Bennet parents saved money for the dowry of each of the girls, but that did not lessen of the distress that Mrs. Bennet felt for wanting marrying her daughters as soon as they could be out or the desires that Mr. Bennet had to have his house free of his daughters and in consequence his wife.

Thus Jane fell victim to the whims of her parents and married as a child bride and the state of her marriage left lasting effects on her four younger siblings. Elizabeth declared she would have a marriage of respect. Mary decided marriage with a man near her own age and less serious than Mr. Roderick could be possible. Kitty thought if the man had a respectable title and a good fortune he would not have treated Jane so badly so she aimed for that and Lydia?

As for Lydia, well, she did not want to marry. She craved fun and a good laugh, but all she heard these days was that she needed a husband badly. Her father thought she needed one to curb her silly attitude and her mother thought no girl would be happy without a husband. If only she could get her dowry.

Months before the triumphant…

"Instead of giving my dowry to a stranger, give it to your daughter to do what's best for her own."

"Don't you dare speak with me with that tone, insolent girl! What foolish nonsense. You can't count the fingers of your own hands. Leave at once and not one more time I hear from you that absurd silliness."

She pouted, but then her eyes hardened and the pout turned into an eerie smirk. She said, "As you wish, father." She curtsied deeply with mock reverence.

She did not ask again and did not forget it either. She would show him what would be absurd, but maybe the absurdity would be her salvation.

Almost there…

"That's a lot of money you want."

Darcy was astonished at the greed that Wickham had possessed. The girl had a good dowry, but Wickham wanted more than that.

He shrugged his shoulders and said, "having Lydia as a wife and living the lifestyle that I want needs that much."

"I want to speak first with Miss Lydia."

"Good luck, but you do not find much from a fifteen year old girl."

Darcy's lips curled at the mention of her age, feeling disgusted with Wickham.

Wickham smirked at him. Knew very well what he was thinking.

Upon seeing him in the doorway, she raised her eyebrows.

"Miss Bennet, I come to get you back to your family, safely."

"That does not need to be done. I only wish to marry George."

Darcy thought how one could explain to a silly girl that the man was not in love with her, but wanting only her money.

"Miss Lydia, Wickham is not a man of his words. He will not treat you well."

"No matter what, I am in love with him and you better not speak ill of my George."

Darcy felt the girl was a lost cause so left her to her dreams. He tried to reason with Wickham despite wanting to break his teeth with his fisted hand.

Unfortunately, Wickham did not back away from his initial condition. So He headed to the girl's uncle to discuss the problem in detail. They talked with each other for hours and at last, they agreed on putting to rest the scandal worth the price. They needed to think for the other unmarried Bennet young women, and he secretly only thought of Elizabeth. The girls should have their family and their own reputation intact if they ever wished to marry or live with respect.

With a specific licence and contract, Wickham settled for marrying her. They married in haste. Lydia insisted on having some time of their own as man and wife before they set out for Longbourn. That made the blood of both Darcy and her uncle boil, which amused her immensely.

"Well, now is as good a time as any to have our share and go our own merry way."

"Don't you want to show off your "husband" to your neighbours and keep the gossip down?"

"I suppose for Kitty, Lizzy and Mary's future I need to do that, but we'll be done after that."

"Of course, my smart little woman."

She rolled her eyes.

"Don't make love to me. I won't fall for your charms."

"I am sure." Which is why I have found you handsome. Wickham thought with a feeling akin to wistfulness, as he knew the girl was not a marrying type. Even if she were, she was not one to settle down with him in Newcastle where he was going to serve as a soldier for the time being. She said, multiple times, as soon as she released her dowry that she would go on a great adventure, sea travelling and all that.

He gave her money back to herself. Of course, with Lydia's men always lurking thereabouts, he could not keep it, but he wanted to keep his end of the deal. Regardless of what Darcy had been thinking and saying about him, he was a man of his word.

Finally, life is smiling at me, Lydia thought.

When they went to Longbourn as a married couple, in an instant, Lydia's thoughts were about how she had gotten back at her father and how she could hurt him deeply by her own revelation. Because she had not forgotten her father's attitude and the man needed to be reminded he and all the people he considered wise, smart and intelligent got tricked by a mere fifteen year old silly girl. But she thought better of it and decided that that get-back could wait until she was on her own ship, safe and sound. She only took the pleasure and satisfaction of laughing at their irritation because of not being ashamed and running for "love and marriage with a man she chose for herself".

Weeks later, feeling triumphant…

The wind was blowing and her untied hair danced with the rhythm of the wind. All around her was sea, and for a moment she closed her eyes and let herself feel the wind on her skin and taste the salty air on her lips. She felt unbound, free from that ridiculous world where words were weapons instead of communication.

She glanced at her own hand, which held a few papers. They were reply letters from her family after her fun letter. Without noticing, a smile came to her lips, but soon she burst into laughter.

Her father, she sneered thinking of the man. He did not send a letter to her. Not granting her even such a respect, but between the lines of her mother and Lizzy's letter, she could discern that he was very angry and still called her silly. The man could rant and rave, but she had won.

Oh, surprisingly, her mother was understanding. She was sad for not being with her husband, but she wished she could find happiness wherever she went.

Jane's was what she expected to be. Respecting her decisions. Just that.

Well, Kitty was sad that she did not confide in her and wanted her to never send another letter to her.

She sighed. They were very close, but Kitty would blow up all of her plans, the second she would disclose everything to her. Therefore, she could not even have a deal with Wickham, much less be the owner of a ship and her crew. She had to keep her out of the loop, that much was certain. If only she knew how to explain it to her dearest sister.

Mary and Lizzy's letters were unexpected.

Mary expressed, multiple times in her letter, that she could count on her because she craved adventure too. However, before the incidence, she had thought it was possible only if she married an adventurer.

Lydia was already thinking of sending someone to bring Mary to her, maybe even Kitty would forgive her and decide to come too.

She was really disappointed with Lizzy's letter. After all, Lydia always looked up to her and tried to mimic her. Lizzy called her an ungrateful silly girl and blamed her for ruining her reputation and saw her responsible for the difficulties she was facing. First by running with Wickham, now running from your husband, Wickham, It read in her letter.

Demanded her to get back to her married life, if not, this time her husband would not save her from ruin. Good riddance. Silly was she, still thinking Darcy had saved her. She was indebted to the man for he played a great part in her game and if it was not for him, she would not have her dowry. Was her sister blind or wanted to pretend she was? He did not save her, that was all her own design. By the bye, he did all that for Lizzy. Because she was sure if she was not related to Lizzy, the man would not give a damn to her.

"Miss Lydia, where is our next destination?"

"We're going back, Captain. My sister, Mary, is going to join us."

The End