Placing a gentle kiss on her still lips, Darcy did nothing to stop the flow of tears streaming down his face and dripping on to Elizabeth’s skin. Mr Freemont and Lady Catherine finally convinced Darcy to leave Elizabeth’s rooms to refresh. After washing his face and donning fresh clothing, Darcy went to his aunt.
“I need to see this man, I need to see with my own eyes that he is dead.” “William, it would be inappropriate for you to do so. I cannot allow you to go to Hunsford to view the body.” Lady Catherine stated. “Aunt Catherine, this man has done so much to harm others, even killing some that crossed his path. He has tormented Elizabeth, nearly killing her in the process. I need to see for myself that he is gone forever from our lives.”
After several moments of hesitation, Lady Catherine shook her head. “I do not approve, but you are an adult and I know you will not heed my advice. But I insist on your taking either Richard or your friend, Bingley, with you.”
Darcy nodded in agreement and called for Richard to join him. It did not surprise him that Richard entered the room carrying their coats and hats. “You know me too well, Cousin.”
Richard smiled. “It is no more than I would do myself. I would wish to see that this man’s reign of terror was over.”
~~ ** ~~ Darcy and Richard were led into a room in the back of the undertaker’s shop in Hunsford. The undertaker remained in the back of the room, watching the two men closely.
Moving close to the body, Darcy was finally able to see the man who had kept Elizabeth from being happy. This was the body of the man who had attempted, multiple times, to end her life. This was the man who had kept Elizabeth from allowing anyone to be close to her, for fear that they would be harmed by this man.
In death, the man looked small, almost pathetic. How could he have been responsible for so much damage to others? His eyes were closed, and there was a great deal of blood on the left side of his face. Darcy realized that the round had struck that side of his head. He then looked down and saw the blood on the front of the pants. A smirk came over Darcy’s expression. Yes, this part of a man’s anatomy can lead a man to think wrong.
Turning around, Darcy tossed a coin to the undertaker. “I thank you for your service. And, if you would be so kind, drop the box with him in it a few times. He deserves far worse.”
The undertaker had heard the gossip of Lady Catherine ending the life of this man, a justified shooting the magistrate had said. If even half the rumors were true about the sort of man he was, the undertaker could only agree with Lady Catherine’s nephew.
~~ ** ~~ Upon their return to Rosings, the tale of what happened came out. Bentley and his men had moved in on the main house, but Lady Catherine’s men saw them coming. She only had a few moments, so she hid in one of the secret passageways that had been built in the house after the death of her husband. Using the passages, she was able to quickly move to the conservatory, where she knew Elizabeth to be. Lady Catherine was planning to bring Elizabeth into the passage and make their way upstairs to Anne and Georgiana. From there, they would have moved to a hidden safe room located in the guest wing.
Unfortunately, by the time Lady Catherine arrived at the conservatory, Bentley had already found Elizabeth. Slipping from the hidden door, Lady Catherine took out the knife from her boot. She crept up behind one of Bentley’s men and plunged the knife in his back, twisting it against his spine. The years of abuse she had withstood from her own marriage begged for her to strike back at these men. Lady Catherine had wished to repay her own abuser, but, in helping her new friend, she was releasing many of the ghosts from her own closet.
The man nearest her took note of the downed man and the knife in her hand. He came towards her, figuring that Lady Catherine would be no match. But he underestimated the fury that had been unleashed that night. The man struggled with Lady Catherine, but she buried her knife in his chest. Turning towards Bentley and watching his hand strike Elizabeth again, the Mistress of Rosings saw red. She could still feel the sting against her skin of her husband striking her, more than twenty years ago. It was an experience she would never forget and she knew that it was time to come to Elizabeth’s aid.
The second man she encountered had dropped his pistol. Lady Catherine picked up the flintlock and took aim, firing it at Bentley’s privates. He dropped his own pistol to the floor as he writhed in pain. Bentley finally drew himself up to his full stature and turned towards Lady Catherine, but it was too late. The grand lady had retrieved the dropped pistol and took aim, this time at the head upon his shoulders. Lady Catherine would never forget the expression on Bentley’s face as she fired the weapon, and then the projectile struck his head. What Lady Catherine had not counted on was the large man falling upon Elizabeth’s body. She cried out for assistance as she pulled at the man’s body, attempting to free her friend from the crushing weight. It took several moments before one of her guards made his way into the conservatory and was able to relieve Elizabeth from being smothered to death. But she had been underneath her husband’s body for several moments, and Lady Catherine was concerned for her.
~~ ** ~~ For nearly a week, Darcy kept a vigil at the side of Elizabeth’s bed. When Mr Bennet, Jane and Kitty arrived, they took turns being with their beloved Lizzy as well.
Mr Bennet knew how much Darcy had done to protect his daughter, and was extremely grateful. Even with his poor eyesight, he could tell this young man cared deeply for his most cherished daughter. The tone of his voice when Darcy spoke of Elizabeth was what caught Mr Bennet’s attention at first. He could hear the younger man’s love and devotion, far more than a simple friend would have. Ah, yes, Lizzy has captured this man’s heart, Mr Bennet thought.
The bruises which Elizabeth had worn on her face and body had begun to fade. The incision from the surgeon was healing nicely, and they were all grateful that no infection had set in.
Darcy talked to Elizabeth daily of the life he wished to share with her. He only left her side at those times that the ladies would wash her and place her in a fresh nightgown. Though it was highly improper for Darcy to be in her bedchambers, and especially when the surgeon examined her incision, Mr Bennet knew that there was no keeping the young man from her side for long.
~~ ** ~~ It was late one morning when Elizabeth startled Darcy as she squeezed his hand. At first, the Master of Pemberley thought he had imagined her hand moving inside his. When she did it a second time, with Jane beside him, he knew she was returning to him.
Nearly an hour passed before they witnessed the first flutter of her beautiful eyes. By the time they had completely opened, there was a collection of people in her rooms cheering for her return.
Darcy brought the hand he was holding to his lips and kissed it lightly. “I am so pleased to see your intoxicating eyes open, Elizabeth. I will be forever grateful to God for your return to me.”
Confusion was apparent as Elizabeth’s eyebrows scrunched together. “Who…who…are you?” She whispered.
She turned to her father, standing at the other side of her bed. “Papa, what is happening? Where am I? Jane, please, tell me what is wrong?” Everyone was bewildered. Elizabeth knew her family, but no others in the room. Her state of confusion and fear concerned the surgeon, and he asked everyone to step from the room. Out of her own fear, Elizabeth pleaded for her father to remain in the room with her. The surgeon agreed, seeing the calming affect that Mr Bennet held over his daughter.
Once it was just the three of them, Mr Freemont began asking Elizabeth questions. “You seem to remember your father and sister, do you remember nothing of the past few days?”
Elizabeth thought for a few moments. “I remember going to Sir William and Lady Lucas’s dinner, and I wore my new gown with the burgundy ribbons. I had just finished it the day before. But this is not Lucas Lodge; I have seen all the rooms there. Where are we?”
“Lizzy, that dinner was over three years ago, closer to three and a half years ago. You do not remember being at Mr Darcy’s estate, and then c
oming to his aunt’s home?”
“Who is Mr Darcy? Is he the man that was just here, holding my hand?” Mr Freemont nodded his head. “My dear girl, can you tell me how old you are?” he asked curiously.
“I am sixteen. I will turn seventeen in a couple of months.” Seeing the expressions on the faces of the men, Elizabeth frowned. “What is wrong?” Mr Bennet sat on the edge of the bed, holding his daughter’s hand. “Lizzy, you are twenty years old. Did you not see the difference in Jane’s appearance? Did you not recognize Kitty being in the room?”
The frown grew more pronounced. “Twenty? How can I possibly be twenty? Have I been asleep for all this time? Was I sick and did not wake for over three years?”
“No, dearest, you had an…accident of sorts. You have been unconscious for the past week.” Mr Bennet said. “Madam, you took a blow to your head, and then had something fall on top of you that cut off your ability to breathe. I was concerned for your mind being deprived of air, concerned that there might be some damage to your mind. It appears that it has caused some amnesia. I am not certain if it is permanent, though I would not be surprised if you do not regain those memories.”
“Papa, the man, Mr…Mr?”
“Mr Darcy?” “Yes, Mr Darcy, am I promised to him? He seemed so familiar, yet I do not remember him. For him to be at the side of my bed, holding my hand in such an intimate way, is he my betrothed?”
“Not yet, my sweet girl, though he has made his feelings well known. He loves you dearly, and has been so very kind to you. I pray that you will allow him a chance to court you, prove to you the sort of man he is.”
“You said Kitty was here, I did not see her. Would you have Jane and Kitty come here? I want to see them.” Elizabeth was becoming frantic. “You must remain calm, Madam.” Mr Freemont said. “I will allow them to come to you, but only if you calm yourself.” The surgeon motioned his head towards the door to the adjoining sitting room. Mr Bennet left the room to collect his other daughters.
Elizabeth nodded her head. Hannah brought a glass of water to the young lady whom she had come to respect so much. “Here you go, Miss. When you are ready, I will have the cook prepare you something to eat.”
Just then, the door opened and Mr Bennet returned with her sisters. Jane looked much the same, though now that she had a chance to look, Elizabeth could see that her sister was indeed older than she remembered. It was when she saw Kitty that Elizabeth gasped. The last memories that she had of her young sister, Kitty was a mere thirteen years old. She was now almost seventeen, and grown considerably. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she was witness to her younger sister so altered.
Jane nearly ran to her sister’s side. “Oh, Lizzy, my poor sister, you have been through so much. And now, to lose your memory, Lizzy, I cannot imagine what you are feeling.”
With her elder sister weeping into Elizabeth’s lap, Kitty walked to the other side of the bed and sat so that she could see her sister. The years had brought change to both Elizabeth and Kitty. Though Elizabeth could not remember the past three years, the abuse that she had endured had altered her appearance from what her younger sister remembered.
Elizabeth let her fingers glide gently over Jane’s silky blonde tresses, while her other hand took hold of Kitty’s hand. “I pray that you will all bear with me, there is much time I will need to catch up on. I hope that our other sisters and our mother are all well.”
Kitty squeezed her sister’s hand. “Oh, Lizzy, we are just grateful to have you back. We are more than happy to aid you in learning about the years since we last saw you.”
This was confusing to Elizabeth. “Have I been away from home? Was I traveling with a friend or family? How long has it been since you last saw me?” Mr Freemont was concerned for his patient, as she was beginning to show signs of being in pain. “Madam, I insist that you calm yourself or I will have your sisters removed immediately.”
Elizabeth’s eyes were pleading with everyone in the room to tell her the truth. Finally, Mr Bennet moved Kitty to the chair next to the bed while he took her place on the bed beside Elizabeth.
“I would much rather wait on this conversation, Lizzy.”
“Please, Papa, what is it that you are hiding from me? What have I done that you have not seen me in so long?” “I took ill shortly after your seventeenth birthday. Your mother, as she usually does, became panicked in her belief that I would die and leave her and you girls homeless. So she sent you to London, to her brother’s home. Your mother gave strict orders that her brother was to find a husband for you. My brother in law was afraid he would be forced to take you all in, so he found a husband for you. A Mr Albert Bentley, who was a tradesman with which your uncle did business. You were married to him, three years ago last week. After that, no one from the family has seen you until Mr Darcy brought us here to his aunt’s home.”
“Married? I am married? Then how can I have any sort of relationship with Mr Darcy? Where is my husband? What is he like?” Elizabeth was overwhelmed.
Hannah had returned to the room with some tea. “Here, Miss, this blend of tea will help calm your nerves. It has chamomile in it.”
Elizabeth took a few sips of the herbal blend, waiting for her father to answer her questions. “Lizzy, your husband was not a kind man. In fact, your husband was a cruel, heartless man who caused great harm to you. That is why we have not seen you, as he would not allow it. He will never be able to harm you again, for he is dead. He died the same night that you were injured. And, before you ask, he was responsible for your being injured.”
This was far more than she thought she could ever accept. “Why would Uncle Gardiner do such a thing to me?” “Because of money, as we believe he was given money to take care of your mother and sisters when I died. Believing that I was not going to live much longer, and not wishing to take you ladies in, he did what he thought was for the best. And, once I am able, I will see that Edward Gardiner feels the full weight of my wrath.”
Elizabeth shook her head, unable to understand all that had been said. Her uncle had sold her to a man, a vicious man from what her father said. And that man had been her husband for years, and had hurt her. Part of her said that it was best to not remember him. But, when had she met Mr Darcy and how did he fit into her life?
Before she could say what was on her mind, Mr Bennet seemed to sense his daughter’s question. “I will leave that part of the tale for Mr Darcy to tell, as we do not know it all. All I know for certain is that the man loves you, and would do anything to protect and care for you. He is a good man.”
Wishing a change of subjects, Elizabeth turned to her sisters. “Jane, in the missing time, have I missed your wedding? And Kitty, you are quite the young lady. Have you a young man eager for your hand?”
Everyone seemed to relax as Elizabeth’s tone had turned playful. Jane sat up, and from the smile of her face, Elizabeth knew that her sister had found love.
“We are not yet married, though Charles and I plan to marry soon. Now that you are returned to us, you will be able to stand with me. Oh, and Charles is the best friend of Mr Darcy. It is through the two of them that we were able to find you. Charles is leasing Netherfield Park currently.”
“I am so happy for you, Jane. Am I to know the last name of this prince?” Jane giggled a bit. “Forgive me, Lizzy, his name is Charles Bingley.” “And Mamma approves, I am sure, so he must be wealthy.”
Dramatically imitating their mother, Kitty flitted a handkerchief for effect. “Oh, my, five thousand per annum and handsome; I knew my Jane could not have been born so beautiful for nothing.”
All of the Bennets laughed. “Kitty, what a truly impressive interpretation of Mamma you have given.” Elizabeth said.
“As you might assume, Lizzy, Mamma is very vocal with her praise for our sister’s betrothed. Mrs Long and Lady Lucas are pea green with envy.” “Jane deserves to have someone who will cherish her for the wonderful young lady she is…at least so far as I know. You have not taken up to
selling stolen goods in the seedy side of London, have you, Jane?”
“Lizzy, it is so good to hear your impertinent teasing and your laughter. I have missed you so very much.” Jane said as she placed a kiss on her sister’s cheek. “Now you will be coming home with us and we will begin anew.”
“I will need time to adjust to what has changed, Jane. I pray that you will understand when I seem disoriented.” Elizabeth’s eyes pleaded with her sister.
“Of course I will, Lizzy. So long as you understand that we love you and want to be at your side as you return to the world.”
“I would not have it any other way.” Elizabeth said with a weary smile. Mr Freemont decided that his patient had had enough for the time being. “Let’s leave the young lady to rest. You can visit more with her later.” He said as he scooted the Bennets along. Once the door was closed behind her father, Mr Freemont returned his attention to Elizabeth.
“I do not want you to overdo. That includes thinking. The things you need to remember will be revealed in time. But you do not need to dwell on them. Know that you are loved and cared for by those who are here today, all of the people who were gathered around your bed when you woke. That is the most important information that you need to know. And your maid, Hannah, is very devoted to your care. Now, close your eyes and sleep. When you wake, we will have something for you to eat, for that will aid in your recovery.” As he finished speaking, Mr Freemont held a glass for Elizabeth to drink the contents. Noticing the dislike that she had for the flavor, Mr Freemont smiled. “It has some laudanum in it, which is the nasty taste. I have never found anything to help mask it.”
Soon, Elizabeth was asleep.
~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~
Chapter 13 The following day, Darcy knocked on the door of Elizabeth’s bedchamber. Hannah opened the door and announced him to her charge. Though uncomfortable with regards to a gentleman in her bedchambers, Elizabeth invited him to enter.
The Conservatory of Hope Page 12