Murders in London

by Kate Speck

  “Diana? Who is Diana, aunt?” Darcy asked in confusion.

  Lady Matlock looked at her nephew, “Diana Kingston of Ipswich! My friend of these past forty years and close friend of Lady Suffolk, nephew. Do you not know of the connection?”

  Darcy shook his head in the negative, “I had not heard anything of it.” He looked at Elizabeth and raised his own eyebrow, “It appears my dear lady has kept some news from me.”

  Elizabeth blushed, “I suppose it never came up or we were interrupted and we have had several other issues on hand lately, Mr. Darcy. I apologise that you are not already aware.”

  Mr. Gardiner laughed, “She never talks of it, Mr. Darcy,” he looked at the rest of the guests, “even though she is the Kingston heiress and is a favourite of Lady Suffolk, she prefers being Lizzy of Longbourn. She is her father’s daughter!”

  “We need to sit down for this, nephew.” Lady Matlock commanded. “Madeline, how good it is to see you again. How are the children? Little Charlotte was speaking a mile a minute when I saw her a week ago.” She laughed.

  “They are well, milady. I hope the plans for the charity has been completed. I know much more work was needed for the Christmastime meals and all hands were needed on deck.” Madeline Gardiner replied.

  Darcy was shocked to see the camaraderie that the Gardiners had with his relatives and could not believe his ears. He had been reassuring Elizabeth that her station was insignificant and had reiterated several times that he found her father and her family worth knowing. Now, to see Mr. Gardiner chatting easily with his uncle the earl and his aunt laughing with Jane and Elizabeth, he was beyond confused.

  “Miss Elizabeth,” he began when everyone took their seats and the cheerful greetings settled down, “I believe I require some explanation. I am finding that there is a large part of your life that I am unaware of and I am very perplexed. It appears your uncle and aunt are very familiar with mine and I do not understand how you are already known to my aunt. Your father, I only now recollected, mentioned that you had a ‘unique’ situation but that you would reveal all in time. I must ask if you will share now.”

  Elizabeth, who was sitting next to Lady Matlock, looked at Darcy and smiled. “I am very sorry that we had not an opportunity to discuss it before. I had meant to share some of it with you but our last conversation was focused on the gossips.” She sighed then continued, “My father’s elder sister is Mrs. Kingston, formerly Diana Bennet, and when my mother passed, I went to live with my aunt for six years while Jane,” she gripped her sister’s hand next to her, “remained with my father to help with his grief. I was too rowdy and spirited to be of any use to him.”

  “Lizzy!” Jane chastised. “You know that is untrue. You were a wonderful girl and Aunt Diana begged papa to have you with her. She was lonely and she wished to have you by her side.”

  Elizabeth smiled tenderly at her sister, “Thank you, Jane.” She turned back to Darcy and continued, “My uncle and aunt raised me as their own and I lived with them for those six years, visiting Longbourn several times a year but remaining in Ipswich most of the time. Lady Julia has known me since birth and she and Lord John are my godparents after my aunt lost a bet that I would be born a son. Lord Suffolk and Mr. Kingston are cousins and have known our family for years, even before my aunt married my uncle.”

  Elizabeth continued to explain. “After the six years, I lived with the Gardiners for two so that I could further my education in London and they had also begged papa for their turn.” She grinned at Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. “Aunt Diana wished for longer but due to Mr. Kingston’s brother taking ill unexpectedly in Bristol, they knew I could not be so far from my father and begrudgingly released me to the Gardiners. I still spend two or three months of the year with each of them now and of course stay with my father the other half of the year. Aunt Diana brought me to London for a season two years ago but I detested it here so we returned to Ipswich after a fortnight.”

  “And they will be returning to London in January after their mourning is over,” Lady Matlock added. “Mr. Kingston’s mother passed recently at the age of two and ninety and she was a very kind lady. I recall Diana sponsoring her eldest niece’s coming out but that was when my daughter-in-law gave birth to their heir and we were in Matlock.”

  The countess smiled at Jane. “She was so proud to have you presented and wrote to me how beautiful you looked. I think we kept missing each other for one reason or another and we made our acquaintance with the Gardiners two years ago when Lord and Lady Suffolk introduced us when my dear husband needed to replace his solicitor. I am most eager to see Diana again and I know how much she had wished to find you a match, Miss Elizabeth.”

  “Please call me Lizzy, milady.” Elizabeth grinned. “You have known me since I was very young after all!”

  Lady Matlock responded, “Thank you, my dear. With your dowry and inheritance from the Kingstons, you could do far better than Darcy here!” She jested.

  “But your father mentioned that your dowries were unequal to your sisters! I had thought the opposite...” Darcy could not go on when Mrs. Mason knocked on the door and announced that dinner was ready.

  The merry party stood and walked arm-in-arm with their favourites, leaving Darcy and Elizabeth to speak privately for a few minutes.

  “Elizabeth, I am in astonishment with the discoveries and I am ashamed that I had thought of your family to be low. I am sorry that I had not been more respec...” Darcy ceased speaking when Elizabeth jumped into his arms and kissed him.

  Elizabeth wrapped her hands around his neck and pecked his lips several times. “You are a good man, Fitzwilliam Darcy. You cared nothing for my fortune or standing or whatever gossips might be spread about me. I think I... I care for you greatly, William.”

  Darcy leaned in and kissed her mouth deeply. “I honestly do not care about anything else but you, Elizabeth. I love you with all of my heart.” He breathed as he lay his forehead against hers. “I know I have not been courting you long but I have a very important question to ask you. It will have to wait until tomorrow, though, as I wish for more privacy and to do it right. I love you, Elizabeth.” They kissed gently before walking to the dining room to join the others.

  ~*~

  “Who are the Bennells, Aunt Margaret?” Georgiana asked as they began the first course, “I do not understand how you confused my friend with someone else.”

  Lady Matlock laughed, “I blame my poor memory, Georgie. Your uncle is absolutely correct that I have the worst time with names. I thought Lizzy was one of the Bennell daughters.” She looked at her husband of forty years, “Arthur and Molly Bennell? They had what, five daughters and no sons?” Lord Matlock nodded. “They were from Herefordshire and their eldest daughter was ruined, the rumour goes, when she was caught in an indiscretion. But this was, I think, five years ago?”

  “More like ten, my dear,” Lord Matlock answered after he finished chewing his food. “How these old stories are recirculated, I will never understand. You ask these gossiping women about an old rumour, they will remember every detail and add their own flavours to it, but you ask them about Queen Elizabeth or William the Conqueror or any history of significance, they keep nothing else in their little heads of theirs.” He grumbled. “The education of ladies is far too limited in my opinion.”

  Mr. Gardiner laughed, “Well, I assure you, milord, you ask our Lizzy about anything of historical importance and she will know. She knows more than most men in universities!”

  “I apologise for the confusion about the Bennells, Georgie. I was surprised that a Bennell daughter had returned to town but Lizzy had looked so genteel that I thought she could make a good companion and I shared that with you, Darcy.” She looked at her nephew. “I mixed up the names and I would have corrected myself quickly if I had not been so distracted from trying to escape from the duke!”

  Darcy’s face was grim before responding, “Aunt Margaret, do you recall if you had shared that you had seen a Bennell d
aughter at the theatre? Is it possible that someone else is connecting the scandal from ten years ago to Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet?”

  Lady Matlock gasped, “Oh, no!”

  “My dear, you are pale. Tell us all what is wrong.” Lord Matlock pressed. “I am sure it was a simple misunderstanding.”

  “I... I cannot believe I could...” Lady Matlock spluttered, “I had casually mentioned how much I had wished Georgiana to find a new companion at a tea party at Lady Metcalfe’s and she had several guests at the time. I mentioned seeing Miss Bennell with Georgiana at the theatre and how she would be a good candidate, even if the scandal was from five years ago, since the family’s disgrace would be forgiven and they would be accepted in some society now. With Bennet and Bennell sounding so similar, who knows how the gossip spread like wildfire after the papers printed about Georgiana being seen with an unknown lady! Oh, my dear Lizzy, will you forgive me? Your aunt will be furious with me and Lady Suffolk might give me the cut direct for starting such a vicious slander!” She fretted as she sipped her wine.

  Elizabeth could see that Lady Matlock’s hands were shaking and tears were forming in her eyes. She stood from her seat and walked to where the elder lady was sitting across. “I forgive you, Lady Matlock. In fact, there is nothing to forgive.” She knelt to hold the countess’ hand and kissed it. “Even if you may have started a small spark, it was those who fuelled it with lies and intensified the fire who are at fault. Words will not change the affections of those who know me but those who wish to lie and spread the gossip to harm my family must be stopped.” She looked at Darcy who was red with anger and worried that he may burst at his own aunt. “I am certain we can correct the perception quickly, Mr. Darcy. Knowing the actual name of the family, it will not take long to set the record straight that the Bennets are NOT the Bennells.”

  Lady Matlock kissed Elizabeth’s cheek and embraced her. “I will be most upset if you do not call me Lady Margaret, Lizzy. You are nearly family! Thank you, my dear. I will certainly make it right. I will make several announcements after church services tomorrow and you must join us at St. Paul’s to be seen with Darcy. It is vital that everyone sees us together to attest our approval to others. Oh, Lady Suffolk is going to kill me I do not make this right!”

  Elizabeth returned to her seat and attempted to calm Darcy, who had remained silent. “It will be well, Mr. Darcy. Just a little hiccup during our courtship. Nothing that two determined countesses could not handle!” She saw Darcy’s shoulders relax slightly and the conversation turned to the Christmas Ball at Kensington Park next week.

  After an evening of delicious food and good conversations, the party ended near eleven o’clock at night and Darcy stood in the foyer holding Elizabeth’s hand.

  Elizabeth assuaged him, “I know you are still upset but you must cease your worries. You have been so quiet tonight and I hoped you would be mollified by now. The gossip will disappear, William. Your uncle and aunt are wonderful and all is forgiven. You appear quite murderous and are scaring me and you must stop!” Elizabeth laughed.

  Darcy caressed her cheek, “I will try, my love. I am mostly angry with Caroline Bingley and I worry what venomous attacks may be in the future. We still have not caught the villain who shot you and I am concerned for you, that is all. I feel as if I need to go fencing or hunting to expel some of my energy but I will be fine. I wish I could ride my stallion in the countryside.” He smiled finally. “I could get used to this, Elizabeth. It is quite pleasant to have a beautiful woman by my side to soothe my nerves.”

  Not caring who might be witness, he held both of her cheeks and kissed her avidly before walking her outside to the awaiting carriage.

  “See you tomorrow, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth.” He bowed and waited until the carriage was no longer visible on the streets before calling for his saddled horse and riding out into the dark of the night.

  ~*~

  “Are you certain? How did you lose track of him? He is dangerous and he may do something irrational. I swear if he does anything to ruin my plans, I am going to kill him myself!” the man in the shadows roared.

  The second man replied, “He was gone before I could talk to him. He was fuming all night long and appeared savage. He knows what is at stake here but I am afraid he might have gone insane. He may no longer be useful to us, sir.”

  “As long as he does not implicate us, we will be safe. Perhaps his anger may advance my plans faster. Find out where he has gone and get him back under our thumb.” The first man commanded. “We will meet here again in three days. Do not disappoint me!”

  The leader quickly left the dark room while the other man sat down and rubbed his face to recall where the angry man might be headed. Suddenly he sat up straight and ran to his horse to ride hastily to the direction to prevent a possible catastrophe, but he would be too late.

  Chapter 10

  “Georgiana! Where in heavens is your brother?” Lady Matlock fussed before church service began at St. Paul’s the next day. “Lizzy and Jane are here with the Gardiners and I had a chance to explain our situation to Lady Suffolk, but we need your brother by Lizzy’s side to show them off together!”

  Georgiana shyly lowered her eyes, “I received a note from Richard that William was indisposed after a late night out and that he would not be able to make the service today, aunt. Richard instructed that I should attend with Mrs. Annesley so that I am seen with Lizzy. It will work, I am certain.”

  “Hmph,” Lady Matlock huffed out a breath, “Darcy is ruining my plans but you will do. Stand with Lizzy and let us be seen.” She reached for Elizabeth’s other arm and smiled while whispering to her, “My nephew has missed more church services this season than all of his life, I am certain! I cannot believe he would abandon us to the public at a time like this but I am sure he has a good excuse. Why he went out so late after our dinner party last night, though, I do not understand. What in the world was he thinking?”

  Elizabeth knew that Darcy had been restless but was surprised to hear that he had left Darcy House and would be missing services today. As Lady Matlock nodded and greeted several of her friends and proudly introduced Elizabeth as a Bennet and the courtship with Darcy, there was a soft murmur in the congregation that grew louder and louder until one lady was seen fainting and several men appeared incensed, while the buzzing of conversations became louder.

  It was the bishop of the church who stood on the pulpit and raised his arms to silence the crowd.

  “My dear congregants, I understand you are hearing of a terrible event that occurred on Ratcliff Highway last night. I assure you all that we are safe and no harm will come to us here. We will begin our service in five minute’s time on schedule but if you will allow, let us take an opportunity to be silent so we can pray for the four poor souls who were lost last night, and for God’s holy intervention in capturing the sinner so he can repent for his evil deeds.” He bowed his head in silent prayer.

  Elizabeth was in shock to hear that four people died in an apparent murder last night. She wondered where Mr. Darcy was at this very moment and felt flushed, as she had thought at one time that he had been involved with the deaths of three people on the river. Elizabeth fervently prayed for the souls of those who perished last night and for wisdom to approach Darcy with her questions. She could not fathom how Darcy could take part in any crime, but with so many deaths in the past two months since making his acquaintance, she was perplexed with the coincidence and the possibility of his complicity in these murders.

  ~*~

  Lady Matlock insisted that Elizabeth and Jane, with the Gardiners and Georgiana, join them for tea at Matlock House with Lady Suffolk.

  “Thank you for helping us with our trivial matter, Lady Julia,” Elizabeth began as they sipped their tea, “Everything seems so insignificant compared to the unbelievable crime last night.” She wiped her eyes, “Reading the papers now, I had no idea that a baby was killed by an evil man.”

 
The special edition newspaper had printed the horrors of the Ratcliff Highway murders, where a shop owner, his wife, their three-month-old son, and an apprentice had been all murdered a little before midnight. The fact that they were murdered so viciously and violently in their own home was disturbing and all of London was terrorised by such an appalling event.

  Lady Suffolk wrapped her arm around her goddaughter. “In all of my years, I have never heard of such a terrible crime, but everything will turn out all right, Lizzy. They are in heaven and they are together. We can only hope they capture the madman quickly and justice be served.” She comforted her. “Life must go on and we will think of pleasant things to remember the good in life. A distraction is what we need and this gossip nuisance will be just the thing.”

  Elizabeth smiled after wiping her face and embraced the countess. “Thank you, godmother. I am glad you are with me. I wish Aunt Diana were here as well but I am so blessed to have you and Aunt Madeline to support me through this.”

  “Now,” Lady Suffolk asked, “this Miss Bingley, does she have any friends in high places? Mr. Bingley,” she turned to the affable man who had joined their tea, “where could she have possibly heard these rumours?”

  Before Bingley could answer, Darcy burst into the room where his relatives, the ladies, and Bingley, along with Mr. Gardiner and Lord Suffolk were in attendance.