by Brenda Webb
“You cannot possibly think I am going to let Darcy win. I shall have my thirty thousand pounds, and you can share in it, if you play your cards right. You should consider selling as much of your assets as possible and leaving England with me. Together we would make a formidable team, extracting money from wealthy fools wherever they may be. And you know as well as I that Darcy and that blasted cousin of his, Colonel Fitzwilliam, will not stop until they get to the bottom of what happened. And at the bottom, they shall find you and me!”
“It is only you they will find. They may suspect I supported you, but there is no proof to implicate me!”
“Au contraire, my love. Remember when I shipped the portrait from Ramsgate to this address? Do you really believe they will not find the record once they have interrogated Mrs. Younge?” Wickham tried not to smile as the truth of his assertion dawned on Gisela and her face paled. “That is why I am offering you a means of escape.”
Gisela swore loudly and swept the contents of a nearby table to the floor. The sounds of breaking china figurines and candles sliding across the hardwood floor joined the sounds of books finding new places to lie. A maid stuck her head in the door, and seeing her mistress kick one misplaced candle towards the pile she had created, retreated quickly and closed the door as she backed out.
“I should have known you would do something to implicate me.” She began to pace. “I was a fool to listen to you.”
Wickham stiffened as his face reddened. “You will be a fool if you do not listen to me now! Never mind what has happened; you must consider the future. We both have to leave England, and I plan to leave with Darcy’s money.”
“And just how do you propose to make Darcy pay you? You do not have his precious sister!”
“I shall take someone else he holds dear, someone that is not being guarded so closely. He will not expect another attempt so soon after the other.”
“And, pray tell, who is your target now?”
“Surely you have heard that Darcy has a mistress. It is the talk of the ton.”
Gisela scowled. “I have heard gossip of this sort the entire time I have been married to him, but it has never proven true. You, of all people, should know that he is an honourable prig.”
“Well, I have met the alleged amour, and I know that she is returning to Town in company with Georgiana and that nosey aunt of his. That must mean something.”
Gisela’s eyes narrowed. “Her name?”
“It is the same woman who has been seen with Wilkens, Elizabeth Bennet.”
“I was warned about her, but how can she be courted by Wilkens and sleeping with my husband at the same time?”
“Perhaps she has time to spare! How would I know?” Wickham bellowed, indignant at being questioned. “My sources in Ramsgate told me that she spent a considerable amount of time with Darcy’s family while she was there, and she is returning to London with his aunt and sister.
Gisela’s brows furrowed. “She is travelling with Darcy’s family and not Wilkens?”
“Yes. And it is undeniable that she is close to Georgiana, as she is the main reason I failed to snatch her from under Lady Ashcroft’s nose. It was she who sounded the alarm when I convinced the little princess to walk with me down the beach. Miss Bennet came after me like a lioness, even attacking me with a parasol. If not for her meddling, Lord Landingham would have never gotten to the beach in time to prevent me from abducting Georgiana.”
“A woman routed you!” Gisela guffawed, sinking in a nearby chair. “I cannot imagine how you shall live that down! You must be the laughing-stock among your kind.”
Wickham huffed. “Make sport of me all you wish, but just remember that she is the one your husband wants in his bed, not YOU!”
Gisela’s expression hardened, her mouth forming a thin line, and as she began to give vent to her anger, Wickham wondered why he had ever thought her beautiful.
“If all you say is true, I shall kill that little whore! Then, for once, Darcy will know how it feels not to have what he desires.”
“We cannot kill her! If we were to harm that woman, Darcy would track us down to the ends of the earth. No, we shall simply extract a goodly sum from him, turn over the wench and leave the country straightaway. As we speak, I have men looking into where her relations reside. Knowing how proper Darcy is, he will not have her live openly at Darcy House after she returns to London, so she will most likely return to a relative’s home. Once she is away from his protection, she will make an easy target.”
“And where do you plan to hold her until the ransom is paid?”
“I was hoping you could handle that part.”
Gisela slowly moved to the liquor cabinet and began to fill a glass with brandy. Wickham followed her with his eyes, wondering at her sudden composure in light of her recent outburst. She seemed to be as docile as she had been volatile only a few moments before.
“There is a place. When I was nearly eight years of age, my father built a hunting lodge he called Stillwater on his property just over an hour south of Richmond. The land is not much suited to farming, so it has lent itself to hunting. Though the lodge was as impressive as any manor house in the country, my mother hated it. She called it crude and said it was too isolated. She hardly ever visited, as she craved the excitement of Town, so Father used it to host hunting parties with his friends in the House of Lords. He would take me with him when he was seeing to repairs and such and there was not going to be a hunt. After he met with his steward, he would take me fishing or riding. We became quite close at those times, and I think mother was always jealous of our attachment.” She stared into the distance as though seeing something only she could see. “It was the only time in my life that I was truly happy.”
Suddenly she raised the brandy to her lips and drained it in a few gulps. Finished, she slammed the glass on the table. “That is of no import! The lodge is still there, though it has been closed for years. When we married, my first husband liked to go there, though it has not been kept in good repair since his health started to deteriorate years before he died.”
“Will Darcy remember it?”
“I doubt he even knows I own it. After all, he showed no interest in my properties when we married. He insisted I keep them all.”
“What a fool!”
“Yes… well, it has worked to my advantage and his detriment. As it is, the lodge sits in the middle of a large tract of land with no neighbours on the surrounding parcels. There is a small village two miles from the front gate, but not much else. It is ripe for such a scheme. I will send a few of my trustworthy servants ahead to ready it for habitation. These people are paid not to ask any questions.”
“That sounds perfect! I shall employ a few of my cohorts to help me spirit Miss Bennet there. Then I shall direct Darcy to the village to drop off the ransom. By the time he follows the map I will provide to retrieve her, you and I will be halfway to Weymouth. Your servants can carry the messages, as it will not matter if they are apprehended once we are out of reach.”
Wickham smiled inwardly as he offered his plan. He had no intention of taking Gisela with him on the ship or anywhere else. No, he would be nearby when Darcy dropped off the ransom and then rush to Plymouth, NOT Weymouth, while a servant delivered a note to Darcy explaining how to find Miss Bennet. He knew enough of his old friend to know that he would see to her safety first. And if Darcy should find Gisela there with Elizabeth, then that could only work to his advantage.
“I shall send the servants to the lodge straightaway.” Gisela’s voice cut through his musings, and Wickham assumed a practiced smile.
“Good. They need to take enough supplies for several days, perhaps a week or more, if need be. I intend to snatch Miss Bennet as soon as feasible, but at this point, I have no set day or hour. Meanwhile, you should make arrangements with your bank to close your accounts and retrieve any valuables you store there. I suggest you ship whatever else you wish to take ahead to Weymouth, clothes and such. I can give
you the name of the shipping line, and they will hold them until we arrive. We shall be off to the Americas faster than you ever imagined possible!”
My contact at Weymouth can forward her things to me at Plymouth. Gisela will not need anything where she is going, and I may be able to sell the whole lot for ready funds!
Gisela interrupted his thoughts. “Now, you absolutely cannot stay here. I will not take the chance of Darcy finding out you are living with me. Mr. Boatwright may be the answer to our problem.” She walked over to a bell pull and gave it a jerk. “He has a brother who runs a pub near the wharfs and rents rooms above it. I am sure that he can arrange a room for you with a little incentive.” She walked over to her desk and pulled out a box. Reaching inside she grabbed several pounds and a few odd coins and handed them to Wickham. “Spend it wisely.”
At that moment the butler appeared in the door and Gisela went over to converse with him. Counting the money in his hands, Wickham wanted to retort angrily at her miserly offering but instead decided it wiser keep his mouth shut. Nothing could be allowed to foil this scheme. Looking up, he found both parties staring at him.
“Go with Mr. Boatwright. He will give you directions and a note to his brother.”
Nodding curtly to Gisela, Wickham followed Mr. Boatwright from the room.
~~~*~~~
Gracechurch Street
The Gardiner’s residence
Beginning to dread another day shopping, Jane had developed a headache while waiting for her mother and her aunt to come downstairs. Nonetheless, looking about the cosy parlour, she tried to distract herself by imagining just how her own home might look when she and Charles married.
Charles. She missed him terribly, but she had had little time to think of him, distracted as she was with her mother’s concentration on wedding finery and her own worry over Lizzy’s problems.
I hope Charles comes to Town with Papa. At least he will be another voice of reason if Mama and Aunt Madeline have their minds set.
Just at that moment, a voice bellowed from the top of the stairs.
“Jane, are you ready?” Her mother carefully worked her way down the narrow stairs and began complaining the moment she saw her eldest daughter’s frown. “I should think you would look happier, after all I am doing for you. We have searched through scores of warehouses and hundreds of bolts of satin, silks and lace, not to mention visiting the best modistes London has to offer—all to assure that you are the most beautiful bride in England. One would think you would appreciate it more.”
Jane sighed, trying not to let her frustration show. “I do appreciate all your efforts, Mama. It is just that I was under the impression that we had already garnered all the materials needed and commissioned all the seamstresses necessary. I do not know why we are going to yet another shop today.”
Mrs. Bennet harrumphed. “Because, my dear, Madeline has heard of a new shipment of Belgium lace that has been received by another modiste, and if we do not get there first—”
Her words were cut short by two things happening at once—Madeline Gardiner came down the stairs, and there was a knock on the front door. All three ladies stopped short to watch Mrs. Doane hurry to the front entry and each was equally stunned to see who stood without—Lady Holmes. Madeline rushed to greet her cousin with a look of great trepidation.
“Oh, Madeline! You have no idea what has happened!” the well-dressed lady began saying immediately, but stopped abruptly as she noticed Jane and Mrs. Bennet standing in the shadows.
“Penelope, you remember my sister, Fanny Bennet, and her daughter, Jane—Lizzy’s family.”
The last was said almost as a warning, and Lady Holmes’ eyes flicked between her cousin and the Bennets, as though not sure what to do. Finally she replied, “Yes, Fanny, it has been years since I saw you last and, Jane, it is a pleasure to meet you, though I wish it had been under better circumstances.”
Madeline seemed anxious, and as an indication that they should remove to somewhere more private, she motioned in that direction. “Let us all go into Edward’s study where we will not be disturbed.”
Jane felt her stomach twist into a knot. This news had to concern Lizzy. She feared that her mother might know everything in a short while.
What will she do if she learns that Mr. Darcy is the gentleman in question? Oh Papa! When will you get here?
Woodenly Jane followed the others until they were safely inside her uncle’s study and the door was closed and locked.
Mrs. Gardiner spoke up immediately. “Please, Cousin, tell us why you have come so early this morning? Has something happened to Lizzy?”
Mrs. Bennet began to fan herself, dropping into the nearest chair as her face paled.
“Fortunately, that is not the case, though it will affect Miss Elizabeth and us all, I am afraid. My news concerns my cousin, John Wilkens. I got an express this morning from Alfreda. It seems that he has died as the result of a fall.”
Mrs. Bennet stood up, clutching her chest as her face flushed. “Dead? How can he be dead? He must marry Lizzy!”
Lady Holmes looked shocked, but before she could say anything, Madeline declared, “Sit down, Fanny. This is not the time to speak of that. The man is dead.” Turning her attention back to her cousin, she continued. “What in the world happened?”
“Alfreda wrote that he was thrown from a horse and cracked his skull. The funeral is the day after tomorrow, so Walter and I leave in a few hours. I…” She eyed Mrs. Bennet. “I thought that I should inform you, considering his attachment to Miss Elizabeth. I understand that she is on her way back to Town with Lady Ashcroft.”
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness in letting me know so quickly,” Madeline stated. “Please convey our condolences to Alfreda and Lady Hawthorne.”
“I will. Now if you will excuse me, I have a great deal to accomplish before we leave for Ramsgate.”
“Of course.” The lady of the house moved to open the door. “Let me see you out.”
Mrs. Bennet said not a word as Lady Holmes and Madeline Gardiner quit the room. Jane did not like the expression on her face. “Mama?” she ventured. “What are you planning?”
Mrs. Bennet swiftly took to her feet, swirling to face Jane. “I am deliberating what I shall do to that uncaring, irresponsible sister of yours the moment she returns to London!” She began to pace the small space in front of the desk. “Lizzy cares not that she shall ruin us all by her actions! But I shall hold her responsible. Have you ever heard of this Lady Ashcroft?”
Jane shook her head, though she knew who the lady was from Lizzy’s letters.
Suddenly, Mrs. Bennet’s face lit up with a devious smile. “I have the solution! I shall confront the man she has been cavorting with, the one who is married, and force his hand! I imagine he shall not want his dalliance waved in front of his wife’s face. These wealthy men may indulge in affairs, but they do not take kindly to becoming fodder for the gossip sheets. He may be willing to part with a goodly sum to prevent a scandal and keep Mr. Bennet from calling him out.” She shrugged dismissively. “Not that Mr. Bennet would do such a thing, but that cad would have no way of knowing. If I can sweeten Lizzy’s dowry, perhaps some other poor soul will take her off my hands!”
“Mother!” Jane cried, grabbing Mrs. Bennet’s arm. “You sound as though you mean to sell her to the highest bidder!”
“Has she not sold her virginity to a married man already? Why should I care as long as she is married, and it does not affect you or your sisters? I will learn his name and pay him a visit.”
Just then, Mrs. Gardiner returned to the room, and Mrs. Bennet lost no time in confronting her.
“Sister, I must know the name of the man with whom Lizzy is having an affair.”
~~~*~~~
Chapter 37
London
Darcy House
It was almost dark by the time the party from Ashcroft Park reached Grosvenor Square and, being used to stopping at the front entrance to discharge pa
ssengers, the horses began to slow as they approached Darcy House. Nonetheless, the drivers urged them on, having been instructed to circle the lane in order to enter via the back gate. William wished for as little fanfare as possible to announce their return to Town. Having never forgotten how Gisela had confronted him on the pavement in front of Darcy House in the past, he decided not to take the chance that she would see Elizabeth and make a dramatic scene.
He deeply regretted that he had little time alone with her that morning, only managing to steal a few moments when returning from the stables. All the others had eaten and made the trek to see the rare twin colts by the time he had awakened and were patiently awaiting his declaration of readiness to return to Town. Aware that this might be his last opportunity to have time alone with Elizabeth, he expressed a desire to check on the animals before leaving and asked her to accompany him. The others in the party were not surprised by his request, as the look on his face when he gazed at her was quite easily construed. Even Georgiana thought better of teasing him by volunteering to come along.
Consequently, as he and Elizabeth made their way back to the manor house from the stables, he seized the opportunity to pull her into a small alcove in the garden, which was hidden by tall hedges. Only a stone fountain and bench were witness to their moment of passion, and for a few precious moments, they were lost in each other’s arms. All too soon it had to end, amidst vows of love, more tender touches and one last stolen kiss. They entered the back entrance of Ashcroft Park to find no one about.
On the ride back to London, William had insisted that his aunt, Georgiana and Elizabeth make use of his coach, which was newer and had better springs. He had shared his godfather’s vehicle so that the ladies would not be overcrowded. As a result, whilst he was never far from Elizabeth that day, by the time the coaches came to a halt on the gravel drive inside the gated compound, William was literally aching with the need to hold her in his arms once more. Thus, he was the first to disembark, intending to be the one to assist her in exiting his coach.