by Kate Speck
They shared several more kisses until they stood to return indoors.
“I will need to speak with your father then seek lodgings at the nearest inn. When shall we marry, my dear? Shall I obtain a special licence?” Darcy asked.
Elizabeth giggled, “You do nothing by halves, do you? Everything you do is in a hurry and you wish for a speedy outcome. We must be patient, William. My father is marrying on December the twenty-eighth and they will not be taking a wedding trip. He hopes to travel to the seaside in the spring, as it is too cold to be near the water right now. Perhaps a six-month engagement?”
Darcy’s mouth dropped at the thought of such a long engagement but when he turned and saw the amusement in his betrothed’s eyes, he laughed loudly. “It is true; when I am committed to something, I give it all of my efforts. I am most eager to marry you, Elizabeth.” He drew her behind a large tree and kissed her fervently, opening her mouth with his tongue and delving deep inside her. “Three weeks,” he breathed out. “We will marry in three weeks.”
Elizabeth finally caught her breath and answered, “Yes, master. Three weeks.”
Darcy chuckled, “I am certainly not your master, my mistress. You own my heart and everything I have is yours.” He lifted her up and circled her around in the air. “I have never been so happy in all of my life!”
They laughed and returned to the parlour. Darcy continued, “Seaside holiday sounds very pleasant. Mrs. Younge, when she was first hired, pressed me to allow Georgiana to go to Ramsgate, only the two of them. She said it was most fashionable and all the young ladies should be educated in running a small household without a meddling brother or relatives to tell her how to do it. I refused because my sister felt uncomfortable with her yet and Aunt Margaret wanted to have her at Matlock instead. I am relieved that I did not send her with that awful woman. Who knows what she might have been planning to do with my sister!” Darcy laughed a moment later. “Miss Bingley is there right now, I am told. She married Samuel Allens and she is bound to that idiot for life. Deservedly so. I hope we never see her again.”
Elizabeth responded, “Samuel Allens was always an odd one. I like his mother very much but he was giving me far too much unwanted attention when I first met him. I was speaking with Mr. Wickham for half an hour and he kept giving us the evil eye.”
Darcy’s face turned grim and he was in deep thought when Elizabeth nudged him. “I am sorry, William. I forgot that you do not get along with Mr. Wickham. I met him at the Allenses the day after our theatre outing and I suppose with my finding you haughty and unsociable, I was more susceptible to Mr. Wickham’s defamation of your character and I had believed it more than I should have. I am very sorry that I spoke to you so harshly because of him.”
“It is all forgotten, Elizabeth.” Darcy kissed her hand. “I was just realising that you have made the connection that I have been looking for. I have several items that I need to clarify but I cannot do so here.” Their heads both turned with the noise in the foyer and several voices could be heard. “Your father is here. I will need to speak to him and receive his consent to marry you. Shall I kiss you wildly when he enters so you are thoroughly compromised and we can marry by special licence?”
Elizabeth laughed, “You would not dare! You are far too proper of a gentleman to disrespect my father and me.” She leaned on his arm and laid her head on his shoulder. “I love you, William.”
When the door to the parlour opened, Mr. Bennet saw smiles on both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s faces and knew all was well. They were standing arm in arm and he knew Lizzy would be married to this worthy young man soon.
“Ah, Mr. Darcy, welcome to Longbourn. I believe we have something to discuss right away, sir.” Mr. Bennet stated.
Darcy grinned, “Yes, sir. Right away.” He kissed Elizabeth’s hand before turning to the others who entered behind Mr. Bennet. “Mr. Gardiner,” he nodded and turned to the younger man, “You must be Master Bennet. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I shall return soon.” He bowed and departed with Mr. Bennet to the study.
“Who is that man, Lizzy? Who is Mr. Darcy?” Brandon demanded. “Why are they going off to papa’s study?”
Elizabeth smiled, “Brandon, Mr. Darcy is my betrothed. He asked me to marry him and I have accepted him. I love him with all of my heart and I will be his wife.”
Brandon turned red, “But I thought you were not going to get married off soon! You said! Is that the gentleman who broke your heart before? You should not marry such a man; he might break your heart again!”
Mr. Gardiner chuckled, “No more than Lizzy broke his!”
“Uncle!” Elizabeth cried out in amusement then turned to her young brother, “Brandon, Mr. Darcy and I argued but all is forgiven now. We misunderstood each other and wounded each other but we are healed now and we wish to spend the rest of our lives together. Just like papa loves Mrs. Howard, Mr. Darcy wishes to make me his wife so we can be happy together.” She hugged him and continued, “Someday you will find a worthy young lady and you will never wish to let her go. Do you trust me, Brandon?” He nodded in her arms. “I need Mr. Darcy as much as he needs me and he is the only man for me.”
Suddenly, Elizabeth was surrounded by Mrs. Gardiner, Mrs. Howard, Jane, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, who had all heard her last statements and they rushed over to embrace her and began to congratulate her. The room was in an uproar with excitement when Mr. Bennet returned with Mr. Darcy after their short discussion.
“Everyone! Everyone!” Mr. Bennet shouted over the ladies’ rowdy celebration. “It seems someone let the cat out of the bag already! As you may all be already aware, Mr. Darcy has asked for Lizzy’s hand,” he paused for dramatic effect, “and I have given him my consent. Congratulations, daughter! I could not have let you go to anyone less worthy!”
Everyone cheered and Mr. Bennet requested a special bottle of wine to be brought up so they could celebrate and begin to plan the wedding.
Mrs. Howard was extremely pleased to be planning a wedding for her soon-to-be stepdaughter and Jane beamed and hugged Elizabeth several times.
“Miss Bennet,” Darcy quietly spoke to Jane when she approached his side, “I know Bingley sent word through your relatives already but I spoke with him yesterday and he is most eager to arrive in Netherfield. Although the house was not to be ready until the second week of January, he will most likely wish to arrive with me when I return after Christmas and if needed, take up rooms at the inn while I prepare for the wedding.” His eyes turned back to Elizabeth and he smiled softly. “I am most eager to be wed to your sister and I hope you will not mind that she will be married before you. I know of the pain you had gone through before.”
“I am most happy for my sister, Mr. Darcy. I cannot imagine a more perfect match for my dear Lizzy. I was relieved that she did not mind that Mr. Bingley’s attention had shifted after meeting me and I know you and my sister are good for each other.” Jane responded. “Everyone has told me growing up and even now, that I am even-tempered and compliant, but I do warn you, Mr. Darcy,” she looked him in the eyes and attempted to look fearsome, “if you break her heart, if you do anything to hurt her again, I will hunt you down and give you a good kick in the shins,” she threatened. “I believe Georgiana will never forgive you, either. She loves her as dearly as I do and will not stand for any more trouble. Consider yourself warned, sir!” She then began to giggle.
Darcy smiled, “Never again, madam.” He bowed over Jane’s hand. “I will take your warning to heart and I will do everything in my power to keep her happy. She is my life, Miss Bennet.”
Jane nodded in approval and returned to her beloved sister to look at her ring and to fawn over the exciting news.
After another half-hour had passed, Darcy requested some time to speak with Mr. Bennet, Mr. Gardiner, and Elizabeth in the study to discuss his investigations into the Ratcliff Highway murders. He planned to share what he knew with the most intelligent woman of his acquaintance. The mystery behind the mur
ders was never far from his mind and he knew Elizabeth held the key to several missing pieces of the puzzle.
Chapter 16
“Mr. Bennet, Mr. Gardiner,” Darcy began, “I have already explained to Miss Elizabeth of my involvement in the recent murders in London.” He looked at his betrothed and she nodded. “I have been part of the investigation from the background and my interest is known to only a few. It is our belief that the three River Thames murder that occurred in April, October, and November were committed by the same madman who is also responsible for the Ratcliff Highway murders.” He saw the surprise in the gentlemen’s faces to be made aware of such details.
“You have said I had some answers to your inquiry, Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth responded. “How can I assist? I am only glad that someone intelligent is attempting to capture the perpetrator.” She fondly smiled. “The papers seemed clueless and I would not be surprised if many false accusations have flown about because of the reward.”
Darcy agreed, “That is true. There are so many stories that are intertwined with fabrications and it is impossible to tell who is telling the truth. The Home Secretary assigned a man that we trust and he has a suspect that they are following and all of the signs point to this man being responsible for the crime. We had found in my own home that a man with initials J.W. might be connected and is likely Miss Elizabeth’s shooter. This man is named John Williams.”
Elizabeth gasped at hearing the name. “Williams!”
Darcy turned, “Have you heard of him before? Is his name familiar to you?”
Elizabeth turned bright red before answering. She shyly raised her eyes to Darcy, “When I accidentally witnessed Mrs. Younge in the library the night of my injury, I... I suspected that she was... that she was being intimate with you because I heard her say ‘William’ before I was able to close the door. That was the reason for my awful outburst when you saw me in your study later.”
She saw that all three men were avoiding her eyes and her father was the first to comment. “I can understand your indignation after witnessing such an act, Lizzy.” Mr. Bennet bluntly stated. “I hope it is not common behaviour, Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth worried that Darcy would become angry but when she turned to face him, he was looking at her with a soft smile and affection in his eyes.
“I promise you, Mr. Bennet,” Darcy answered, “that I had been long in love with Miss Elizabeth before she was injured and I would never dishonour my parents’ teachings with such behaviour. I will know no one than my wife.”
Elizabeth beamed and added, “I was so wrong, papa. I stumbled a few doors down the dark corridor only moments later and I walked into Mr. Darcy’s study to find a light and he had been sitting there which surprised me and I fainted. I know Mr. Darcy is completely innocent but, in my stupidity and confusion, I had accused him of being indecent. Now I see that it was this John Williams that must have been in the library with Mrs. Younge.” She saw that her father was pleased with her words and appeared relaxed.
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I am now convinced that John Williams was indeed my uninvited guest in my home and the connection to Mrs. Younge is proven.” His face darkened. “I have more to reveal, unfortunately.”
He squeezed Elizabeth’s hand before he stood to pace. “I am afraid that Mrs. Younge is the third victim of the River Thames murders.” He saw the gentlemen gasp but his betrothed appeared calm. “Did you already know, Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth nodded, “I had guessed it when I thought you involved, William. I heard Colonel Fitzwilliam mention a body being found and heard part of her name. With that information and the papers reporting a man being bitten in the hand and then you had your dog bite near the same time, I was convinced that you had something to do with the crimes. My imagination ran wild and instead of speaking with you about it, I pushed it aside to ignore it and it festered the doubts in my heart. I should have been open with you.” She lowered her eyes.
Darcy knelt by her chair and caressed her hand. “How could you have known? I would have accused myself if such evidence was before me. You are the most intelligent woman I know, Elizabeth.” He rubbed her hand against his own cheek. “And yet you still accepted me and stayed with me until my own folly at the Christmas Ball... you loved me then?”
Elizabeth nodded again and they were lost in each other’s eyes until Mr. Bennet coughed.
Darcy startled and chuckled before standing and taking his seat again. “I apologise, Mr. Bennet. Your daughter is too generous and I will have to continue my grovelling later.” He continued his story. “The investigation tells us that the third victim was Mrs. Younge, who was my sister’s companion, the second was a Bow Street Runner who was involved in a bribery, and the first,” he looked at Elizabeth again, “was Samuel Allens’ cousin, who was in town to work with a solicitor in order to sell off his property in Cumberland. It appears that Jacob Donohoe, Samuel Allens’ distant cousin, was a virtual hermit but had become interested in using machineries for his estate. With the Luddite unrest in March beginning to form, it is believed that one of his tenants set fire to Donohoe’s home and about half of his manor burned down.”
Darcy took out his notebook and read some of his jottings. “We tracked down his solicitor and gathered that Donohoe travelled to London to try to sell the property in order to move to a calmer county, and he made a call to Mrs. Allens and her son, only to introduce himself to them as a courtesy. We were able to confirm from Mrs. Allens that they had indeed met once and we believe that Samuel Allens, who knew that he was next in line for the inheritance, hired someone to kill Donohoe and bribed the Bow Runner to keep the murder hushed up. He was able to report his cousin’s death as an accident so that he would not be suspected in the murder. Allens’ solicitor finally completed the property transfer under Allens’ name only three months ago but I doubt the fool knows that the estate had fallen into disrepair and the Luddites have all but pillaged everything out of the home and burned the entire structure a month ago. The steward there was discovered in London this month and confessed that he had been pocketing the income for himself since his master’s demise and took off to London to spend his new fortune when our men found him and had him arrested for theft.” He chuckled, “Caroline Bingley will be in for a shock when her grand estate is nothing but a pile of rubble.”
Elizabeth covered her amusement and spoke, “And she had such grand ideas of making it in the likeness of Pemberley, as I was told by Mr. Bingley. I have heard how wonderful your home is, Mr. Darcy, and I am very eager to see it.”
“And you shall soon, my dear.” Darcy softly answered. “And this is where I am also finding your knowledge so valuable. We had begun to speculate that George Wickham is somehow connected because he had been seen with Allens in London recently. I do not know how long they have known each other.”
“Oh, but Mr. Wickham told me that they had become acquainted in the beginning of this year.” Elizabeth clarified. “They must have known each other for several months and certainly before the April murder. I do not know where Mr. Wickham could be now, though. He did not attend the ball as he had said he would, most likely avoiding you. That rogue tried to flirt with me the day of the ball but I sent him away. You must find him, William! I would like to give him a piece of my mind!”
Darcy responded as he chuckled, “We have people looking for him now, although rumour is that he has accepted a position in the militia and is awaiting his assignment. Wickham is not a good man, Miss Elizabeth. He came to Pemberley three years ago to demand money in lieu of the living that my father had wanted him to hold, and I gave him £3,000, as well as the £1,000 that my father left him, so that I would do my duty to follow my father’s wishes. He is a degenerate man who left a trail of ruined women and illegitimate children since university days and is not fit for the church. I would not trust him with a dog I liked. He returned to Pemberley early summer to demand more money and I, of course, refused him. I know not what he had done with the £4,000 already
bestowed to him but a month after his visit, Georgiana’s companion took a fall in Lambton and was nearly killed by an approaching carriage in the streets. She could not determine if she had been pushed or slipped but her ankle was severely sprained and she broke her arm with the fall. She was distraught and I arranged for her to retire in one of the cottages and had to hire another companion for Georgiana. I now wonder if Wickham could have been responsible for Nanny Marian’s injury.”
“I recall Mr. Wickham speaking something of your interference with his plans.” Elizabeth closed her eyes to remember the conversation. “I believe his exact words were: ‘My plans this summer were foiled due to interference on Darcy’s part’, and he was very bitter about losing an opportunity to gain an income or employment. And also,” Elizabeth reached for Darcy’s hand and gripped it, “he had mentioned something about you having dark secrets. He said you had much to atone and I had foolishly believed all of his slander. I am sorry, William.”
Darcy’s eyes darkened once again. “My friend... the one that died when I was a child, he was Wickham’s younger brother, Elizabeth. Wickham teased Gregory with me but he was on an errand to Lambton on the day of Gregory’s death and he was in shock when he returned that evening. He also thought it an accident and placed the blame on his brother for being foolish to swim alone, and told me that we should not have teased Gregory so much and regretted not being a better brother. But eventually we moved on with our lives and he took pleasure in entertaining my father for the next several years until his parents passed.”
Elizabeth caressed his arm, “Perhaps he blames you now after all these years, especially after you have denied him additional funds. Could he have found out about the handkerchief somehow and is attempting to make you appear complicit in the murders? I know you will find out the truth soon, William. You have worked so hard on this and all your efforts will be rewarded.”