Lydia decided to run off with Wickham because she was immature and naïve. She quickly fell in love with George. The girl was unaware of Wickham’s shady past. She did not see the real motives behind his marriage proposal.
Detailed answer:
Lydia Bennet is a character in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, published in 1813. Lydia is the youngest Bennet sister and Mrs. Bennet’s favorite child. The girl never cared about her education. Instead, she enjoyed gossips, spending money, and flirting with men. No wonder such a careless creature was an easy target for George Wickham. Lydia agreed to run away with him, hoping for a happy marriage and a lot of fun along the way.
Lydia was head over heels in love. She did not notice Wickham’s depraved character and ugly past. George tried to elope Darcy’s sister Georgiana to get access to her family’s fortune. Thus, his elopement with Lydia seemed unlikely to end in a marriage. Wickham wanted to find an easy way to escape his debts, while 15-year-old Lydia craved romance and excitement.
Wickham informed the Bennets that he was ready to marry Lydia if her family paid off his debts. Elizabeth knew about Wickham’s affair with Georgiana. She told Darcy about the blackmail. In an attempt to rescue Lydia’s dignity, Darcy bribed Wickham so that he agreed to marry her. Mr. Gardiner arranged the wedding, and Lydia became Wickham’s wife. She remained unaware of his immoral behavior.