by Kate Speck
Elizabeth could not see Mr. Wickham’s face but saw his right hand lower a little. She felt his grip around her neck loosen and listened carefully to his response. “I am doomed already, Darcy, and I know it. She only freed me from your captivity so that I could carry on her wishes for revenge but she will find a way to get rid of me eventually. She promised me her daughter and £5,000 and I would have had ties to nobility.” Wickham scoffed. “But I am sure it was all lies. She used me and would discard me as soon as my use ran out.” He gripped Elizabeth tighter again while lifting up the dagger once more. “I want £10,000 and safe passage to the Americas. I heard Canada was nice and I want a fresh start. Promise me, Darcy!” He pointed to the officers who were ready to charge as soon as Elizabeth was released. “I know you are a man of your word; tell them that you promise. I will let her go after you say it.”
Mr. Darcy clearly announced as he looked at his men and then faced the villain again, “I will give you £10,000 and safe passage if you do not hurt Elizabeth, Wickham. I swear my life on it.”
Wickham, in his excitement to be granted his wish, lowered his knife but in his nervousness, accidentally scraped Elizabeth’s upper arm with the tip of his dagger while pushing her away from his person.
Mr. Darcy, seeing the blood drip from Elizabeth’s arm, lunged at the criminal with his fist and struck his jaw, and Wickham, in the confusion of the attack, thrust his knife into Mr. Darcy’s torso, releasing the handle as the knife penetrated the brigadier’s uniform and was promptly shot by Colonel Fitzwilliam while Mr. Darcy fell backwards.
Elizabeth had fallen to the ground with Wickham’s rough shove but as soon as she saw the knife protruding from Mr. Darcy’s abdomen, she fainted, believing that Wickham had killed her betrothed.
~*~
“Elizabeth, can you hear me, Elizabeth?” She felt a gentle hand caress her cheek. “Wake up, my love. All is well.”
Elizabeth fluttered her lashes and finally opened her eyes, not understanding what had happened. She suddenly jumped to sit up and saw Mr. Darcy holding her. “What happened, William? Are you all right?” She immediately began to check him for wounds, “I saw him stab you. You are not dead! You are well!”
Mr. Darcy helped her sit up straighter and loosened his cravat to wrap Elizabeth’s injured arm. “Your diary, you gave it to me to hold it and I had tucked it under my jacket to keep it safe and it saved me. The knife did not go through and I was not hurt,” he completed mending Elizabeth’s arm and pulled out the journal to show it to her, “although it did go through the cover and several of the pages within it, this kept me from injury.”
Elizabeth could do naught but cry out in relief as she held him tightly around his neck. “I am so glad, William. I thought I lost you for a moment. I could not think, I could not breathe... I love you. As much as I had wished for excitement in life, I do not believe I can handle more for a while.” She looked behind and saw Wickham lying on the ground. “Is he... Is Wickham dead?”
Mr. Darcy carefully helped her to stand and kept her back from the villain. “He is still alive. Richard shot him in the abdomen and he will not live for much longer, though.” They saw the colonel kneeling next to Wickham and speaking with him, attempting to get more answers before he died. “I wish he would tell me who is responsible. We know it is someone with money and a daughter but I cannot believe it could be Lady Catherine, as horrid as she can be at times.”
“Darcy!” Colonel Fitzwilliam shouted. “He wishes to speak with you.”
Mr. Darcy kissed Elizabeth’s forehead, “Please stay here,” and then walked the several feet to the dying man’s side and knelt down. “Make your peace with God, Wickham. Tell me what you know.”
Wickham chuckled while lying on the ground, “It was an accident, you bastard. I never meant to harm your precious Elizabeth.” He coughed up some blood as his face paled further as blood drained from his body. “I am glad you are not dead. It was only an impulsive move but I never wanted to kill anyone. I only hired assassins to do the bidding.” He coughed violently as he gasped for air, “It was... it... was... Hen...riet...” he spoke no more.
“Henriet? Who the hell is that?” Colonel Fitzwilliam exclaimed first. “Damn it, my aim was too good. I should have shot his arm or leg but when he stabbed you, Darcy, I did not think. I should have...”
“It was not your fault, Richard, and you saved me. Elizabeth’s book and your quick action spared my life and I will not have you apologise for doing your duty. You did well, Colonel.” Mr. Darcy rubbed his chin as he contemplated after taking off his uniform jacket and covering Wickham’s head. “Henriet... Henrietta? Who could that be? Someone with a daughter so not a young person. Our aunt is Catherine and Lady Metcalf’s given name is Rebecca, I believe. Henrietta... Henrietta...” His head suddenly snapped up. “We must return to Rosings now. Wilson, find the others and get them to Rosings. Jameson, move Wickham’s body so that we can bury him quickly. As much as I detest the scoundrel for hurting my family, I will see to a proper burial. Richard, I know not if it is the right woman but Mrs. Jenkinson’s first name begins with H. I have seen her on the Rosings’ ledgers as H. Jenkinson and she might be our traitor, although I do not know how she is able to fund the activities. Let us go and speak with her now.”
The officers went about their duties quickly, and after helping Lieutenant Jameson with Wickham’s body, Major Wilson rode off to find the other officers on the far side of the pond paths. Mr. Darcy gathered Elizabeth in his embrace atop his stallion and kissed her temple. “I am sorry you got hurt, Elizabeth. I placed you behind me to protect you and never thought he would attack from the back. I should have been better prepared to keep you safe.” He rubbed her arm tenderly. “I hope your arm will heal quickly. I am so sorry, my love.”
“Oh, William,” Elizabeth laughed, “it is only a scratch and I have bled worse climbing on trees as a little girl. Thank you for mending it,” she turned around and embraced him tightly. I do hope we find the culprit and be able to leave for London tomorrow. I will be glad to dine with Charlotte tonight at Rosings but I have no wish to return here for some time.” She sighed, “Do you truly think it is Mrs. Jenkinson? I thought you the worst of men when I believed you had made Mrs. Younge destitute in Ramsgate and I am somewhat preferential when it comes to companions, I suppose. She seemed so genteel and Lady Catherine thought she came from a family of some standing. Lady Matlock was the one who recommended her to the post here, is that not correct?”
“Yes,” Mr. Darcy nodded as they stopped at Rosings’ front doors. “I will need to ask my aunt on how she came to know Mrs. Jenkinson but we will find more answers, I am certain.” He helped her down from the stallion. “Do you wish to see to your arm or go with me to speak with Mrs. Jenkinson? I must admit that having a kind lady present might serve us well, instead of having Anne’s companion face a dozen military chaps who wish to put the fear of God into her and frighten her.”
Elizabeth smiled, “I shall join you. Let us not scare her, William. She might be innocent of it all and we cannot find out the truth if she does not cooperate.”
With a nod, Mr. Darcy requested Mrs. Jenkinson’s presence in the drawing room, with only himself, Elizabeth, and Richard to speak with her privately.
~*~
“What can I do for you, Mr. Darcy?” Mrs. Jenkinson enquired after taking a seat as directed. “Miss Anne will awaken soon and I should be by her side.”
Mr. Darcy finished correcting his attire after his valet brought down a cravat with another coat and looked towards Elizabeth who spoke in his stead, “Mrs. Jenkinson, I know we were getting to know each other better in Hertfordshire and I wondered if you could tell me what is your full name. Obviously, you know me as Elizabeth, or Lizzy, as my friends call me. What is your given name?”
Mrs. Jenkinson stiffened and her lips were in a thin line. She did not answer but sat up straighter and glared at the young lady whose eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Elizabet
h took a deep quiet breath, “Could you tell me your maiden name? What family are you from before you married Mr. Jenkinson? I have always been fascinated by history and would love to know more about you. You mentioned your husband being related to the Earl of Liverpool.” She suddenly gasped as she recalled an important fact that she had not connected before. “Henrietta, is that your name? Henrietta Jenkinson?”
“How did you know my name?!” Mrs. Jenkinson exclaimed. “Only few know my full name but I usually go by Hattie.” She growled, “He told you, did he not? After all I have done for him, he betrayed me. Where is he? Where is Wickham?”
Mr. Darcy released a quiet growl, “He is dead. He wounded Elizabeth and attacked me and was shot dead by the colonel. Why did you hire him to kill the Prime Minister? Who are you?”
Mrs. Jenkinson crossed her arms, “I admit nothing. I will not say anything else and you have no proof of anything other than that I knew George Wickham. I know nothing about trying to kill anyone.”
Elizabeth stood up and walked around the couch in deep thought. She caressed Mr. Darcy’s arm as she passed him and signalled to Richard to take a seat. The colonel promptly obeyed while Elizabeth opened the door and quietly spoke to the footman before closing the door again. She stood next to Mr. Darcy and wrapped her arm around his. “Sarah, she is in love with the colonel, is she not? I heard you chastise her for being intimate with the gentleman again at Netherfield and Colonel Fitzwilliam told us that they have been friendly for some duration.” She saw the older woman glower at the colonel. “Second son of an earl dallying with her must have infuriated you. Do you think he should be made to marry her? Sarah is no ordinary servant, is she? You believe that Sarah deserves a noble gentleman, one who will accept her station no matter what role she played and can treat her well, even if she is dowerless. But I suspect you are more than what you pretend to be, Mrs. Jenkinson. You promised Mr. Wickham a fortune to assassinate Robert Jenkinson because he was related to your husband and you hate him. Am I correct?”
She looked to her side and found Mr. Darcy’s eyes broad and mouth ajar with what she had revealed. “I had a chance to speak with Mrs. Jenkinson that day when Miss Bingley thought to strike me, do you recall?” She explained as he nodded. “Mrs. Jenkinson revealed that her husband adored her and was related to the Earl of Liverpool and was disinherited for marrying her. I surmise that the Prime Minister, or someone from his family disapproved of the marriage and Mrs. Jenkinson blames Lord Liverpool for her misery.”
“But of course!” Mr. Darcy declared. “Lord Liverpool was the one who recruited me to the Home Office during my college years and I should have realised the connection if I had known they were related. He is the second Earl of Liverpool and I theorise that Lord Hawkesbury, the 1st Earl of Liverpool, must have disinherited Mrs. Jenkinson’s husband.” He faced the woman who was sitting angrily, “You hated that your husband was gone while Robert Jenkinson is the head of the country only under the King. You hated him and you want him dead.”
Mrs. Jenkinson tightened her lips and did not respond. Mr. Darcy guessed that he had enough to get her locked up in the cellar for the evening to transport her to London the next day, when there was a knock on the door and Elizabeth rushed to open it.
Elizabeth quietly whispered a few words to the young woman who then ran to Richard Fitzwilliam’s side on the couch and embraced him enthusiastically. “Have you told my mother about us, Richard? Does she finally know I have been in love with you for a year?”
“YOUR MOTHER?!” Mr. Darcy and Richard both blurted out.
“Yes. Mother. Sarah is Mrs. Jenkinson’s daughter.” Elizabeth proclaimed. “Mr. Wickham mentioned the daughter and if I know one thing about mothers chastising daughters, it was the tone that Mrs. Jenkinson used to censure Sarah after we discovered Wickham missing from the Netherfield cottage.”
Mrs. Jenkinson growled, “You stupid girl. There was no way for them to know of our relationship until you opened your big mouth. You opened your mouth and your legs like a harlot and have ruined us all!”
Colonel Fitzwilliam released Anne’s maid from his arms gently and rubbed her arm, distancing himself from the girl. “You know we were never serious, Sarah. We were having a bit of fun and although I like you very much, you are not someone I could make my wife. I want someone... someone like Miss Bennet, who is intelligent and beautiful and loyal to her betrothed. I wish to marry a good woman and you, Sarah, might hang for your crimes, as I know you were an accomplice in Wickham’s escape from Netherfield. You found me at the cottage on the pretence of bringing me some food and drew me out so we could... You tricked me to leave Leigh alone so that your mother could attack the young man and help Wickham escape, did you not?”
Sarah paled, realising that helping a prisoner escape would give her the noose around her neck. “Please do not let them hang me, Richard!” She looked at Mr. Darcy and begged, “Please, sir! I was only following what my mother was telling me to do and I only thought I was helping her. She told me about my father’s great love for her and that it would be only a year or two of misery to take her revenge. I have money! I have £5,000 and mama told me that my father died after trying to reconcile with his cousin but was unsuccessful. The Prime Minister was too busy with the war but mama said family should come first and wanted to find justice for my father. I meant no harm.” She began to cry. “I have been a good maid to Miss Anne so that we can get securely situated here in Rosings Park to get my mother as the companion after George and I found a way to get rid of the old one. I was only doing what she told me to do. Please do not let them hang me!”
“Shut your mouth, child!” Mrs. Jenkinson demanded. “You will ruin it all!”
Elizabeth saw Mrs. Jenkinson for her evil heart and shook her head in disbelief. “You only dwelt on the injustice of the world instead of appreciating what you were given and your heart is rotten to the core, Mrs. Jenkinson. I no longer feel any compassion for you. You threw away your husband’s love by making your daughter become a servant and forcing her to do your will.” She turned to Sarah, “Did you know your mother promised Wickham your £5,000? Did you know she promised you to him?”
Sarah immediately grabbed the nearest object and threw it at her mother. “I hate you! I hate what you made me and I hope you burn in hell!”
Colonel Fitzwilliam grabbed her to pull her away from her mother after Sarah lunged at the older woman and held on to her, while Mrs. Jenkinson wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth after the decorative bowl struck her face.
Elizabeth spoke composedly to Sarah, “What is your mother’s maiden name? I promise to put in a good word for your cooperation, Miss Jenkinson. Now that we know you are not a servant, I assure you that you will be treated as a gentlelady.”
Sarah ceased her scuffles in Richard’s arms and calmed herself. “Thank you, Miss Bennet,” she curtsied properly. “I had been in my disguise for too long and had nearly forgotten how to behave a lady. Thank you for your respect and for helping me. I do not know much but that my mother was born a Cornewall. Henrietta Cornewall.”
Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam gritted their teeth with the information while Elizabeth attempted to remember where she had heard the name before. She looked at her betrothed who shook his head imperceptibly.
“Richard, have our men take Mrs. Jenkinson into custody. Have her locked up in the cellar for the night on the charge of treason. We will take her to London tomorrow to have her formally prosecuted in Old Bailey. Miss Jenkinson is also to join us tomorrow and will be locked in a guestroom for the night. It seems we have a lot to discuss with our relatives. Aunt Catherine will not appreciate that she will be out a companion and a maid, both at once.”
Richard walked Sarah towards the door and instructed the officers who were waiting outside. After Major Wilson and Lieutenant Leigh nudged the traitor to the cellar who was defiant to the last, the colonel escorted Sarah to an empty guestroom with guards to stand in front and then to request Lad
y Catherine’s attendance to explain what has been happening under her domain.
“I do not recall the name, William,” Elizabeth spoke out after they were left alone. “Will you tell me what you know?”
Mr. Darcy embraced her tightly in his arms as they both stood together in the middle of the room. “Mrs. Jenkinson is related to Lady Matlock somehow. It comes back to my uncle again, Elizabeth. He was the leak when Georgiana’s location was discovered by Wickham and it seems my aunt might be responsible for placing Mrs. Jenkinson under Rosings’ roof to plan her attack on the Prime Minister. I know not what family you are marrying into and hope you do not regret me.”
Elizabeth laughed, “Never, my love. You know exactly what family you are marrying into on my side and if you do not regret me, I will never regret you. Remember, I am related to Miss Bingley now!”
They both laughed merrily for several minutes. “I am exceedingly impressed by your intelligence, Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy continued soon, “I cannot believe you were able to put the puzzle pieces together so quickly to find out the truth. Having your assistance will be invaluable to the Home Office and perhaps the Regent Prince should make you a baroness by your own right. You are far more deserving of it than I.”
Elizabeth shook her head, “No, William, you are most worthy. You saved me and placed yourself in danger on my behalf and lived through his knife attack. You saved General Wellesley and now you have saved Lord Liverpool. You are a true hero and I shall be prodigiously proud to be your wife.”
“Together, Elizabeth. Always together.” He kissed her fondly on the mouth until they were interrupted when the Colonel arrived with Lady Catherine in tow.
There was much to be discussed with the mistress of Rosings before their planned dinner with the Collinses and Elizabeth finally relaxed, content that another crisis was averted and that everyone was safe.