I CAME CLEAN TO JANE THE NEXT EVENING AT DINNER. IT should've been suspected that when I relayed Wick's story to her, she didn't share in my disgust at Darcy's actions.
"George Wickham, Lizzie? I haven't heard good things about him." Jane looked worried.
"There's a surprise."
"I'm sure there has to be an explanation for all of this. First, Darcy wouldn't do something like that. Second, Charles would never have a friend who was so despicable. It's probably just a simple misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?" I was astonished. "Why is it that I'm always misunderstanding something? How could someone misunderstand being expelled from school without just cause? Didn't you hear anything about it last year?"
Jane looked thoughtful. "I do remember he got kicked out, and that Charles knew him, but it wasn't something Charles talked to me about."
I couldn't believe that someone getting kicked out of Pemberley wouldn't be gossip du jour at Longbourn.
Jane continued. "I'll ask Charles and see what he has to say. But, Lizzie, just be careful. And please give Darcy a chance to explain his side. You have him painted as this maniacal villain, and it couldn't be further from the truth."
"You're just saying that because Darcy being a vengeful loon would reflect poorly on Charles."
Jane ignored me and cut up her salmon.
Our silence lasted only a moment, until Lydia stormed over to our table and dropped down her overflowing tray. "Jane, I just spoke with Mommy and she said she talked to Vera about your prom dress."
Jane looked around the dining hall. "Shh, Lydia. I haven't been asked to prom yet. Keep it down."
Lydia grunted. "Please, Jane. Anyway, Mommy said that you have an appointment with Vera when we go home over Presidents' Day weekend, and then you'll have your fitting over spring break. Vera -- aren't you just dying?"
I believed Jane was dying, but from embarrassment of her brash sister. Lydia shoved several French fries in her mouth and asked, "Where are you going to get your dress, Lizzie?"
"Well, I highly doubt I'll be going to prom. I guess if I go, I'll probably just get it at Macy's or something."
Lydia's jaw dropped open. "You can't do that! It's prom!"
I took a deep, calming breath. "I know, but it's just one night and I really think it's silly to spend thousands of dollars on a dress you only wear once." I turned to Jane. "No offense."
"None taken," she replied. "Lydia, you really need to learn to be more modest. Not everybody is lucky enough to have connections with designers."
Lydia snorted. "Please! This school is all about connections. But I haven't told you everything yet. Mommy said that we can't go anywhere over spring break this year. Can you believe that? She said that since Daddy hasn't gotten a job yet, we shouldn't go galloping through Europe."
"I'm sure she said gallivanting through Europe, and I agree with Mom, Lydia. We're going to have to start making some ... sacrifices." Jane looked uncomfortably at me. She knew that their sacrifices would be of the business-instead of first-class variety.
"That's so not fair!" Lydia pouted. "It isn't our fault that Daddy's business was sold. Why do we have to be punished?"
"Lydia!" Jane exclaimed. "Enough! You sound like a spoiled brat. You should feel lucky that Dad got a nice severance package or we'd be out on the street. I don't want to hear another word about this." Jane got up from the table, and I joined her. How they both came from the same family, I would never understand.
Jane put her tray on the conveyer belt. "I'm really sorry about that, Lizzie. She was always very hyper and into materialistic things, but being here has made her worse. I don't know what I'm going to do with her." She looked behind her to make sure Lydia wasn't in earshot. "I haven't told her yet about the party on Saturday. Charles told me to invite her, but ..."
I understood. Lydia could be a little too much at times.
"You're still coming, right?" Jane asked. "It should be fun."
We'd had variations of this conversation so many times before, with Jane telling me something would be fun and it turning into a headache for me.
"Of course," I told her as I always did.
I was, after all, excited about this party. Just not for the reasons Jane thought. I didn't want to tell her it was because there would be some unexpected guests. I should've felt some remorse, since Charles had been nothing but kind to me. But my desire to spend more time with Wick eclipsed any feeling of betrayal I had.