“What am I to do if James no longer wishes to marry me?” Kitty asked.
The despair in her voice made Elizabeth hold her even more closely.
“Do you truly fear he may hear the news?”
“Yes,” replied Kitty as they continued hand in hand. “Some of the officers still correspond with people here, and, most certainly, they know what has happened. News may reach Meryton at any moment.”
Elizabeth wished Kitty were merely exaggerating from fear, but she was not. She was right. News from Brighton might arrive at any time, and the consequences could be disastrous.
Once again, Elizabeth felt grateful that they now lived at Netherfield. There, they could close the gates and see no one if they wished. They could come and go without passing through Meryton itself. If it became known that Lydia was in London with Wickham, unmarried, the scandal would be immense.
“But do you truly think James would withdraw in case—?” asked Elizabeth. “The banns have already been read.”
“James will do whatever his father tells him, just as Charlotte did. In their family, children do not decide such matters for themselves.”
That, unfortunately, was true.
Sir William Lucas was the most vigilant guardian of decorum in the whole neighbourhood. One might have thoughthim entrusted with the defence of some ancient title, when in reality he had merely received a knighthood through the same sort of influence that had elevated countless others.
“There is only a week until the wedding,” murmured Elizabeth.
“More than a week. Nine endless days. Oh! We were finally beginning to feel settled. We were happy about Netherfield and our life here. How could she do such a thing?” cried Kitty in a voice full of anguish. “Did she never think of me? Of you? Of Mama?”
“Lydia never thinks of anyone,” replied Elizabeth sadly.
But as they entered the churchyard, Elizabeth fell silent beneath a grief so sudden and overwhelming that it seemed as though she had only then learned of her father’s death. His name upon the stone gave reality its full measure. Never again would his smile greet her upon returning from a journey.
“If this becomes known, we shall be disgraced,” continued Kitty, forgetting where they were yet looking absently at Elizabeth as she placed the flowers on the grave.
Elizabeth nodded.
“Did Mr Darcy truly go to search for them?”
“Yes, he knows very well that man, and I had some information too. Unfortunately, when I returned from Kent, I never told you how wicked Wickham truly is. Last summer, he very nearly ruined another young lady known to Mr Darcy. If anyone has a chance of finding him, it is Mr Darcy.”
They returned from the churchyard in silence, both burdened by their thoughts.
Kitty’s fear grew with every moment that the news might reach Meryton, whilst Elizabeth remained haunted by the shame that had not left her since Mr Darcy had learned of Lydia’s flight.
Chapter 34
Bingley returned from London a few days later without any news; everyone saw his dejection except Jane, who was so happy to see him again that nothing else seemed to matter. Indeed, she was the only member of the family who was no longer truly anxious. Charles had solemnly promised that within six weeks she would be his wife, and if the disgrace brought upon them by Lydia had not shaken his resolution, nothing else could.
Deep in her heart, Jane had lived through several days of fear, remembering that November when he disappeared without a word. However, her fiancé appeared on horseback at Netherfield, handsomer than ever, both dreaming of the moment when she would be in his arms, hidden away in the music room where they retreated whenever they wished to be alone.
First, he related to all the family in a low voice the little that he knew, but only after Mary had assured herself that no indiscreet ears were nearby. Mr Phillips was also present, for of late they all dined together at Netherfield, feeling that they ought to remain united.
“Do you think I ought to go to London as well?” asked Mr Phillips.
“No. Darcy and the colonel have their own methods, and they have involved Mr Gardiner too. Do not forget that the colonel is still in the army.”
Elizabeth had informed them of Mrs Cooper’s engagement to the colonel. Yet, even this piece of news, which at another time would have been of interest and repeated throughout Meryton, passed almost unnoticed. The family’s distress was too great.
“I met Sir William today, and we discussed nothing except his own affairs,” said Mr Phillips, glancing towards Kitty, who breathed more easily while once again counting the days until her wedding.
Mr and Mrs Phillips spent their mornings in Meryton, attentive to every rumour and conversation, even seeking out those who might still have connections with the officers from Brighton and Colonel Forster’s circle. They had received a letter from Colonel Forster himself, who, having returned to his regiment, had attempted to discover further information as discreetly as possible, exactly as he had been asked to do. Yet no one seemed to know very much.
“Imagine writing in a letter to Mrs Forster thatshewas giving us such an excellent joke to the family!” exclaimed Kitty, probably for the tenth time in recent days. “A joke!”