by Kate Speck
Peel added, “And perhaps that may be the reason for getting rid of Mrs. Younge. Having been caught sneaking J.W. into Darcy House and no longer useful as a spy in your home, someone might have disposed of her so she would go to her grave with the secret. I believe you are right that this is connected to you, Darcy. She was killed shortly after you terminated her employment when she was no longer useful. With the handkerchief from the Ratcliff killings connecting the other three river murders, all four events appear related now.” He beamed, “Fine work, Darcy, very fine, indeed!”
Darcy rubbed his chin, “We may have connected the first and third, and most likely who shot Elizabeth, but we know nothing about the second victim. We have yet to identify him or why he was killed. It could be murder for hire or some other relationship. I do not know how Colquhoun is involved but my instincts tell me he is the guiding force in this. This must have been orchestrated by someone higher up and we have yet to know why.” He turned to his cousin, “Richard, I became involved in this business when I returned late October and the second body was found under similar circumstance matching the event from my childhood. For the first murder to have occurred only days before my departure to Kent and then the second, only a day after my arrival, I must believe I am part of the mystery. Colquhoun does not know me nor have I ever met his father and I do not know if Mrs. Younge’s employment and residence in my home revealed our conversations and if we have been exposed. The public is in an uproar that a family has been killed in their own home and until we capture the madman, it will only get worse. There is much to be done.”
Richard returned the paper to the desk, “But we have made great strides today, Darcy. Come now. We will have men watch Allens and I will take you home. We will have to sort through the mountain of papers here but it is time to enjoy ourselves for now. The Christmas ball is tonight and Mother will kill me if we are tardy. You and I need a few hours of sleep so we can enjoy the company of beautiful ladies and enjoy ourselves for a change.”
“I agree,” Peel chuckled. “We are one step closer and do not give up, Darcy. I will have a trustworthy man locate and interview the Runner who released the body to Allens. We will get to the bottom of this.”
Richard looked at Peel, “See you tonight. You will finally meet Darcy’s love of his life!” He tapped Darcy’s shoulder to lead him out of their investigation room for a deserving bath and nap.
~*~
“Mr. Wickham!” Elizabeth called out in surprise, as the gentleman opened the door from the inside when she entered the teashop, “It has been a while since I have seen you last, sir. How have you been?”
George Wickham inhaled quickly to see the charming young lady again and smiled alluringly, “Miss Bennet, I am well. I am surviving in the world and will be taking a commission with the militia soon. I had hoped to see you again but did not think it would be before the ball.” He bowed and greeted her. “I had heard you were injured and nearly perished in your bloom. Are you all recovered? I would have been devastated if you had been lost to us all.” He kissed her hand and seductively rubbed his fingers against her inner wrist.
Elizabeth, not having expected this handsome man to flirt with her so brazenly in front of her relatives, took a step back to distance herself from him, carefully pulling her hand away. “I am all better, thank you. Mr. Wickham, you remember my aunt Mrs. Gardiner, and this is my sister Miss Bennet. We were visiting the milliners for some last-minute purchases for the ball and arrived here to take tea to regain our strength before returning home. I see that you were on your way out. I wish you a pleasant day, sir.” She attempted to dismiss him. She felt uncomfortable that he was examining her figure and had acted more familiar than expected.
Wickham bowed deeply to Mrs. Gardiner and Jane. “Madam, it is good to see you again. Miss Bennet, pleasure to make your acquaintance. I have been told that the Bennet family has beautiful daughters and I see it was not an exaggeration.” He returned his gaze to Elizabeth and spoke charmingly, “Please save me a dance, Miss Elizabeth. I am very much anticipating seeing you tonight. I have great hopes of seeing you often, although I must leave right now.” He stepped closer once again to whisper, “You are certainly a woman worth knowing better, Miss Elizabeth. Ladies, good day.” He bowed again to the others and departed the teashop.
“Oh my, Lizzy!” Mrs. Gardiner flushed, “Mr. Wickham certainly seemed to give you much notice. If you were not already in courtship with Mr. Darcy, I would say he would be next in line to pursue you!”
“He has a very fine countenance, Lizzy,” Jane added, “with a good figure. He could not keep his eyes off of you! Kitty and Lydia would go mad to see a man like that in uniform. They were so excited about officers and poor Mrs. Johnson had to rein them in so they do not behave like silly girls.”
Mrs. Gardiner laughed along. “Their governess has her hands full but your sisters will not be out anytime soon and are guarded. I do understand the temptation, though. Officers are very handsome.”
Elizabeth fanned her face from the heat of Mr. Wickham’s attentions. “Jane! Aunt! Enough talk about officers! I had surely thought all men would not give me a second look with my sister by my side but I am finding the world topsy-turvy.”
“Oh, Lizzy, you are very beautiful! Do not dare compare yourself with me! I know Aunt Phillips spouts that nonsense about my not being so beautiful for nothing, but mama would have been ashamed by her sister’s crass comments. Only because I look like our aunt most, she says those rubbish things. You are very pretty, sister, and Mr. Wickham is right. You are certainly a woman worth knowing.” Jane giggled.
Elizabeth embraced her sister, “Thank you, Jane. I disagree with you and I know you are most beautiful, but I will accept your compliments graciously and enjoy the moment. I am already in courtship and I must behave properly. Mr. Darcy will not be pleased that we ran into Mr. Wickham today. Oh, no!” She suddenly exclaimed.
“What is it, sister?” Jane asked in concern.
Elizabeth took a seat and let out a deep breath. “I had forgotten that they do not get along. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham, that is. They were very close childhood friends but Mr. Wickham had relayed to me a wrong done to him and I had used it censure Mr. Darcy when we argued and he was furious. I never did ask him about their past and I had not thought of Mr. Wickham at all since the night of my injury. Oh, Mr. Darcy will be quite upset that we saw him today if they still have bad blood between them. I do not know who is telling the truth but I hope to discover it all.”
Jane soothed her sister, “Do not fret, Lizzy. If it will upset him, we will not mention meeting Mr. Wickham at all. Perhaps it was all a terrible misunderstanding and when they see each other at the ball, they will sort it out and become friends again. It will all be well.”
“I hope so, Jane,” Elizabeth replied. I wonder if William could have truly wronged him. I had thought him so proud but I know him to be so different now. Could I have been wrong about Mr. Wickham as well?
She shifted her attention back to the present and shared the tea with the ladies, conversing merrily until it was time to return to Gracechurch Street.
~*~
“Hertfordshire.” Wickham stated.
“Are you certain? You have your choice of taking a commission anywhere in the country. Why there?” The man in the shadows asked.
Wickham huffed, “Because that is where he will be headed. I know him well and I know what he is after. He has what I want and I will take it away from him.”
“I understand. Since our plan has gone askew, we must retreat for now and start again later. You will have a new occupation and have some time to play. And Wickham, make sure you take care our little problem before you leave. I must not be connected to any of this or else I will have you killed in your sleep. Handle this childhood mate of yours and I will find you when I need you.” The dark man tossed the last purse before leaving the tavern.
Chapter 12
Darcy took a deep breath as soon as he arri
ved at the ball and saw her. Elizabeth looked radiant in her dress with pearls in her hair and there was no doubt in his heart that she was the handsomest woman of his acquaintance. He was of mind to ask her for her hand tonight if the chance presented itself.
Having slept very little the past few days, though, Darcy knew that he was not of his usual controlled self, and as much as he had wished for the night to last forever with Elizabeth in his arms, he also was exhausted and desired to return home to his bed to rest.
“Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, how do you do?” Darcy turned to Elizabeth, “Miss Elizabeth, you look incredible. I believe this is our dance.” He smiled.
Elizabeth beamed and they walked to the line to dance. She saw Jane and Bingley lined up as well and could not be happier to have so many of her friends and relatives near her. Lord and Lady Suffolk were leading the line and they spoke affectionately to her, and murmurs from the crowd grew louder during the dance, as Lady Matlock effectively shared with everyone she knew about Darcy’s courtship with Elizabeth Bennet, who was the daughter of a prosperous gentleman in Hertfordshire and goddaughter to the Suffolks.
At the end of the first set, Elizabeth had several women approach her to make her acquaintance and she could see Darcy smirking from the corner of her eye.
“And what is so amusing, sir? Are you enjoying my distress in having my evening disrupted by these toads who wish to speak to me now that I am a friend of yours?” Elizabeth whispered, as Darcy walked her to Lord Suffolk for the next set.
Darcy grinned brightly, “Not that you are in distress, Elizabeth, but rather with my aunt and your godmother’s skills to change public opinion being positively occult!” He lifted her hand and kissed it. “I hope everyone will see that you are a great friend to me. A very, very, dear one.” He kissed it again before seeing her laugh and walk to the dance floor with the earl.
Darcy danced the second with Lady Suffolk and stood by the side of the room to watch Elizabeth dance with Lord Matlock next.
“Darcy,” the young man greeted his friend, “I see that the rumours were not exaggerated. You are really in love! I thought pigs would fly before you married ahead of Bingley.”
“Peel,” Darcy nodded, “I am not engaged yet so I would not place any bets.” He attempted to hide his amusement. “I would have proposed the day I met her if Bingley had not been interested in her.”
“Bingley wanted her first?” Peel gasped. “I never thought you capable of stealing a lady from under his nose. I guess it is true what they say: All is fair in love and war!”
“I stole nothing. Well, perhaps some of her time away from Bingley,” he chuckled. “She was not interested in him and I asked for courtship, that is all. She is wonderful and Bingley is in love with Jane Bennet. Perhaps a double ceremony is in our future.”
Peel chuckled, “Well, I will be dancing with Miss Elizabeth later tonight and once she sees what a miserable sod you are and what better options are available to her,” he snickered to see Darcy pale, “she might wish to marry me instead!”
Darcy’s mouth opened to argue but then saw the twinkle in Peel’s eyes and calmed. “You are teasing me.” His friend nodded. “I know she cares for me and I am going to propose soon. There are things that she does not know about me yet but I know she will accept me. I do not believe there is a better woman for me in the world.”
“Congratulations, Darcy,” Peel nodded. “She seems perfect for you and will liven you up. Smile, my friend. You are here to have a good time.”
They conversed with several friends during the third set and seeing that Peel was eyeing a pretty young daughter of a baronet before the fourth set, Darcy tapped his friend’s shoulder. “Go! Enjoy yourself instead of standing next to the miserable sod. I will do my duty and dance with Lady Matlock next but at least I have the supper set to look forwar... Damnation! What is she doing here?!” Darcy blurted out.
Peel looked behind and saw Caroline Bingley on a plump man’s arm. “I hope Bingley did not invite her! You might have his legs broken.”
“Bingley arrived a few minutes after I did and is standing next to Jane Bennet like a pup. No; Bingley said his sister was going to be engaged and that must be Samuel Allens. The same Samuel Allens that might be connected to the murders of seven people, Peel.” Darcy growled quietly. “They deserve each other. Allens should be in prison and Caroline openly ridiculed for her engagement to a corpulent idiot.”
Peel huffed, “I will find out who has been following him. I already put a man on Allens and another to locate the Bow Street Runner and we need to discover how deep Allens is involved. Here comes the countess. Be calm, Darcy. There must be a reason why she let her in.” He left Darcy to speak with Lady Suffolk.
“Darcy.” Lady Suffolk approached with a frown. “You do not have to say it, son.”
“Milady,” Darcy bowed, “I do not understand...”
Lady Suffolk interrupted, “So we can teach her a lesson. She is here though Mrs. Allens’ invitation as a long-time friend to the Gardiners, and she does not yet know that everyone has accepted Lizzy and Miss Bingley thinks the rumours are still true. Lizzy is dancing with Edward Gardiner and that woman is thumbing her nose at my goddaughter now but she will be publicly humiliated if she does not apologise to Lizzy. Warn Mr. Bingley of it, son. His sister will be in disgrace and she will have to hide in shame forever.” She scoffed, “As if she ever had a chance with you, Darcy. She is nothing to my Lizzy.”
Darcy furrowed his brows, “Yes, milady. I fully concur with you; she is nothing to my Elizabeth. Please excuse me.” Darcy departed to find Bingley and pulled him to a corner.
“Bingley, your sister arrived with Allens.” He saw Bingley’s eyes turn and his face paled at the sight of his shrewish sister.
“What in hell is she doing here? I told her she will be sent to York if she went near the Bennets again. She did not believe me that Miss Elizabeth is completely innocent and told me to hurry and get under Jane’s skirts so I could turn my attentions to your sister. That miserable witch...” Bingley’s face matched his bright red hair.
“I give you five minutes to tell her to leave. She will be allowed to stay if she apologises to Elizabeth, otherwise Lady Suffolk plans on unleashing her wrath openly and she will be humiliated. She likes you, Bingley, but she will not spare your sister.” Darcy affirmed. “My aunt is speaking with her ladyship and they are plotting their vengeance right now.”
Bingley swiftly walked over toward and grabbed his sister’s arm. “What are you doing here, Caroline? I told you to keep away from the Bennets. Miss Elizabeth is goddaughter to the Suffolks and her ladyship will not take kindly to your being here.”
“Nonsense, Charles. I do not know where you heard that lie but she is a nobody. Mrs. Allens knew nothing about it and there is no way that chit is connected so high. Perhaps Lady Suffolks likes that harlot as her husband’s mistress.” Caroline Bingley huffed.
Mr. Allens coughed, “Caroline, mother was upset when you spoke about that bit of gossip. Perhaps you should not speak so loudly.”
“Oh, Samuel, darling, I will speak the truth and everyone will hear me. Lady Suffolk will have no choice to have that haughty upstart ejected out of here in shame and I plan on enjoying myself.” Caroline smirked. “Why do you not go and fetch me a drink, my love? I am quite parched.”
Samuel Allens resignedly left his betrothed to do as she commanded.
Caroline rolled her eyes behind his back and sighed, “I cannot believe I am engaged to that moron. I will end it as soon as Mr. Darcy comes to beg for my hand when this is over. Mrs. Allens insisted that Eliza Bennet could not be anyone’s mistress but I know the truth revealed behind closed doors. I wash my hands of you, Charles. I care not if you marry Jane Bennet or jilt her after you get what you want but I expect a full apology when the truth is exposed.”
Bingley took a deep breath before speaking. “And what if you are wrong? Will you apologise to me when you are jilted by Allens for being
the stupidest woman in the world?”
His sister reddened in anger, “Shut it, Charles. I know I am right. She is a daughter of a poor gentleman with no dowry and no connections. None of my friends know her because she was ruined and out of sight for so long. I am now an engaged woman and I do not have to listen to you, brother. Samuel will not jilt me, not after we... Well, he will not. He knows what glorious reward he will get when he marries me and he is an old, greedy fool who only talks about what he wants to do with his estate and my dowry. He has no idea how to be a gentleman and needs my instruction and guidance to be a good landowner. I have such grand ideas on redecorating my mansion in Cumberland.”
Bingley snorted, “You have never been there and you have been engaged all of four days. What do you know about estate management? You know nothing about being a mistress of a modest home. Mansion, ha!” he sneered, “Probably a cottage at best.”
Caroline stuck her nose in the air, “I know it will be grand. I will make it grand in Pemberley’s likeness. I have learned all there is about being a wonderful mistress from seminary and I am qualified to be Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley. Go away, Charles. I do not need you and I will do as I wish. I am done with you and Louisa both.”
“You have said it, sister. After today, you will not see me again other than for me to mock you.” Bingley gnarled quietly. “You have brought what is coming to you on your own.”
Bingley turned and left his sister’s side and was saddened that she had turned out so crude. He did not envy Allens’ future with the shrew and prayed that her fiancé would not abandon her so he would never have to see her again.
~*~
“Harriet! How could you allow her to be here?” Mrs. Gardiner hissed. “I told you of the situation with my niece because of your future daughter-in-law and I cannot believe she is here, behaving as if she were the countess herself!”