Page 31 of A Forced Marriage
Elizabeth chuckled softly, a hint of embarrassment in her tone. "I fear that among my sisters, it is Mary who is the true musician. I can manage a few tunes, but my skills are by no means as refined as yours."
"Perhaps you might teach me what you know, and I shall do likewise," Georgiana suggested with an earnest smile.
Elizabeth nodded, clearly pleased by the offer, while Darcy observed their exchange with quiet satisfaction.
The music resumed, serving as a gentle backdrop to the conversation, until Mrs. Reynolds appeared at the doorway. Her expression, as ever, was composed, yet there was a hint of apology in her manner, as though she regretted intruding upon such a private moment. She curtsied respectfully to Darcy and then approached Elizabeth with a letter in hand.
"Pardon the interruption, Sir, Madam, but a letter has just arrived from Meryton."
Elizabeth’s heart gave a slight leap at the mention of Meryton. Taking the letter from Mrs. Reynolds, she immediately recognized Jane’s handwriting, her mind brimming with thoughts of home.
"Two letters in two days?" Elizabeth said with a faint smile as she broke the seal. "It seems my sisters miss me dearly. The letter I sent to Jane could not have arrived yet, so this must have been written on the third or fourth day after I left Meryton."
As she unfolded the letter, the smile faded from her lips, replaced by an expression of mounting horror. Her hand trembled as she held the letter, her eyes wide with disbelief. Shebegan to read the words silently, her heart sinking with every line.
“My Dearest Lizzy,
I hardly know how to begin this letter, for the news I must share with you is of the most distressing nature. Our sister Lydia has done something that I fear will bring great shame upon our family. She has eloped with Mr. Wickham. She left a letter in her bedchamber detailing her actions. It seems she did not believe papa would allow her to marry a militia man, and perhaps with your recent marriage, she felt a certain longing for a man of her own. I had always supposed Mr. Wickham intended to propose to Miss King, given his recent frequent attention to her; thus, you can imagine my astonishment upon reading the letter about the elopement. I hardly know what to make of it, but the fact remains that he and Lydia are gone.
Father has left for London to seek out our uncle’s assistance in finding her, and I can only pray that they will be able to bring her back before any further harm is done. Mama, as you can imagine, is beside herself with worry, and her nerves have been in a terrible state ever since. She fears that this will ruin all of our chances, and I must confess, I share her concern. Mr. Bingley has not yet said anything to me on the matter, but I cannot help but fear that this scandal will drive him away.
Lizzy, I do not know what we shall do. I wish you were here with us, for I feel so lost and alone in all of this. Please, if you have any advice or comfort to offer, I would be most grateful. I know that Mr. Darcy must have some influence in London; perhaps he can be of assistance in finding Lydia. I will hold onto that hope for now, though my heart is heavy with fear.
Please write to me as soon as you can, and know that I am thinking of you constantly. I pray that you are well and that married life is treating you kindly. You have always been the strongest of us, Lizzy, and I need your strength now more than ever.
With all my love,
Jane”
Elizabeth’s hands shook as she read the letter a second time, the weight of the words pressing down on her like a vice. The room seemed to grow colder, the warmth and comfort of the evening dissipating into a cloud of dread. How could this have happened? Lydia, so young and foolish, running off with a man like Wickham—her mind raced with the implications. And Mr. Wickham? Why will he do such a terrible thing no doubt aware of its implications?
"What is it, Elizabeth?" Darcy asked, his voice edged with concern as he noticed the sudden change in her comportment.
Elizabeth looked up, her voice barely above a whisper. "It is Lydia... she has eloped with Mr. Wickham."
At Elizabeth’s response, Georgiana’s hands faltered on the keys, her hands flying quickly to cover her mouth in order to stifle a sob, while Darcy’s face darkened with a mix of anger and concern.
"Wickham," Darcy muttered, his voice laced with contempt. "I should have known."
"It appears that Lydia, in her folly, believed our father would never permit her to marry a militia man, and so she resolved upon elopement. Oh, foolish girl, with no thought for the consequences! But Mr. Wickham?" Elizabeth shook her head in disbelieve.
Darcy’s jaw tightened, and his hands clenched at his sides. "Wickham has no regard for the consequences of his actions."
Elizabeth nodded, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "Father has gone to London to seek out our uncle for help. And my mother is beside herself. Another scandal will definitely ruin my sisters’ chances and Jane already thinks this will drive Mr. Bingley away from her." She looked up at Darcy, her eyes pleading. "What am I to do, Mr. Darcy?" she sobbed.
Darcy took a deep breath, his expression taut with determination. He looked from his wife to his sister, who was now visibly shaken, tears streaming down her face. "Mrs. Reynolds, would you kindly take Georgiana to her room?" he requested, his voice strained yet firm.
Mrs. Reynolds nodded quickly. She moved to Georgiana’s side, gently taking her by the arm. "Come, Miss Darcy. Let us get you settled for the night."
Georgiana, sobbing heavily, allowed herself to be led from the room. She cast a worried glance back at Elizabeth as they departed.
Once they were alone, Darcy turned to Elizabeth and said, "I must leave at once. There are matters that require my immediate attention."
Elizabeth, still reeling from the news, stared at him in confusion. "You’re leaving? Now, when I…I need you the most. But... where are you going?"
"I cannot explain everything now,” Darcy hesitated for a moment, clearly conflicted, “but I assure you, it is of the utmost importance. I will return by the morrow or the day after."
Before Elizabeth could protest any further, Darcy rushed out of the room, calling one of the servants to prepare the carriage. The suddenness of his departure left Elizabeth feeling more abandoned than comforted. She had expected, perhapsfoolishly, that Darcy would stay and offer some form of solace, but instead, he seemed eager to leave. The words she had prepared to say in response to his earlier apologies now swirled in her mind, replaced by a fresh wave of doubt and temper.
