by Wendi Sotis
The clock struck twelve just after Mrs. Annesley finished her song. He and Bingley clapped politely. She stood and curtsied.
Thank the good Lord, she remembered that Ana always went to bed at midnight.
Darcy approached and offered his arm. She cautiously positioned her face turned away from the wall of windows, looking up at him.
Simons grabbed a candelabra and walked ahead of them while Darcy escorted her out of the room. Bingley followed close behind.
Once in the corridor and the door closed behind them, Mrs. Annesley stopped and leaned more heavily on his arm.
“Are you well, Mrs. Annesley?”
“I apologize, sir, but I did not expect this evening to be this stressful. I have been worried about Miss Darcy and Miss Elizabeth, but I am also anxiously wondering whether or not my presentation fooled anyone. What if I have done a poor job of it and sent him straight to Longbourn to make a try for Miss Darcy or Miss Elizabeth, instead?”
He nodded his understanding. “Worry not, Mrs. Annesley. You did very well.”
“I think I would have felt better if Wickham had burst through one of the windows and tried to kidnap me!” Mrs. Annesley exclaimed. “It was so difficult to play the pianoforte while being so anxious. I am sorry, gentlemen, that I made so many mistakes. Miss Darcy would not have…”
He had been so preoccupied that he not even noticed any missed keys.
Bingley spoke up. “Truly, you did a wonderful job of feigning to be Miss Darcy.”
“While I will do whatever is necessary to keep Miss Darcy safe, I hope we do not have to do this again tomorrow,” she said and blotted a tear from her cheek.
“Mrs. Annesley, none of this was in your job description. My sister and I are heartily grateful for your assistance. We would not have been able to make this work without you.” Should he tell her she would find a sizeable bonus in her pay this month? Would mentioning it belittle her efforts here this evening? He decided to have it remain a surprise.
She sniffed. “You are welcome, Mr. Darcy. I apologize for my outburst.”
They began walking again. As they reached the staircase, Darcy said, “It is perfectly understandable. This evening was taxing for us all. It is a testimony of your excellent character that you kept such a firm hold on your emotions until we were out of sight of the windows. I am quite aware that ladies sometimes need to shed a few tears to rid themselves of pent-up disquiet, as I am sure is Bingley.”
Bingley nodded. “Absolutely! I have two sisters.”
Mrs. Annesley smiled. “Thank you, gentlemen.”
They left her at Ana’s door, where she would be sleeping this evening. Marie had been given the evening off since Mrs. Annesley was adamant that she was accustomed to tending her own needs.
Darcy was left in the corridor with Bingley and Simons. After all that Simons had been through during the day, as well as standing at attention near the door all evening, he looked as if he needed to rest awhile.
“I must move about,” said Darcy. “I will take a walk through the house and check the windows and doors. Simons, you remain here, outside my sister’s door, in case Wickham makes a move. If you hear any sounds indicating distress, Mrs. Annesley is aware that I have given you full permission to move through that door as quickly as possible.”
Simons agreed and placed a chair next to the door.
Bingley offered to accompany him. “I cannot remain still any longer, either, Darcy.”
Darcy nodded. They descended the stairs and began at the front door, checking that all the windows were locked along the way. All was well at the front of the house.
As they moved towards the kitchens, the latch on the service entrance door jiggled.
Darcy stopped so suddenly, Bingley walked into him. Darcy put a finger to his lips and pointed to the latch, then pulled Bingley back a few feet. While placing the candelabra he held onto a tabletop, he leaned close enough to whisper to Bingley.
“I checked it earlier. It is locked. I have the key…” Darcy pulled out the ring with several keys, picked out the correct one, and handed it to his friend. “As quietly as possible, unlock it after I get to the other side.”
Darcy moved to the other side of the frame and motioned for his friend to open the door. Bingley did so and stepped back.
The door opened so quickly, Bingley almost did not get out of the way in time.
A dark-clad body passed through the opening. Darcy opened his arms wide and brought them around the person, locking his hands in front and restraining the person’s arms against his sides in the process.
Another body moved through, and Bingley did the same.
Darcy hoped there was not a third.
Triumph coursed through him as he pulled the grunting intruder near the candles so he could see his face.
He craned his neck. It was Joseph!
Darcy let go of the man and, a bit roughly, pinned Joseph against the wall with one arm across his chest and the other holding his arm. “Bingley?”
“Don’t hurt my baby!” A female voice came from the person Bingley had in a tight grasp. Bingley released her immediately but kept hold of both her arms.
“Lucy!” Darcy exclaimed. Rage filled every fibre of his being. “Where is Wickham?”
Joseph stopped struggling. “Mr. Darcy?”
Lucy looked at him with wide eyes, hesitated a moment, then burst into tears. “We’re so… sorry!” she said between sobs.
Bingley let go of one of her arms so she could bring a handkerchief to her nose.
Joseph’s shoulders slumped, and he shook his head. “Wickham’s gone, sir. The reason we helped him escape was… well, I only wanted to force him to do the right thing by Lucy. He promised he would and said he jus’ needed to hide and stay in the area a little while longer ta git somethin’ that belonged to him. I figured he meant his things that was left at the camp, but then he tried talkin’ us into snatchin’ Miss Darcy outta her bed and takin’ her to Gretna Green. Then we knew he wasn’t gonna marry Lucy, no matter what he’d said before. He said he’d keep Lucy as his mistress. Lucy refused. We didn’t want to do that ta Miss Darcy, neither. She was always so good to Lucy — my sis’ liked workin’ for the young miss. Wickham agreed not ta do it, but after we were asleep in a barn somewhere — well, you know, with Lucy’s condition, she can’t git through the night wit’out nature calling. She saw he was gone and woke me.” Joseph paused. “Have pity, Mr. Darcy. We coulda left, but we came to warn ya he’s afta’ Miss Darcy.”
Darcy bit back the sympathy he always felt for Wickham’s victims and reminded himself that Lucy and her brother betrayed Darcy and Ana by making the mask and then letting Wickham go free.
Yes, Lucy was desperate. Joseph thought he was being a good brother by making a deal with the man who left her in this condition and forcing him to marry her.
It must have been a trick of the low light, but for a half a moment, Lucy looked very much like Ana. A shiver travelled up his spine.
Would not he have done anything it took to keep his sister safe if she were in the same situation? To accomplish this, might he betray someone who trusted him?
He would like to think it was not in his nature to do so, however, by planning to avoid turning in Wickham to the authorities, was he not already betraying his country?
Good heavens!
He growled between clenched teeth, “Tell me, what are Wickham’s plans against my sister, Joseph.”
Joseph put up his hands as if in surrender. “I swear, we don’t know, sir. The plan he told us about depended on us helpin’ him. He had to change his mind once we said no.” He explained the scheme.
Joseph was correct; Wickham could not carry out that plan without them, specifically.
Lucy and Joseph did not know that Ana’s friends already guessed that Wickham might attempt to kidnap Ana again. Not knowing this, they had come here, risking their freedom, to warn him of the danger to his sister.
He looked at Lucy, who was still sobbing
, but more quietly now. Could he, in all conscience, turn away a woman who was with child?
He sighed. No, he could not.
Nevertheless, he refused to allow them to stay in the house, either.
Mr. Curtis came from the direction of the servants’ wing, where he was keeping watch. Mrs. Curtis followed a few steps behind him.
“We heard a commotion, sir…” Mr. Curtis broke off when he spied the siblings.
Mrs. Curtis put her hands on her hips and harrumphed.
“Mrs. Curtis, take them into the kitchens and feed them. Mr. Curtis, perhaps you can find them some blankets. Once they are finished eating, escort them to the outbuilding where Wickham was being held. They can sleep there.” He hesitated. “And make absolutely certain the doors to the house are locked at all times.”
Lucy cried. “We don’t deserve your kindness, Mr. Darcy. Thank you.”
He turned to Lucy and Joseph. “Neither of you is permitted to step foot in this house, nor Pemberley, ever again, not for even one moment.”
Joseph nodded.
“Mrs. Curtis, while they are staying at Netherfield, bring them out some food after each of the scheduled servants’ meals.” He turned to Joseph. “You are both owed last month’s pay. I will pay you after I decide whether you are telling the truth.”
“I cannot tell you how grateful we are, Mr. Darcy,” Joseph said.
Lucy exclaimed, “You are a saint, sir. A saint!” She began sobbing loudly again.
Mr. and Mrs. Curtis led them towards the kitchens.
Bingley clapped him on the shoulder. “It was a good thing you did there, Darcy.”
“I am not so sure. They never thought twice about betraying us when it would benefit them.”
“Do you think…” Bingley paused. “The scheme they told us might not have been the only one they came up with. Could this be part of a deception Wickham thought up when his first plan went awry?”
Darcy blew out a long breath. “That is exactly why I would not allow them to remain in the house.” He shook his head. “Time will reveal all.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Secure that lock again. We should remain alert and patrol the rest of the house. When we reach the third floor, we shall inform Simons of what has occurred.”
CHAPTER 31
Elizabeth slipped into Lydia and Kitty’s room. By some miracle, they were fast asleep, or at least they looked like they were. She remained, silently counting to fifty. If they were pretending to be asleep, one or the other would have started giggling by now, but neither stirred. Satisfied, she left the room, then moved down the corridor to where Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Hill were sitting.
She nodded to Mr. Hill, then said to the colonel, “I think you are safe. Kitty and Lydia are asleep.”
Mr. Hill tried not to laugh.
The colonel chuckled softly. “Thank you for checking, Miss Elizabeth. Call out if you need us.”
“We will. Do either of you need anything before I retire to my room?”
Both said they were well, and Mr. Hill mentioned he knew where everything was if they needed anything.
She wished them an uneventful night.
Jane and Ana were changed into their nightclothes by the time she entered the room. It seemed Mary had made her way through the dressing room that they shared. Elizabeth changed out of her gown and found the three of them sitting cross-legged on the bed.
Jane patted the bed. “Come, we saved a space for you.”
Elizabeth climbed up between Ana and Jane.
Ana looked as if she was in heaven. Elizabeth could not help but smile. Thinking back to Pemberley, when Ana had said she wished she had a sister, she gave Ana’s hand a squeeze. Today, she was having the full sister experience.
They talked until their eyelids became too heavy to keep them open any longer. Mary asked Jane if she would like to join her in her bedroom instead of squeezing three into Jane and Elizabeth’s bed. Jane accepted Mary’s invitation.
“Should we tell your cousin of the change in sleeping arrangements?” Elizabeth asked.
Ana must have been too tired to answer; she only hummed.
“I will peek out. I am sure I will be seen. Either the colonel or Mr. Hill will come down the corridor.”
She slipped on her robe. Her hair was down, but it was plaited. She was not about to go through the trouble of pinning it up now. It would have to do.
As Elizabeth spoke to the colonel, she kept most of her body behind the door and held the door closed over as much as was possible so that he could not see Ana in bed.
Colonel Fitzwilliam said, “It is good to know that there is another way in and out of your bedchamber. Can you lock the doors to the dressing room?”
“Yes, both of them have locks. The key is hanging on the wall so that anyone inside can lock them.”
“Any other keys?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Sometimes, we forget to unlock the door to the other side, so we do have additional keys. However, if someone does not know where to look, I doubt they could find them.”
“Good. Please let the other ladies know that if something happens and you cannot get into the corridor, retreat into the dressing room. If necessary, you and Ana should go through to Miss Mary’s chamber, or Miss Bennet and Miss Mary can go into your bedchamber.”
Elizabeth smiled. “We have already discussed that option, and Ana knows where we keep all the keys.”
“Perfect. Again, I stand by my opinion that women’s involvement in the war effort would be a good addition.” He winked and turned to make his way back down the corridor.
Elizabeth closed and locked the door, then climbed into bed. Ana was fast asleep, but Elizabeth’s mind was too full for slumber to take hold.
Thinking back over the day, it felt more like a week since so much had occurred. She was bruised, and her feet were sore. Ana was in a similar condition, though she had the bullet wound, as well. Experienced with battle-wounds, Colonel Fitzwilliam had checked Ana’s arm and Elizabeth’s hand before they left the book room. Neither seemed infected. He applied more salve and wrapped a clean bandage over Ana’s while Jane did the same with her sister’s.
If all had not gone as well as it had, at this very moment, she and Ana might have spent the night in a carriage and would already be a good way towards Scotland.
If that had happened, would anybody ever have known what had truly became of them? Or if the gun had been pointing in a different direction when it went off, Ana might even have died.
Thank the Lord for keeping us safe.
Eventually, she must have fallen asleep because the next time she opened her eyes, the first light of dawn peeked through a crack in the drapes. Ana was still sleeping.
Thoughts of the previous day returned.
It suddenly dawned on her that, as far as she knew, nobody had yet gone to look through Wickham’s belongings from the army camp. When he did not report back to camp, would his commanding officer go through his things? Would Colonel Forster’s men find and read whatever page or pages from her journal that Sally had given him, which Wickham had felt implicated her in his scheme?
She could not imagine what page it could have been.
Elizabeth sat up. After being so distracted last evening, she had forgotten about the letters from Wickham that had been placed amongst her own possessions.
Ana rolled onto her other side, but she continued sleeping.
Elizabeth got out of bed, opened the drapes a bit to allow in some light, then quietly searched through the drawers of the vanity.
Her journal was thicker than it should be. Yes, there were several letters in handwriting she did not recognise stuffed inside the book. They must be the ones Sally had placed there.
She did not want to read what that vile man had written, but what if they held a clue to what his plans were now?
She walked over to the hearth, sat on the rug, and began reading.
Wickham had written things of an incredibly personal nature. Perhap
s they were about someone he did know, but he made it sound like they were about her. In one letter, he referred to birthmarks in places that could not have been seen unless Elizabeth had disrobed before him.
Her stomach churned.
She did not have these birthmarks, but if Wickham’s scheme had gone the way he wanted, there would have been no way to prove it.
As it was, what if he had a copy of these letters in his belongings? Or one that was supposedly half-written? Or a journal of his own? Elizabeth still might have to prove her innocence. Would she have to undress before her accusers to show she did not have the birthmarks to which he referred?
She shivered and placed a hand over her mouth. It was worse than any nightmare she could have imagined.
As she scanned further, the letters became even more intimate.
Her stomach roiled, then lurched. She ran into the dressing room and emptied her stomach into a chamber pot, then moved to the basin to wash her face.
Sally had always seemed to have a soft, compassionate heart. How had Wickham convinced her to betray Elizabeth to help him? Had he allowed Sally to read these letters so she would believe terrible things about Elizabeth?
It was only a guess, but Elizabeth could almost hear that repulsive fiend saying to Sally, “I loved her. After all that she and I shared, she sent back my letters and refused to see me, breaking my heart. Would you put these in her rooms to remind her of what we once meant to each other?”
Silent tears ran down Elizabeth’s face unchecked.
Obviously, Sally believed whatever it was that he told her, for why else would she have left these here?
Could the maid have carried the letters and placed them in her journal without reading them? She doubted it. Had she told others about what she thought Elizabeth had done? Oh! Had she already told her father and Colonel Fitzwilliam?
And if she had not yet done so, would she tell everyone she could once Wickham was deported?
The entire Bennet family would be ruined, not just her.
These letters were incredibly dangerous!
She moved quickly into the bedchamber. With a trembling hand, she held one letter near the blazing fire in the hearth until the paper curled and caught. She tossed it onto the pile of logs, where it burst into flames. The tears in her eyes blurred the sight into a dancing splash of orange. One after another, the letters burned until only blackened ashes remained.