appreciate your company, Darcy. We are akin to being brothers, after spending our childhood years together. It is such a shame that you seem to no longer place any value on the memories we shared. You are aware of how much Georgiana means to me—"
"She is Miss Darcy to you," the colonel said in an irritated voice, wary about what Wickham would say about his young ward.
"Of course, colonel. Darcy, I am surprised that Miss Elizabeth has knowledge of Miss Darcy. Have you made such progress with Miss Elizabeth as to have your sister share… letters and confidences?" Wickham taunted Darcy. He was unsure about the author of the letter that Lydia had mentioned but he hoped that he would be able to obtain more clarity based on Darcy's reaction. In his mind, it was almost a certainty that the colonel and Darcy would not award him any more compassionate reprieve, so he determined that he would cause as much harm as he could manage.
"What— I do not know what you are talking about, Wickham," Darcy answered, attempting but failing to disguise the edge in his voice. Wickham sniggered after observing this reaction but he was stopped from giving rise to more trouble by the colonel's intervention.
"Darce, we will take Wickham to Colonel Forster directly. Could you see if Mr Bennet is awake now and let him know about what has happened? Have someone see to your injury then return to Netherfield. I shall send word if we need you," the colonel asserted, not wanting Wickham to have any further chances to aggravate his cousin. He then quickly issued the command for Wickham to be tethered to a horse, which will be mounted by one of them. "And Wickham, I strongly advise you to keep your mouth shut if you do not want me to keep your tongue as a memento."
Not long after, Wickham was led along the streets of the village. By this time, the sun had risen and so had some residents. Once the locals recognised the man who was being held captive by the officers, they started to hurl not only verbal abuse towards Wickham, but also anything they could throw at his person such as sticks, stones and rotten food. As time passed, this turned out to be something like a parade, with more and more people joining in to jeer and take their anger out at the scoundrel who had taken advantage of their hospitality and trusting nature.
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From Lydia's bedroom window, Elizabeth had witnessed Mr Wickham attack Mr Darcy. She had been watching the proceedings from the side of the curtains and had been very worried for his safety. Jane had cautioned her other sisters from going near the windows and they had remained comforting each other by the bedside. After Elizabeth told Jane that the colonel and the other officers had restrained Wickham, she was also advised to move away from the window and trust the men to be able to handle the situation. With their father not in a position to make sensible decisions and not wishing their mother to create a dramatic scene, Jane immediately instructed Mrs Hill to take care of Mr Darcy should he require any treatment and call for the apothecary if needed.
"Is it possible to speak to Mr Bennet? He needs to know about what has occurred on his property," Darcy addressed Longbourn's butler and housekeeper.
"I beg your pardon, sir, but Mr Bennet is currently asleep," Mrs Hill replied, giving the same response as what she supplied the colonel. She did not want to reveal that their master had too much to drink.
"I see. I shall return to call sometime today," Darcy replied.
"Sir, your hand… if you will, Mrs Hill can take a look at it. She is quite capable of cleaning wounds and dressing them. Miss Bennet has directed us to see to your needs," the butler said. Mrs Hill knew their mistress was also presently still in bed, and it would not be appropriate for the Bennet daughters to attend to the gentleman, especially if they were still in their nightclothes. "It would be good to have it seen to before you ride back to Netherfield, sir."
Impatient to hear about any development, Elizabeth announced that she was going down again to see if their father was already awake. Jane knew that her sister would likely also want to ascertain Mr Darcy's condition. As Elizabeth carefully hovered by the door of the parlour where their housekeeper was attending to the gentleman, she saw fresh blood on his hand and the sight of this made her gasp. Upon hearing this sound, Darcy turned to look but only caught a brief glimpse of a female figure before the door was shut. He wondered if that was Elizabeth.
Once he returned to Netherfield, he explained all that had occurred to Mr Bingley. After their conversation, he went to his room to get some rest but he found himself feeling anxious with questions and doubts.
What did Wickham mean by Georgiana sharing letters and confidences with Elizabeth?
How does he know about the existence of shared correspondence?
Is it possible that Elizabeth told Wickham about Georgiana's letter?
The gentleman wanted to find answers to his questions but he had to wait until after breakfast to call at Longbourn and speak to Mr Bennet, then to Elizabeth.
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During breakfast at Longbourn, Mr and Mrs Bennet were informed by their daughters about Mr Wickham's arrest.
"Oh, thank goodness! Finally, that blackguard has been apprehended. I hope he will be dealt with swiftly and receive his just punishment," exclaimed Mrs Bennet, while Mr Bennet stayed silent.
"Yes, mamma! We were all sleeping together in our room last night and it was quite scary to have that man turn up outside the window!" Kitty said.
"But we worked together and came up with a good plan. We are so happy that it worked and that we were able to help," Jane added.
"It was so satisfying to empty the contents of our chamber pots over that man's head," Elizabeth giggled.
"And to have the chamber pots hit him squarely on the head!" Mary surprised them with her statement.
"Oh, my dear girls! You are so clever and brave! Now at last, our village is safe from the evil actions of that man! I never did trust him before, you know. I always thought that there must be something sinister hidden underneath that charming face and gallant stance," Mrs Bennet said.
"When the officers arrived, he did not stand a chance. Mr Denny, Mr Chamberlayne and Mr Carter are so strong and perhaps even more handsome than Mr Wickham!" Kitty spoke of her admiration.
"I hope that Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy will ensure that Mr Wickham rots in debtors' prison. He deserves to suffer severely for all his misdeeds!" continued Mrs Bennet.
"It is well and good that Wickham has been arrested. But what I do not understand is… why did he come here? Why was he waiting outside your window at such an ungodly hour? The information from Colonel Forster suggested that they expected him to appear at the Kings' residence…" Mr Bennet's words trailed and he looked straight at Lydia. "Lydia? Do you have any idea why he was here?"
"Lydia?" he repeated after the youngest Bennet daughter would not meet his eyes.
"Papa... that is not important now --" Jane tried to protect Lydia but she was interrupted.
"Lydia, I asked you a question," Mr Bennet insisted.
"I… I… he came because…" Lydia started but could not finish her words. She knew she would have to face the consequences of her past actions but was afraid of what their father would decide. Remembering how angry and disappointed he had been with her when he learnt of her taking money from Elizabeth, she worried that he might not forgive her when he discovered that she had previously agreed to elope with Mr Wickham.
After he dismissed the servants from the breakfast parlour, Mr Bennet proceeded with his enquiry.
"I am going to ask you one last time, Lydia. What do you know about Wickham coming here so early this morning?"
"He came… because… he planned to elope…" Lydia spoke in a very quiet voice.
"Elope? With whom?" her father raised his voice.
"With me…" she answered weakly.
"You were going to run away with him?! Silly, stupid girl! How could you even consider such a reckless thing! Have you no care for your family? Do you realise that you would have ruined your sisters' future had you eloped?" shouted Mr Bennet.
"But I did not, papa. I realised I made a mistake and changed my mind about eloping with him. I am so sorry. I really am," Lydia said.
"You are an embarrassment to this family! I drowned myself in drink last night because I felt so humiliated after admitting to the men that you have stolen money from your own sister to give to that scoundrel. Why can't you behave more like Jane or Lizzy?" Mr Bennet expressed his displeasure.
"Papa, I do not think it is fair to --" Elizabeth tried to reason with her father.
"Do not get involved, Lizzy. This is not about you," Mr Bennet said in a firm tone. After pausing for a moment, he continued, "To be honest, I have had enough of your foolishness and selfishness, Lydia. I think it will benefit everyone if I send you to a seminary in the hope that you may still be reformed."
"Papa, please… I promise you. I have learnt from my mistakes. I will change, papa. Please do not send me away…" Lydia pleaded as she started to cry.
"I do not believe you. You have only become sillier as you got older. It is best if you leave as soon as possible so you cannot inflict any more damage to this family," Mr Bennet said with finality.
"No!"
Everyone turned to Kitty who blurted out her disagreement.
"No, papa! Mary is about to get married. Jane and Lizzy have caught the attention of two respectable men and are likely to settle down soon. If you send Lydia away, I will have no one left with me. You are always in your study and do not show any genuine concern for us. Is it not your responsibility to see to our care and well-being?" Kitty said.
"Do not dare talk to me like that, young lady," Mr Bennet replied.
"But it is true, papa. You hardly spend any time with us except when dining," Kitty continued.
"You are being ungrateful and disrespectful. Your needs are all well provided for. What I do with my time is not your business," Mr Bennet retorted.
"If you will not dedicate some time to get to know your own daughters and take an active interest in our lives, then allow us to help Lydia ourselves. We do not have a lot of time left before Mary leaves for her new home. I wish for us to spend the next two weeks being together, not apart," Kitty added.
"Papa, I believe that Lydia has learnt her lesson. If she is willing to accept our help, we can support her education and development. I can help her with needlework. Lizzy can teach her about books and languages. She and Kitty can spend some afternoons drawing. Mary can aid her with pianoforte practice," Jane offered.
"Mr Bennet, please give Lydia one more chance. I admit that I have spoilt her and given in to her whims for years. We, both of us, had a big part in how she turned out. We cannot continue failing her. She needs our help. She needs us. I will personally supervise her daily tasks and see to it that she accepts the guidance from her sisters," Mrs Bennet promised.
After more impassioned appeals from his family, Mr Bennet reluctantly agreed not to send Lydia away on the condition that she would show a significant improvement in her ways.
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I am finding the next sections quite tricky to plan in my head and on paper, but I will do my best to keep going. There are still a few scenes and twists I wish to include but we will see if I can manage it…
Thank you for the answers to my previous question about Secret Santa. Fun to read!
Next one if you wish to share your thoughts:
Why do you think Colonel Fitzwilliam told Lizzy about Darcy's interference with Bingley's affairs?
Was he playing wingman? Was he trying to show Darcy in a better light? Did he feel that Lizzy did not like Darcy that much? Was it all just part of casual conversation?
Thank you all for your support and please stay safe! ;-)