by D. L. Carter
“No less a person than the curate of this parish! A Mr. Fitzwallace.”
It was then Mary’s turn to collapse into a chair in the first faint of her life.
***
“Oh, this is an excellent joke,” whispered Lydia to a horrified Kitty. “Just wait until I tell Wickham. I shall ask him to take me to London and I shall take my turn throwing rotten fruit at Lizzy when she stands on the pillory.”
“What a thing to say?” hissed Kitty. “Our sister stands accused of murder. They may hang her!”
“Oh no, they will not,” Lydia smirked at Elizabeth’s back. “But it will take her down for all her airs and elegance and papa will finally see my little jokes are nothing to hers.”
“Lydia, be serious,” urged Kitty. “This is very, very bad!”
“How you do fuss, Kitty. But you cannot say Lizzy doesn’t deserve it. She kills that silly clergyman and I am the one who may not visit or dance or come down to tea with the officers. It is unjust and this is just the turn she deserves. Perhaps I should speak up. Tell them I saw her do it!”
She began to raise her hand. Kitty caught it and dragged it down behind Lydia's back.
“Lydia! You cannot lie. Lizzy’s life is in danger.”
“What nonsense. You have grown quite severe, Kitty, if you cannot see the joke in all this.” Lydia continued to regard the scene with a broad smile while Kitty edged away.
Chapter Nineteen
“The curate of Meryton village writes to inform me,” continued Lady Catherine, “with deepest sadness, that he has come to suspect that Miss Elizabeth Bennet, spinster of this parish, did use her arts and allurements to draw in an honorable man, Mr. Collins, and then when he realized her deceptive nature and unworthiness she did kill him before he could reveal her for the wanton creature that she is. As are all the daughters of that house!”
“That scoundrel,” said Mr. Bennet. “How dare he malign my daughters?”
Mary, who had not attracted any attention with her faint coughed and awoke to hear that description. She pressed both hands to her flushed cheeks and began weeping silently.
“He is an honorable man of God, as was Mr. Collins,” continued Lady Catherine. “They had formed an acquaintance and Mr. Collins apprised Mr. Fitzwallace of the progress of his courtship. Gentlemen engage in such behavior, or so I am told.”
“Mr. Bennet. Mr. Bennet.” The small figure of Mr. Jeffers worked his way past all those gathered in the hall. “Good heavens, what a crush. I have not seen so many people gathered together since last May Day.”
“Ah, good, thank you for your haste, my friend,” said Mr. Bennet. “We have a challenge to the determination of your court!”
“Mine?” Mr. Jeffers stopped and glared about. “I would have you all know I am meticulous in my adherence to the rule and law! Who dares challenge my ruling?”
Sir Michael and Lady Catherine answered together. After a few moments of confusion, and much meaningful glaring on the part of Lady Catherine, the magistrate yielded the floor.
“I am Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Mr. Collins was the parson of Hunsford under my gift. I was notified by Mr. Fitzwallace, curate of Meryton, that there were irregularities associated with Mr. Collins’s death at the hand of his affianced bride.”
“Affianced?” Mr. Jeffers looked at Elizabeth then opened his ledger and began reviewing the tight script. “Surely that was not said at the original hearing.”
“Because it was not true,” said Elizabeth. “The events were thus, Mr. Collins had made his clumsy proposal and was definitively refused. I cannot be considered affianced when I did not consent and my father’s approval was not sought nor given.”
“Exactly so,” said Mr. Bennet. “And I had no intention of giving my witty daughter to that witless fool.”
“He declared to me in a number of letters that his suit had been welcomed,” said Lady Catherine.
“I would be charitable and suggest he exaggerated,” said Mr. Bennet. “Rather than being direct and declaring he lied.”
“How dare you, sir?” snapped Lady Catherine. “Mr. Collins was my particular choice for the clergyman of my parish.”
“Which says as much about you as it does about him,” said Mr. Bennet mildly.
“And before you take offense,” interrupted Darcy in a very low voice. “Consider. If you take offense you are insulting yourself and Mr. Collins. Now, aunt,” Darcy took her none too gently by the arm and turned her away from her interested audience. “You draw far too much attention upon yourself by this noise. People will begin to repine upon your reason for distress. They will suggest your relationship with Mr. Collins was closer than parishioner and cleric.”
“They would not dare.”
“They have already begun. Your magistrate and the constable. Of course they wonder,” whispered Darcy. “I have begun to wonder, myself.”
Lady Catherine drew back, aghast. “Darcy! How dare you? I am your nearest relative. Your mother’s sister. Your fiancé’s mother. You should offer me nothing but respect.”
“Sadly, Lady Catherine, you currently do not deserve it. Now, I pray you, be silent while the legal authorities review the matter.” So saying Darcy turned and surveyed the room. “Sir Michael, Mr. Jeffers, if I might have a moment of your time? Mr. Bennet, if you would provide a place for us to meet. I believe once the record is examined the result will be clear.”
“I place my bookroom at your disposal.”
“Mr. Bingley,” said Darcy, to his friend who had just this moment arrived and assumed his usual position at Jane’s side. “This may take some time. It would hardly serve for Lady Catherine to wait here. She has already exceeded her welcome in this house.”
“I have no wish to be here. The house deserves no such consideration.”
“Since you refuse to depart the neighborhood, Lady Catherine, other arrangements must be made. Therefore, Bingley, please take Lady Catherine to Netherfield. I shall join you there as soon as possible.” He lowered his voice. “Resist this suggestion, madam, and I shall have my supposition regarding your relationship with Mr. Collins read into the record!”
“Impossible. I cannot leave them unsupervised. I do not trust they will do their duty.”
“As you see it,” said Darcy.
“And I must stay to see to it you do not fall victim to the same female allurements that drew Mr. Collins to his doom.” Lady Catherine gave him a suspicious look. “This Elizabeth Bennet has captured your attention to an unacceptable degree. I do not like that you have been in her company.”
“Very well,” said Darcy, steeling himself to speak words he had sworn to himself never to utter. “If you leave now, I shall accompany you back to Rosings Park when this matter is settled to my satisfaction.”
“You understand me,” said Lady Catherine, regarding Darcy closely. “I shall not be denied.”
“If you compose yourself to wait with dignity I shall” …he sighed and the tightening in his throat almost trapped the words, but he forced them out. “Give me my way in this and I shall yield on what is important to you.”
“You will marry Anne. Finally?”
Darcy inclined his head.
A broad smile briefly touched Lady Catherine’s lips.
“I am very pleased. This unfortunate event has borne the most satisfying fruit.” She raised her voice. “Well, Mr. Bingley. Can you offer me appropriate hospitality?”
Bingley stepped from where he was comforting Jane and tilted up his chin.
“Permit me a moment to send a message to my sister so she might prepare.”
Leaving Lady Catherine to ponder that statement, Bingley left the room to send that message.
Mr. Bennet summoned Darcy with a tilt of his head. The two men consulted in the corridor.
“She is going? I am shocked. What manner of hold do you have over her?” demanded Mr. Bennet.
“She has long demanded that I marry my cousin, her daughter Anne. I, however, have not desi
red that alliance. In this circumstance it will aid us. If she persisted in pushing this spurious case, Sir Michael, the magistrate who is her creature, will continue. Should she yield, the matter will be dismissed. I have just assured her I will marry her daughter should she allow the matter to lie.”
“You would do this?” Mr. Bennet stared. “Why?”
“Justice, Mr. Bennet, demands nothing less.”
“Is the price high?”
“Higher than you know,” said Darcy softly then both men entered the crowded bookroom.
***
Despite Darcy’s intervention and the promise Lady Catherine gave to leave, she imposed herself upon the legal discussion in the bookroom. Due to the overcrowding, the door to the hall had been left open and Jane, Elizabeth, and the constable stood there while Lady Catherine ruled the room from Mr. Bennet’s favorite chair.
Mrs. Bennet clung silently to her husband’s arm as Mr. Jeffers read out each line of the inquisition, her head hanging down, and tears drying unattended on her cheeks.
When he was done Mr. Jeffers closed his ledger.
“As you heard,” said Mr. Jeffers. “All the steps were taken, the witness examined. A deposition given and the findings of the jury matched the evidence of the damaged carpet and injury to the body. It was an accident. This type of foolish accident that has taken the lives of more than one man in its day. The matter is closed.”
“It is not closed,” said Lady Catherine.
“Aunt,” said Darcy in warning tones.
“I only wish to see matters right. To see justice done.”
“Justice?” repeated Darcy. “Odd. Against whom would you levy the blood price were this not an accident? A blood price might be due to the Bennet family, not you. The family who are gathered here and you are currently threatening.”
“Does she want money?” whispered Mrs. Bennet. “Oh, Mr. Bennet, offer her money. She will go away.”
“The lady has more funds available to her than I have,” her husband whispered in return. “Besides to make the offer is to increase the suspicion against Lizzy.”
“Oh, that girl. She has caused me worry and woe since her birth.”
“We cannot…” Darcy halted when a disturbance at the door caught his attention. “Ah, I see Miss Bingley has arrived to collect you, Lady Catherine. The journey from Hunsford no doubt tired you. It is time to go.”
“I am well and require no rest.”
Darcy crossed to lean close to the sour old woman. “Leave now. I shall rejoin you for your journey home but only once I have settled matters here.”
Lady Catherine regarded him calmly for a time then smiled and nodded.
***
Bingley’s message caused some consternation and confusion when received by his sister. Caroline had made a study of the Darcy family connections, and practiced the degree of curtsy required for an earl versus the elderly widow of a mere baronet. She was prepared to be related by marriage to both, and was certain she would serve as Darcy’s bride with a suitable level of condescension and pride.
Therefore she gave orders that sent the harried servants flying to prepare for Lady Catherine’s arrival. Caroline, herself retreated to her room for a costume change before entering her brother’s carriage to hasten to Longbourn to give welcome to the only other person of significance to enter Meryton.
Her arrival at Longbourn was not expected and therefore the welcome lacking. Mary Bennet was the only person not otherwise occupied when Caroline knocked on the door and gave the elaborate garb Caroline judged appropriate for her first meeting with Lady Catherine a dismissive glance.
“Come in, if you must,” said Mary.
“I have come to collect Lady Catherine.” Caroline gave a smug smile. “We are honored to have her reside with us. Netherfield being the only residence in the neighborhood able to provide the necessary level of comfort and elegance.”
“Take her. Take her,” said Mary walking away. “No one here will stop you.”
Caroline trailed along; chin high, expression haughty, until she came into Lady Catherine’s presence. Knowing the woman’s history and having a clear understanding of Lady Catherine’s pride, as reported by her brother, the haughty expression vanished to be replaced by servility when she gave her curtsy.
Lady Catherine barely glanced in her direction.
“Lady Catherine,” said Bingley. “As I understand it, your horses require some rest before traveling on. My sister, Miss Caroline Bingley has come to bear you to Netherfield while they rest.”
Lady Catherine looked Caroline up and down without any appearance of pleasure. “Obviously your family's wealth has not given you taste.”
Caroline gasped and cast a wounded glance toward Darcy to see if he would come to her defense.
“Do not scowl at me, Darcy,” continued Lady Catherine. “I know my own mind! And you, girl, regulate your breathing. You are not a hound dog to be panting. Excessive hurrying about is inappropriate in a young woman. Darcy, I shall expect you to attend me within the hour. See to it. Now, you, girl, if you are here to attend me, have at it!”
Caroline flushed at being so addressed, but trailed along as commanded as Lady Catherine prepared to depart the chamber.
“I would appreciate an opportunity to review the record with more leisure,” said Sir Michael to Mr. Jeffers. “Perhaps if I might be entrusted with them overnight?”
That suggestion did not sit well with Mr. Jeffers.
“Perhaps if you might join me for dinner we might discuss the matter thereafter,” suggested Mr. Jeffers. “You might stay the night with me so we will not be in haste.”
That left the constable.
“Stay here, Sergeant,” commanded Lady Catherine. “Mind that they do not spirit that murderess away out of my reach in the night.”
Before any could protest the constable moved a chair from the wall into the center of the hallway.
Mrs. Bennet prepared to protest, cut off by the crude leer of the constable.
“Or we could chain yon girl to her bed?” he said when he saw how Lizzy’s family stared.
***
Darcy regarded the man’s arrangements without enthusiasm.
“I do apologize for my family,” said Darcy to Mr. Bennet. “While she is opinionated and arrogant, I have not seen Lady Catherine act in this manner before. Her behavior in this matter has been unprincipled and coarse. I shall undertake to remove her from the district as soon as possible. In the interim, you do have my most sincere apologies and I shall do my best to ameliorate the damage.”
“You may have noticed I have some familiarity with nonsense,” said Mr. Bennet with a touch of his previous ironic humor.
“Not to this degree.” Darcy paced back and forth then halted. “Mr. Bennet, I fear that now more than before the stories about Miss Elizabeth will fester and grow.”
“Do you think me unaware? My poor Lizzy. Of all my children, the one of whom I am most proud, but see what gossip has wrought! Her life is over and none of this is her fault!”
“I am sorry, sir, more sorry than you know. If it were in my power…”
“But it is not.”
“I must go and deal with my aunt. She does not deal with delay well.
Mr. Darcy. Thank you for all you have done.”
Mrs. Bennet sniffed.
“God speed, Mr. Darcy,” said Mr. Bennet. Then took the matching chair from the other side of the hall and situated himself facing the constable, and folded his arms across his chest.
Darcy hesitated then again addressed himself to Mr. Bennet.
“Sir, if you please. Before I depart might I speak privately with Miss Elizabeth. You might trust to my honor. There are some things she should hear.”
“No, sir, I think not. If you will promise to take your aunt away I shall see to my daughters.”
Darcy flushed. “I hope my aunt has not damaged my friendship with your household. She is frequently difficult.”
“Of
that I have no doubt,” said Mr. Bennet with a smile. “But you have arrangements to make with her. Arrangements that, if my late cousin is to be believed, will leave you wealthier than before.”
“Sir! I hope you know that is not the reason for my actions.”
“I doubt you not at all, my lad. But your aunt is waiting and you have distance to travel.”
Darcy stared helplessly at the older man. There was nothing he could say, nothing he could do. It was not as if he could beg a private conversation with Miss Elizabeth for the purpose of a proposal, much though his heart and soul demanded it. No. He had just told his aunt he would bow to her demands and wed poor Anne instead.
Not Elizabeth.
Never Elizabeth.
But if by any service of his he could mend Elizabeth’s life. Protect her safety, her security, he would do so.
“Please give Miss Elizabeth my good wishes. It may be that I cannot call …”
“It would be better not, lad,” said Mr. Bennet sympathetically.
That caught Darcy’s attention. Had he been so obvious that her father realized Darcy’s tendre for Elizabeth? Had Elizabeth? Was the poor girl waiting in expectation of an offer? Now to wait in vain? Another loss to the woman he loved. He could not speak to her to assure her he was not inconstant.
Darcy’s breath caught and he stared desperately at Mr. Bennet.
“Do not worry, lad. I will tend to my children. She will be well, I promise you.”
Darcy released a slow breath. “I admit sir, I have been troubled seeing her reading old French primers and practicing scales. I would not like to think of her cast out to make her way in the world.”
Mr. Bennet’s lips quirked. “I have made preparations for her. Trust me.”
Darcy stepped back and gave a shallow bow.
There was nothing here for him. To stay was agony. To leave was to surrender to hopelessness.
Nevertheless, he left, walking slowly down the front steps and gazing into the early evening gloom as he waited for his horse to be fetched.
A light colored blur ran through the garden, disappearing into the pretty wilderness. Frowning, Darcy followed. Moving softly he paused behind a decorative tree in time to see young Lydia fly into the arms of a man.