by Lane Cossett
Sir Jeffrey took up the tale once more. “It is thanks to Miss Williams that we even thought of the face powder.
“That singer,” snapped Miss Bingley.
Miss Williams seemed amused by Miss Bingley’s insulting tone. “I have seen someone poisoned by arsenic with the powder we use in the theatre.”
Miss Bingley’s anger increased. “And so on the word of that whore I am being accused of trying to poison Mrs. Bingley? This is ridiculous. Charles we are going home.”
Mr. Bingley did not move, but the constables did. They went and stood close to Miss Bingley. “What is the meaning of this? Charles?”
Mr. Bingley looked disgusted. “I did not poison my wife. You are the only one who could have done it.”
Miss Bingley was speechless. She kept opening her mouth, but no words came out.
“Just as your brother was, you will be charged with trying to murder Mrs. Bingley,” said Sir Jeffrey.
Caroline Bingley screamed, and she tried to run from the room, but the constables were too quick for her and they caught her easily. The stream of abusive language that emanated from her mouth shocked everyone except perhaps her captors who marched her still screaming from the room.
80
As Miss Bingley was escorted from the room. Everyone stayed exactly where they were. There was an air of shock in the room at what had happened. Tears were pouring down Jane Bingley’s cheeks. Mr. Darcy went to speak to her.
“I am sorry, but I needed you to be in no doubt that Mr. Bingley had nothing at all to do with you being ill.”
Jane whispered through her tears. “Thank you.” She held out a hand to her husband and he was quickly by her side kneeling down and throwing his arms around her. Jane sobbed.
It was Lady Frances who quickly covered the awkward moment. “Sir Jeffrey we must thank you for all your hard work. Mr. Watson. Sir Maurice, you and Dr. Stanmore must tell me more about arsenic poisoning. This is most fascinating.” Her ladyship was speaking so quickly the men looked bemused, but they soon gathered around her and were answering the questions that she wanted.
Miss Williams joined Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth heard her uncle express his gratitude for the part she had played in finding out the truth.
Miss Darcy was as shocked as anyone. “I would never have thought Miss Bingley would do such a thing.”
“Nor I,” said Elizabeth truthfully. She had never liked Miss Bingley, and she had never thought Miss Bingley liked Jane but for her to try and deliberately poison Jane was quite shocking. It now seemed that had always been her plan.
Elizabeth was watching Mr. Darcy who was now in conversation with Sir Jeffrey. A wave of shame ran through her. He had done so much to help their family and he had not been treated kindly by them. He had thought nothing of his own reputation and set aside his pride to help them.
Although she had been caught up in the scandal of Viscount Langley it would not last and more importantly none of them would find themselves at the workhouse. And Jane would no longer be poisoned but would return to her husband. They did not deserve such good fortune.
Lady Frances beckoned Miss Darcy to her and Elizabeth was left alone. She was about to go and speak to her uncle when Miss Williams crossed the room to speak to her.
“I must go Miss Bennet, but I could not leave without speaking to you.”
Elizabeth thanked her. “We are all so grateful or what you have done.”
“It was nothing. I knew when I saw that Charlie had been arrested, I had to do something. I never did like Miss Bingley.”
“She is not an easy woman,” said Elizabeth carefully.
“Indeed not. I believe she was always jealous of Charlie.”
Elizabeth inwardly winced at the familiar tone.
Miss Williams suddenly looked more serious. “I have seen your disquiet when I talk of him,” she said. “ I must put your mind at rest. I have known Mr. Bingley since childhood. He once saved my brother from certain death when he ran in front of a carriage. They were both quite badly hurt, but Charlie saved Gregory’s life.”
“So you are not…” Elizabeth suddenly realised what she about to ask and stopped herself “Forgive me. I should not ask and it does not matter.”
Miss Williams touched her arm and looked directly at her. “No Miss Bennet you do not to have fear of me. Mr. Bingley is an old friend nothing more, and I see he is very happy with your sister.”
Elizabeth looked across the room where Mr. Bingley was now holding Jane’s hand while talking to Dr. Stanmore.
“Yes they are happy.” She smiled at Miss Williams. “Thank you.”
Miss Williams tugged at one of glossy curls. “I am glad. Mr. Bingley deserves happiness. Now if I was to consider a husband, it would be someone like him.”
Elizabeth followed her gaze. Miss Williams was looking at Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth felt a tightening in her chest and her eyes widened in horror. Miss Williams let out a peal of laughter, which made the others in the room stare at them.
“I must be gone,” she said.
Elizabeth could not move.
Miss Williams leaned towards her. “Do not worry. I wish you good fortune. He is all yours my dear.”
Elizabeth stayed rooted to the spot as Miss Williams left. She was not sure how many more surprises she could tolerate.
A few minutes later Mr. Watson and the doctors said their goodbyes. Dr. Stanmore said that he would continue to visit Jane when she returned home.
Once the gentlemen had departed Mr. Gardiner came to speak to Elizabeth. “Lizzy, I think it is time we left Your sister I am sure is weary.”
Elizabeth agreed, but before she could move Mr. Darcy who had seen the departure of Sir Jeffrey interrupted them.
“Mr. Gardiner, if you would not mind I would like to speak to your niece.”
Mr. Gardiner faded away.
Elizabeth stared up at him. Mr. Darcy was unsmiling as their eyes met. She was embarrassed, but she knew she had to speak. Her voice shook. “Mr. Darcy, I must thank you for what you have done, for me, my sister and the rest of your family. We were already in your debt.”
She could feel the tension in his body.
“There is no need to thank me. I have done what any person in my position would have done. I helped my friend to find the truth.”
His voice was clipped and unfriendly, but she ploughed on with what she needed to say. ”It is not just that. I understand it is you we have to thank for settling my father’s debts.”
A frown crossed Mr. Darcy’s face. “I had not thought Mr. Bennet was so untrustworthy. I had asked that he would not tell you.”
“Do not blame him. He could not hide it from me. I was slow to realise, but when he said his debts had been settled there was no one else who could have had the means to do so.”
Mr. Darcy turned towards her, his dark eyes troubled. “I had to do something. I could not let the woman I held in such high regard lose everything.”
Elizabeth found it difficult to speak. “And for that I shall be forever in your debt.”
“Miss Bennet you owe me nothing I assure you. But I do have a question that I need to ask.”
Elizabeth could not stay. Tears were pricking her eyes. It was too painful to stand so close to the man she loved.
“Please don’t. I must leave.”
“No Miss Bennet.” His voice was firm. “I would wish on this occasion you would let me speak.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “What is it sir?”
Mr. Darcy took a deep breath. “Miss Bennet, you once accepted my proposal of marriage. I asked you to wait until such time I could ask you again…”
He stopped speaking. Elizabeth was almost holding her breath. “Yes sir.”
Mr. Darcy continued. “I love you more than you can imagine, and I would consider it a great honour if you would once more accept my proposal of marriage. Naturally if you would rather not, I will understand, and I would not mention it again. It may be that after all thi
s time you have no regard for me…”
Elizabeth suppressed a giggle, putting her mouth over her hand.
Mr. Darcy frowned at her gesture. “Have I said something amusing?”
Tears pricked her eyes. “No Mr. Darcy. I only ask that this time you give me the opportunity to answer.”
Some of the tension seeped from Mr. Darcy’s face. “And what is your answer?”
Elizabeth’s eyes were full of tears. “It is yes Mr. Darcy. I accept your proposal,” she whispered.
She saw the joy in his eyes.
“I have one condition Miss Bennet.”
“And what is that?” she asked curiously.
“That we marry tomorrow… I have wanted you as my wife so long I cannot wait another day.”
Elizabeth nearly choked with the shock. “But how could we sir?”
“I obtained a special licence. I have your father’s permission. I want nothing to come in our way. Say you will marry me tomorrow.”
Elizabeth did not hesitate. Her heart was beating so hard she could hardly get the words out. She felt as if she was going to faint with happiness. “I will marry you tomorrow.”
Mr. Darcy could not hide his pleasure. “Shall we tell them?” he asked.
Elizabeth looked across the room at her aunt and uncle, Lady Frances and Miss Darcy, Jane and Mr. Bingley. All of them were staring in their direction.
“I think they may know already,” she said, breaking into a smile.
Epilogue
It truly was the happiest day of Elizabeth Bennet’s life when she became Mrs. Darcy. Her aunt and uncle were shocked when they learned that she was to marry the following day but were so pleased they raised no objections.
The happy couple were married in the drawing room at Darcy House with Lady Frances, Miss Darcy, the Gardiners and the Bingleys present. Jane Bingley looked exhausted, but assured Lizzy she was well and happy to be once more in the care of her husband. Mr. Bingley could not have been more attentive to his wife and Elizabeth was glad to see it.
After spending the first night at Darcy House the newly weds travelled back to Mr. Darcy’s beloved Pemberley. Elizabeth was full of trepidation, but she need not have been. She was given a warm welcome by Mrs. Reynolds and the household staff who were glad to see their master so happy.
With the help of Mrs. Reynolds Elizabeth soon learned all about running her husband’s family home and with the encouragement of Darcy she immersed herself in the life on the estate and became familiar with the workers and their families, offering advice and help where she could.
She even persuaded Darcy to open their home to more visitors and it was not long before invitations to Pemberley for their house parties were some of the most sought after in the area.
Elizabeth continued to worry about Jane Bingley, but two months after arriving at Pemberley Mr. Bingley moved his wife to an estate in the neighbouring county, close enough for the sisters to visit each other often. It took Jane a long time to recover from the ordeal she had suffered at the hands of Miss Bingley, including the loss of the child she had been carrying. Both the Bingleys were heartbroken but the love they had for each other strengthened and six months later they rejoiced when Jane was once again carrying a child.
Miss Bingley never stood trial for trying to murder Jane Bingley which was a relief to them all. The signs of madness she had shown when she had been taken away grew worse and she was taken to an asylum where she was locked up for the rest of her days. Mr. Bingley was sad but encouraged by his wife went to visit her. However, his sister tried to attack him and after that one occasion he never went again. But being a kind man he did not want to entirely abandon his sister and he paid for her to stay in an institution where she was well cared for and never left alone.
Louisa Hurst was horrified about her sister and swore to her brother that she’d had nothing to do with Jane’s poisoning, but after all that had happened Mr. Bingley was not so trusting and when he and Mrs. Bingley moved from Netherfield, the Hursts were never invited to his new home and the easy life they had led under their brother’s largesse was over. Mrs Hurst became very bitter as her husband drank himself into a stupor each day.
As promised Elizabeth wrote regularly to Lady Vivienne and she received letters in return. They always amused her with the blunt observations of life which were so characteristic of her friend. Just as Lady Vivienne had predicted she was content with their isolated life in Scotland but six months after her marriage to Mr. Darcy Elizabeth received a shocking note that declared Vivienne was married. A widowed crofter had pursued her relentlessly and in the end she had decided that living with him was better than the daily misery of living with her bitter mother and eccentric aunt. Elizabeth wrote back immediately wishing her every happiness.
Of Vivienne’s brother there was no immediate news. Some believed he was hiding in London or living in the Kent coast, but eventually news came that Viscount Langley was in France where his first wife lived. He continued to use his wit and charm to dazzle and cheat, until he was killed in a street fight over an unpaid debt. Elizabeth wondered if he had debts why he had proposed to her, but she learned from Mr. Darcy and Sir Jeffrey, that he had been entranced when he met her and just did it out of amusement. No one but his mother mourned his passing.
Mr. Bennet never returned to London and he buried himself in his books. Occasionally he made the journey to Pemberley, but the visits were never easy. Although Elizabeth had forgiven her father for nearly destroying all their lives the easy relationship that had existed between them had disappeared forever.
Mrs. Bennet never stayed at Pemberley, complaining that it was too far for her to travel, but she was delighted to visit all her friends in Meryton and boast of Elizabeth’s marriage to a man who had a fortune of ten thousand a year, conveniently putting aside her dislike of Mr. Darcy. No one dared point out that Elizabeth had nearly been married to a viscount even if he had been marred by scandal.
Kitty missed both her sisters dreadfully and Elizabeth ensured she spent a great deal of time at Pemberley. At first Kitty was so silly and bad-tempered Mr. Darcy threatened to send her back to Hertfordshire. Elizabeth and Georgiana implored him to be patient saying her sister would improve. And indeed she did.
In spending time in society so superior to what she had experienced most of her life, Kitty started to become more interested in the world around her and less discontented. To the surprise of everyone Kitty came to the attention of a local landowner and she received an offer of marriage which was accepted. Elizabeth worried that Kitty would not be happy as her husband only seemed to have a lukewarm affection for her. But it was enough for Kitty. She had what she had always desired, a home, a husband and a place in society. She was quite content and never moaned at her lot and in time her husband decided his choice of wife was a wise one and started to show her all the affection she could have wished for.
Mary stayed at home spending a great deal of time with her books, ignoring Mrs. Bennet’s entreaties to talk or to go into Meryton for ribbons and lace. Delighted that she was no longer forced to dine or attend balls it was only her parents who had to suffer her singing and piano playing. Mr. Bennet even took it upon himself to spend an hour each day talking about books with her. Mary was delighted to receive his attention, but after two weeks of hearing her pontificating and refusing to listen, Mr. Bennet cut the time to half an hour. He felt guilty that he had neglected Mary so much, but even his guilt would not allow him to spend too much time listening to her ponderous meanderings on subjects she knew little about.
Georgiana Darcy was delighted that her brother had finally married Elizabeth and the two became as close as they could be. It was to Elizabeth that Georgiana first confided she had fallen in love. It was the Earl of Sopworth, who had first caught her attention in London. Darcy was outraged at the thought of a man courting his sister, but gradually relented after much gentle teasing from Elizabeth. The marriage took place three months after her brother’s wedding
in the chapel at Pemberley. Never had a bride looked more beautiful or a groom more happy and Elizabeth was certain she saw a tear in her husband’s eye as they waved the happy couple off on their wedding tour.
Lady Frances was a regular visitor to Pemberley dispensing advice, much that was not asked for. Six months after Georgiana’s wedding she suddenly fell ill and It was a shock to all of them that she did not recover and died. Darcy was distraught. She had often been infuriating particularly when she tried to meddle in his life, but he was genuinely fond of her and mourned her greatly.
Esta Williams wrote to them to express her sorrow about Lady Frances. Darcy was grateful for her taking time out of her tour to write to them. Her fame was increasing and notices in the paper had been very favourable. When she travelled north to perform in York, she stayed with the Bingleys and she and Jane Bingley became very close friends.
The Gardiners were their first visitors at Pemberley after their wedding, bringing the children with them and Elizabeth was delighted to see her young cousins exploring the gardens at Pemberley. Mr. Gardiner spent days fishing or riding with Mr. Darcy, while Mrs. Gardiner when not with the children, spent happy hours embroidering with Elizabeth, exploring the Pemberley estate and visiting her nearby family. “You are happy are you not Lizzy?” asked Mrs Gardiner.
Elizabeth smiled. “I could not be happier,” she assured her. And it was true. She had never expected to feel so content and the love she felt for her husband grew daily.
Mr. Darcy too worried whether she was happy and he asked her frequently in the early days of their marriage.
Nearly two months had passed since Lady Frances had died and the sun was only just come up. Elizabeth was snuggled in the arms of her husband.
“Are you happy Mrs. Darcy?”
Elizabeth smiled at the anxious question. “Sir, I could not be happier. I have everything I could wish for, including the best husband in the world.”
Mr. Darcy flushed with pleasure. “You know I will do everything in my power to ensure that you have all your heart desires.”