Bad Miss Bennet (23 page)

‘Yes?' I enquired with some interest.

‘Either we contrive to have you detained as befits an insane person or we find you a suitable husband.'

For a moment I was torn between these exotic opportunities, but I merely lowered my head and dabbed my eyes with a kerchief endeavouring to squeeze out a tear for the benefit of my tormentors.

‘I am sure that Lydia has seen the error of her ways, dearest,' pleaded Lizzie.

‘I devoutly hope so,' he replied between gritted teeth. I was dismissed to my room where I was forced to remain for three days until summoned to greet Georgiana's intended, the Hon. Theodore Whitworth, whose family estate lay several miles north of Pemberley. On the second day I was obliged to pay to receive a letter written jointly by Kitty and Mary which went on at great length about the loss of virtue in women that led to irretrievable ruin. My parents refused to communicate with me. I was not greatly diverted.

Chapter Nineteen

While I was imprisoned in my room the faithful Adelaide had been busy on my behalf. By judicious listening at doors (and who knows what means besides) she had discovered that Kitty's unexpected fit of decorum was caused by her recent engagement to a clergyman. The man was a mere curate, hardly a catch, but Kitty had no dowry and little in the way of looks. No doubt she was grateful but it did not excuse her betrayal of me. Needless to say my parents had not intervened on my behalf.

I wore the deep rose lace gown to the dinner at which I was to meet the Hon. Theodore who was the younger brother of Lord MountStephen. Was it not strange that Georgiana, with all her advantages of wealth and breeding, could snare only the younger brother – even with the inducement of a large dowry?

The rose gown was another act of defiance. I have no doubt the guests expected me to appear in deep mourning as befitted the wicked widow. I did not dare to wear the Prince's necklace, however. That would have been a provocation too far. I would not have been able to explain how I had come by it without tying myself and my tongue into knots.

When I entered the room a definite
froideur
descended on the occupants except for the Hon. Theodore who greeted me with surprising warmth. I made him a modest curtsey without raising my eyes.

Darcy introduced me as ‘my sister-in-law who will be leaving us soon'. At least he did not grind his teeth when he spoke. I had decided not to engage in any unnecessary conversation and I addressed myself to the soup. No member of the family spoke a word to me but I found the Hon. Theodore sitting opposite me and slightly to the left. He cast a few warm glances at me whenever Georgiana looked elsewhere. She kept a remarkably tight grasp on her intended spouse scarcely letting him move a foot in any direction.

The man did not interest me in the slightest although I noted that his looks were tolerable and his legs were well-shaped. I have always admired that in a man. I had no doubt that he would find Georgiana as dull as everyone else did, but he would have her fortune to console him. The evening wore its way to a bland conclusion and I retired to bed early.

At breakfast on the following morning my brother-in-law informed me that he would soon secure a place for me as a lady's companion in the Bath area. Letters had already been dispatched. Bath of all places; I could not bear the thought of returning to that city with its uncomfortable memories.

It appeared that a suitable spouse could not be found for me at short notice so I must, therefore, be dispatched as soon as possible. At least he had not chosen the asylum option, although I had no doubt that there was such an institution in Bath.

At least my friends might visit me. I had not heard from Miles and Selena since I arrived at Pemberley, but Darcy had said there would be no communication with them. It was possible that the wretched man had confiscated my correspondence. The thought made me so furious that bile rose in my throat.

I remembered that Selena loved Bath and she would surely come when she heard of my predicament. I needed to contrive a way of contacting her. My maid would, as always, think of something. A few more days dragged by in which I scarcely spoke with anyone except Adelaide.

On the fifth day I donned my warm cape and stout boots and went to walk in the grounds as far away from the house as possible. I enjoyed the feel of the lush, late summer grass under my feet. Already there was an autumnal chill in the air despite the abysmal summer we had endured. Flowering shrubs were past their best and even the wild flowers in the hedgerows were hanging their heads in a dispirited manner as if in sympathy with my own despondent thoughts.

I walked and walked until I came to the far edge of the estate where a narrow lane ran alongside the boundary. A light rain began to fall and I sheltered under a large chestnut tree that spread its huge branches over me in a paternal fashion. As I waited I heard the clip clop of horses' hooves and I spied a gentleman riding towards me on a fine black horse.

‘Good morning, Mrs Wickham, can I be of assistance to you?' said the Hon. Theo. He was on his way to Pemberley to pay a call on Georgiana. I assured him that I was not bothered by a light shower and I was enjoying a little exercise.

‘But you will have another long walk back to the house,' he objected. ‘And you will be exhausted if not drenched. I insist on taking you back with me.'

Without waiting for a reply he jumped down, placed an arm around my waist and lifted me on to the horse. An unexpected thrill coursed through my veins for a moment. Did I really find this man attractive, or was it the thrill of doing something calculated to enrage the Darcys? I smiled down at him and fluttered my eyelashes, thanking him for his solicitude. Assuring me that he was honoured to be of service he remounted and we trotted off with his arms securely encircling me.

It seemed to me that my rescuer was in no hurry to reach the house and we passed the time very agreeably, chatting and laughing before reaching the stables. As we entered the house Georgiana was waiting. When she saw us both in a damp condition she turned quite green with emotion, a shade matching the virulent viridian velvet gown she was wearing. Her fiancé explained in great detail how he had found me at the side of the road in the rain and had carried me back to Pemberley.

‘Indeed,' I murmured gratefully, ‘you were most attentive.' Georgiana directed waves of hate towards me as she half dragged Theodore away. I wondered how long it would be before Darcy was informed. I returned to my room to change, feeling far more cheerful than of late, until Adelaide came to tell me that there was still no mail for me. How can they all have deserted me – the Count, Selena and Miles? Of course, my brother-in-law was at the root of this. I would have my revenge in due course.

Adelaide read my mind yet again. She declared that even she was not able to pilfer letters from my brother-in-law's desk, if that was where they were hidden. If only my lost highwayman were available. After pilfering from the Prince Regent, my brother-in-law would not have presented a challenge.

At lunch I could not detect any change in my sister and Darcy which meant that Georgiana had not yet had an opportunity to blacken my character further. Excusing myself from further socialising I retreated to the library where I was re-reading William Beckford's exotic novel
Vathek
. Quickly, I lost myself in its pages scarcely noticing when the door opened and the Hon. Theodore appeared.

‘I trust you have not come to rescue me again, sir?' I twinkled at him. He walked across the room and peered over my shoulder at the book.

‘I would be delighted to rescue you whenever necessary, madam.' He added, ‘I see we share similar tastes in reading.'

‘I love a man who enjoys a good novel!' I exclaimed. He perched on the arm of the chair, adding in a lowered voice, ‘I am sure we have many things in common, Mrs Wickham.'

‘And I am sure that your fiancée would be most aggrieved if she heard you express such sentiments.' He smiled a roguish smile and put his hand on my arm, apparently unperturbed by the prospect.

At that very moment the door opened and Georgiana stood on the threshold. She took in the scene with one glance, noting her fiancé's hand on my arm. She uttered a loud scream and fled, calling for her brother. ‘I fear, sir, there will be repercussions.' I looked pointedly at his hand and removed it from my arm. The Hon. Theodore laughed and walked over to the bookshelves.

‘I was merely admiring my host's collection. You happened to be here already. Can we be blamed if my fiancée is given to hysterics?'

‘I think I shall retire to my room for a rest,' I declared, offering my hand. He kissed it and ushered me out of the room. I left him to face whatever would result from our meeting. Adelaide and I laughed a great deal as I recounted the story. She declared that the Hon. Theo had a reputation as a womaniser and had sired a child by a village girl whom he still visited. I wished Georgiana joy of him.

I had not been in my room more than an hour when from my bed I observed a note being surreptitiously pushed under the door. I replaced my facemask, lay back and continued thinking about Paris. I had no stomach for more intrigue, but Adelaide was soon waving the note under my nose.

It was in the form of a wager – unsigned. It read:

T bets Mrs W one guinea that her charms will overpower a certain person before the week is out
.

The effrontery of the man! My position was difficult enough at the moment without the Hon. Theo's attentions. Indeed, a novel could be written on the subject entitled
Parlous at Pemberley
. Adelaide, as usual, had an opinion.

‘Either 'e don't fancy being married to Miss Georgiana or 'e 'as some kind of 'old over Mr Darcy and can do whatever 'e pleases,' she declared.

‘That is absurd, Adelaide. The idea of my brother-in-law allowing anyone to have a hold over him is fanciful in the extreme.'

‘That depends, 'e must want to get 'is sister married off real bad.' She gave me a sly look. ‘Will you take the bet, madam?' I gave her a light slap and commanded her to fetch me a dish of tea.

When I descended the stairs that evening for a pre-dinner sherry in the salon, the atmosphere was as icy as ever, but no words were spoken. Georgiana, looking pale and red-eyed, ignored me completely. Darcy looked distracted, Lizzie gave me a strained smile and the Hon. Theo gave me a sly wink.

I had left the note on the night table in my room, dear reader, so you can imagine my consternation at the events which transpired during the meal. After a warming game soup, I toyed with a fricassee of pheasant. The conversation was stilted at best.

‘You are looking particularly lovely tonight, my dear.' The Hon. Theo bestowed a patronising smile on his fiancée. She sniffed loudly and dropped her fork to the floor. In the ensuing scuffle Georgiana appeared to be fumbling with something in her reticule.

When everyone straightened up and resumed eating she produced her
coup de feu
. Waving my note from Theodore at the assembled family she shrieked,

‘See how I am betrayed by that low vixen you harbour in this house!' This was addressed to her brother specifically, and to everyone else generally. We all regarded her in stunned silence and then Darcy, the Hon. Theo and I made a simultaneous lunge for the note.

Georgiana evaded our clutching hands, jumped up and ran around the table screaming hysterically until restrained by her brother and fiancé. Lizzie called for
sal volatile
and brandy while I wondered who had betrayed me yet again. I knew it could not be Adelaide so I assumed that Georgiana had sent one of her servants to investigate my room while it was empty. The servant had found the note and endeavoured to pass it to her mistress at some point before or during the meal. This was the outside of enough. There must be something malignant in the very air of this place that brings nothing but misfortune to the innocent.

When Georgiana's sobs and moans had subsided a little I stood up and declared loudly, ‘I will not be traduced in this manner.' Glaring at my brother-in-law and the Hon. Theo in turn I continued, ‘I have never sought this man's attentions. They are unwanted and unsolicited. The notion that there is anything untoward between us is pure piffle-poffle and I will not be blamed for it.' I sat down amid complete silence except for Georgiana's moans. I waved my hand at the Hon. Theo. ‘Tell them the truth,' I commanded. ‘If you do not, you are no gentleman.' All eyes swivelled towards him but he remained the epitome of effrontery, as cool as iced lemonade.

Darcy stared at Theo and spoke in a low, dangerously calm voice.

‘What do you have to say, sir? If you do not have a satisfactory explanation I shall be obliged to call you out. My sister's reputation is precious to me.' Theo shrugged and looked quite relaxed.

‘I know nothing of this. The note is obviously a forgery – an unfortunate prank by someone in this house.' Everyone turned to stare at me at this point and I almost exploded with rage. My reputation had been tarnished but this was of no interest to anyone. Georgiana's reputation was, naturally, extremely precious. Fiddlesticks! Georgiana was a tawdry slut who ran off with Wickham when she was scarcely out of the schoolroom. Of course, I did the same thing, but at least we were later married. Miss Darcy was damaged goods and now a duel would be fought over her.

I was so furious that I uttered a scream of rage and fled to my room where I remained until the following afternoon when my brother-in-law appeared in my chamber waving a letter.

‘I have received confirmation from a Mrs Letitia Makepeace of Widcombe House in the city of Bath that she will engage you as her companion forthwith. She is a most respectable widowed lady of good standing in the community. You are fortunate to have this opportunity, madam, and I trust you will benefit from it.'

I tried to engage my voice with some difficulty. ‘But …' ‘But me no buts, Lydia. You are a viper in the collective bosom of this family and the sooner you leave the better it will be for all.' With that he turned on his heel, closed the door loudly and I collapsed in a flood of tears.