Murders in London

by Kate Speck

  Mrs. Gardiner smiled, “Oh, but Lizzy, most of the gifts were not purchased by us. We are merely the messengers.”

  Elizabeth was surprised with her disclosure. “Oh? Was it Lady Julia? She has always been so generous.”

  There was a gleam in Mrs. Gardiner’s eye when she replied, “No, Lizzy. Your uncle is speaking with your father right now and all will be revealed soon. I believe there is a letter for you. Why do you not go and ask about it while I deliver some news about Mr. Bingley to Jane?”

  Elizabeth beamed at hearing that Mr. Bingley had sent word for her sister. Jane had been worried that his arrival at Netherfield might be delayed and had been eager to receive any news of him from their aunt.

  Elizabeth walked to her father’s study and knocked. After being bid to enter, she saw that both her father and Uncle Edward had large grins on their faces.

  “I was told there was a letter for me, papa. Is it from Lady Julia?” She asked.

  Mr. Bennet handed her a single piece of paper. “I have taken the liberty to read it first, as it was proper, and I was given permission from the author. I can have an express sent in the morning if you would like to reply.”

  Elizabeth wondered who could have written to her that her father had to read it first, and sat on one of the chairs to open the folded paper. She gasped when she saw the signature at the bottom.

  Miss Elizabeth Bennet,

  There is too much to apologise for and not enough parchment in the world to make my excuses for my horrid behaviour, madam, but it was never my intention to go for so long without sending you word. I will vow that my plan had been to call on you the day after the ball but due to my exhaustion, I had slept longer than ever imagined. Your departure to Hertfordshire gave me little hope that you may wish to continue our friendship and my cowardice prevented me from writing to your father, but the recent crimes in town have made me realise that life is far too short to not take charge of what blessings we are given.

  You are too generous to trifle with me, Miss Elizabeth. If your feelings are still what they were before the Christmas Ball, if you can forgive me my wrongs, send word and I will atone for my sins for as long as it takes. My affections and wishes are unchanged; but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever.

  Tell me your wishes, Miss Elizabeth. I await your command and send these gifts for you and your family, not only as penitence for my past offenses but also for the joys you have brought into my sister’s and my hearts these past two months.

  Sincerely,

  Fitzwilliam Darcy

  ~*~

  Darcy sat at his desk to work on his business. He had been informed by Richard and Peel that a suspect had been found at The Pear Tree Inn, and as they had long conjectured, the man was initialled J.W. and named John Williams. They knew not what connections there were to Samuel Allens or Mrs. Younge, but the circumstances of the attacks on the Marrs and the Williamsons were so similar that there was no doubt that those two attacks were committed by the same villain.

  Now, with a suspect being secretly monitored and more evidence being compiled to ensure that the correct man was being chased, Darcy was at last able to concentrate on his estate management and return his attentions to Georgiana.

  Georgiana was sullen but understanding that her brother had done something to offend Lizzy, and although disappointed that he had not done more to rectify his errors and make her dear friend his wife, she believed her brother to be the best of men and continued her lessons with Mrs. Annesley. Her new companion had received word that the Bennets approved of her transition to the Darcy family as Miss Darcy’s permanent companion, as Miss Elizabeth would soon be of majority age and did not require a companion with so many sisters near her.

  Darcy was working on the ledgers when there was a knock on his door.

  “Mr. Darcy,” his butler announced, “there is a letter for you. It arrived express and the messenger awaits your reply.” He walked toward the desk to hand it to his master.

  Darcy looked at his pocket watch and saw that it was a little after eleven o’clock. Wondering what urgent news was sent to him, he wondered if something might have happened to his uncle or aunt or his cousins. When the butler handed him the letter, he looked at it and saw that the letter was from Longbourn, Hertfordshire.

  His hands shook, realising that it must be a response from Elizabeth and that the content of this letter might change his life forever. He had not anticipated such a rapid reply and after an interminable moment, he opened the letter and saw the feminine writing.

  “Mason! Have my horse saddled immediately! I must leave in the next quarter hour!” Darcy shouted as he jumped from his seat.

  He ran to his rooms to change into riding clothes and to have a small satchel prepared, then spoke with the messenger that he would be travelling to Hertfordshire with him.

  Darcy ran into his study to retrieve the precious letter and pocketed it after caressing it with affection. The letter contained only one word: “Come”.

  ~*~

  Elizabeth twisted her handkerchief and began to wring it to the point of making her hands red. She continued to doubt herself if Mr. Darcy would understand her intentions and if she should have written a long letter of apology instead of the one word she had sent. She did not know how he would respond or how long, if he indeed wished to see her, it would take for his travel to Hertfordshire.

  “Lizzy! You will tear that cloth apart if you do not cease fretting!” the elder lady laughed. “I know you are nervous but you must relax. Poor young Hill left at seven in the morning and it is at least a four-hour ride in one direction. It will likely be yet another half-hour when we receive a reply from Mr. Darcy.”

  Mrs. Gardiner chuckled, “Oh, Agnes, I have never seen two people more in love and yet I have never seen anyone argue and misunderstand each other as they. I suppose that is why Lizzy and Mr. Darcy’s relationship, if they are able to get through these hardships in the beginning, will be an incredible adventure. Their friendship can only grow as long as they are both willing to compromise and learn to be sympathetic. It will all be well, Lizzy.” She turned to her niece. “He will write back and you will see him with Mr. Bingley as soon as Netherfield opens. He loves you. I knew it when I saw him at Darcy House and I still believed it when I saw him yesterday when he brought the gifts.”

  Elizabeth attempted to relax and put her handkerchief down when gallops of horses could be heard. She immediately stood and looked out the window to find Mr. Darcy dismounting his horse and dusting off his great coat. She froze in shock and could not move when he was announced at the door and entered the parlour.

  Darcy’s eyes searched for Elizabeth and saw her staring at him. He bowed and turned his face to greet the other ladies in the room. “Mrs. Gardiner, a pleasure to see you again.” Looking at the other older woman standing next to Madeline Gardiner, he gasped, “Mrs. Howard! I did not know you were acquainted with the Bennets.”

  Mrs. Gardiner replied first, “It is good to see you, Mr. Darcy. Although I had seen you only yesterday, I certainly did not expect to see you here today. Agnes told me you two were already acquainted but how do you know each other?”

  Darcy coloured, “Ah! Agnes... I am now realising that you are Mr. Bennet’s betrothed. Mrs. Howard’s daughter is one of my closest friend’s new wife since last March.” He turned to Mrs. Howard and smiled, “And how is Miss Agatha? Still lively even in her married state?”

  “She is doing well,” Mrs. Howard laughed. “Still pining that she could not capture the great Mr. Darcy of Pemberley but having a merry time with her dear husband.”

  Darcy laughed, “Frederick tells me how happy they have been and that they are expecting. I know you are jesting, since Miss Agatha always scolds me for being the most dreary and dull man in the world.” He slowly turned his eyes to Elizabeth, “Miss Elizabeth, I hope I am not disturbing your peace.” He continued to face her to await her response.

  “Lizzy, Agnes and I h
ave to look in on the children. We will return as soon as we can. We cannot leave Mr. Darcy here all alone while your father is riding with your brother and uncle so I apologise we will have to ask you to keep Mr. Darcy company.” Mrs. Gardiner stood and practically dragged the giggling Mrs. Howard out of the room.

  Darcy took a seat after Elizabeth finally came to her senses and sat down. After taking a deep breath, Elizabeth commented, “I did not think I would see you so soon.”

  Darcy tensed with her words but he saw that she was only uneasy and not upset by his presence. “I was commanded here by the mistress of my heart. You sent one word and it was all I needed.” He twiddled his thumbs as he continued to observe her. “I have told you before, Elizabeth; until you command me away and end it, I will not cease courting you. I have already failed miserably in our courtship but if you will give me another chance, I will prove to you how much I care for you. Even if you do not love me, I will love you for as long as I live.”

  “How can you still love me? I behaved so reprehensibly and I do not deserve your forgiveness. I was behaving most selfishly and I wounded you with my cruel accusations. I was so stupid... I am still a stupid, stupid girl.” Elizabeth berated herself.

  Darcy moved to sit next to her instantly and rubbed her hands. “No, Elizabeth, it was all my doing. The blame is all mine. I was the one who was a jealous fool and whether or not I had been sleepless, I behaved most ungentlemanly and I was ill-tempered. I should have never walked away from you and I do not fault you for leaving me after seeing me at my worst.” He wiped her tears with his fingers. “I have told you I would die for you. The truth is, I was not strong enough to live for you at that moment by staying with you and I am so sorry. I am sorry from the bottom of my heart, Elizabeth.”

  Elizabeth saw that his eyes were moist with regret and there was something he needed to tell her. “I know we have many things to let out in the open but I feel you need to unburden yourself before we can move forward. Will you tell me your deepest secret, William? I see a soul tortured and it seems all those crimes in London has affected you more than anyone else. Will you open your heart to me?” She reached for his hand and kissed it. “I love you, William. I love you with the deepest of affections and I will forgive you of anything. Even when I thought you might be complicit in three deaths, I still fell in love with you and I will never stop.”

  Darcy leaned and kissed her lips gently. “Perhaps we argue so fiercely because we love so ardently, my love. I will reveal all to you but I wish to have more privacy. I do not ask for an answer right now; you will be at liberty to shun me after I tell you my secret, but I will propose to you at the first opportunity, Elizabeth.” He kissed her several times again, “My Beth, my beloved for all eternity. I love you.”

  Elizabeth smiled and looked into his eyes. “I like your calling me ‘Beth’. No one has used that name for me before.”

  “You probably know that the name Elizabeth means ‘God is my oath’, but did you know that in Hebrew, Beth means ‘house’ or ‘place’? You are my home. My heart is wherever you are and I am sorry that I stayed away from you for the past ten days. I felt lost and I could not breathe and it was all due to being far from my home, my heart.” Darcy kissed her cheek. “If you will allow, can we walk in the gardens? There was a pretty little wilderness on one side of your lawn.”

  Elizabeth nodded and they gathered their coats to walk out of doors. They could see Mrs. Gardiner and Mrs. Howard peeking out the window and waved at them with a full grin.

  Darcy gathered Elizabeth on his arm as they walked to speak in private. “I must admit that I was beyond irritable when Miss Bingley attempted to attack you again. I lost all semblance of self-control and I do not know what I might have done if you had not stepped in front of her to draw me out of my rage. I truly felt murderous and when you had accused me of partaking in the London killings, you had spoken more truth than you had realised.” He rubbed her hand and saw that she was intently listening but her face was open and without judgment. He smiled fondly, “I did not murder anyone, Elizabeth, no, but the deaths of the three in the River Thames killings as well as the Ratcliff Highway murders are connected to me somehow. Have you heard of the latest?”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, I read about the horrible news in the papers. It has been sensationalised to the point that I do not know what is truth and what is fiction. No one knows who is responsible and everyone is in a panic that they will be next to be killed in their homes. I wonder how many more may die or if the criminal will be captured soon.”

  “Well, I must tell you that I have been part of the investigation since late October after the second murder occurred.” Darcy told his story. “After I left London in April for Easter in Kent, I read in the papers that there had been a murder and that a man had been found naked and floating face down on the river. I had not thought much of it until I returned to town in October and the day after my arrival, another body had been found in the same fashion and I then contacted my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam to help me gather more details surrounding the murders. When he discovered that the second body, as well as the first, had a handkerchief stuffed into his mouth, I became convinced that the murders had to do with my past.” He sighed, “This is where my deepest secret lies, Elizabeth. Although I did not murder anyone, I am responsible for the death of an old friend.”

  They took a seat on a bench and Darcy gathered Elizabeth into his arms to embrace her. “Because of my words, because of my despicable pride many years ago, a young boy died in Pemberley Pond.” He released her to look her in the eyes. “Would you forgive me if I caused the death of that boy, younger than your brother? One who was only eleven at the time? Would you hold me responsible and shun me and demand justice? Do you think I could ever atone for such a sin?”

  Elizabeth gasped with his disclosure. “How old were you, William?” She could not imagine Darcy causing such injury to anyone.

  “I was twelve.” Darcy answered. “Georgiana had just been born and I recall my aunt Lady Catherine and cousin Anne were visiting for mother’s confinement. I teased poor Gregory over and over that he should have been born a girl because he was the younger son and that a second son had no use because he already had an older brother. He yelled back and told me to shut up and I do not remember the exact words but I remember telling him that he should stuff his mouth with a cloth so he does not talk so to the future master of a grand estate and reminded him of his place. The next day, his body was found naked and floating face down in the pond. I confessed to my father that I had argued with him and that I was responsible for his death, but he told me that it was likely that it must have been an accident or a suicide and did not place any blame on me. But I knew it was my fault and I have carried that burden for many years. I became more reserved since then and fearful to speak without reservation. When the bodies were found in London in the same circumstances, I knew someone was taunting me for my past and I had been involved with the investigation to find the murderer.”

  “Oh, William, it was not your fault. I do not know how the recent killings are related but you did not cause that boy’s death and it is up to God to judge him for his own actions. Oh, my love, you must let go of your guilt. You were only a boy. Just a little boy.” She embraced him and rubbed his back.

  Darcy inhaled deeply and held her tightly. “Thank you, my love. Only Richard and Robert Peel know of that story. They have both been working on the investigation and I had to reveal to them of my connection. Someone knows of the details of my past and I cannot fathom who it could be. Mr. Wilkins, my father’s valet, happened to be with me when I discovered the body and he and my father were the only ones who knew about the handkerchief. They thought it too degrading and kept it from everyone else. My father and Mr. Wilkins have been both deceased for many years and no one else could have known about the handkerchief. Everyone, even Mr. Wilkins at the time thought it was an accident by a foolish boy who swam alone on a warm November day and not even his p
arents were told about the handkerchief so they would have peace. Sadly, that was around the time my cousin Anne ceased speaking as well. I suppose a death at Pemberley was too much for a ten-year-old girl and she has not spoken a word since.”

  “I do not blame you at all, William. You were a young boy and words may harm but it was not sticks and stones, my love. You did not push that young boy into the water and you certainly did not force him to hurt himself. I love you and I would never shun you.” Elizabeth kissed his cheek.

  He released his embrace and stood, only to kneel down and pull out his mother’s ring.

  “Elizabeth Bennet, in vain have I struggled; it will no longer do. I had wished to propose twice already and I will not lose another moment to wait for another time. I love you with all of my heart and I wish to stay by your side for all eternity. Will you marry me? Will you be my Beth, my home? Will you accept this ill-tempered and proud man to be your husband, to correct me and teach me and to love me? I will love you until my last breath, Elizabeth. There is no one for me but you and I will be faithful to you always.” Darcy awaited her answer and smiled, seeing her eyes shine brightly as she began to nod.

  “Yes, William! A thousand times, yes!” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you with all of my heart and it will be my honour to marry you. I have been a selfish creature, being raised like an only child for many years, but if you can accept me with my pride and terrible manners, I accept you fully to be my companion for life.” She looked down at her hand where Darcy slipped the beautiful opal ring on her finger. “Oh, it is so beautiful.”

  “It was my mother’s ring. This is a ring that has been on the fingers of the past six mistresses of Pemberley and they have had happy marriages. I did not think I would ever find such a love but I was waiting for you, my love. When I held you at the theatre box when you fell, I knew I could not let you go.” Darcy sat next to her and kissed her lips. “I have loved you from the first moment I saw you, Elizabeth.”