The Five Graces of Longbourn by Olivia Kane

Author:Olivia Kane [Kane, Olivia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-20T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The trio arrived at Longbourn to find the family home in a general state of upheaval.

“Lizzy, Jane, thank goodness you are here. We are in an uproar having received the most terrible news!” Mrs. Bennet wailed. Used to her mother’s daily upset of nerves, Elizabeth was alarmed to see real tears flowing down her cheeks.

“What can it be, Mamma? Is someone ill?” Elizabeth said, taking off her coat.

“Worse. Ruined! Someone is ruined,” she wailed.

Lydia was crying effusively, Kitty was white with shock, and Mary had retreated to her Bible for comfort.

“The news must be grave. Do tell,” Elizabeth urged.

“Prepare yourself,” Mrs. Bennet said, wiping her tears. “But Mr. Wickham has been found to be a thief.”

“A thief?” cried both Jane and Elizabeth.

“Yes. Apparently, he has been stealing monies from several of the Meryton residents kind enough to host him,” Mrs. Bennet explained.

Elizabeth scowled. “This cannot be true.”

“It is. In fact, he even stole from my dear Mr. Phillips, who has personally confirmed the theft to me. Silver candlesticks that were a wedding gift. To think that the Phillips’ constant hospitality cost them in such a way. I feel ill.”

“He stole from Sir Willaim Lucas too! Smuggled out a silver place setting,” Kitty said. “Dropped the fork and spoon right into his boot.”

“This is grave news indeed, Mamma,” Elizabeth said, sinking down in her chair.

“He is disgraced. Who are we to believe when such an amiable, humble gentleman turns out to be a common thief?” Mrs. Bennet sobbed.

“I am sure it is not his fault. He was deprived a living by Mr. Darcy causing him to resort to thievery. With more support from Mr. Darcy, perhaps Wickham’s character may not have turned bad,” Elizabeth defended him.

“Now Lizzy, that is enough,” Mr. Bennet interrupted. The family paused to see their father speak sharply to his favorite daughter. Upon seeing their astonished faces, he softened his tone.

“If he is indeed a common thief then surely you can not blame Mr. Wickham’s stealing on Mr. Darcy. As a member of the regiment, he has a salary that more than covers his needs. And he has been the beneficiary of much hospitality in our town. Mr. Darcy has no blame in this matter. You have simply backed the wrong horse, my dear. A common mistake.”

“Mr. Darcy? You mean that tall, rude man? Why would he care? What do you mean backed the wrong horse?” Mrs. Bennet asked.

“Only that Elizabeth thought Wickham the superior character and thought ill of Darcy. I dare say, where Meryton society is now concerned, the feelings must be now as ill toward Wickham as they are toward Darcy. By chance I happened to meet with Darcy at Rosings and found him to be the best kind of man,” Mr. Bennet said. “I will not have Darcy disparaged in my home.”

Stunned silence filled the room. Elizabeth dared not speak, as she feared offending her father a second time.

“How was the thievery discovered?” Jane inquired, turning the conversation away from the dangerous topic of Mr.

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