An Unwanted Proposal: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

by Lane Cossett

  Mr. Darcy immediately turned to Sir Jeffrey. “Do you know where they are taking him?”

  “Bow Street magistrates court. He will be immediately committed to prison.”

  “Then I must leave at once.” Darcy glanced at Mr. Gardiner who as looking as shocked as anyone at the turn of events. “He did not do this. Will you let Mrs. Bingley know. As soon as I hear anything I will let you know.”

  “Yes I will do.” Mr. Gardiner was almost as pale as Mr. Bingley had been.

  Darcy turned to his friend and barrister. “I need your help.”

  Sir Jeffrey sighed. “I may not be the best person for this.”

  “Then tell me who is,” said Darcy firmly. “Bingley is going to need some legal help.”

  Sir Jeffrey did not look happy. “We must go. I don’t know who is sitting in court today, but we need to ensure Mr. Bingley’s stay in prison is as comfortable as possible.”

  Moments later they were gone.

  73

  Elizabeth was shocked when Mr. Gardiner summoned her to his study with Miss Bingley and broke the news of Mr. Bingley’s arrest.

  Caroline Bingley was incandescent with rage. “This is preposterous. Why did you not stop them?”

  “I am afraid there is nothing we could do,” said Mr. Gardiner mildly. “I understand this is a great shock to you. May I suggest you come and sit down.”

  Miss Bingley stared at him haughtily. “I do not need to sit. Mr. Gardiner I need to return home at once, and I shall take Mrs. Bingley with me.”

  Elizabeth was horrified she could even make such a suggestion. “Jane is not well enough to be moved, she must stay here.”

  Caroline Bingley’s eyes narrowed and darkened. “Mrs. Bingley’s place is in her husband’s home, and she should be there waiting or him when he comes home.”

  “Until it is known exactly what has happened, I believe it would be more sensible for Mrs. Bingley to stay with us,” said Mr. Gardiner.

  Miss Bingley was not about to agree with him. “Mrs Bingley will come home with me and be seen by our own doctor. I am sure he will say it is nothing but hysteria.”

  Dr. Miller who had been watching their conversations stepped forward. “Any doctor will confirm what I have said and I do not believe it would be wise to move Mrs. Bingley today.”

  “My daughter will stay here,” said Mr. Bennet firmly.

  Caroline Bingley glared at them all. In the face of such determination she decided to concede. “Very well. She can stay for one night, but I assure you, I will be back and Mrs. Bingley will return home with me.”

  Miss Bingley marched to the door which Mr. Gardiner hastily opened for her and accompanied her from the room.

  “I find it odd she did not want to say goodbye to Jane,” muttered Mr. Bennet as she swept though.

  Elizabeth was not surprised. “Father she does not care for Jane and never has. She will be worried that no one hears about Mr. Bingley.”

  Mr. Bingley gazed at his daughter. “It is a very puzzling business. Elizabeth do you think…?”

  Elizabeth knew what he was thinking. “I thought Mr. Bingley was a good man, but he and Jane have not been happy.”

  She suddenly realised the doctor was still with them. “Dr. Miller, I am sorry. You should not be privy to our family business.”

  Dr. Miller was sympathetic. “I am sorry it has happened. There is very little I can do for your sister at the moment. You must keep her comfortable.”

  “And should we tell her what has happened?” asked Mr. Gardiner.

  “It is your choice sir, but Mrs. Bingley is very weak. I am not sure it is wise to upset her further.”

  Elizabeth inwardly sighed. She did not want Jane to be hurt, but they would not be able to hide the absence of her husband from her. She left them in the hallway and returned to the parlour where Jane was lying on the sofa. Molly who had been with her, got up and left the room.

  Elizabeth sat down next to her. Jane looked dreadful. There was a strange tinge to her skin. She speared to be asleep.

  Mrs. Gardiner came to sit them. “I am having a room prepared for Jane,” she said.

  “You are very kind,” said Lizzy. Jane’s hand felt so tiny in hers. She barely wanted to voice the thoughts in her mind. “She spoke to the doctor and yet now she is sleeping. Do you think she will wake again?”

  “You must not think like that,”said Mrs Gardiner, pulling her shawl around her. “She will get well again.”

  Elizabeth stroked her sister’s hand. “I knew she was not well. I should have done more.”

  “Lizzy you must berate yourself. If anything I am more to blame.” said Mrs. Gardiner.

  “You?” Elizabeth did not understand.

  Her aunt was pensive. “Yes me. You said something was not right with Jane, and I thought it was because she was newly wed. I wish I had listened to you.”

  Elizabeth did not think her aunt was to blame. “It is hard to believe that yesterday I was to be wed. Now this. I wonder how many more things can hurt us.”

  Mrs. Gardiner adjusted the blanket they had put over Jane. “You must try not to think like that. Jane will get better…”

  Tears pricked Elizabeth’s eyes as she looked at the prone figure of her sister. “I hope so, but we are still ruined.”

  “You must not think of this today.”

  It was difficult not to think of it. Elizabeth continued to hold Jane’s hand lost in her own thoughts, only interrupted when Mrs. Turner brought in some hot chocolate and walnut cake.

  “I am not hungry,” said Lizzy shuddering at the thought of eating.”

  “You must have something,” said Mrs. Gardiner handing her a cup of the warm bitter chocolate. “I cannot have two of my favourite nieces being ill.”

  Elizabeth took it and sipped it. The warm liquid slid comfortably down and soon she felt a warm glow within.

  “Mmmm.”

  Elizabeth nearly dropped her cup. She carefully put it down. It had not been her who had made the sound.

  “Jane….”

  For a moment she wondered if she had imagined it. Jane was still in exactly the same position, but then she murmured again and her eyes opened.

  “Lizzy,” she whispered.

  “Oh Jane… Jane…” Elizabeth could not speak.

  “Feel terrible,” said Jane. “What happened?”

  Elizabeth could not say. Tears of relief were pouring down her face.

  * * *

  It was very late when Darcy returned to Darcy House. He had rarely felt so tired. Mr. Bingley had been charged with trying to murder his wife and been sent to prison. Darcy had been able to speak to him for a few minutes in the cells below the court.

  “Darcy, this is a mistake. I did not do this,” said Bingley.

  Darcy tried to reassure him. “I know. We will try and get you out as soon as possible.”

  “I don’t care about me,” said Mr. Bingley. “Look after my dearest Mrs. Bingley.”

  Darcy hesitated. Mrs. Bingley had the Gardiners and her sister to take care of her as well as Caroline Bingley. He was more concerned for his friend.

  “Promise me, Darcy.”

  Darcy promised.

  There was no time for more as the constables came for Bingley and he was put into a rickshaw with other prisoners. Darcy feared for his friend. He did not know how Bingley would survive in prison.

  Sir Jeffrey promised that he would be at the prison in the morning and speak to the governor and if allowed Bingley. He explained he would have to pay to ensure Bingley was treated well.

  “I will cover anything that is needed,” said Darcy immediately. “We must do everything to get him out of there.”

  Sir Jeffrey had not responded, and Darcy’s heart had thumped uncomfortably. He knew Sir Jeffrey was thinking it would not be easy to prove his friend’s innocence.

  * * *

  Lady Frances was in the parlour.

  She put down the paper she was reading. “Fitzwilliam where have
you been? Georgiana and I have been worried about you.”

  Darcy felt a pang of guilt. He had not even thought about his sister.

  “Did you have something to do with this?” she asked pointing to the paper.

  Darcy peered over her shoulder. More words on Viscount Langley and his cancelled wedding. The article said the viscount was no longer in London and his whereabouts were unknown.

  “A little yes.”

  He sat down. He was hungry and tired.

  “It must be a relief to Miss Bennet.” said Lady Frances.

  Darcy did not bother to hide the truth. “She did not see it that way, but she now has a more serious problem to worry about.”

  Lady Frances sat back in her chair. “What has happened?”

  “Mr. Bingley has been arrested for trying to murder his wife?”

  Lady Frances eyes had never looked so round. “This is astonishing. How?”

  “Poison.”

  “And is he guilty?” she asked.

  “No aunt he is not.”

  Lady Frances stood up and went to ring for Mrs. Hopkins. “You need to eat and then rest.”

  “There is much to be done.” He needed some food, but there was no time to rest. He had promised Bingley he would look after his wife. He need to consult with his own physician.

  “You will dine first and then rest,” said his aunt looking at him fiercely. “If you are to help Mr. Bingley you will need to have a clear mind.”

  Darcy was too exhausted to argue with her.

  74

  Jane Bingley was fortunate to be alive. That was the verdict of Sir Maurice Greengate, Mr. Darcy’s personal physician. He arrived at the Gardiner’s house two days after Mr. Bingley’s arrest, in a carriage that was as grand as Lady Catherine’s with four horses which caused quite a stir in the street in which the Gardiners lived.

  Sir Maurice brought with him another doctor, one Dr.Stanmore, who had dealt with many poisonings and was earning a reputation as an expert in the field. Everyone was rather overawed by the two doctors, who insisted on examining Jane alone with only Molly in attendance, and they waited anxiously in the drawing room until they were finished.

  Sir Maurice Greengate, was very tall, taller even than Mr. Darcy, and made an imposing figure. His loud booming voice made Mrs. Gardiner jump, but his first words were comforting. “Mrs. Bingley is going to live, but it will be sometime before she will be well again.”

  Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. “She has been sick and she complains of a headache.”

  “That is the poison and we are unable to tell you when it will leave her body or how much remains.”

  Elizabeth was curious. “Do you know what it is sir?”

  Dr. Stanmore stepped forward. “I believe it is arsenic. Just small amounts administered over some weeks, so it would not be obvious.”

  “Could she have taken it herself?” asked Mr. Bennet.

  “Father!” Elizabeth was exasperated with his question. Jane would never poison herself.

  “She could have,” said the doctor, “But Mrs. Bingley assures me that she has not.”

  “We are very grateful to you,” said Mr. Gardiner, who had been too anxious about his niece to go to his place of business.

  “There is something else,” said Sir Maurice, “but it is of a most delicate matter.”

  They all looked at each other wondering what it was. “I think we should leave Mr. Bennet,” suggested Mr. Gardiner.

  The two men left the room. As soon as the door shut Elizabeth anxiously looked at the doctor wonder what was wrong.

  Sir Maurice nodded at Dr. Stanmore and it was he who spoke.

  “I believe that Mrs. Bingley may be with child.”

  Mrs. Gardiner looked delighted, but the doctor quickly hastened to tell her that it was not the good news she thought. “I do not know whether she will continue to carry the baby, nor can I determine what effect the poison will have had on her.”

  Elizabeth felt as if someone had struck a blow at her head. She clung onto the back of the chair before her legs gave way. “What exactly do you mean?”

  Dr. Stanmore spoke in a measured way. “The baby could be born very early, in which case it will die, or she could give birth to a baby who is severely deformed.”

  It was terrible news.

  “Does Mrs. Bingley know?” asked Mrs. Gardiner quietly.

  “Only that she might be with child,” said Sir Maurice. “I see nothing to be gained by distressing her at the moment.”

  Elizabeth could think of nothing else to say and it was Mrs. Gardiner who thanked both men and saw them out. Elizabeth slipped upstairs to Jane’s room, where her sister was propped up against the pillows.

  Her sister opened her eyes. “A child Lizzy.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “It is lovely news.”

  Jane’s eyes were full of tears. “Why would someone try and kill our child?”

  Elizabeth did not know what to say.”

  * * *

  Elizabeth spent the rest of the morning with Jane. Her sister slept much of the time and Elizabeth sat with a book in a chair next to the bed. The words kept dancing in front of her eyes, as she tried to make sense of everything that had happened.

  She wondered what had happened to Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy had sent word he was in prison, but they knew nothing else. Jane had only enquired once about her husband and she had been told he had been called away. Elizabeth did not like deceiving her, but she could see her sister was very fragile. She did not want to do anything that could harm Jane.

  Dr. Stanmore had promised he would call again and Elizabeth was grateful. She wondered who was going to pay for his services, but she could not think about that right now. It was imperative they did everything they could to help Jane recover. It had been kind of Mr. Darcy to send the doctors.

  Elizabeth put her book down. She had was struggling with her conscience regarding Mr. Darcy. She was still angry at the part he had played in ruining her wedding. He had interfered when he had no right and yet here he was once again trying to help his friend and her family.

  There was one thing that kept nagging at her. Why had he come to Cheapside to see her uncle and father. She had asked them both, but they had muttered something about business which Elizabeth did not believe. She sighed. With each passing day she was becoming more confused.

  75

  Five days had passed since Bingley had been arrested. Darcy stood outside Newgate prison wiggling his nose. The smell of rotting flesh and food was quite disgusting. It was the first time he had visited a prison.. There was the sound of people screaming from the barred windows and everywhere looked grey. It was a depressing place.

  He took a deep breath. His coachman had warned him not to stand around in the street, The prison was situated in one of the poorest areas of the city and the smog was worse than ever. How he yearned for Pemberley and the open countryside.

  “Is something wrong sir?”

  His coachman was staring at him a worried look on his face.

  Darcy shook his head. “No. I will be back in half an hour.”

  He stepped forward. He could delay no longer. He crossed the road to the entrance of the prison. There were two guards on duty and after speaking to them they stepped back and he was allowed in.

  The smell that had penetrated his nostrils grew even worse and the sound of shouting and screaming was deafening. He could hear prison guards shouting and the sound of outrage as prisoners were hit with sticks.

  One of the guards took him down past some cells where people were trying to grab at him through the bars. They were beaten back - and one was viciously kicked. Darcy wanted to protest but he had a reason for being there and he did not want his visit to be stopped.

  At last he was led down a dark passage where the guard spoke to another man who was standing around with a large bunch of keys in his hand. He quickly unlocked a door into a narrow room where Bingley was standing at the window. He turned as he saw his friend
.

  “Darcy. What news is there?”

  Darcy nodded to the guard and slipped a couple of coins into his hand. The man quickly put them in a pocket and left the room shutting the door behind them.

  Darcy turned to his friend. “How are you Bingley. Are they treating you well?”

  “Thanks to you I have this room to myself.”

  Bingley tried to peer through two small windows which were high up. “I cannot say however there is much to be said for the view. “

  Bingley stopped looking and turned to his friend. Darcy how is my wife?”

  “I understand Mrs. Bingley is a little better. I asked my own physician to see her and he took a colleague with him who is an expert in poisons.”

  There were tears in Bingley eyes. “Darcy thank you. I do not know how I can repay you.”

  “Do not even think of that now. We are working to get you out of here.” Darcy was worried about his friend. Bingley was pale and had developed a tremor in his right arm.

  “Darcy, I would never, poison Mrs. Bingley. You do know that don’t you.”

  Darcy looked directly at his friend. “I am sad that you even have to ask. Bingley. We have known each other all these years. I know you would never hurt any woman, least of all Mrs. Bingley.”

  Bingley still looked troubled. “So how did it happen?”

  Darcy tried to sound reassuring. “I do not know, but we will find the cause.”

  Bingley sat down on the edge of the bench that served as a bed, his head in his hands. “Your friend, Sir Jeffrey. He thinks I did it. It was him that summoned the constable.”

  Darcy could not lie to him. “He thought he recognised signs of poisoning. He will always do what he believes is right.”

  “You did not answer my question,” said Bingley.

  Darcy pulled up the chair that was stood against the wall and sat down. The cell was stifling. “Sir Jeffrey had his doubts it is true. In such cases he tells me it is the husband who is the person most likely to be suspected.”