by Kate Speck
Mr. Darcy rubbed his wife’s back and handed her a handkerchief. “We will find them, my love. We will find something to locate them. Eventually, Catherine will need to bring Anne back, even if she is married to an unworthy cad, and we will ensure Anne will be comfortable for the rest of her life. Henry and I never thought this would happen and if we had guessed Catherine would be so reckless, we would have reminded her of Lewis’ will and the details surrounding her future. Lewis told us that he explained this to her already but she must be truly idiotic. If it is accurate that Catherine abducted Anne to marry her off to keep the estate, she could not be more wrong.”
“Tell me all, my dear. I only know that Richard is to inherit and William and Robert will receive some funds but nothing else. I thought Catherine knew that Anne would not receive the estate after her attempt to compromise our son,” Lady Anne stated.
“Yes, that was when Lewis made the changes to his will and named Richard Fitzwilliam full heir and he had told Catherine of it, I am certain,” Mr. Darcy explained, “but knowing your sister, she likely did not listen to him. Our nephew is to inherit Rosings Park and £1,000 per annum is to go to Catherine from the estate’s income. Anne is to be kept comfortable with her £30,000 and Robert and our son will receive £15,000 each. If Anne passes without marriage, her dowry is to be split between our nephews and our children in equal shares. He was very generous with his nephews and niece.” He sighed, “Lewis also added contingencies that if Anne should marry, if it is forced or a compromise, she forfeits the dowry immediately and either the husband can stay with her under his own income or she may live separately at a location of mine or Henry’s choosing. If Anne marries for love and she agrees to the marriage, the dowry is to go to her husband and they would be allowed to live at Rosings for as long as they wished, as long as Richard has not taken ownership by that time. He knew Anne would not be able to bear children and live a long life, so once she passes, the estate would revert back to Richard.”
“He was a very intelligent man, that Lewis.” Lady Anne softly smiled, “and I will miss him dearly. We will certainly need to speak with Mrs. Jenkinson and I will call for her now, George. She has been so kind to my niece and it is unfortunate that she bears the guilt of Anne’s disappearance. It truly was not her fault.” She looked up when her husband stood and saw the door move. “Georgiana? Is that you?” She called out after seeing a little girl’s dress move from behind.
“Yes, mama.” Georgiana walked in. “I’m sorry for listening to your conversation but I was curious what happened. I saw Mrs. Jenkinson speaking with Miss Carter and she was crying, and papa is here when he is supposed to be at Rosings. Can you tell me what is wrong?”
Lady Anne smiled and gathered her daughter in her arms, “You should not be eavesdropping but I understand your concerns, Georgie. Your Uncle Lewis is gone to heaven but we are concerned that Aunt Catherine might have done something to possibly harm your Cousin Anne.”
Georgiana’s eyes grew wide. “What do you mean? How can she harm her own daughter?”
“You know Anne has been ill all of her life and she tires very easily, Georgiana, but Aunt Catherine took her out of Rosings, took her away from her own home and disappeared this morning. If Mrs. Jenkinson had gone with them, we would not think so badly of it but because my sister tricked Anne’s companion to leave the house and left without taking Anne’s draughts or warmer clothes, we fear that Aunt Catherine is up to no good and that Anne might be in danger.”
Georgiana could only nod, as she could not understand how a mother could harm her own daughter. “What has been done so far? Is there no trace of where they might have been headed?” She looked at her father who was walking in with Mrs. Jenkinson.
Mrs. Jenkinson’s eyes were puffy and red from the many tears she had shed and she sat down while continuing to wipe her face.
Georgiana stood to sit next to the companion and rubbed her hand. “It was not your fault, Mrs. Jenkinson. Aunt Catherine always scared me and Lizzy always calls her the ‘Dragon Lady’ because she seems to breathe fire every time she speaks. Lizzy is not afraid of anything but she avoided my aunt the entire time she was at Rosings because she was worried that she might be tempted to put a frog down her dress.” The adults laughed and Mrs. Jenkinson finally relaxed. “I wish Lizzy were here. She would have looked for clues to discover what Lady Catherine might have been thinking and how long she had been planning this. She must have known Uncle Lewis was very ill and carried out her plan as soon as he passed. Where could they have gone? Did she have money to be able to travel far?”
Lady Anne covered her laugh. “Your summer with Lizzy has certainly turned you into quite an investigator, Georgie!”
“Yes, mama,” the young girl beamed. “She told me the story of the Despard Plot and how the Bow Street Runners captured Colonel Edward Despard for plotting to assassinate the King. She began to read Tom Jones but told me I have to wait longer to read it myself because it is too exciting.”
Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne smiled broadly and held each other’s hand. They turned to the companion when she suddenly gasped.
“Miss Darcy’s comment made me remember something, sir. Lady Catherine, she had a visitor about a month ago,” Mrs. Jenkinson spoke out after a moment of deep thought. “It was a man, I cannot recall the name, but he had come to inquire about employment. He said,” she closed her eyes to remember the details, “he said he was a family friend from years ago and Lady Catherine seemed to know him well. Miss Anne was not feeling well and could not venture downstairs so I went to the drawing room to alert Lady Catherine of it. I recall catching the last bit of the conversation when I was leaving that he was staying in London. That is all I know, sir.” She looked at Mr. Darcy. “If somehow Lady Catherine collaborated with this man, they might be in London now.”
Mr. Darcy nodded. “I do not know who this family friend could be. But at least we have a potential location. Do you recall anything else about the man? How old? Hair colour? Anything we could try to identify him?”
“He appeared to be over twenty years in age; not close to thirty, perhaps less than five and twenty. He spoke genteel and was very confident of himself, as if he received a good education and perhaps grew up a gentleman. He was tall, nearer to your height, sir, but not as tall as Ri... Major Fitzwilliam or young Mr. Darcy.” She blushed.
“I plan on speaking with your parents, Mrs. Jenkinson.” Mr. Darcy sat forward and smiled at the faithful companion. “I know them well and after my son told me of your... circumstances, I wish to help you. Your service to our niece has been invaluable and I know how happy Anne has been to have you care for her these past two years. And I know your family will wish to hear of your whereabouts. Although they do not speak of you, I saw the concern in your father’s eyes when I spoke to him last regarding your younger sister’s governess when I snatched Miss Carter from his employment.” Mr. Darcy smiled. “Miss Carter has been wonderful and shared with me in confidence that her sister cried at times because she missed you. It will be well, Mrs. Jenkinson.”
Anne de Bourgh’s companion nodded and smiled. “Thank you, sir. I only hope we can retrieve Miss Anne soon and I will do whatever I can to be of assistance. I see that you are aware of my... my history with your nephew and I promise I have no aspiration of becoming something I know I cannot. I do wish to apologise to my family; even if they do not accept me back, I wish to make it right. I dearly miss my sister and have always thought of Miss Anne like my own family. I truly hope we are able to find her soo...”
She could not continue when the door burst open and an unexpected person walked through it.
Chapter 8
“William! What are you doing here?” Lady Anne gasped. “You are supposed to be at school! Is all well? What has happened to bring you to London?”
“I come with important news,” William responded but looked at Mrs. Jenkinson in surprise as he took a seat. “I... I heard something at school... I... Father, when will you b
e travelling to Rosings? What is Mrs. Jenkinson doing here instead of Kent? I am very confused. Is Cousin Anne well? How is Uncle Lewis faring?”
Mr. Darcy grimly replied, “Lewis passed away this morning, son. I arrived there early around ten in the morning and he passed shortly after. He had been further along than he had shared with me and Henry and I arrived just in time to say our farewells. We had begun to make preparations when we discovered that Catherine had absconded with Anne while Mrs. Jenkinson was sent on a fool’s errand, and we believe that Catherine still believes that Anne will receive Rosings if she marries and has come to London to find Anne a husband.”
William abruptly stood up and exclaimed, “So it was true!” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Father, John Knightley had come to me with a rumour when we were breaking our fast and I travelled all day to come to find out what Wickham might be up to. Wickham wrote to Bertram, who holds at least £500 in debts of honour, that he would be marrying a wealthy woman to gain her dowry. John thought the estate sounded like ‘Rosings Park’ and I left to track down Wickham and warn you of his plan in case he is scheming harm to our family.” He paced several more steps. “I thought Anne would be protected at Rosings but if her own mother is planning to have her married off, how are we to stop them? Lady Catherine can have her daughter legally wedded since Anne is only eighteen years old and will pay off someone for the license or even travel to Gretna Green. Without Mrs. Jenkinson by her side, Anne will not be able to refuse her mother and will do as she demands!”
Mr. Darcy stood and walked to the door to speak with the footman. “I am calling for my investigator, Mr. O’Connor, and we will be able to locate Wickham. I had the scoundrel followed after he was tossed out of Pemberley and Mr. O’Connor should have his exact location.”
“It is very late now,” Lady Anne interrupted. “Will you go out to search for them tonight?” She stood and called for the housekeeper for a repast for her son.
Mr. Darcy shook his head, “I will have the investigator look into it first and obtain more information before barging out into the night. Anne has been gone for hours and we may not be able to prevent...” he looked at Georgiana and paused, “any irreparable damage now, but if Mr. O’Connor finds that she is safe for the night, we will retrieve her tomorrow morning. Thank you for coming, Fitzwilliam. Your information has been more than helpful and along with Mrs. Jenkinson’s recollection, and of course,” he beamed at his precious daughter, “Inspectress Georgiana’s invaluable input, we will be able to rescue Anne and take her to safety.”
William raised his brow, “Inspectress Georgiana?! That is quite an accomplishment for a young lady. I know ladies can do anything they set their minds on and I am proud of you!”
Georgiana beamed, “I have you and Lizzy to thank for it, William!”
“Me? What did Lizzy and I do?” William laughed as his eight-year-old sister wiggled her brows up and down and sat next to him.
“You gave Lizzy your copy of Tom Jones and she could not put it down all summer. She thought of different ways to use logic and science to investigate crimes and she and I talked about becoming the first female crime inspectors in England.” Georgiana grinned.
William chuckled, “Of course she did, that girl. I am glad I have been of use, Inspectress Georgiana.” He kissed his beloved sister’s head.
The reassured group finally relaxed and Georgiana retired to the nursery soon, while the rest waited for Mr. O'Connor to arrive with news.
~*~
“I apologise for the lateness of the hour, Mr. Darcy, Lady Anne, young Mr. Darcy.” Mr. O’Connor greeted the group. “I know it is nearly midnight but I sent in a man to talk to a few servants to gather some information this evening so I could report back to you. It was fortunate that you were already having this man tracked in London, sir, otherwise it would have been an impossible feat to locate two women in that part of town. According to my sources, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is staying in a boarding house and gave their names as Mrs. and Miss Jones. They had a maid with them and the lady that runs the place, a Mrs. Younge, said Mrs. Jones paid upfront for a week. George Wickham has been residing at the same boarding house for the past two months and has been very... friendly with the mistress.” The investigator cleared his throat and continued. “It seems Mr. Younge is a frequent patron of the tavern nearby and Mrs. Younge takes that time to get to know certain male customers more intimately. Mr. Younge is a drunkard and spends the entire night telling stories to other customers and keeps out until early morning after he is stays with one specific tavern maid, if he makes it home at all. Wickham is lodging at the boarding house at very little cost, for obvious reasons, Mr. Darcy.” He coloured as he looked at Lady Anne.
William and his parents sat silently as they absorbed the information. They were confounded on how Wickham could fall so low as to have be in an adulterous affair and to be involved with Lady Catherine’s plot to gain Rosings Park.
“And is there any danger to my niece right now, Mr. O’Connor?” Mr. Darcy asked. “Should I be concerned that Anne’s reputation might be damaged this very night and secure her right away, or is she safe for tonight?”
Mr. O’Connor smiled as he looked over his notepad, “Lady Catherine has kept Miss de Bourgh isolated in the bedroom the entire time. We do not believe Wickham has met Miss de Bourgh yet, as she had not left her rooms and the maids at the boarding house only heard that the young lady was sleeping the entire day. Miss Anne might have been given a large dose of a draught and will likely sleep through the night. Given that Mr. Younge leaves for the tavern around this time and does not return until the wee hours of the morning, Wickham is likely occupied at the present moment and will remain in Mrs. Younge’s room for several hours as he had done for the past fortnight. The servants are willing to share much for a few coins, as their employers are miserly and do not pay on time.”
“Catherine has never kept late hours so we can assume their meeting not will not occur until tomorrow morning.” Lady Anne scoffed. “My sister deserves to be punished, husband. Harshly.”
Mr. Darcy nodded and spoke to the investigator, “I would like for you to post a man within the boarding house so that if Wickham does attempt to enter my niece’s room, have him prevent it at all costs, even if we must have Wickham arrested and sent to debtor’s prison immediately.” He looked at his son, “I have Wickham’s promissory note to you with his £600 debt and will use it if needed. I am glad you had enough sense to make him sign for the loan.”
William grinned, “You raised no fool, father. I took precautions, especially since I did not trust Wickham.”
“Good.” Mr. Darcy turned to the man awaiting his orders. “Thank you, Mr. O’Connor. Let us reconvene here at seven o’clock in the morning and we will retrieve my niece.” Mr. Darcy nodded at the investigator and Mr. O’Connor departed Darcy House.
He continued to his son, “She will be safe with Mrs. Jenkinson and your mother and I will return her to Kent in time for Lewis’ funeral. Anne will need to grieve and once she is ready, we will have her join Robert and Sarah at Matlock House and carry out our plans to take care of Rosings.” He sighed, “It will take some time to organise it and Henry will have his solicitor advertise.” Mr. Darcy turned to his son, “I assume you will join me when I confront Lady Catherine and Wickham tomorrow morning. Do you want to go with us to Kent for the funeral?”
“Yes, father. Uncle Lewis was good to me and I will miss him greatly. I would have joined you even without Anne’s disappearance and I am glad I am already here.” William answered. “If you do not mind, I will turn in to rest.” He yawned widely. “I am exhausted!”
Lady Anne embraced her son and kissed his cheek. “Good night, William. I am happy you to have you here and your assistance in the matter was vital. Without your information, Catherine and Anne might have remained hidden for days or weeks, but now, we have time to rectify the situation and keep Anne safe. You did well, son.”
“Good nigh
t, mama.” William kissed his mother’s cheek. “Good night, father.” He bowed and went to his rooms to rest. It had been a long day but it was worth the trouble to be present for his family’s current predicament.
Chapter 9
“George!” The woman hissed. “Wake up, George! You fell asleep and I can hear my husband at the front door downstairs; you must get out of my room.”
“Who cares? He will be too drunk to even notice me in the bed.” Wickham whined.
“He will kill you.” Mrs. Younge snapped. “Get out and I will see you later. He is coming through the front door and it will take a few minutes for him to climb the stairs.” She kissed Wickham’s lips, “See you soon, my love. Once you marry that insipid creature, I look forward to living with you in the beautiful mansion in Kent.”
Wickham smirked, “You will be my mistress there, my dear, and you will be away from your miserable life here. I promise it.” He grabbed his clothes and snuck out of the room. He heard the drunkard’s groans from the stairs and hid around the corner and waited until Mr. Younge entered his rooms and shut the door.
“GEORGE WICKHAM!” He turned as he heard his name called out. “What the devil are you doing sneaking about this early in the morning? Get yourself in here right now. I wished to speak with you in any case so this is fortuitous.”
“Lady Catherine,” Wickham flushed, “yes, of course, I will do as you say. Please allow me,” he put on his shirt and wrapped his jacket around his shoulders. Thankfully he had donned his trousers before leaving Mrs. Younge’s rooms.
Lady Catherine walked back into her room, “I know you must have been fornicating with a maidservant or some other harlot but I care not for any of your filthy habits. You can have whoever you want but you will keep it out of my home and not pollute the shades of Rosings Park. There is a level of respect that is required of you, Wickham, and I will not tolerate your misconducts inside my estate.” She continued after Wickham straightened his clothing and sat on a chair. “The truth is, my daughter has been ill all of her life and although I will demand consummation, you must not have a child with her. Keep a mistress and perhaps I will allow your issue to become heir but you will keep your hands off of Anne. You came for employment but I am offering you to become master and as long as you do what I say, you will have riches beyond your imagination. Not bad for the son of a steward, I say.”