Free Unforgiving Temper by Gail Head Page B

instant and then rallied in an ardent rush. “I am
sorry to be so direct, Father, but you cannot be unaware of Lydia's
reckless behavior.”
    “I will admit she is very silly, but no more
than most girls her age; although I will say you and Jane were an
exception,” he smiled tenderly.
    “You must see that if you do not take the
trouble to check her wild behavior, it will end in shame for the
whole family. Last night's exhibition at Lucas Lodge is proof
enough. Did you not see what a determined flirt she made of herself
with all the officers?” Elizabeth was careful not to single out
Wickham.
    “Come now, Lizzy. She does no real harm. I am
convinced she will not be satisfied until she has made herself
ridiculous; and it would be better for her to do so now, when her
age allows for some indulgence. Take heart, my dear; her follies
will fade and be forgotten soon enough.”
    “I am sorry, sir, but there are some things
that will not fade, and I must tell you she has already done more
damage than can be forgot.” Elizabeth stopped, her courage wavering
once again at the pain she was about to inflict. Taking a deep
breath, she began. “I have just received a most disturbing letter.
It was written in Lydia's own hand and expresses her affection for
a gentleman in such unspeakable terms that, if made public, would
bring disgrace and ruin to us all.”
    Drawing the first letter out, she placed it
on the desk in front of her father, being careful to keep the
second one in its place. It would come later.
    Mr. Bennet's amused smile faded into a
curious frown as he took up the letter. Anxiously she watched as
each line passing beneath his eyes engendered an even greater
degree of passionate abhorrence until he finally threw the letter
onto the desk in disgust.
    “This is outrageous! That a daughter of mine
would write such a letter is unbelievable! It is a revolting piece
of nonsense and I should like to meet the man who has encouraged
this!” he cried, his face flushing to an alarming shade of crimson
as he leaned back in his chair. Elizabeth started at his high color
and trembling hands.
    “Father, you look very ill! Please calm
yourself!” she exclaimed and reached out for the decanter sitting
near his desk. “Let me get you a glass of wine and we can discuss
this with some degree of reason.”
    “Reason? There is no reason in someone taking
advantage of an ignorant young girl!” His indignation brought him
to his feet with such violence that he was obliged to steady
himself before peering intently over the desk. “What do you know of
this, Lizzy?”
    “No more than you,” she lied smoothly. “And,
as you can see, the name has been torn off, leaving us no clue as
to who this man is.”
    “He shall not be nameless for long. I will
speak to Lydia and get to the bottom of this immediately! He will
be found out and made to marry her or give me satisfaction.”
    “No, Father. That is not sound! You must know
you cannot fight him. It is strictly prohibited; and even if you
managed to arrange it and prevail, you would only be trading one
scandal for another. Worse than that, if you should not prevail…oh,
Father, I could not bear to lose you! The entail of Longbourn would
be nothing to losing you!”
    Her words gave him pause, and seeing the
truth of them reflected in his face, she pressed on.
    “Lydia has been ill-used, indeed; but I fear
it gets worse. There is a deeper purpose to her seduction, sir, and
that is blackmail.” Elizabeth drew forth the second letter and
somberly placed it on the desk next to the first.
    She had practiced diligently to create the
fictitious letter in a hand that would not betray her as its
author. It was the only way to hide the true source of Lydia's own
shameful letter and still win her father's approval – something she
needed if she was to accept Wickham's proposal and carry out her
plan.
    “Lydia's letter was enclosed in this letter.
You may read it, but I will tell you it does