Confusion, Confession and Conviction

by Victoria Winfield

  Marsden’s sudden shout had her shriek in fright, before white hot pain seared through her left arm.

  “Elizabeth!” That was Darcy’s voice. There were more shouts, more cries, but she found she could not focus on anything. Her ears stopped up and her vision shrank, drawing down to a pinpoint of light.

  “Elizabeth!”

  #

  “No!” Darcy sprang forward and slammed his fist into Marsden’s face, easily avoiding the knife in his hand. He followed with a blow to the body and finally a powerful upper cut that sent Marsden flying backward.

  He landed in the mud, sprawled on his back. Motionless.

  Darcy ran back to where Elizabeth lay, bloody and still.

  “Elizabeth!” Darcy pulled her limp form from the ground and hugged her to him. He knelt in the mud, rocking her. “Oh, dear God, please.”

  Cold rain dripped down the back of his neck, saturating his mangled cravat. He was aware of movement around him and sounds— men walking about the inn yard— coach wheels slogging through the mud— but all he could see was Elizabeth.

  He eased her across his lap. A purple bruise darkened her right temple. Blood poured from the knife wound on her upper arm and trickled from her swollen upper lip. He stripped off his coat and tore the sleeve from his shirt, making a pad and pressing it against her wound.

  “Bingley!” Darcy looked up, trying to make sense of the scene around him.

  “Darcy.” Suddenly, Bingley was beside him, wrapping more cloth around the bloodied wad. “Here, let me.”

  Darcy moved his hand away from Elizabeth’s arm and grasped her hand.

  “I shall return directly. Try to keep her still.” Bingley sprinted to the inn.

  Darcy looked at the neatly tied bandage. Where had Bingley learned to do that?

  He brushed a matted curl back from her eyes. She was so still. So very pale.

  Dear God, he had already lost so much. His mother, his father, and now…

  He bent over her as a sob tore through him.

  “Do not leave me, Elizabeth. Please.” He gathered her into his arms, pressing her against his chest as he sobbed into her hair. “Please, please. You cannot leave me. Not now.”

  She stirred.

  He sat up. “Bingley!”

  “Darcy! Behind you!”

  Darcy twisted to see Marsden attempting to get to his feet,, knife blade gleaming in the light from the inn. He flung up his arm, determined to protect Elizabeth.

  “Get down!” Bingley’s voice was closer now.

  Darcy turned back, shielding Elizabeth with his body, and waited for Marsden’s blow to fall.

  A shot rang out.

  Darcy winced. Elizabeth’s uninjured hand gripped the front of his waistcoat.

  “Darcy?”

  His eyes flew to her face. She was frowning at him. Thank God!

  “Elizabeth! Oh, Elizabeth.”

  “I…I thought I was dreaming.”

  “No, my love. I am no dream. I am flesh and blood, as real as you are.”

  “But…the Duke…Marsden…he...”

  Darcy gathered her to him, taking care not to dislodge the bandage.

  “I have you safe, love. And he will never hurt you again.”

  Bingley knelt beside them. “We need to get her into the inn. I have had the innkeeper’s wife prepare a room for her upstairs.” He lifted Elizabeth from Darcy’s lap.

  Darcy stood and Bingley transferred Elizabeth back into his arms.

  Darcy looked around. “Was that a shot I heard?”

  Bingley nodded, grimly. “Yes. It was.”

  “Marsden?”

  “Look behind you,” Bingley muttered.

  Darcy turned to see Marsden lying face down, rain and blood puddling in the ruts of the inn yard.

  He made his way around the still form. “You saved my life, Charles.”

  Bingley shook his head. “I had no choice but to fire. Much as I regret taking life, I could not allow him to take yours.” He gave Darcy a tight smile. “We had better get Miss Elizabeth inside.”

  The innkeeper held the door open as Darcy maneuvered his precious burden into the warmth and light of the entryway.

  “This way.” Bingley started up the stairs.

  Darcy turned sideways and eased his way up, trying not to jostle Elizabeth. He turned his gaze to Bingley. “Can you find a carriage, and send word to Mr Bennet? And find a doctor, if you can.”

  “Of course,” Bingley replied, softly. “I will take care of everything else. Just look after your Elizabeth.”.”

  Darcy swallowed, nodded, and carried Elizabeth into the room.

  #

  Thirsty. She was so thirsty.

  Elizabeth opened her eyes. Her head throbbed, her left arm ached, and she was mortally tired.

  Where was she? The room was unfamiliar.

  She lay in a bed. A large, dark figure sat in a chair immediately next to the bed and a smaller dark figure was lumped into the chair near the fireplace.

  Bracing herself on her hands, she tried to sit up.

  A cry broke from her as her left arm collapsed in pain.

  “Elizabeth.” The large dark figure leaned over her. Darcy. She closed her eyes and sighed. Darcy was here.

  Darcy was here! Her eyes flew open to find his face above hers.

  “What happened?” She clutched the blanket to her with her right hand. “Marsden?”

  He tilted his head and smiled gently. “All is at an end, my love. You must rest. We can talk once you have recovered.”

  Elizabeth closed her eyes. The pain was growing worse.

  “Is Jane safe? Is Bingley?”

  Darcy frowned, but nodded. “Of course they are.”

  Relief filled her, letting her rest. “He told me he would kill Bingley if I did not agree.”

  A cool hand rested on her brow. “Shh. You need not fear him any more. Your family will be glad to have you back. Right now, you must rest.”

  A strong arm slid under her shoulders and drew her closer to the side of the bed.

  Darcy settled her in a somewhat upright position and handed her a vile smelling liquid.

  Elizabeth looked up and wrinkled her nose.

  “It smells sour, but I assure you, it will help you sleep.” Darcy took the cup from her.

  “If I do not faint from the scent first.”

  Darcy shook his head and smiled. He held the cup to her lips.

  “I nearly lost you tonight, Elizabeth. And that, I could not bear. As far as I am able, I shall never allow any harm to come to you.”

  Her eyes searched his. It was there again. That expression. The way Bingley had looked at Jane. Only this time Darcy was looking at her like that.

  She laid her right hand on his stubbled cheek and raised her brows.

  “Never, Mr. Darcy? Not ever?”

  “Not ever, my love.” He bent over and placed a warm kiss on her lips as she drifted into sleep.

  Epilogue

  Pemberley, Derbyshire

  Christmas

  “And so, Mama is settling into her new home?” Elizabeth smiled at her father as she passed him a cup of tea. They were sitting in Elizabeth’s favorite parlor, recently decked for the Christmas festivities.

  “Oh, you may say so. If, by settling in, you mean that she has upset the cook and set the butler’s nose sadly out-of-joint.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “Never say so! How did you resolve the upsets, pray?”

  Mr. Bennet’s eyes twinkled. “I have hired a gem of a housekeeper whose talents would not have been wasted in the Diplomatic Corps.”

  “Has Mrs. Reynolds’s sister accepted your offer, then?”

  “She has indeed.”

  “Oh, splendid! Next to our Mrs. Reynolds, I believe Mrs. Miller to be the best housekeeper in England. I am sorry Mama is not well enough to leave Windfell. Perhaps she may be able to visit when the weather is less uncertain.”

  “I am not sorry.” He leaned forward, taking Elizabeth�
�s hands in his. “I wanted to see with my own eyes, my dear, that the connubial felicity of which you so joyously write is, in fact, your lot.”

  Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “And what do you find, Papa?”

  “I find,” tears filled his eyes and he patted her hand. “That God has been very, very good to us and especially to you, my child. Especially to you.”

  The door opened, admitting Darcy, Georgiana, and the Gardiners.

  Elizabeth raised her eyes to her husband, flashing him an intimate smile.

  “And so, He has, Papa. So, He has.”

  Appendix: The Regency Era

  CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCING THE REGENCY ERA

  Understanding the Regency Era is massively important; it provides an in-depth view of the core characteristics of the period, the traits and highlights that have been preserved in the world and the annals of history since this period passed. For example, the Regency romances are a highlight of the period because of the many stories that are told today portraying this period as filled with romance and love. It is also characterized as a period filled with duels, balls, debutantes Corinthians, Vauxhall Gardens and Almack's assembly rooms, as well as rakes reformed by love. However, the knowledge that the Regency period was filled by romance stories does not establish the core characteristics and the major achievements and hallmarks of this era. There is a need to establish a timeline of the regency before establishing an in-depth analysis to reveal some of the customs, etiquettes, traditions, and overall conduct of the members of the society at the time.

  The strict definition of the Regency period indicates that it the period between February 1811 and January 1820; therefore, the era lasted nine years. Broadly, the period 1795 to 1837, which includes the latter part of the reign of George III and the reigns of his sons George IV and William IV, is often regarded as the Regency era, characterized by distinctive trends in British architecture, literature, fashions, politics, and culture. During this period, Kind George III was become seriously sick. He was subsequently declared incapable of fulfilling his duties as the ruler or king of the land because of he had mental challenges. As a result, the Regency Act was passed to allow the transfer of power from George II to his son George, who became the Prince Regent and ruled in his stead. Prince George ruled the land until 1820, when George III died; subsequently, the Prince Regent was became King George IV and thus received his right as the ruler of the land.

  However, the core question here is why the view of the Regency era in the contemporary times is not confined to the 9 years of the Prince Regent George ruled and before he became King ruling on his own right. In evaluating this inquisition, there is a discovery that the Regency era came to represent a period of time, traditions, customs, and ways of thinking beyond the 9 years that are quintessentially referred to as the “Regency era.” Therefore, the “Regency feel” is a representation of a particular culture, etiquette, and way of behaving that developed during the nine years of the Regency era, but then expanded through a wider period. This explains why the Regency romance novels are not necessarily based in within the 9 years of the Regency rule.

  1.1 The Regent

  Understanding the Regency era needs one to evaluate the foundation of that period. In this case, the Regency epoch is mainly based on the Regent. During his young life, George IV was regarded as a personable and handsome individual. He was often described as the “first gentleman of England.” The start of the Regency period came at a point where the romantic figure of Prinny had almost been erased from the memories of many in the kingdom. Prinny had adopted unpopular and extravagant habits; he had subsequently become fat, which did not endear him to many people in the land. There was a yearning for a new epitome of romance and beauty in England by the time the Regency period started and George IV was thrust into the public limelight. Therefore, an analysis of the time indicates that in his youth, the Regent represented the glamor, elegance, romance, and extravagance at the time. It offered a massive scape from the day-to-day lives of the low-class people in the society. It also represented the romanticism of England as a land and as a people. For example, the romanticism or the Romantic Movement had already been underway by the time the Regency period started. During this epoch, England was characterized by rich literature, prose, poetry. For example, romantic poets such as Byron, Wordsworth, Shelley, and Coleridge were massively prominent. Additionally, the romantic novelist was at the height of his writing powers and influencing the entire society. Moreover, Turner and Constable were prominent painters while Beethoven was a renowned composer. The romanticism that started during the Regency period did not end after the Prince Regent became King George IV; rather, its influence was felt on a massively wider period in history. This explains flexibility of many historians, especially those focused on romanticism and fashion, when it comes to describing or defining the Regency epoch. This spread of its effect in history also indicates the importance of the period in history as well as the evolution of England during the reign of King George IV and subsequently under other monarchies as well.

  1.2 The Regency Style

  Apart from romanticism, the Regency periods associated with a particular design, architecture style, and furniture that span more than the 9 years of the Regency rule. Therefore, the Regency style can be termed as the arts that were primarily produced during the 9-year reign of Prince Regent and the entire reign of King George IV. Architecture and decorative arts represent the soul of the country at the time. They espouse the spirit of creativity and the representation of core scenarios, successes, evils, and realities about the English society in arts and architecture during this period. For example, the supreme architecture of the time represents the height of creativity as well as opulence. This is because the high-class families and lords resided in these majestic structures. On the flip side, these structures and their awe-drawing standing in the society represented the labor of the low-classes in the society. Therefore, it highlights the culture of classes in England at the time starting form the highest rulers and going all the way to the peasants.

  Additionally, the Regency period is also renowned for the massive and sublime sense of fashion or high fashion. According to Saul David, when writing George IV’s biography, the Regency period was marked with high fashion and low morals. He describes the period as the “devil-may-care” era. The highlight on morals and the social culture of England signifies a period of change in the behavior of people in the country. In this case, Saul David paints the Regency period in its widest sense; spanning from 1800 to around 1830. Moreover, this period can also be reflected as starting around the time the French revolution began in 1789 and ending when the Reform Act of Britain was signed in 1832. Therefore, the Regency period can be aptly defined as the period before, during, and after the Regency rule and the ascension to power of King George IV. It is a highlight of the social life, culture, traditions, etiquette, politics, and progression of the leadership, and the ordinary people in England.

  CHAPTER 2: THE REGENCY ERA SOCIETY

  The structure, composition, aspirations, hopes, industry, and behavioral construct of the society were often set by the leadership. The political class had a massive influence over the middle and lower classes in the country. This is because they commanded the instruments of power such as the army, arts, an architectural creativity and wealth as well. Therefore, the Regency era society was massively influenced by the Prince Regent and his actions, behavior, conduct in public, pursuits, and style of leadership during the Regency and later when he assumed the monarchy as King George IV. For example, the Regency epoch is renowned for its achievements in architecture, fine arts, and its elegance as well. During this period, England witnessed massive economic, political, and social change throughout the society. The sociopolitical landscape was greatly affected by the war waged with Napoleon and other kingdoms and powers at the time. The bloodshed and the upheaval of war were crucial in shaping the culture of the Regency era society in England. For example, the constitu
tion of the Navy as well as the fact that many of the able-bodied men could be conscripted into the army when needed established the culture of strength and social order within families and communities throughput the land. It was a matter of pride to partake in the war and defend England, it land, women, and children.

  Despite the wars, the Regency period also saw extensive cultural shaping and refinement of the societal structure and composition in Britain as a whole. Under the Prince Regent, the arts and architecture thrived massively because of his support and close interest. The Prince Regent’s interest in arts and architecture led to a mini-renaissance of refinement and culture of the upper class society in the kingdom. For example, the Prince Regent was responsible for the directive to build ad refurbish the exotic and beautiful Brighton Pavilion. He also ordered the building the ornate Carlton House and many other public architectural structures and works. The costs of building these architectural gems were extreme. In fact, the Prince Regent built some of these structures at the expense of the people because the costs outstripped his finances. This extravagance shown by the Prince Regent set the stage for the upper classes in Britain at the time. It is also emblematic of a deeper societal divide at the time between the senseless opulence of the upper classes at the expense of the squalor of the lower classes. In fact, the Regency period saw a massive population boom; shooting from just under a million in 1801 to around one and a quarter a million in 1820. This population surge led to significant changes to the lifestyles and the quality of life in some of the densely pupated areas of Britain.

  One of the major observations during this period is the stratification of the society between the richer sections and the poorer and less affluent areas of London at the time. In the affluent areas, there was a guarantee of increased security and a high quality of life. On the other hand, the less affluent areas were faced with thievery, gambling, womanizing, the existence of rookeries, and rampant drinking. This issue is highlighted by Saul David as he refers to this period as a “low morals” period. The stratification and the increasing gap between the affluent upper classes with the support of the ruling class under the Prince Regent led to the emergence of a sub-population of the majority that developed and sustained morals that were not consistent with the conventional customs of Britain at the time. However, the social changes in these lower class regions of the country became subject to artistic expressions and romance tales during and after the Regency period.