Knowing he would speak when he was ready, Elizabeth allowed him his time, allowing him to find comfort in her as she had done with him. Finally he spoke. “It is over.”
“It may not be Christian, but I am pleased. Even Jane spoke of wishing him dead, so that speaks of what a vile man he was.”
“Lizzy, some of the things he said, some of the things he claimed to have done…he was truly evil.”
“Do you wish to speak of what he said, my love? You know you may speak openly.”
“He gloated over the night of the fire. He said that he killed your sisters before starting the fire. He planned to kill Jane and you, planned to have his way with you first. Your door was locked. That is what saved you and Jane. Your door was locked and he could not enter your room.”
“But how could it have been, for I never locked my doors? I remember opening the door and the flames knocking me backwards. But the door was not locked when I opened it. I did not need to unlock it.”
Darcy was confused by this bit of news. Had Wickham lied about killing the younger sisters and trying to reach Jane and Elizabeth? He heard Elizabeth’s voice call him back to her.
“Perhaps it was stuck and he thought it was locked. That is possible. What did he say about my sisters? Do you think that they were dead when the fire started? Part of me prays that they died quickly, without the pain that the fire would have brought.”
“I am not certain about your sisters, but I know what he said about wishing to defile you before killing you, well, it is something he would have liked. He would have gained pleasure in knowing that my learning this would cause me further pain. He claimed to realize my fondness for you at the Netherfield Ball.”
“I believe that the only ones who did not know of your fondness for me then were you and me.” Elizabeth chuckled. “It is done, my love. Nothing can change the fact that my parents and sisters are dead. I no longer feel the blame for their deaths, as we learned that it was due to the fake Mr Collins and the secret of his identity, which caused Wickham to do as he did. And I blame the woman who hired him as well. But it will all soon be over, as our uncles and Richard plan to leave tomorrow for Rosings, do they not? I cannot wait for it to all be over and we will be able to go on with our lives.”
“As I am not allowed to join them, I will have to find a way to keep myself occupied. Do you have any suggestions?” He said as he began kissing her neck.
“Let me think for a while before I can give you an…ahhh…answer. Mmmm, that is so…oh my…yes, that feels…oh William.”
The rest of the family did not see either of the Darcys until dinner that evening.
~~ ** ~~
Jane joined Bingley in his study. “Charles, I spoke with Lizzy while you and William were with the other men. She asked me why we were waiting to marry.”
“I was wondering the same.” Bingley said. “Forgive me, Jane, I promised that I would not pressure you for a decision as to when we should wed.”
“Lizzy told me that it was time to think of my own happiness. She said that I have been thinking of everyone else, taking care of her, and forgetting to take care of myself.”
“Lizzy is an intelligent lady. And I agree with her.” Bingley came to where Jane stood, looking out the window, and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back to his chest. “I have stood aside and allowed you the freedom you needed to deal with all that had been laid at your feet. Your sister is recovering, and she has her husband to be at her side. The threats to our family are being dealt with. And our family is here, with us. It would be simple enough to have a small ceremony here. You know I obtained a special license to marry; we can use it any day. Perhaps next week, after everything at Rosings is handled.”
“Is now the proper time for us to be thinking of a wedding? Yes, Lizzy is better, and growing stronger, but she is still frail. It could be many weeks to come before she is strong enough to leave Netherfield, and even then, she may wish to remain here for some time after she is stronger. Our home was near here, our lives began here. All we have known has been in this neighborhood.”
“Jane, I know that much has changed. But I am sure that your family would support our decision to set a date and our marrying. We have no need for a large, elaborate wedding. Something small and intimate would be perfect. And, before you comment about your being hostess and cannot leave our guests for even a day, I can send for Louisa and Hurst to come for the wedding. They can remain for a day or two for us to travel to London for our wedding night.”
“I am not certain, Charles. What if…?”
“No more what if’s. Jane, we deserve to have some happiness for ourselves. I want you to be my wife, to give you the life you deserve. Let us be a little selfish and take some time for ourselves.”
Jane turned around to look him in the eyes. “Very well, Mr Bingley, next week would be a perfect time for a wedding. Perhaps on Thursday, so your sister and brother in law will have time to join us and I can have a new gown made.”
“That will be perfect, my love.” Bingley kissed Jane’s lips chastely. “Absolutely perfect.”
~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~
Chapter 19
The following morning, at breakfast, the men prepared for the day’s coming events. Those traveling to Rosings would be leaving soon after breaking their fast, and would arrive at Rosings near mid-afternoon.
Colonel Forster and Colonel Fitzwilliam planned to leave a handful of soldiers at Netherfield, to assist the guards who were still employed to protect the estate and, most of all, the people living there. Sgt. Winters and three men had taken Mr Jolly to London to be held until transportation to Australia could be arranged. They had returned an hour before the departure time for the journey to Rosings, reporting that Mr Jolly was resigned to his fate. The commander at London agreed that transportation should be arranged as soon as possible, stating that there was a ship leaving at the end of the week.
~~ ** ~~
The carriage led the way to Rosings, with the soldiers on horseback. Colonel Fitzwilliam rode his horse beside the carriage, with so many details of the plan, preparing for all possibilities. They needed to take the man claiming to be Collins immediately. He had to be brought to trial for all the deaths for which he was responsible, and his part of the conspiracy. Once he was captured, the men could deal with Lady Catherine and determine what to do with her.
Mr Gardiner and Mr Phillips were pleased to finally be of some service to their family. When the false Mr Collins was in custody, they would represent their family in filing the complaints against him. They would also assist Lord Matlock in filing the complaints against Lady Catherine when the time came to do so. It was the last resort Lord Matlock with which to threaten his sister. He did not wish to see her go on trial, and especially did not wish to see her hang, but she had been a leader in the conspiracy to commit murder, and the conspiracy had cost seven people their lives. Lord Matlock prayed that he could have his sister committed to a sanitarium, but was unsure if he would be able to do so. The solicitor for the Fitzwilliam family, as well as their family physician in London, had made the journey with the other men, prepared to assist with dealing with Lady Catherine. They would also need to tend to Anne, helping her maneuver through all the legal aspects as well as take care of her own health
Finally arriving at Rosings, the soldiers spread out to surround the estate as best they could. They would slowly move inward, checking all the outlying cottages for Collins.
The carriage stopped at the front steps of the main house, and the men disembarked. Gathering their strength from each other’s support, the men were led into the house by Lord Matlock and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Lady Catherine was in her drawing room, speaking with her housekeeper, Mrs Potter, when her brother and the other men entered. “Henry, what is the meaning of this? You enter my home, unannounced, bringing with you guests?”
“Catherine, I insist you tell me immediately where the man who calls himself Mr Collins is.�
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“What do you mean, calls himself Mr Collins? He is William Collins, my former clergyman. Tell me now what the meaning of this is.”
“He is not William Collins, but an imposter. He murdered Mr Collins and took his identity to escape prosecution on other charges. He is also involved in the conspiracy which took the lives of seven people, and injured others. A conspiracy which you were involved as well, dear sister. Wickham is dead, killed himself rather than face trial. Mr Jolly is in custody awaiting deportation on the next prisoner ship to Australia. Now it is time for your former clergyman, whatever his true name is, and yourself to pay your dues for your part.”
“You are a fool, Henry, if you can believe that I would be involved in a conspiracy to murder people. Am I to assume that the plot is with Mr Collins’ inheritance of Longbourn?”
“It does, Aunt Catherine.” Colonel Fitzwilliam spoke. “And the conspiracy involves a lady of wealth from Kent that is connected to both George Wickham and the man claiming to be William Collins. You have connections to both of these men.”
“I have had no contact with Wickham since before Gerald Darcy died. He had asked me for the funds that he could not persuade Fitzwilliam to part with, saying that he would guarantee that Fitzwilliam would marry Anne. I had no need to pay someone to do such, as I was sure that Fitzwilliam would do his duty to his family and marry her. I never liked Wickham, as he was very forward with my daughter.”
“Is this Collins man here at Rosings? He was challenged to a duel and ran from Hertfordshire. Last anyone knew of him, the man was here.”
“I have not seen Mr Collins in months.” Lady Catherine said, her forehead wrinkled in confusion. “The last I heard was that he was still in Hertfordshire, overseeing the work being done on his house on his estate. He wrote that he had been pleased with the harvest and how his tenants were working hard to be of assistance to him and Charlotte while they lived at the dower’s cottage. He even said that Charlotte was increasing and was sure that it was the next heir to Longbourn.”
“When did you receive the letter?” Lord Matlock asked, curious of what was going on.
“Just last week, the letter should still be on my desk.” Lady Catherine was becoming defensive. “Do you wish to see the letter to prove that I am not lying to you?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped closer to his aunt. “We require the letter to see if there is any evidence which would lead us to locate this man. He is dangerous and needs to be captured immediately.”
Lady Catherine stood with the aid of her cane and hobbled to her study. On top of the desk were numerous letters, which she sorted through until she located the one in question. “Here it is. It arrived in the post yesterday. Anne sorted the post, as she has been waiting for a letter from Lady Matlock concerning Darcy’s wedding. And where is my nephew, by the way? Is he too afraid to admit to me that he was wrong in his choice of brides? Or is he humiliated so much that he cannot face Anne’s sorrow?”
“Darcy is with his wife, where he should be. He is furious over the conspiracy and was only afraid that he would strangle you for your part.” Lord Matlock said as he took the letter. Perusing it, he noted that there were no markings as to where the letter was posted. He handed it to his son who was instantly curious.
“You said that Anne sorted the post before giving you your letters?” Richard asked.
“That is what I said. Can you not see from the letter that Mr Collins is at his estate?” Lady Catherine was displeased with her relatives.
“Where is Anne?” Lord Matlock asked, his mind already working out the truth of the matter. “Is she in the house?”
“She took the curricle to visit Mrs Ward. They have been sewing items for the poor. Anne will be back in time for tea, I am sure.”
Richard knew that Anne was not sewing items for the poor. As much as it impossible, he was coming to the conclusion that it was Anne, not Lady Catherine, who was involved in the conspiracy. Could she be meeting with the man who claimed to be Collins, under her mother’s very nose? “Where does Mrs Ward live? I wish to speak with Anne immediately, for I feel that she may be in danger from this Collins man.”
Instantly, Lady Catherine became fearful. “He would not dare harm my daughter. Mr Collins knows his place and causing harm to my Anne would destroy him.”
“Where is Mrs Ward’s home? We need to fetch Anne back to the house immediately.”
“I believe it is the house to the north of the parsonage. Mrs Ward is new to the area and I have yet to meet her. Mr Martins in the stable would be able to give you directions.” Lady Catherine stated. “Go, and bring my daughter back here.”
~~ ** ~~
Richard learned the location of the cabin near the pond that was north of the parsonage. When his uncle was alive, it was his favorite place to go, claiming that he was fishing each day and would remain there overnight. It was actually where he would go to have some peace from his wife.
The soldiers had moved in to surround the cabin, and Sgt. Winters had moved close enough to be able to take a peek inside through a window on the opposite side from the entrance door. Sgt. Winters was shocked at what was before him, a young lady with light brown hair, nude, and in the midst of relations with a man, who the sergeant recognized as the pretend Mr Collins. Hearing the moans from inside the cabin, the soldiers looked at each other, and then turned to Sgt. Winters, as if to confirm what they suspected was happening inside the small building.
Sgt. Winters made his way to where Colonel Forster and Colonel Fitzwilliam were hidden, behind a large boulder on the east side of the building. “The man is unarmed at the moment, though I am not certain that you will wish to see your cousin in such a manner, Colonel.”
“I assume that she and the man are intimately occupied.” Colonel Fitzwilliam stated with disgust. “As it will be the best time to catch them unaware, we had best force our way inside and subdue them. Whatever bedding can be found quickly will be useful in covering my cousin’s person.”
The men prepared to enter, and, hearing the couple in the throes of their peaks, the door was forced inward, crashing against the chair nearby. Anne screamed out from the sound, but Collins was too far from his mind to be able to resist his captures. Colonel Fitzwilliam entered the room, wrapping a nearby coverlet around his cousin.
“Richard, what is the meaning of this? Does Mother know where you are? You cannot tell her, Mr Collins and I have been in love for nearly a year now. But Mother refuses to consider anyone but Darcy for me to marry.”
“Anne, I suggest you keep quiet. We know what you and this man have been doing. You will both be brought to justice for your crimes.”
“What are you accusing me of, Cousin? Do you forget who I am? I am Anne de Bourgh, next Mistress of Rosings Park. I will not tolerate being treated in such a manner by the likes of you, a second son of an earl. You are no one of importance, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.”
“And you are a murderous whore who will hang for her crimes.” Richard spat his words at her. “Why would you attempt to force Darcy to marry you when you have this man?”
“Frederick is no one of importance. We needed my marriage to Darcy to gain his money. Darcy would never be a true husband to me, and he would prefer to live at Pemberley rather than Rosings, so he would allow me to continue living here with my Frederick.”
“Keep your words, Anne, do not tell them anything.” Collins said. “They have no proof of anything.”
“Ahh, but we do have proof, Frederick. What is the rest of your name, as we know you are not William Collins?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked. When the man did not respond, the colonel smiled. “Never mind, we do not need your full name for your tombstone. If I remember correctly, we have a date with swords that you ran away from.”
“I did not wish to cause the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh any pain by my bringing harm to her nephew, so I left to protect you for her sake.” Collins claimed. “I could not displease her, as she is the grandest lady in all of
England.”
“Sir, you can make all the claims that you wish. We know the truth, and you will now stand trial rather than face my blade. Either way, your days are numbered.”
“I have done nothing to stand trial for. Your accusations are not worthy of trial.” Collins stood, indignant and pompous, before the men. “Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh will stand beside me through your accusations and then you will be forced to leave Rosings.”
“You are not William Collins, as my cousin has already alluded that your name is Frederick. You have been intimate with my cousin, of which my aunt will not approve. You are also a married man, so you have taken my cousin as your mistress. But most of all, we have sworn statements that you murdered the real William Collins, and have been in charge of the conspiracy to murder Elizabeth Bennet Darcy, a conspiracy which took the lives of Mr Thomas Bennet, Mrs Fanny Bennet, Miss Mary Bennet, Miss Catherine Bennet, Miss Lydia Bennet, Miss Prudence Carmichael, and Mr Robert Carmichael.”
“Wickham was not supposed to start the fire, he destroyed my home. It would have been easy enough to have stopped Mr Bennet from exposing me, and Miss Elizabeth should have died long before the fire. The fool made a disaster. And Miss Elizabeth survived. The one that was supposed to die survived. She makes a fool out of me by refusing to marry me, and then she has the nerve to begin a relationship with Mr Darcy. Anne is to marry Mr Darcy, so that she has the finances to aid me in rebuilding Longbourn. Anne and I would be able to continue our relationship, if not for that upstart. It was Miss Elizabeth’s fault that her father began to question my identity. She is evil and should have died. If you are a wise man, Colonel, you would see that she is put to death so that she can cause no further harm to anyone.”
“You are deluded. What is your true name? Who are you truly?” Colonel Forster asked.
The Ashes of Longbourn Page 18