The Ashes of Longbourn

by Schertz, Melanie

  “Then, as we will be married, you will receive my inheritance, I ask that it be used to pay for the care of my sister.”

  Bingley smiled and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “My love, I am so pleased with your sister’s recovery and I am grateful that I could be helpful in seeing that she had everything she needed to come back to us.”

  ~~ ** ~~

  When Bingley arrived in London, he went to his brother in law’s townhouse. “Charles, it is a pleasure to see you.” His sister, Louisa Hurst, said as she kissed him gently on the cheek.

  “It is a pleasure to see you looking so well, Louisa. You have glow a about you.”

  “We were planning to write to tell you the news, but now that you are here, Gilbert and I are expecting later in the year.”

  Bingley took hold of his sister in an embrace. “I could not be happier for you, Louisa. That is wonderful news.”

  A worried look came over Louisa’s face. “How are you, Charles? Your letters never say much. How are you truly handling what happened?”

  He looked down for a moment, before returning his gaze to his sister. “I have to admit to you the truth of the situation. Though I have never informed you any different, I never contradicted the rumors that had circulated through Town. Not all of the Bennet family died in the fire. Jane and Elizabeth are still alive.”

  Louisa gasped. “Are they well? Were they not at home when the fire happened?”

  “They were home. Fortunately, Jane was in Elizabeth’s room, as they fell asleep talking. Elizabeth discovered the fire and forced Jane out the window and down the trellis. She then attempted to rescue Miss Mary, but the house exploded, throwing Elizabeth from the building and into the trunk of a tree.”

  “No, the poor girl; and she lives?”

  Bingley nodded his head. “She has been through a great deal. She is paralyzed; both of her legs were broken in many places, burns and cuts all over her. It is a miracle that she did not perish. Jane was injured as well, though very minor injuries.”

  “This is why you did not inform us of their survival? You did not wish Caroline to interfere and cause them greater pain.”

  “Yes.” Bingley turned and walked over to a nearby chair. “I know it is terrible of me to say, but Caroline would have come to Netherfield and insisted that Jane and Elizabeth leave. She would have been cruel to them, I know it.”

  Louisa nodded her head. “You are correct. Our sister does not know how to behave. The pain that Miss Bennet and her sister have had to endure. No, Charles, I agree with you. It was wisest to not allow Caroline to know the truth. I will not tell her, until you give me permission to do so.”

  “Thank you, Louisa. Perhaps in a few more months, but Elizabeth is still in a fragile condition. I pray that she will grow stronger, regain some of her spirit and return to the young lady we knew before.”

  “Is there anything that Gilbert and I can do to be of assistance to you?”

  Bingley took hold of his sister’s hand and raised it to his cheek. “Just be the elder sister who has always supported me through all my life. Your kindness and caring have always been appreciated. I am certain that Jane will appreciate you as well.”

  “You have not said so, but I assume that you plan to marry Miss Bennet.”

  A grin grew across Bingley’s face. “I do indeed, as soon as it is proper to do so.”

  The elder sister patted her brother lightly on the cheek. “Gilbert and I will be there to support you. Give Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth our love upon your return to Netherfield.”

  “I will. Thank you, Louisa. And give Hurst my congratulations on the blessed event for you. You will be a tremendous mother.”

  Bingley made arrangements for a wheeled chair to be delivered to Netherfield, and did some shopping for his beloved and her sister. The ladies did not have much more than the essentials that had been purchased after the fire. Knowing Jane loved working with herbs as well as her passion for stitch work, and Elizabeth’s passion for reading, Bingley went to a bookshop near his townhouse. He spoke to the shopkeeper, who quickly suggested a book on the medicinal properties of herbs, as well as a book which had illustrations of many stitching patterns. Bingley then made his way to find books for Elizabeth. He remembered that she was a fan of Shakespeare and that she loved poetry, so he chose a volume containing two of Shakespeare’s plays and another book containing the works of Cowper. Several other books were purchased, as he knew how sparse the library at Netherfield was. It was time that he changed that situation, as his future sister had a hearty appetite for the written word.

  As he was preparing to leave, Lord Matlock entered the shop. “Bingley, we have not seen you in an age. We heard of the tragedy in Hertfordshire. Have you returned to Town to recover from the loss?”

  “No, I am here for business and to meet with my solicitor. It has been a difficult time, but each day shows improvement. My fiancé’s wounds have healed and she is slowly recovering from the devastation that she suffered.”

  “Your fiancé, you have found someone so soon after Miss Bennet’s death?”

  Bingley realized that Darcy’s uncle might not have been told what had happened. “I assume that Darcy has not shared the news with you of what truly happened the night of the fire. Miss Jane Bennet and her next eldest sister, Elizabeth, survived the fire. It was a miracle, one of which I will be grateful for the rest of my life. The ladies are living with me at Netherfield.”

  “I had not heard any word from William, though he is traveling and we do not receive but a note from time to time. By the time he does write, he has already traveled to another location. He and Georgiana have been constantly moving through the continent.”

  “Has he not received any of my letters?” Bingley inquired, his eyebrow lifted in question.

  “If you have sent them to Pemberley, I doubt very much. He has had all important correspondence that needs quick reply sent to me to handle. I know that he has not returned to Pemberley, and to be honest, he has stated he did not ever wish to return there. My son told me that William is heartbroken.”

  “Then he is under the impression that Elizabeth died.” Bingley exclaimed. “No wonder he never responded to me, as he would have believed I was in mourning as well. Is there a way to find him? I wish to send him an express to tell him that Elizabeth is alive.”

  “I will check with my wife, though, as I said, we usually learn where they have gone after they have moved on. Will you be in Town for a day or two? I can send you word as soon as I speak to my wife.”

  “Yes, I will be at my townhouse for two more days. In between the business to which I am attending, I am doing some shopping for Jane and Elizabeth. They lost nearly everything in the fire, literally surviving with the clothes on their backs.”

  “If you require any assistance in shopping for the young ladies, you should contact my wife. Say, why not join us for dinner this evening. My son, Richard, should be arriving later this afternoon and will be with us. I am certain that he will be interested in the news of Miss Elizabeth’s survival.”

  “That would be kind of you, Lord Matlock. Perhaps he would have a suggestion of where to look for Darcy so I can begin sending out investigators to locate him.”

  ~~ ** ~~

  Bingley arrived at the townhouse of Lord and Lady Matlock that evening. He was greeted by the butler who escorted him to the drawing room. Lady Matlock curtsied while Bingley bowed to her. “Mr Bingley, my husband says that you have wonderful news for William. I so wish we knew where he and Georgiana had planned to go next. We sent an express to Pemberley, in the hopes that Mrs Reynolds knows where they might be.”

  “I can only assume that he has suffered greatly, believing that Elizabeth was dead.” Bingley said.

  A man’s voice came from behind Bingley. “What do you mean, believing that Elizabeth was dead?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked as he entered the room. Concern was etched on the soldier’s weathered face. “Are you telling me that Miss Elizabeth Benn
et is alive? Your sister is the one who told me she had died with the rest of her family.”

  “Yes, well, I thought it wise to keep Caroline away from Netherfield. Jane and Elizabeth have endured so much, especially Elizabeth, as she is still recovering from her injuries. When the paper claimed that the entire family died, we never refuted the information, as we thought those who needed to know had been informed. Now I see we should have handled the situation differently. Your cousin would not be suffering unnecessarily and would, most likely, have returned to Elizabeth.”

  “Good God, I was the one who went to Scotland to tell William so that he would not hear the news from anyone else. He was distraught, even broke a set of windows, cutting his hands. I thought, for sure, that if he had been left alone, he would have caused himself a great harm.”

  “Richard, you were trying to protect him from someone carelessly informing him, as you stated Miss Bingley had told you. Was it not in the street, and nearly joyful in the fact that the entire family was said to be dead?”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam nodded, looking cautiously at Bingley. “I did not believe it to be true, Bingley, so I came home and searched through the newspapers. It was there that I read of the tragedy.”

  “We are not certain how that rumor started, though I have allowed Caroline to believe it, fearing how she would treat my fiancé as well as Elizabeth. Elizabeth is frail, and still has a long road of recovery before her.”

  “How was she injured?” Richard asked.

  “She and Jane were in her room, so they went out the window. Jane climbed down the trellis as Elizabeth told her, then Lizzy attempted to reach the middle sister, Mary. While Elizabeth was outside the second floor window, there was an explosion, which threw Elizabeth through the air, and she struck the trunk of a nearby tree. You can well imagine that she looked like a broken china doll when we arrived to help the Bennets. The flames could be seen from Netherfield and other estates through the area. That night is permanently burned into my mind.”

  “And now, is she recovered?” Richard was having a difficult time imagining the strong, vivacious young lady he had met in the spring being so harmed.

  Bingley looked away. “Elizabeth still feels nothing from her waist down. We fear that it will be permanent. Both of her legs were nearly shattered. The left leg will always give her difficulty, if she regains the use of it, that is. The burns and cuts are nearly healed, though she has many scars. Her broken ribs have mended, as well as some of her other minor injuries. But now we are worried, as she is so thin and lifeless most of the time. She has not been from her bedchambers since the fire. I have purchased a wheeled chair for her; it should arrive within the week at Netherfield. Colonel, you have seen her. Elizabeth is nothing more than skin and bone. Even her hair is lifeless. There is no life in her eyes. I only learned a few weeks ago that she had an arrangement with Darcy, and I fear that every day which goes by, with no word from him, she loses the will to continue living.”

  “That is not the Elizabeth Bennet I met. She was lively and her eyes sparkled with mischief. What does the physician say of her condition?”

  “Mr Freemont agrees with the belief that Jane and I hold, which is that she is devastated at the fact that Darcy has not come to her. She believes that he has abandoned her. We have tried to come up with a reason that he had not responded to my letters, but she asks Jane daily if there has been any word. Each day, when there is no word, she sinks a little further into melancholy.”

  “I will send expresses to Pemberley and to Scotland. Perhaps Darcy’s Aunt Rebecca knows where they were going. She had talked as if she would travel with them. Her daughter still lives in Scotland, at the estate where I went to speak with Darcy. I do not return to duty for a fortnight, I will go wherever necessary to bring him back to England.”

  “Colonel, I appreciate your offer. I must state to you that Jane fears that in Elizabeth’s mind, Darcy already knows what has happened and has decided he cannot tolerate her frailty and has refused to return to her. As I said, each day, with no word, she sinks further into her melancholia. If we learn he does not wish to contend with such afflictions ravaging Elizabeth, I wish to know myself as soon as possible.”

  “If you had seen the devastation in his eyes, the cries that came from him, you would have no doubt of his feelings towards her. I have the confidence that he will come immediately to be with her. Nothing would change his love for her.”

  “I pray that you are correct. Where were these relatives in Scotland?”

  Richard walked towards the door of the room. “I will write a message to Rebecca. Father, could you have an express runner prepared to leave as soon as I am finished?”

  Lord Matlock nodded his head.

  For the first time in several months, Charles Bingley took a deep breath and prayed that there would be a future for his fiancé’s sister.

  ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

  Chapter 7

  Darcy and Georgiana had traveled many locations before finally ending up at the small estate that Darcy owned near Belfast, Ireland. They had been traveling for months and had been in Ireland for a fortnight. Darcy had started to think of staying in Ireland permanently. He and Georgiana liked the area and they considered making this their home.

  They had come into Belfast to do some shopping. Returning to the inn where they were staying while in Belfast, they went to the dining room to have some refreshments. There was a family dining nearby.

  “Edwin, do we have time to stop at the shop with confections before we leave. I wish to find something special to take with us to Netherfield. After everything that has happened, a treat from another country might bring the girls a smile.”

  “I believe we do have an hour to spare, though I do not know if they will ever be able to smile again after such an ordeal. It has been difficult for me to believe.”

  Hearing their speaking of Netherfield, Darcy was instantly drawn to their conversation. Could there be another Netherfield? Surely they were not speaking of Netherfield Park in Hertfordshire. He had to know for sure. Darcy stood and walked to the table where the family was seated.

  “Forgive me for eavesdropping, but I could not help hear you say that you were traveling to Netherfield. Might I ask where Netherfield is?”

  “Might I ask your name, Sir? I do not speak of our plans to just anyone.” Edwin Gardiner stated.

  “Of course, forgive my manners. My name is Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire. The Netherfield you were speaking of, was it, by chance, Netherfield Park?”

  “Mr Darcy, it is an honor to meet you. My name is Edwin Gardiner and this is my wife, Helen. She is from Lambton, in Derbyshire.”

  “That is only five miles from Pemberley, and I know it well. Mrs Gardiner, might I ask your family name?”

  “It is Thompson, Mr Darcy. My father ran the general store in Lambton.” Helen Gardiner stated.

  Darcy was surprised. “I remember Mr Thompson. He was a kind man. I remember watching all the children in the neighborhood enjoying the candy he gave to them.”

  “He was quite popular with the children and their families.” Helen said with a slight chuckle. “My mother always teased him that the parents of the children would not thank him for their sticky children after they got the candy all over their clothing.”

  This gave Darcy a smile at the memories. Then he began to have a nagging feeling, a partial thought that was on the tip of his tongue but unable to find completion. “Gardiner, I know that it is a common name, but somehow I feel as if someone I am close to has a close connection with a family named Gardiner. Where do you call home?”

  “We live in London, though you most likely would have heard our name from our family. They are from Hertfordshire.”

  Reality suddenly struck him. Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle, their name was Gardiner and they lived in London. “Forgive me; I did not realize until just now who you are. Please accept my condolences for your loss.”

  “Thank you, Mr Darcy. We have
been in Ireland since just before the fire and are leaving today to journey there. Your friend, Mr Bingley, has invited us to stay at Netherfield for as long as we would like. There is much to determine for the future.”

  Darcy was puzzled. What could there be to determine for the future? The Bennet family was dead, they had no future. Why would Bingley be in contact with the Gardiners and invite them to come to Netherfield? “I am confused, Mr Gardiner, what is there to determine? From what I was told, the house was completely destroyed and the estate was entailed to Mr Bennet’s cousin.”

  It was Mr Gardiner’s turn to be confused. “Forgive me, Mr Darcy, but we have no concern over the estate. We are needed to determine what will happen to my nieces.”

  Darcy’s knees began to buckle and he turned pale almost instantly. Mr and Mrs Gardiner moved quickly to assist Darcy in sitting down before he could fall to the floor. Georgiana was at her brother’s side quickly. Finally, Darcy was able to speak and there was only one question he needed answered. “Mr Gardiner, you said your nieces. Are you saying that your nieces survived the fire?”