Netherfield Park Quarantined

by Schertz, Melanie

  “I would never do such a thing. I wish to make sure all of you are safe. Now, off with you. Tell everyone to take care of themselves.” Two more hours passed and someone from Lucas Lodge came to the house. A blaze had been started there, this time a bad one. The house at Lucas Lodge was burning, and, it was only by the grace of God that the family and servants escaped without harm.

  Mr Bingley was pacing about the house, furious at the damage and threat to life that was being caused. He felt helpless, unable to go to any of the locations to be of assistance. All he could do was pray no one would be killed and the fires would stop.

  Denny sent out one of the guards to inform Mr Bennet of the developments. The guard returned with news the tenant house fire was under control, and most of the men would head to Lucas Lodge to assist their neighbors. Mr Bennet would be returning to the house as soon as he had the tenants relocated for the time being.

  As they waited for Mr Bennet to return, Mrs Hill cried out for Mr Bingley to hurry upstairs. Bingley ran quickly, taking the stairs two at a time to reach the ladies, who had been kept above. There, standing in the hallway, was a man, with one arm wrapped around Lydia Bennet’s waist and the other held a knife to her neck. Another man was nearby, holding on to Jane’s arm while pointing a pistol at her.

  “What is going on here?” Bingley cried out. “We are looking for some legal papers, and we will not be leaving without them. Where is Mr Bennet? We need him to open his safe.” Laub said as he held tight to Jane’s arm.

  “Mr Bennet is taking care of the tenants who were displaced by your fire. He might have even gone to Lucas Lodge to make sure his neighbors are safe and have somewhere to stay. You have been busy in your destruction, and Mr Bennet is quite important in the neighborhood. He will do what he can for his neighbors. You have no one to blame but yourselves that he is not at home.” Bingley tried desperately to think of how he could save his beloved and her sister from these men.

  “We need to get the safe open. As I said, we will not leave here without the papers we need.” Denny had been outside, checking on the guards, when he found one of the men unconscious, on the ground, near the rear of the house. In checking on one of the other men who would have been close by, he found him tied up and gagged, a gash cut into his cheek. He pulled the gag from the man’s mouth and untied him, asking him what had happened.

  Listening to the details, Denny learned there were two men, armed, and they had climbed up the trellis and entered the house through one of the upstairs windows. Denny carefully climbed the trellis, entering the bedchamber which belonged to Lydia Bennet. The window had been left open, as had the door to the hallway.

  As Denny came up behind the men, he could see Bingley was attempting to determine the best course of action. Denny was almost to the man with the knife to Lydia’s throat when Mrs Bennet was heard shrieking as she had come to her bedchamber door and seen her two favorite daughters in the hands of ruffians. Laub was caught off guard, turning his attention towards Mrs Bennet.

  At that moment, Denny lunged forward, grabbing hold of the second man’s arm and wrenching it away from Lydia. Seeing Denny move into action, Bingley leapt forward, and struggled with Laub for control of the pistol. Jane moved from the men, crawling across the floor to her youngest sister, pulling her through the door and into a bedroom, slamming the door shut and locking it.

  Denny was able to subdue the second man, securing his hands behind his back. Suddenly, he heard the sound of the pistol firing.

  ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

  Chapter 16 While Elizabeth was sleeping, Darcy took time to write a letter to Mr Bennet, letting him know of Elizabeth and Georgiana being recovered and both recovering nicely. Though it had been three days since they had stormed Rosemoore and liberated the captured ladies, Elizabeth was far from being able to travel, especially such a long journey as to return to England.

  Her fever had broken, the second day after being tended to by Mr Webb, the fever and infection had sapped most of her strength. She had yet to be able to sit up on her own, and Darcy saw to her meals each day, feeding her as if she were a small child. At first, he worried she would grow angry at his service, but Elizabeth was grateful for the attention her husband bestowed upon her. Having him near was worth allowing such treatment.

  Georgiana and Elizabeth were finally able to meet. It was amazing to Darcy to watch the two ladies he loved most in the world take to each other so easily. The natural shyness Georgiana normally displayed vanished within moments of Georgiana and her new sister first talking with one another. Their common interest in music and reading gave them much to discuss, as well as their pleasure at knowing the other was safe and recovering from their experience.

  Darcy also wrote to his father in law of the Fitzwilliam family’s plan to confront Lady Catherine. He was unaware of all that had been happening in Meryton and Longbourn, as there had been no news since they left England. Not knowing where to send letters had prohibited communications from the Bennets.

  When it was discussed, the night before, as to how to handle Lady Catherine, Darcy suggested they consider Mr Bennet’s opinion, as the Bennet family had been injured in the matter. Lord Matlock agreed, especially since Mr Collins had been Mr Bennet’s cousin and heir. So, in the letter, Mr Darcy suggested his father in law put thought into his opinion before their arrival.

  Hearing his wife stirring, Darcy finished the letter, sending Elizabeth’s love to her family, as he was sure she would wish him to do. After it was sanded, he sealed the letter and stepped into the hall to have one of the servants post it.

  Stepping back into the bedchamber, he was greeted with his wife’s eyes wide open. “William, where were you?”

  “I just asked the footman to post a letter to your father. And, yes, before you ask, I sent your love along in the letter.”

  Elizabeth chuckled. “You know me so well.”

  “Yes, I do. Now, how are you feeling? Do you wish to try and sit up today?” Darcy asked.

  “I believe I am strong enough today. I am already frustrated with the splint on my arm.” Darcy laughed. “I did not think it would take long for it to become too constricting. But I am grateful it was only your arm which was injured, as I shudder to think of what Wickham had in store for you.” He kissed her lips with more desire than he had of late, as he was careful with her delicate and frail form. Elizabeth knew he needed reassurance, and she met his kiss with as much energy as she could. Soon enough, Darcy pulled himself back from her lips. “I had best reign in my ardor or I will ravage you this very moment.”

  “You know I have the same desire as you do, my love. Give me time to recover fully, and I will show you exactly how greatly I desire my handsome husband. I love you, William, and plan to spend the rest of my life showing you how much you mean to me.”

  “You are not allowed to leave me, not now, not ever.” Darcy said as he lightly kissed her lips again. “I will not tolerate spending another day without you at my side.”

  “You sent my father word as to where he can write to us, did you not?” “I did, though, as long as it takes to send letters back and forth, hopefully you will be recovered enough to travel by the time a letter can arrive from your father.”

  Elizabeth sighed. “I pray they are well. I miss my sisters, and Papa. Especially Jane. Do you think Mr Bingley has asked for her hand yet?” “If Bingley is intelligent, he would have secured her hand by now. I know your father assumed it would not be long before Bingley came knocking on his study door.” Darcy smiled.

  “Mr Bingley would be your brother. Would you like that?” “Very much. He has been a close friend for many years, nearly as close to me as Richard. I have always thought of Richard as a brother instead of a cousin. They are two of the best men I know.”

  Nodding her head, Elizabeth agreed. A knock on the door announced the maid bringing their food tray. “Ah, the food smells delicious, as usual. If I continue to eat so much, I will be twice my size around before we leave here.
The cook is excellent.”

  The maid, Bridget, smiled. “Cook will be thrilled to hear such praise, Mrs Darcy. She has enjoyed having guests for whom to prepare meals, though we all wish you had come purely as a visit. We are all pleased to see your improving so much.”

  “Thank you Bridget. Please convey my thanks to Cook for all her efforts.”

  ~~ ** ~~ A knock on the door of his study brought Mr Bennet from his wool gathering. “Enter.” He called out.

  The door opened and in came Mrs Hill. “What has Mr Hale said?” Mr Bennet inquired. His housekeeper had been assisting the physician. “Though there was a large amount of blood lost, the wound is mostly a graze. With the wound tended properly, there should be no further problems that a few days in bed and good food cannot cure.”

  “Thank the heavens for such news.” Mr Bennet had tears stinging his eyes. “After all that has unfolded this day, I am thrilled it was not worse.” “As am I, Sir. When I saw the men holding your daughters, my heart nearly stopped. I feared the worst would happen. How much damage was there from the fires?”

  “Netherfield’s house was saved, as the wind died down and the rain began. Lucas Lodge was badly burnt, though it is salvageable from what they told me. The Lucas family will be staying at Netherfield Park for the time being. Where is my future son in law?”

  “He is upstairs. I believe we finally have him calmed enough to rest.” “The poor boy, he has endured so much today. I am pleased he stayed here and took charge. He has the makings of a strong master of an estate.” Mrs Hill nodded her head. She turned and left Mr Bennet to his thoughts. When Thomas Bennet had returned to his home, he found utter chaos had erupted. Two of the guards had been injured, one of the perpetrators was unconscious, and the other was tied to a chair. The most frightening was the bleeding which was coming from Denny’s arm. He had been shot as Bingley and Laub had struggled over the pistol. Fortunately, the wound was not terrible, and Bingley was able to knock Laub out with the butt of the gun he had wrestled from the criminal’s hands. By that time two more guards from the front area of the house had joined the fray and they secured both of the blackguards so they would not cause further harm.

  Mr Bennet was pleased with all that Denny had done for the Bennet family. The young man was dedicated and caring, and had saved the lives of two of his daughters, while suffering a wound in the process. Even wounded, Denny did as much as he could in securing the second suspect. No man could ever doubt Denny’s loyalty and devotion to the Bennet family.

  Mr Gardiner had traveled to Longbourn to assist his family. There was the disposition of Mr Phillips’ business and a decision to make on whether to keep the Phillips house, as well as repairs to be made to the tenant house and surrounding farmlands. Laub and his man had been turned over to the magistrate, which, for the area, was Sir William Lucas. It was decided to keep both of the men isolated, and keep their presence unknown to the general public.

  Mr Gardiner and Mr Bennet agreed on waiting for the return to England of the Darcys and the Matlock family. Before leaving London, Mr Gardiner had visited Matlock House, only to learn the family had traveled to Ireland. This was news which brought relief to Mr Bennet. To him, the only reason Lord and Lady Matlock would both travel to Ireland was in support of Darcy and Elizabeth’s marriage and they were joining forces with Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam in recovering the young ladies. Richard had informed Mr Bennet of his mother’s support and that, if anyone could, she would bring Lord Matlock’s thinking towards siding against Lady Catherine.

  The last thing that was wanted, while they waited, was for Lady Catherine to learn her men were captured. It was not beneath what they knew of Lady Catherine to hire more men to continue the attacks. It was better to have her believe her men were still making attempts to find the documents they were trying to obtain. Little did it matter to Lady Catherine or her men that the documents they were seeking were not at Longbourn, nor were they even in Hertfordshire. Darcy had not trusted his aunt and wished to protect his new family by having the documents elsewhere. Mr Bennet had proceeded as his son in law suggested, and the papers were safe. But telling Lady Catherine the papers were not at Longbourn would not convince her. She would believe they were lying to her.

  So the men would be held in the locked storage area of Netherfield Park, with many of the guards taking shifts watching over them. Though no further attacks were expected in the near future, as Lady Catherine was temporarily satisfied with her men’s ability.

  It was also decided to remove Mrs Bennet, Lydia, and Kitty to Town to stay at the Gardiner home. Since the attack on Longbourn, Lydia was in a constant state of fear. Mrs Gardiner would be a positive aspect in Lydia’s life, as she would also work with the lady from the blind school in improving the girl’s life.

  ~~ ** ~~ Lady Catherine was furious. It had been plenty of time for Mr Collins to have arrived in Ireland and have taken up residence at Rosemoore. Before he left to journey to his new home, Mr Collins had promised he would write to her as soon as he arrived and to inform her that Elizabeth was, indeed, being kept at the estate. Once she knew for sure that the country chit was out of the way, she could continue working on her nephew. She was surprised to learn the men she hired to take Darcy to the sanitarium had failed and had disappeared.

  All the letters Lady Catherine had written to her brother had gone unanswered. There had never been any love between Rebecca Fitzwilliam and Catherine de Bourgh. The two were completely opposite of each other. This infuriated Lady Catherine, as she was used to being able to convince her brother and sister to follow her advice before Rebecca married Henry Fitzwilliam.

  To add to Lady Catherine’s frustration was when her sister, Lady Anne, became close friends with their sister in law. The two spent so much time together, ignoring Lady Catherine most of the time. When an invitation was sent to Lady Anne to visit Rosings, the younger sister was unable to as she was assisting Rebecca during her first confinement. After Lady Anne’s marriage, Lady Catherine thought the hold Rebecca had over her sister would have lessened. That was not the case. Gerald Darcy and Henry Fitzwilliam were close friends as well, so the two couples spent as much time together as possible.

  When Lady Catherine finally conceived, she wished for her sister to stay at Rosings with her through her confinement. Lady Anne could not make the journey to Rosings, as she had given birth to her son only months before, and her strength had yet to recover. Fitzwilliam Darcy’s birth had been difficult for the frail Anne Darcy, and it took her more than a year to return to her previous health.

  In a plan to improve relations between her and her sister, Lady Catherine named her daughter Anne. She had suggested an arrangement for her daughter and Lady Anne’s son, a suggestion which Lady Anne refused most vehemently. Lady Anne’s health continued to plague her, as she had four miscarriages after her son’s birth. Finally, she gave birth to a daughter. It was only three days later when Lady Anne took her final breath, with her husband and son each holding one of her hands. Lady Catherine was furious, after naming her daughter for Lady Anne that the courtesy was not returned with Lady Anne’s daughter being named for her. For many years, Lady Catherine would abuse Gerald Darcy for his naming Georgiana for his mother’s mother.

  As Lady Catherine’s frustration grew from lack of information from Mr Collins and Laub, and no response from her brother, her mind began plotting other ways she could obtain her goal. She was certain the documents she needed were hidden at Longbourn. Her nephew had not had time to return to Pemberley, so his copy of the papers were most likely with his father in law’s copy. Laub had investigated the solicitor Darcy used in Town, and no copies had been sent to him.

  If those papers were to appear, her quest for an annulment would be thwarted. And she had to have Darcy’s marriage torn apart. Her daughter needed to be married, and only Darcy would be the proper husband. Like her namesake, Anne de Bourgh was of fragile health. Darcy would not place undue demands upon Anne when they were married. An
d they had no reason to wish to live at Rosings, so, with them living at Pemberley, Lady Catherine could continue with her free reign over Rosings.

  Anne had gathered enough courage to confront her mother two years previously, suggesting her mother step down as Mistress and allow Anne to take her rightful place, as her father’s will had decreed. Lady Catherine railed at her daughter, calling her an ungrateful, spoiled chit who only wished to be Mistress so she could wield power over her mother. By the time Lady Catherine was finished belittling her daughter, Anne took to her sick bed for nearly a fortnight. The physician who attended the young lady informed Lady Catherine that if she were to ever treat her daughter so shamelessly again, it would kill the poor girl, in her condition. That was when Lady Catherine began her crusade to marry off her daughter as quickly as she could to Darcy.

  As her mind was rummaging through all the possibilities of what she could do, she heard someone call out to her. Turning around, she saw Anne standing near the door.

  “Yes, Anne, what is it?” “Mother, I was wondering if you were well. I have not seen you in two days and was told you were keeping yourself mostly in here. Is there anything I can do to be of assistance?”

  “No, Anne, you should go to your rooms and rest. It will not be long before Darcy arrives and the two of you shall be married. You will require all your strength for the journey to your new home.”

  “Mother, you know Darcy is married to Elizabeth. He will not be coming to Rosings anytime soon, especially to marry me.” Anne said. “How dare you speak to me in such a manner? Darcy will soon be free of his foolishness and will be able to come here to take his proper wife. Have no doubts to that fact. And I will not be questioned by you on this matter, nor will I allow you to speak of that chit in my presence. Once you are married, it will be as it should and no one needs to remember this episode.”

  Anne was concerned for her mother’s wellbeing. “Mother, please, do not cause William any harm. From what Richard wrote to me, William is in love with his wife. Do not destroy his happiness by demanding this path.”