Page 158 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Jane glanced toward their younger sisters.

Lydia was still talking about Wickham.

“She will be even more difficult to restrain with that gentleman to capture her attention.”

Chapter 46: Two Letters

By the time they left Aunt Phillips's house, Lydia had discovered that Mr. Wickham had taken lodgings in Meryton and expected to receive his uniform within the week. She and Kitty discussed little else during the walk home.

Elizabeth was grateful that Jane was silent on the walk home, for her own thoughts were too disordered to permit conversation.

When they reached Longbourn, Lydia and Kitty went in search of their mother to report everything they had learned about the newest officer. Elizabeth went upstairs.

She had scarcely entered her bedchamber when Jane followed her and closed the door.

“Lizzy, what is wrong? I saw your hands shaking at Aunt Phillips's. Are you becoming ill?”

“No, Jane. I am perfectly well.”

Jane came to her and took one of her hands in hers. “You are still trembling.”

Elizabeth looked down at their joined hands. “I am not ill, Jane. I am afraid for Lydia.”

Jane led her to the bed and sat beside her. “Mr. Wickham made a great impression upon her.”

“Upon all of us. I have never seen a more handsome man, and everything about him suggests that he is a gentleman. I myself would be tempted by such a man as he is. I doubt either of us is strong enough to stand between him and our little sister if he chooses to pursue her.”

Jane was quiet for a moment. “We know nothing against Mr. Wickham, but Lydia was taken with him before we had been in his company five minutes. I confess I found him very charming myself. I doubt there are many women who would be entirely indifferent if he chose to direct all his charms toward them.”

“And Lydia is but fifteen. If he encourages her, she will not listen to us.”

“Then we must do everything we can to keep her from being often in his company.”

“We cannot prevent her from going into Meryton, and we cannot follow her every moment. Charlotte was right. We managed Captain Carter for one evening, but we cannot spend the summer drawing every officer in Meryton into conversations about military service.”

A reluctant smile touched Jane's face. “Particularly if they are less interested in the subject than Captain Carter.”

Elizabeth said somberly, “I am going to write to Uncle Edward. Papa respects him. Perhaps he can persuade Papa that Lydia requires more supervision, or find some reason for her to spend a little time away from Meryton.”

“That may answer very well.”

Elizabeth rose and went to the small writing desk.

“I will keep Lydia occupied downstairs while you write,” Jane said.

Elizabeth caught her hand before she could go. “Do not allow her to slip away. You know how determined she can be once she has decided she wants something.”

“I will watch her.” Jane left the room.

Elizabeth took out a sheet of paper and wrote to Uncle Edward. She told him of Lydia's increasing familiarity with the officers, of their parents' unwillingness to restrain her, and of the arrival of a new officer who had already captured Lydia's attention. She asked whether he might advise her father or find some reason for Lydia to spend a little time away from Meryton.

She did not write Wickham's name.

When the letter was finished, Elizabeth addressed and sealed it, then took out another sheet.

She could not write to Fitzwilliam. In this life, Fitzwilliam Darcy had never met Elizabeth Bennet, and there was no proper reason for an unmarried young woman to write to a gentleman who was a stranger to her.

Writing to Georgiana was scarcely less dangerous. Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn had no reason to be acquainted with Miss Darcy, of Pemberley.