Aunt Gardiner spoke of all that occupied her life and their uncle’s, but once tea and cakes had been served and they had settled comfortably together, she requested that the door be shut for privacy.
“My dear girls, your uncle is away upon business, but he asked that I share this news with you immediately. He has already dispatched a message to Longbourn.”
Both sisters grew still.
“There is a young gentleman, a Mr. James Adams, who serves as a clerk with the East India Company. He is a client of your uncle’s. He was traveling to India and wished to marry before his departure. There is an additional stipend and finer living quarters for married men as encouragement to establish themselves in India, but time was of the essence. Edward sent for Lydia and arranged introductions. She was wild to travel, so they married, and your uncle saw them off.”
“The ship was to complete its final provisioning in Kent. From there, they sail to Madeira to take on fresh water and other supplies.”
Jane stared in astonishment. “Lydia is aboard a ship bound for India? Why now? Why could she not go to Mamma to make her farewells?”
“The sailing season extends from January through April, to take advantage of the trade winds, and to avoid the worst monsoon conditions in the Indian Ocean. Rather than lose such an opportunity for Lydia, Edward resolved to act at once. Mr. Adams was wishful to marry, for the advantages of a wife greatlybenefit him. He shall not reside in barracks amongst other men, but in a home with his wife and, in time, their children.”
Jane appeared unsettled by the abruptness of Lydia’s marriage.
Mrs. Gardiner said, “Jane, your fortunate marriage to Sir Gareth and Elizabeth’s to Mr. Darcy are not guaranteed to your younger sisters. Mary is unhappy with her prospects, and what of Kitty? She possesses little more sense than Lydia, though she is two years older. This was an opportunity, and your uncle seized it. Since your father granted him the authority of a guardian, all has been done within the law.”
Elizabeth wrapped an arm around Jane’s shoulders. “Would you rather our sister remain behind to find her own path to ruin, Jane? Left in our mother’s care, that is precisely what would happen, for Lydia is obstinate, headstrong, and forever occupied with thoughts of men.” She looked toward her aunt.
“I believe Uncle Gardiner has done us a great service, Aunt Maddie, for I have often feared Lydia would drag us all into disgrace. The manner in which she fraternized with the officers of the militia without attendance from either of our parents all but ensured our ruin.”
Jane said, “I admit, I have often feared for our respectability. Lydia behaved too freely with the officers. Mamma would not heed us when we begged her to place some restraint upon Lydia, and Papa would not exert himself either.”
Jane took her aunt’s hand in her own. “Aunt Maddie, please tell Uncle Edward how grateful I am for this service to our family. Is Mr. Adams capable of managing our sister?”
“Though he is only twenty, he is mature, responsible, and hardworking, and he found your sister very beautiful and personable. He believed they would suit one another well.”
“Aunt, please share Lydia’s letters when she writes.”
Madeline chuckled. “I fear we shall never receive a letter from Lydia. Her final words to me were that, as a married woman, she had no time for letter writing, though her sisters were welcome to write to her since they possessed nothing better to occupy themselves with.”
Both sisters laughed.
Jane said, “I forget how very much Lydia resembles Mamma. She is neither melancholy nor inclined toward deep reflection upon her life. She shall be happy wherever she goes and consider it all an adventure.”
“Yes, very true. I shall forward any letters we receive, if indeed any arrive, to Longbourn so your Mamma may hear from her favorite daughter. I shall ask her to pass them along to you girls as well.”
“Now, Lizzy, tell me of this Lord Dunwich. Jane sent for me, particularly so I might hear the entire account.”
Elizabeth related all that had occurred at the ball and concluded by saying, “I shall attend Lord Morton’s ball in a fortnight, and afterward Fitzwilliam and I shall marry, unless I succeed in persuading him to marry sooner.”
“Are you truly so afraid of Lord Dunwich?”
Elizabeth crossed to the sideboard, retrieved the handwritten note Lord Dunwich had sent her, and handed it to her aunt.
Mrs. Gardiner read the note, frowned, then looked gravely at Elizabeth.
“He bears a black reputation, Aunt Maddie, and has ruined many women. He abandoned every one of them, even those left with child. A man who abandons his own children to an orphanage or the streets must surely be a monster. I have been informed that a lady's reputation may suffer merely because he singles her out for his attentions. Yes, Aunt, I do fear him.”
“And your Mr. Darcy may not marry because of his bereavement. Then insist that he marry you immediately and in private. I am certain Jane and Sir Gareth will stand with you.”
“I shall ask him. Perhaps he will hear me.”
Sir Gareth entered the drawing room. “Mrs. Gardiner, I promised Mr. Darcy I would return Elizabeth in time for dinner. My carriage stands ready.”
Both ladies took their leave, and Sir Gareth handed them into the carriage. He sent two footmen along for protection.
Once they were alone inside the carriage, Mrs. Gardiner withdrew a letter from her reticule. “We received this letter from Mr. Adams. You may read it before your uncle sends it on to your father. Your mother shall not be shown this first letter, for she must not learn that the young couple married and departed many months ago.”