Saving Elizabeth Bennet

by Melanie Schertz

  From the statements made by Denny, and even by Collins himself, Sir William felt there was no need to have Jane come to the court to give testimony. Everyone felt it was rather open and shut, and, as Collins had no wealthy or well-connected person to stand up for his character, the sentence would be hanging rather than transportation. The other men who were not militia would most likely receive transportation, as they did not do the actual killing, but their willingness to be a part of murder, made their crime severe.

  The date for the trial of William Collins was set for two days from the date of the arrests. The other men would be tried following Collins, and the court martial of the militia members involved was set to take place on the following Monday, as officers from London would be needed to assist with such a dramatically large event. Colonel Forrester was not equipped to handle his men, as was obvious from the number of them involved in such a scheme of murder, robbery, and the intent to force themselves on innocent gentlewomen of tender ages. It was obvious that there would be need of a new colonel for the troops under his command, and it had been turned over, temporarily, to Captain Larkin.

  Darcy and Elizabeth decided to see Longbourn soon after all involved in the crime were

  apprehended. Mrs Hill was thrilled to see the young lady of whom she had always been fond. “Oh, Miss Lizzy, my dear girl, what joy to see you.”

  “Mrs Hill, I thought I would never see you again. I pray you are well, and so is your dear husband.” After pleasantries were exchanged, Darcy stepped outside with Mr Hill to inspect the exterior of the house and the stables.

  “Never better than I am seeing you now. I have missed you and your family so very dearly. It has been so difficult, with the deaths and losing you girls all in such a short time. And that Collins, he was such a poor Master. He nearly destroyed everything your parents had made of Longbourn. I am certain that your dear parents have turned over in their graves many times in the past few months. But now, he is gone. Please tell me he is gone for good.”

  “Have no doubt on that, Mrs Hill. Mr Collins was the ring leader of the band of highwaymen who killed my parents and Lydia. He will be made to pay for his crimes.”

  “That explains a great deal. I have overheard many things from him and those two who were in your father’s study with Mr Collins. I have had my suspicions, but he was my new Master. I could not lose my position.”

  “You are not responsible, Mrs Hill. It was not you plotting to kill us, and… other things. But now, I must tell you all the news. As you may remember, this is my husband, Mr Darcy. And Jane is engaged to marry Mr Bingley. Mr Darcy’s cousin, Mr Richard

  Fitzwilliam, who was here earlier, is set to marry my sister Mary. We also learned we have a true cousin, previously unknown to us. He is an earl, Lord Bentley. He has no other family, and has insisted on settling part of his wealth and his properties on my sisters and myself. Can you believe such news?”

  “I can believe it, as I always thought you girls were destined for greater than Longbourn. And Miss Kitty, is she well?”

  Elizabeth smiled. “She is. She will remain living with our aunt and uncle, the Gardiners. Kitty is maturing, and it is pleasant to witness.”

  “Do you wish to inspect the house? There have been many things done to it, mostly from disrespect and neglect. I am afraid you will be displeased with the conditions. My husband and I have tried to keep things up, but it was impossible. Mr Collins was constantly in the company of those men, and their drunken behavior was appalling.”

  “Longbourn will never be what it was a year ago, Mrs Hill. Though it will pain me to see it as it is now, without my parents and my sisters living here, it will never be the same for me.”

  “I will do whatever you wish to restore the damage which has been done. You need only instruct me as to what you wish done. Now, how long will you remain in the neighborhood?”

  “It appears we will be here for a week. There is to be a trial for Mr Collins and the other men, and next Monday will be the court martial of the men from the militia who were involved. So many men, bent on harm and destruction of my family.”

  Mrs Hill wrapped her arms around Elizabeth, in a loving, motherly embrace. “My dear girl, those evil men have not destroyed you. You have always been strong, and they were unable to take that from you. And now, you are married to a wonderful man. He is quite handsome, and it is clear that he is very much in love with you.

  “And I have come to love him. He is not at all what he appeared to be, when he was staying at

  Netherfield. William is the very best of men.”

  “Your parents would be so pleased.” This caused Elizabeth to laugh out loud. “I can hear Mamma now, calling for her smelling salts at our inheritance and the eldest three daughters making such matches. Mr Bingley and his five thousand per annum, and my husband nearly triple that. Each of us inherited a great sum, and there is the income from our estates each year as well. She would never have had need of the hedgerow.”

  “And Miss Lydia would have insisted on new gowns made for her, so she could attend all sorts of balls. And your dear father, he would have added an addition to the house, a larger library.”

  Nodding her head, Elizabeth continued to laugh. She heard heavy footsteps coming towards the kitchen, where the ladies were tucked away. Elizabeth looked up to see the loving face of her husband.

  “My dear wife, I cannot begin to tell you what joy it does me to hear you laughing. Mrs Hill, you have given me a great pleasure.”

  “Mr Darcy, might I fetch you some refreshments?” Mrs Hill asked, wiping the tears of joy from her eyes. “No, I believe it has been a long day, and my beloved wife will need her rest. The following week will be difficult, she should be well rested to endure it all.”

  “You will be staying at Netherfield?” The loyal housekeeper asked. “We will. I have spoken with your husband as to the improvements and repairs which need to be done, for the exterior and the stables. Perhaps, tomorrow, Elizabeth and I will return to see what needs to be done on the inside. We will hire any assistants which will be required, though, I will ask that you and your husband be in charge of Longbourn when we are not here. There will be an increase in your pay, as is deserved.”

  “I am certain I speak for my husband and myself when we say that it would be our honor to oversee the repairs. We will be pleased to make certain the house is as grand as it was. And there is no need for extra pay.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “Mrs Hill, I would not wish for you to take on more responsibilities without extra reward for it. We will rely on you heavily, while we are away. And I would like your son and his family to move to Longbourn. I know that you and Mr Hill cannot do everything, my family took you for granted and overworked you. With us being away from here, perhaps it would be best if you and Mr Hill were to take rooms upstairs. Then your son and his family could have your cottage, so they are close. I know how dearly you have missed your grandchildren.”

  “Oh, my dear Miss Lizzy, you are such a dear girl.” Mrs Hill pulled out her handkerchief from her pocket, dabbing at her tears. “Tis all too much. You are far too kind to us.”

  Darcy was pleased with his wife’s decision. “Mrs Hill, my wife is correct. Your husband just informed me that Mr Collins dismissed the previous steward, who has moved to Kent. So there is a need for a steward for Longbourn. Tomorrow, we will speak of his salary. You have treated my wife wonderfully, as she has told me many times. And I am sure that the rest of our sisters will agree with the desire to see you well settled with comfort for your dedication to the Bennet family.”

  “My dear John will be as pleased as me to have our boy and his family here. We miss those darling children, as we do not see them often. We will make you proud, you have my word of honor.” Mrs Hill said as she grasped Elizabeth’s hand tightly in her own.

  “I have no doubt, as I am proud to have had you in my life since I was born.” Elizabeth squeezed the elderly woman’s hand with great affection.


  ~~ ** ~~ While Mary and her family were making the final preparations for their journey to Matlock and the upcoming nuptials, Richard was nervously pacing about at Netherfield. “I should be with Mary, but I cannot leave here until everything is concluded. We should have planned for the wedding to be in Town, or even here. Why did I agree to my father’s suggestion? It was foolish of me to agree. After all my father did, I should have held firm to my decision to marry from Town.”

  “With Darcy House in such a condition, we could not have held the wedding there. And Longbourn is in need of many repairs as well. The Gardiner home is small. Your mother is in Matlock, with no desire to return to Town. We could have held the wedding at Pemberley, but, the same problem exists. We are here, in Hertfordshire, and will be for the next week. So, Richard, it cannot be helped. Working yourself into a state will do you no good.”

  “But I should be with Mary, assisting her with all that needs to be done. If only I did not have to testify to what was said by those villains.”

  “We will arrive at your wedding in plenty of time. Besides, the letter I received from my sister told me that if you were there, you would only be in the way. There is so much work to be done. And, as you well know, you are not particularly good with lace and ribbons.” Elizabeth said with a giggle.

  “I just miss my girl so very dearly. I miss the sound of her voice, the sweet smile she gives me when I enter a room.” Richard held a faraway look in his eyes.

  “And you miss the stolen kisses you think none of us know you take.” Darcy said with a laugh. “Come, Richard, you will survive a week away from her.”

  “And how would you feel to be separated from your wife?” Richard could give as good as he got. “And you, Bingley, I know you are pining for Jane.”

  Bingley and Darcy quickly called a truce with their future brother, and all went up to their rooms to prepare for dinner.

  ~~ ** ~~ The trial began as planned, and it was not long before the evidence was laid out before everyone. Between the testimony of the other suspects, and the testimony of Darcy, Richard and Bingley as to what Collins had said to them in the study at Longbourn, it did not take long to find Collins guilty. The sentence was simple enough. Collins was to hang by the neck until dead. The other men involved pled guilty in exchange for transportation rather than follow Collins to the gallows.

  The structure was built simply, for it would be taken down soon after the hanging. Collins was led to the steps, or, perhaps it would be best described as dragged to the steps, and then up them. The coward who was behind the horrendous plot was blubbering and crying out for someone to come to his aid, to stand up and request his life be saved.

  “Please, this is not right. I am a man of the cloth, it would not be fitting to take my life in such a manner. Please, someone, you must convince them of the good man I am. Oh, Cousin Elizabeth, you cannot believe I should be hanged. You are a good, God fearing lady. You must find it in your heart to spare my life.”

  Elizabeth walked to the bottom step of the gallows. “I hear by announce to one and all, this man is not related to my family. He was part of a lie perpetrated by his father. Mr Collins was not the child by birth of my father’s cousin, merely the stepson. He was given notice of our knowledge of this information and given notice to vacate Longbourn, which he did not. Not only is he guilty of the murders and robbery of my parents and my sister, Lydia, and our carriage hands, he is also responsible for the injuries my sister Jane received, and all the hardships we have endured since being forced from our home. He has allowed my father’s estate to come to ruin, and the house to be mistreated. I have no reason to feel sympathy for his situation. He has sown the whirlwind, he must now reap what he sowed.”

  With an outpouring of shouts of agreement and clapping, Collins was placed in position on the platform, and a black cloth bag pulled roughly over his head. The noose was then placed about Collins’ neck and tightened. All the while, the condemned man was sobbing his pleas for someone to save him.

  Mr Faust, the local parson, said a prayer for Collins’ soul, while everyone bowed their heads. Once the prayer was finished, everyone looked up, just as the lever was pulled, and the floor panel gave way. With a sudden thud, Mr William Collins’ body came to a sudden stop at the end of the rope. For several moments, the body kicked about, before finally ceasing to move again.

  The body hung there for nearly a quarter hour before being removed. It was then turned over to the undertaker, to be buried in a pauper’s grave in the far corner of the village cemetery.

  ~~ ** ~~ The court martial was swiftly carried out. Of the men charged, only two were given a death sentence. Mr Denny and Mr Middleton had been involved with the actual murders, the former killing Lydia and the latter killed the driver. The other men were involved in the overturning of the carriage and the conspiracy. The sentences against Denny and Middleton were carried out, utilizing the gallows to mete out justice. Though Denny had confessed his part in the events, he also knew what they did was wrong, and that he must pay for his crimes. He went silently to the gallows, not saying a word until just before he dropped. “Forgive me, dear Lord, for the sins I have committed.”

  Middleton was nearly as silent, though he was clearly sobbing as he climbed the steps. In a matter of moments, two of the men who had made such a dramatic change to the Bennet family had joined two of their fellow conspirators in the hereafter. All of the others would be setting sail soon, with their destination being Australia.

  After attending to the executions, the Darcys, Richard and Bingley prepared to leave, with only days until Richard’s wedding. Before leaving, Mrs Hill gave Elizabeth a gift to give her sister.

  “I hid some of your parent’s belongings before Mr Collins could find them. Fortunately, I knew where things were hidden in the house. I know that your parents intended these pieces given to you girls for your marriages. A few months before their deaths, I overheard Mr and Mrs Bennet speaking of the matter. I heard what they wished to give each of you. This hair comb was meant for you, Miss Lizzy. It belonged to your grandmother, hand carved by your

  grandfather as a gift for their wedding. There is your Grandmother Gardiner’s pearls, your mamma wished for Miss Jane to have them. For Miss Mary, your father wished for her to have this emerald necklace. Your father said her eyes reminded him of the stones in the necklace, which your grandmother had made special after she gave birth to your father. He had the same color eyes, and his mother was said to have rubbed the stone between her fingers as she read each of his letters when he was away at school. When asked, your grandmother said she could imagine your father’s eyes whenever she rubbed the stone. And this is the final piece, saved for Miss Kitty. It is a set of hairpins with pearls attached. These were a gift to your mother on her wedding day, from your father.”

  Wiping tears from her cheeks, Elizabeth thanked the housekeeper who had always given her love to Elizabeth. The contented feeling which came over Elizabeth as she entered the carriage was a blessing. As the carriage pulled away from Longbourn, heading north towards the future, Elizabeth ran her fingers lightly over the hair comb she was given. Memories of her parents had flowed vividly through her mind while she was at Longbourn and in the neighborhood. Memories of her youth, including all of her sisters, brought moments of joy and moments of pain. But, in truth, they were memories which Elizabeth held dear to her heart.

  ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

  Chapter 21 The journey seemed to drag on, at least in the mind of Richard Fitzwilliam. He became restless inside the carriage, and longed to have his horse with them so that he might ride ahead. Darcy and Bingley continued to tease Richard, and only when Elizabeth spoke in Richard’s defense was the poor man given any peace.

  They were nearly halfway to Matlock when the carriage developed a problem with one of the wheels. Richard was furious, as the repairs would add a full day to their journey. The groomsman who rode into the nearby village returned with a wagon to transport the family to the nearby inn
. As the wagon pulled away from the carriage, Darcy asked where the nearest village was located. Hearing the location, Richard instantly realized how close they were to Drummond. “Let us journey to my new home, so I can see what changes will need to be made before Mary and I move there. If we have to waste away another day, we might as well have some constructive purpose to keep us active.”

  Everyone agreed to the plan and the wagon was directed in the proper direction. On arriving at Drummond, the housekeeper and butler met everyone at the front steps. “Welcome to Drummond.” Mr Coyle announced. Mrs Vaughn was pleased to show them inside.

  “I must say, I am quite pleased with the looks of the place. You have done a wonderful job of keeping the place ready for guests at a moment’s notice.” Richard declared.

  “Nonsense, Mr Fitzwilliam, we have been expecting you for some time now.” Mrs Vaughn stated. Just then, a door opened down the hall, and Mary Bennet stepped out.

  Richard stared in disbelief for a moment before he moved quickly to wrap his arms around Mary, pulling her to his chest. “My dearest love, what are you doing here? We were to meet you at Matlock.”

  “There has been a change in plans. We decided to have the wedding here. I hope you approve of our surprise.”

  “How sweet the day has become. I thought I would be delayed even longer from your side, and now I find you have planned our reunion to be here. My little trickster.” Richard turned, his betrothed still wrapped in his arms, to look at his cousin. “And the carriage wheel just happened to have a problem near here. I feel as if there have been magical fairies traveling with me.”