Chapter 21
Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam were on their way to Brighton for their first taste of sea bathing. They found out they would not be able to engage in the activity together because the sexes were kept apart for propriety's sake. He had promised her that at some point he would find a place, probably in Cornwall, where they could lease a residence on the beach and indulge.
Their second night on the road, was spent the night at The Laughing Dog Inn. After dinner they sat together on the bench where she had been sitting when he had found her after pursuing her to satisfy his curiosity as to her safety.
"When I found you here." He stopped trying to determine what was the best way to ask his question.
"Just say it Fitzwilliam. I have become quite familiar with the battle you were waging with yourself about the proper thing to do."
"What would you have done if I had told you I was the one who kissed you that night in Vauxhall Gardens?"
By the ridge between her brows, he determined she was seriously considering his question. Still, the answer was much as he suspected. "I would have replied, once again, you had no obligation to me."
"What would you have said if I had proposed marriage… there and then?"
"I would have been as adamant against the idea as I was your perceived offer to have me as your mistress."
Darcy laughed. He remembered her offense at his offer to protect her. "Yes, I made a mess of what I was trying to say."
"We were not ready to commit. I barely knew you."
"While that is true, we had been more honest and open in discussions than I ever had with a lady before."
"So true but remember I did not know about the one we had in Vauxhall."
"My original question was, would it have made a difference?"
"Probably not, but it would have made me start dreaming about kissing you again." She gave him the lascivious smile he so adored. "Actually, I started doing so even without knowing."
"What was it about me and my kiss that caused you to do that?"
"Esther teasing me and telling me you looked like the statue of David. She made you quite intriguing to me even without knowing about your kiss. The kiss itself had been like an explosion of sensory feelings. One was not enough."
"We should thank Esther."
"She knows the role she played in making me look at you beyond just some lofty and arrogant gentleman above my station. However, you let me down by not showing up at the Lambton assembly."
"I know. I was dealing with a case of hoping I could put you out of my mind by keeping you out of my sight. Richard tortured me with how witty you were and how enamored Mr Wright was. He made me pay dearly for my foolish thoughts."
"We should thank Richard as well."
"Believe me I have."
Her grin was provocative, and he knew her well enough to know exactly what she was about to say. "Are you ready to go inside and 'grazie' each other?"
Their time in Brighton had been filled with any number of sensual pleasures. Sea bathing was like nothing she had ever experienced. Being at the mercy of the powerful waves crashing against her body was both frightening and exhilarating. Fitzwilliam was able to go into the water naked. She had to wear a bathing costume that covered her body. It was just another example of things ladies could not do while gentlemen were allowed. Still, it was something she would remember that her new life had allowed her to experience. She wondered whether her sisters dreamed of having a turn at sea bathing.
On the last day of their sojourn, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam were casually strolling along the path next to the street facing the beach. He had bought her a new bonnet. It was made of straw and had a wider brim than any she had ever owned. It was excellent for keeping the sun from burning her face. It was simply decorated with a pink bow. Lydia and her mother would think it too plain. He had commented every time a gentleman looked in her direction. She dutifully blushed the exact colour of the bow each and every time he pointed out how all the men admired his wife.
Elizabeth stopped suddenly and put her arm out to keep Fitzwilliam from moving forward. "The young lady sitting on that bench before us, looking so distressed, is my sister, Lydia. I must talk to her. Wait here."
"Go to her. I believe she is crying."
Lizzy walked to her sister, sat down beside her on the bench and spoke quietly. "Please Lydia, tell me what is wrong."
The youngest Bennet daughter saw who was talking to her and threw herself into her sister's open arms. "Lizzy, Mr Wickham has eloped with Colonel Forster's niece. I thought I was his favourite."
Elizabeth took a deep breath and waited a few seconds before responding. "Were you planning to elope with him?"
"No, but I had no idea he liked Emma so much better than me that he wanted to marry her. He would tell me she was not as enjoyable to be with as I was. He made me believe he found her too proud because she had been to school and knew how to speak French and play the pianoforte."
"Did she have money?"
"Yes, her parents left her 8,000, I believe."
"Sweet girl, that is why he eloped with her."
"Colonel Forster is furious. He has sent men looking for them. I believe he might kill Wickham if he catches them."
"He tried the same thing with Miss King and there were others I know about. He does not love her. He wanted her fortune."
"Life is so unfair. He should have chosen me."
"You are very lucky he did not persuade you to run away with him. You would have been forced to marry just as I was almost forced to wed him."
"But you were disowned."
"That is true, but I managed to find a way to happiness despite my kissing someone in public. Once you are married, you must endure your husband forever. It is much better to marry someone you love and respect."
"Do you think it will ever happen to you with your reputation so totally ruined. I am sorry if I sound like Mary, but Mama warns us about your wanton behaviour. She says that is why Wickham did not marry you."
"He did not marry me because at the time, I only had 1,000 pounds… hardly enough to tempt him. Besides, I am now happily married and so is Jane. We were wed in April to Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam." She turned and pointed to her husband patiently waiting and observing their conversation." She motioned him closer.
"Oh my, Mama thought he favoured Kitty."
Lizzy laughed and hugged her sister. "Mama is rarely right on those kinds of matters. He was trying to find me. That is why he danced with each of you at the assembly and asked you questions."
Lydia nodded her head with the certainty she had figured everything out. "I know. He had to marry you because you were together alone in the library at midnight… in your nightclothes."
"No, I was already ruined, remember. That happened to me while I was in Meryton being disowned for wanton behaviour in Vauxhall Gardens. Mr Darcy was the one who kissed me."
Lydia looked at her sister this time shaking her head in puzzlement. "So, it was not Mr Wickham? How confusing. Is that why Mr Darcy married you?"
Darcy laughed and said, "I married her because she could speak French and play the pianoforte. Remember the questions I asked you?"
Lydia looked completely dumbfounded as though nothing in her world was making sense at all. Finally, she said, "Is that why Wickham chose Emma? I had hoped to be the first one married so I could be more important than my sisters."
Elizabeth allowed her youngest sister time to try to understand why things had not happened as she had hoped. Lydia's next question caused her to stifle a laugh. "Did you buy new clothes for your wedding? Were they beautiful?"
"I did not buy them. Jane, Aunt Gardiner, and my new sister, Georgiana, bought them for me. They are absolutely gorgeous."
"I would prefer to buy my own wedding clothes."
"Did you think Mr Wickham was about to propose?"
"He or one of the other officers. It was like playing a game, and I wanted to be the winner. If I was the most popular and they enjoyed my company enough; one of them might propose. On the other hand, Captain Denny was always talking about needing to be promoted and making an advantageous marriage. It was over my head."
"Did you think about what would come next?"
"We would marry and live happily ever after. I would have consequence."
"Are Mama and Papa happy?. Are Sir William and Lady Lucas? What about Charlotte and Mr Collins?"
"Probably not, but I would know if someone loved me. They would want to buy me things and take care of me."
"Sweet girl, you need to learn more about life before you choose a destiny that might make you miserable. If Emma marries Mr Wickham, I do not envy her. I was lucky he rejected me."
"Why? He is handsome and charming and all the ladies want him to pay attention to them."
"He has debts in Derbyshire, London, Meryton, and Brighton. What if he is put in Marshalsea? Will Emma go with him or will her fortune be used to pay off his creditors. I doubt he will have enough to buy her pretty things."
"Colonel Forster says he will have him put in prison for desertion if he catches them."
Elizabeth hugged her sister tighter as her beginning realization of life's truth began to cause her to tremble uncontrollably. She allowed her to rest her head on her shoulder and cry a bit more. When her sobs subsided, she said, "Lydia, allow Fitzwilliam and I to take you to Longbourn. Colonel and Mrs Forster have enough problems to resolve, and we would be happy to return you home. I have something I would like to propose to Papa regarding your future as well as Kitty and Mary's."
The next morning, they left for Hertfordshire. A visit had been paid to Colonel and Mrs Forster the previous evening. While Elizabeth and Lydia packed her things, Mr Darcy told him about possible places where Mr Wickham might be hiding in London. He explained his knowledge of the lieutenant's former associates. He clarified, Lord Smallwood, was recovering from a wound at Matlock in Derbyshire, but he thought it possible his cousin might have granted him access to Matlock House in the past. The small staff this time of year might not question his need for a place to stay. He also told Emma's uncle to see if they might be staying at the boarding house of Mrs Younge in Bethnal Green. He told the colonel to also check the residence in London of Sir Arthur Dugdale. It was related that the baronet was supposed to be out of the country, but he was not particularly reputable. Darcy also indicated that the area around Pemberley was where Wickham was from originally. He assured Colonel Forster that those who worked for him would be alerted to notice any evidence of his being in the area.
"Papa." Mr Bennet looked up from the book he was reading. He smiled upon seeing her as though she was returning from a trip to Meryton. He obviously saw her presence as an indication she wanted to make amends. Elizabeth quickly took the seat across from his desk to curtail any physical greeting. "May I call you Papa or should I refer to you as Mr Bennet?"
"You are being nonsensical, Lizzy. Of course you may call me Papa. It was not my idea to disown you. That was all your mother's doing."
"But you allowed it to happen. You are a man. You have the power in this household. Mama is unable to do anything without your permission."
"Mrs Bennet would not stop insisting your presence would do harm to my other daughters' reputations. She told me it was my duty."
"So, you chose to possibly ruin my life to protect my sisters? It is good to know you were not just protecting your own peace and quiet."
He obviously was tired of that conversation so he asked, "Where is your husband, Mrs Darcy?"
"We brought Lydia home from Brighton. Mr Wickham has eloped with Colonel Forster's niece. Mr Darcy is waiting in the carriage to take me to Cambridge where we will stay the night."
"You are not planning to stay with us?"
"No, we would prefer not. We do plan to extend a courtesy call at my Aunt and Uncle Phillips' home before we depart."
We must extend the courtesy of inviting them to Pemberley.
"Am I invited?"
"Yes, and no. We are holding a ball at Pemberley in early September. Jane and I will be introduced to Derbyshire society at the ball. We would welcome you to come to the ball and be introduced as our parents. However, unlike the Philipps and the Gardiners, I would prefer you stay with Jane."
"With Jane? Does she have a house?"
"It should be habitable by September. She is after all your eldest daughter, not to mention the one you persuaded Mama not to disown." Lizzy spoke in her most sardonic manner as she continued poking fun. "I remember her writing to me how much effort it required for you to suggest a better course of action than a forced marriage to Mr Collins. Jane will surely do her best to make certain you are comfortable during your stay. Unfortunately, the library is quite paltry at Ashford Abbey compared to ours at Pemberley.
Her father was silent as he took in her revelation. She went on to add, "I am no person whose first object in life is a joke, Papa. There are such people, but I am not one of them. My time for ridiculing those whom I have the responsibility of improving their knowledge and understanding of the world is long past. God willing, I will be a mother soon."
With that he allowed his eyes to register a slight smirk as he replied, "Lizzy dear, are you accusing me of being such a person?"
"Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do still divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can. But I have learned to avoid those weaknesses which sometimes induce a strong understanding to ridicule those I profess to love."
"What do you know? You have yet to experience the profound disappointments of life." She thought she heard her father sputter before he continued. "My education of you enriched your understanding. Thanks to me, Elizabeth Bennet you have achieved a most enviable position."
Lizzy applied her broadest smile to her face. "I do appreciate the way you taught me to enjoy making sport of family and neighbours. Mr Darcy enjoys when I tease him because he knows my words though witty are not meant to demean, He recognizes they are said with great affection."
Her father remained silent. He filled his pipe and seemed to be encouraging her to leave so he could go back to his solitary occupation.
"Before I leave, I must tell you my plans for Kitty and Lydia. I would like them to spend several years at the school, Mrs Thatcher's in Derbyshire, where I briefly taught. Lydia is currently confused about her future life. Marrying a man in a red coat has lost some of its attraction. On our way from Brighton, we discussed some things she would learn as well as what kind of young ladies with whom she would become acquainted. She loves the idea that many of them might have brothers. Currently she is caught up with the idea of learning to speak Italian. She heard about the trip we are taking to Italy shortly after our ball. Your youngest is certain that will be her fate if she learns the language and attracts the right sort of husband."
"I do not know why you would want to bother educating such a senseless girl. She is too much like her mother."
"She is young and should have the opportunity to learn. Someone said knowledge is power. If I can persuade her, Kitty will want to go as well. She is quite good at drawing. The school has an excellent master who comes in to teach the girls."
Her father's expression had fallen into smugness as he spoke. "Sir Francis Bacon said it. How do you plan to pay for this? Will Mr Darcy be responsible for educating my silly daughters?"
Elizabeth also heard a hint of jealousy in her father's voice. She remained calm. "Uncle Phillips negotiated a generous amount of pin money, and Uncle Gardiner facilitated my ownership of the bookshop in Lambton. I will be able to afford to pay for them myself."
Her words caused her father to take a healthy gulp of port, but he said nothing to scuttle her idea. "What are your plans for Mary?"
"I believe she would enjoy living in London with the Gardiner's She would have many opportunities to learn and experience new things and meet new people. I would pay for her to spend time with a music master."
"Possibly she could kiss a stranger in Vauxhall Gardens and be forced to marry him."
Elizabeth laughed at his jab. "I shall warn her against such a folly… especially if he is wearing a mask when they kiss. Poor Mary might accidentally marry the wrong man as I was almost forced to do."
"You seem to have thought of everything."
"There is one last thing. If you no longer must feed and clothe them, you should be able to set aside some money to increase their dowries."
Elizabeth spent a few minutes saying farewell to her sisters. Even Mary seemed to be looking forward to coming to Derbyshire for their ball in September. She asked them to please write so plans could be made for the future. Her main objective was to leave all three knowing they were important to her.
Upon entering the carriage, she forced herself into Fitzwilliam's arms using her best Iphigenia moves. He whispered into her ear, "Was it painful?"
"No, I remained calm and poised, with the perfect amount of sarcasm. I believe I bested him."
"Why do you need to be hugged?"
"Because it is a truth I must acknowledge, my husband believes in me through thick and thin. Whenever I feel insecure, you give my pride back to me. Never would I have been able to tell Papa what I did without you as my friend. This is just my way of showing you my gratitude and love."