by Wells, Linda
Lucas looked over to Mr. Bennet. “I hope that you know I would do right by your family, sir.”
“I have no doubt of that, but it is not your or my son Darcy’s responsibility. I will do my best to provide for my remaining family.” Hearing Lydia and Kitty in the background, he looked at his wife. “Soon it will be just we two living here, Mrs. Bennet, imagine the savings we will incur without constant visits to the ribbon shop.”
“Oh what will I do without my dear Lydia?” Mrs. Bennet cried. “How can you send her away to school?”
“I will still be near, Mama.” Jane said soothingly.
“Dear Jane.” She sighed sadly. “You are so beautiful.”
And I have wasted my beauty on Robert, yes, I know your feelings, Mama. Jane felt Lucas’s eyes upon her and felt his support as he continued to hold her hand. “Mama, Lady Lucas, it seems that with time so short before the wedding and with so much to do, I think that the Goulding’s dinner and Aunt Philips’ evening will be quite enough celebrating for all of us. Instead of wasting time having all of these extra dinners, you both should work together for a grand wedding breakfast that all of our guests can enjoy.” Seeing the surprise on everyone’s faces except Lucas’s she sat up a little straighter when he smiled at her with approval. “And, I think that my time will be better spent preparing my wedding clothes and …” She faltered.
“And making sure that your betrothed remains interested and does not jilt you.” Lucas lifted her hand and kissed it. “I think that you have made some excellent suggestions, my dear.”
“I agree.” Mr. Bennet smiled. “You are not leaving the neighbourhood forever. There is no need for some tearful farewell.”
“But …but the parties!” Mrs. Bennet whined.
“You have three more daughters, Mrs. Bennet; surely you will have your fill of engagement parties before you are through.” Mr. Bennet said sternly.
“Will Mr. and Mrs. Darcy be coming to the wedding?” Lady Lucas asked. “I hope that we will not be planning around their schedule.”
“Their schedule is dependent on others, Lady Lucas. All I can say for certain is that they are feeling well enough to travel and they are very anxious to return home.” Jane smiled at Robert. “I certainly understand their desire to put London far behind them.”
18 JULY 1810
Yesterday Fitzwilliam and I at last celebrated the third anniversary of our first sight of each other. We began by walking through Hyde Park to our bench. What a difference in the man I spotted that day and the one who looks upon me now, such a beautiful smile, and warm, happy eyes. Yes, there was sadness, too, but he confessed that the images that distracted him were ones of lost loved ones who never had the opportunity to meet me. That was regret that I can bear.
After we enjoyed a picnic and our servants retrieved our things, we went on to take a very long walk through Kensington Gardens. It was exhausting for both of us, despite our tightly enforced recovery. Perhaps that is why we defiantly left the house and stayed away so long. We met many acquaintances as we walked, and were grateful for their kindness, whether it was a tip of the hat and nod, or a fervent handshake and inquiry after our health. The response was welcome, although we truly did wish for our privacy. We at least know what to expect when we venture to church for the first time on Sunday. The incident was breathlessly covered in the papers, it seems, so it is no secret what occurred. By the time that we reached the end of our stroll through the gardens, neither of us had the heart to ask the other to walk all the way home. My dear Fitzwilliam gallantly offered to find us a cab, and I insisted that we stop and enjoy some ice cream before our return. His eyes lit up like a little boy to share our treat, and he was determined to tell Georgiana about it!
When we arrived at home, we were fussed over by our worried staff. As soon as he was strong enough, about two weeks after the incident, Fitzwilliam had them assemble in the ballroom and expressed his appreciation and gratitude for their loyalty and service to our family. Foster stated that the gifts were unnecessary, but Fitzwilliam would not hear of it. He firmly believes that their action is what saved me. He refuses to be reminded that had he not appeared and fought, nothing would have saved me or our dear daughter, and my foolishly not heeding his command to run is why I was struck at all. You, my love, are the one who protected us, so let me thank you here, and now I will say no more.
I worry so much over Fitzwilliam, and am almost grateful for my injury because he has no desire to be far from me, which in turn forces him to be still, as the physician recommends. He will not tell me how he feels, but I can see that he is sometimes a little bewildered, and struggles to remember simple things, but he is definitely improving, I know. My injury was painful, but it is clearly visible that the wound is nearly healed. My stitches were removed yesterday, a process that I did not anticipate at all. My dear husband plied me with some sort of drink before the surgeon arrived, and I should have known not to trust him. Never should I trust that man with a glass of anything if he hands it to me with a twinkle in his eye. It most certainly was not lemonade as he claimed. He made mention of the drink to Richard, and he nearly spat out his after-dinner port in response, and asked me what I thought of the Irish lemonade. It was only later that I sat upon Fitzwilliam’s lap and refused to move until he admitted his scheme. It took endless methods of persuasion, but at last he admitted that I was drinking whiskey. No wonder I felt no pain! Fitzwilliam was rather pleased with himself, entirely too pleased if you ask me. I will most certainly have to teach him a lesson. I shall set my mind to work and take him unaware one day. Why do I have a feeling that he will not mind one bit?
Darcy smiled a little and set down the journal, then kissed Elizabeth’s temple. They were resting together in the library after a long morning of catching up with their correspondence. “Are you still sleeping, love?” He wrapped both arms around her and resting his chin in her hair, focussed on the landscape he had purchased for her anniversary gift, and was now hanging over the fireplace. They had just received word that Wickham’s hearing before the judge would take place in two days, if he lived that long. No trial was necessary, the result was almost a foregone conclusion after his actions, but still the process must be observed. Feelings of guilt and regret welled up in Darcy’s heart, and he clutched Elizabeth tightly. “I am so sorry, love.”
“ELIZABETH, PLESE TAKE A SEAT!” Lady Matlock commanded.
“How can I sit when Fitzwilliam is in the same room with that monster?” Elizabeth paced. “I should have gone with him.”
“Do not be ridiculous! Your presence would add to the spectacle! Darcy is not alone.”
Yes he is. Elizabeth said to herself and paused to stare out of the window, thinking of the tension that had increased since they learned of the hearing date. That morning when they had at last risen from their bed after a night of fitful sleep, they had mechanically gone through the routine of preparing for the day. Very little had been said between them, instead it was their looks, and their tightly gripped hands, that communicated their worry and care for each other. Although no physical danger was in store, they both felt as if they were willingly going to be submitted to yet another violation by the devil.
“I need to take a walk.” She announced.
“Well then, we all will go.” Laura offered. “We can stroll through the park, that should be distracting, it is a beautiful day.”
“Mrs. Harwick, when my sister says that she needs to take a walk, she is not suggesting a stroll.” Mary smiled at Elizabeth. “I will walk with you, Lizzy.”
“Can you keep up?” She smiled a little.
“Probably not, but I will try.” She stood to join her. “You are not as quick on your feet as you are normally.”
“I will come as well.” Georgiana hurriedly rose.
“Well, if you are planning to speed around the park, I am afraid that I will have to forgo the pleasure, if I did not have boats for feet, I would say differently.” Evangeline looked ruefully down
at her shoes.
Elizabeth walked over and gave her a hug. “Well then, we will claim our bonnets, and … I presume you are remaining, Aunt Helen?”
“I am, and I hope Laura, that you will take care to keep these young ladies in check.” She saw Elizabeth’s brow rise. “Mrs. Darcy, you are under scrutiny just now.”
“Lady Matlock, I committed no crime, and if walking with purpose is viewed as shameful, then I am glad to part company with this town and return to the wilds of Derbyshire where I and my family belong. Excuse me.”
Elizabeth left the room, closely followed by Mary and Georgiana. Laura hung back to speak to Lady Matlock and Evangeline. “If I were at home, I would be going to saddle my pony. She is simply trying to relieve the stress.”
“I know that, Laura.” Lady Matlock sighed and glanced at the clock. “I know well Elizabeth’s need to walk when she is parted from her husband. Just be sure to have her back here before too long. I have no desire to face Darcy’s return with her not at home. I suspect they will be back in the next two hours or so.”
Evangeline smiled. “I was wondering why you were being so particularly caustic towards her today, Lady Helen. Surely you know that Elizabeth is hardly one to fight shy, and would respond to you with energy.”
“Certainly.” She smiled. “I admire that young woman very much.”
“So you are giving her something else to occupy her mind?” Laura suggested. “She is angry with you and your rules?”
“Precisely, my dear.” Lady Matlock nodded. “And I know that she will need to return to her child before long, because as you say, she has her own rules.”
“And I intend to follow her lead with them. Richard and I admire the Darcys very much.” Evangeline said and stroked her hand over her growing baby. “So you may as well learn to live with that information now.”
“Mrs. Fitzwilliam, I may not have the authority to speak to Mrs. Darcy about her choices, but I do have it to speak to you.” Lady Matlock said seriously.
Sitting up as straight as she could, Evangeline smiled sweetly. “Do you honestly believe that I am afraid to take you on? Your son does not cause me any trepidation, and he is armed with more than his tongue.”
“My son is a gentleman.” She sniffed.
“In every sense of the word.” Evangeline agreed.
“I am glad to be departing before the fur begins to fly!” Laura looked between mother and daughter and quickly left the room to join the sisters in the foyer. “Is Rosalie well?”
Elizabeth looked at her with surprise. “How did you know that I went to check on her?”
“Oh … I suppose that I have some motherly instincts, too.” Laura slipped her arm in Elizabeth’s. “Now, show me just how fast a country girl can walk, and we can talk about the battle royal that is about to take place in your drawing room!”
“Oh, what is going to happen?” Georgiana asked worriedly and looked back up the stairs.
“I think that at least three are required for a battle royal.” Mary corrected quietly. “It began with the Romans and the gladiators.”
Elizabeth laughed. “What have you been reading in Fitzwilliam’s library, Mary?”
She blushed. “I … Fitzwilliam suggested that I start reading history, and when I did not know where to begin, Captain de Bourgh talked about visiting Rome and how fascinating it was to wander around the ruins. He has seen so much of the world, and can describe places so clearly that you almost feel that you are there.”
Laura and Elizabeth exchanged glances and stepping outside, they began to walk. “Captain de Bourgh has certainly made the most of his education at sea.”
“Oh he has! He said that he did not read very well when he was first in the navy, but on long voyages, when there was no work to do, one officer passed the time teaching him and a few other boys, then lent him books. And then whenever they travelled to a new port, he always had a little time on the land to wander about. The older men would look for entertainment in taverns, but the boys would see the sights. Then as he grew in rank, he had more important things to do, but he always made time to look at the places where they travelled, and let his imagination be free to wander.” She sighed. “He has opened my eyes to the world beyond the little I have seen.”
“I wonder if he is satisfied to be on dry land, now.” Elizabeth smiled at the little sparkle of admiration she could see dancing in her sister’s eyes.
“I … I do not know. We have not spoken of it.” She blushed. “He told me that he enjoyed telling his sisters tales of his travels, but now that they are to be married, he was happy to find another sister to entertain.”
Laura laughed. “I am sure that he will enjoy embellishing his tales, as well.”
“Oh, do you think that he lies?” Georgiana asked. “His stories seem so real!”
“Well if he is anything like your cousin Richard, I think there is room for a wink in anything he says.” Elizabeth hooked her hand over her arm. They walked around the path by the Serpentine and talked of the fashions they saw and their opinions of the ladies they knew, anything to avoid talking about the subject that was most on their minds.
“GEORGE WICKHAM, you stand convicted of the following heinous crimes: murder, prison escape, attempted kidnapping, and attempted murder. This Court doth adjudge that you be returned to Newgate. You will reside in the cells of the condemned until Wednesday next when you are to be taken to the place of execution, and there hanged by the neck until you are dead; after which your body is to be publicly dissected and anatomised. May God Almighty have mercy on your soul.”
The judges’ gavel struck and the sound was lost in the wave of conversation and catcalls that filled the courtroom. Wickham, battered and emaciated, stared across to where Darcy sat staring back at him unflinchingly, his cold blue eyes spearing him with barely contained fury. On either side of Darcy sat the men of his family, Fitzwilliam and Lord Matlock. Behind him in the gallery were Bingley, Harwick, and de Bourgh. Stewart stood before the bench. All bore the same expression, none felt compassion. Darcy waited, his hands balled into fists, nearly daring Wickham to speak, to taunt him once more, but no sound came. Wickham stared at him blankly, then was silently led away. Darcy closed his eyes and let his breath go.
“Come Darcy, we must vacate.” Stewart said quietly and nodded to Fitzwilliam who nudged him. Gripping Darcy’s elbow, he urged him to his feet and steadily guided him forward until he awoke from his haze, and moved under his own power.
They left the courtroom as the next prisoner was led in. People swirled around them, faces staring in curiosity, a cacophony of voices, questions. It was a blur of activity, finger pointing, and noise. Darcy’s jaw set and the group of protectors surrounded him as they took the steps rapidly towards the street and their carriage. They did not stop until all were safely aboard and underway. Only then did Lord Matlock speak.
“It is nearly done, Son. Are you well?”
Darcy said nothing, only staring out at the passing scenery. Fitzwilliam saw that clenched in his hand was the small box containing Elizabeth’s hair. “He did not even try to defend himself.”
“No, but he did not seem to have a voice, either. His neck still bears the signs of your grip, Darcy. It was a powerful display.” Lord Matlock looked at his son and questioned him with his eyes. Fitzwilliam shrugged and continued to try and read his cousin.
“There was no point in defending himself. Although there was no witness to him murdering the man in the alley, Wickham’s prison garb certainly was damning evidence. Even without that, the escape and the attack at Darcy House was enough to bring the sentence, he knew it.” Stewart licked his lips and looked around at the men who were focussed on Darcy’s expression. “I am sorry that I believed it was he that had died. If I had only …” His apology, delivered countless times over the past weeks, was stopped when Darcy met his gaze and shook his head. Stewart bowed his down and looked at his hands.
Bingley broke the oppressive silence. “Is t
here any word on Mrs. Younge?”
“She has disappeared.” Fitzwilliam said unhappily and lifted his chin towards Darcy. “I was sure that my good cousin was going to send Mrs. Banks running from the room in tears if he kept glaring at her as he was. I swear Darcy; you should have been in law. You would have made an innocent proclaim herself as open as the most popular whore in Covent Garden with your questioning. I daresay the woman fainted when we left.” He looked for a reaction and saw nothing. Sighing, he returned to Bingley. “She conveniently received word that she had a sick relative and resigned her position, got a glowing recommendation, packed her things and was gone. We know now that a man was seen visiting one night, but he was also seen departing, so raised no suspicion. The spinster in the next room reported odd noises coming from her chamber over several days …” He glanced around to see the eyes rolling, “but he was never actually seen again. If it was him or some other man, we can never know, but she is gone from Georgiana’s school.”
“I have made so many mistakes.” Darcy finally spoke. “I should have exposed Wickham for what he was in the first trial. I tried to protect Elizabeth by not allowing her near-rape to be public knowledge. That gave him a lesser sentence, a permeable prison, ended an innocent man’s life, and brought him to my door.”
“Darcy, the atmosphere at the time …”
“Is no different than it is now.” He said bitterly. “How much gossip have we suffered?”
“The gossip was Creary, his cronies, and a few disappointed cats. The great majority of London is on your side, they are just fascinated with the tale of a member of the first circles being attacked by an escaped prisoner. All of our voices have taken care of the opinions of our friends and society, and what do you care of those who are lower?” Lord Matlock’s brow rose. “They see it as entertainment, not life and death, and their thoughts are not worthy of your notice.”
“Caroline has been supportive of you.” Bingley offered. “How close she came to an untimely end as his wife! It has sobered her in extraordinary ways, I assure you. Not enough to make me wish to cancel my tour to avoid living with her and her husband, of course …” The men smiled and he looked to see Darcy still lost in his frown.