Page 28 of Leave Her Wild
Elizabeth watched the progress of Mr. Darcy’s coach as it made its way towards the entrance to Longbourn. “One more week,” she told herself. “Actually eight days until the wedding. Then I must spend the remainder of my days avoiding him when the family gathers to celebrate Christmastide and other such celebrations.
“If all goes on as I suspect, soon Mary shall be less than five miles from Jane at Pemberley. As Mrs. Ericks, Mary shall be a leader in the local community. I hold no doubt Mary will see that Jane fulfills her commitment to Mr. Darcy’s cottagers and the village. I have already hinted to such matters to my younger sister. Over the next week, I shall craft a means to assist Mary, and she may assist Jane as the new Mrs. Darcy.”
It was quite ironic when Elizabeth considered how she knew more of what Mr. Darcy required in a wife than did Jane. When she reflected back on their upbringing, being Mr.Bennet’s “son” had presented Elizabeth the skills to be both mistress of the house, but also a man’s partner. Mr. Darcy obviously employed a myriad of servants to make both his London home and his Derbyshire home a “machine” that did not require constant supervision, but keeping his cottagers and the land productive in a time where more and more of those who once willingly worked the land required something other than a simple order from the master: It required an investment in the cottagers’ lives and the encouragement of those in the great house. Elizabeth and Mary did just that at Longbourn, where Jane was like their mother: Jane excelled at sitting around the house and appearing to be its mistress.
Elizabeth sighed heavily. “It is the best I can do. My speaking to Jane would not serve either my sister or Mr. Darcy. Jane will withdraw deeper into her fears. Perhaps it would be best if I also write to Samuel Ericks and speak to him of what I know of the situation and encourage him to claim Mary sooner, rather than later. He could assist Mary in counseling Jane.”
Her decision made, Elizabeth turned her steps to the descent. “Soon I shall be left only to the memories of a man I had hoped never to encounter again—a man I shall . . . No, I cannot ever consider the gentleman in those terms. He shall be Jane’s husband, forever and ever.”
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The following day, Elizabeth had not been happy regarding the sudden appearance of Lydia and Mr. Wickham on Longbourn’s threshold, and she, like the rest of the household, knew this turn of events had been at Mrs. Bennet’s hands. Elizabeth prayed that her mother had informed Lydia of Jane’s “good fortune” before Mr. Darcy had issued his warning, but one never truly knew the right of things with Mrs. Frances Bennet. The carriage had been sent to meet them along the coaching route to London. Their arrival had been dreaded by the otherBennet daughters, who had heard every threat Mr. Darcy had made, and realized, obviously better than did their mother, something of Jane’s sacrificial marriage to Mr. Darcy would provide them the opportunity to know their own marriages. Elizabeth feared Jane’s promise to the man would now be in vain.
The Wickhams came, nevertheless. The family was assembled in the breakfast room to receive them. A smile decked the face of Mrs. Bennet, as the carriage drove up to the door. Mr. Bennet looked impenetrably grave; the Bennet daughters were alarmed, anxious, and uneasy.
Shortly, Lydia’s voice was heard in the vestibule; the door was thrown open, and their youngest sister ran into the room. Mrs. Bennet embraced Lydia and welcomed her with rapture. Mr. Wickham followed Lydia into the room, taking time to wish one and all joy with alacrity.
Mr. Bennet’s reception of the pair was not so cordial. His countenance, in Elizabeth’s opinion, rather gained in austerity, and he scarcely opened his lips. Obviously, the continued easy assurance of the Wickhams was enough to provoke her father.
Elizabeth was disgusted, and even Jane appeared uneasy with their appearance, as well as fearful of what this meant for her wedding. No one wanted a reminder of the Bennet family’s recent fall from grace at Lydia’s hands. Assuredly, their presence at the wedding would upset Mr. Darcy further, and, this time, his complaints would be well founded.
Unfortunately, Lydia was still Lydia: Untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless. When they all sat down together, Lydia looked eagerly around the room, took notice of some little alteration and observed, with a laugh, “It surely has been a great while since I have been here.”
Wickham was not at all more distressed than his wife, but his manners were always so pleasing, and it was obvioushe meant to be pleasant to his wife’s family. Even so, Elizabeth asked herself: “Why now?” Mr. Wickham’s smiles and easy address should have delighted them all, but only Mrs. Bennet appeared happy for the reunion.
Yet, good manners had Elizabeth sitting down with the others, resolving within herself to draw no limits in the future to the impudence of an impudent man. She blushed, and Jane blushed. Kitty turned red, as did Mary. Yet, the cheeks of the two who created a world where Jane was required to marry a man she did not affect and where Elizabeth would remain barren suffered no shame.
“It seems forever since I went away,” Lydia declared happily, “and yet here we are and things at Longbourn, generally, have stayed the same. Good gracious! When I went away, I am sure I had no more idea of being married till I came back again!”
Elizabeth noted her father lifting his eyes to Heaven, likely praying for patience. Jane wrung her handkerchief through her fingers. Elizabeth doubted that Mr. Darcy confided everything to Jane that he had shared with her, but the gentleman had made his stance clear to the whole family regarding Mr. Wickham.
“Why did you decide to return to Longbourn at this particular time?” Elizabeth asked, having tired of the pretense.
Lydia puffed up in apparent hurt. “That is most unkind, Lizzy.”
“No more unkind than your throwing caution to the wind and bringing shame on all your sisters. We possess no social life. No house calls for Mama. No gentlemen seeking our attention. Your marriage cost us our dowries, for they were required to pay your husband’s debts and the purchase of his lieutenancy.”
“Elizabeth Elaine!” her mother reprimanded.
“What has Elizabeth said which is not true?” Mary asked.
Mr. Bennet claimed the conversation, “Though Elizabeth is a bit too blunt for a gently-born lady, I am not so constrained by society. I am assuming Frances wrote to you of Jane’s upcoming marriage, and Mr. Wickham recognized Mr. Darcy’s name in the correspondence. Therefore, you rushed here to claim what you could from the man. Unfortunately, at least in your estimation, you erred. The gentleman has strictly said that he will not finance even one penny of Mr. Wickham’s life. He did not express a reason for his adamancy, but based on the crime Mr. Wickham has exacted against this family and this community, and with your permission and cooperation, Lydia, I can only imagine the liberties your husband has taken against a man he wished to replace in the late Mr. Darcy’s heart.”
“I am not required to remain in a house where I am not welcomed,” Mr. Wickham said as he rose in obvious anger.
“Mr. Bennet did not mean his words,” their mother assured.
“I did mean every one, Mrs. Bennet. I have not often enough corected you, but, when the Lucases and others about Longbourn have placed themselves above you and my daughters, I must be a man. Someday that twit William Collins will be the master of Longbourn, and you will be turned out into the ‘hedgerows,’ as you so often exclaim. We have robbed our four eldest daughters of a future because of Lydia’s impetuous nature. Not one more penny. I am copying Mr. Darcy’s stance in this manner, though for likely different reasons, but worthy reasons, nevertheless.”
“If such is to be my welcome, I should take myself off to Meryton, or mayhap on to London,” Mr. Wickham said with a lift of his chin in apparent umbrage, though all but Mrs. Bennet and Lydia recognized his ploy for what it was.
“I have paid off all your debts in the village,” Mr. Bennet said with equal daring, “but I warned each I would no longerfinance their gullibility. Perhaps it might be better if you wait along the road and flag down the coach.”
“I shall go with you,” Lydia declared.
“No!” Mr. Wickham said with a bit too much emphasis. “It is me with whom your family objects.”
“But, Wicky,” Lydia whined.
