by Kate Speck
“I cannot stand that shrew. I know it is unkind but I only hope for misery and pain and I hope we find Allens guilty of murder for hire of his cousin.” Peel bitterly answered. “After the trouble those two caused Darcy and Miss Elizabeth, they both deserve to suffer.”
“I agree with you, Peel,” Richard answered. “Although we cannot have him jailed, he will suffer with his miserable wife and his wife will suffer because of his laziness and poor choices. Allens will not receive a farthing from next year’s income from his estate since his steward stole everything and gambled it all away. Those two will be poor for a while if they do not learn to economise.”
Peel raised his glass, “Here is to Darcy. May his wife remain beautiful and intelligent for the rest of his days after finally finding love.”
“Cheers, mate,” Richard toasted and the gentlemen enjoyed a peaceful evening for a change, now that the murders in London was finally solved.
Chapter 20
Elizabeth greeted her dear sister-to-be at Netherfield. “Georgiana, I hope you are enjoying Netherfield. Had you a chance to visit Meryton yet?”
Georgiana cheerfully answered, “Kitty and Lydia promised me to show me their favourite shops but Mrs. Kingston gave a long list of tasks to Mrs. Johnson to work with them before Mr. and Mrs. Bennet return from their wedding trip so we have not been able to go. Do you have time to take me today, Lizzy? The New Year Eve party is tomorrow and I would love some ribbons. William is allowing me to join you!”
“Of course!” Elizabeth agreed while they sat in the Netherfield drawing room with Jane and Mrs. Hurst. “I have a new book to pick up from the bookstore as well. Your brother and Mr. Bingley are hunting today with Mr. Carlson so it is the perfect timing. After we return, we will have time to play with the Gardiner children again and then my aunt will wish to go over the wedding breakfast menu. I am so exhausted from planning the wedding and could use a nice, long respite!”
“I am glad we can go today, Lizzy. William does not care for hunting outside of Derbyshire but he has been enjoying himself with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Carlton. I like Mrs. Carlson very much. I was introduced to her at her wedding but William has known her for a few years, I believe.” Georgiana explained. “She is very lively and reminds me of you a little, Lizzy. You and her personalities are similar, I think. I thought she looked very pretty in her green ribbons at the wedding yesterday. Do you think I could find a ribbon of the same colour in Meryton today?”
Elizabeth startled for a moment before answering. “Of course, Georgie. I will take you to the best milliner in this county. Why do you not call for the carriage? I will see if Jane and Mrs. Hurst wish to join us.”
“Of course. I will return in a moment.” Georgiana left to notify Mrs. Nicholls.
Elizabeth sat and thought about her new stepsister Agatha Carlson. She was a vivacious woman of five and twenty and very beautiful. Agatha and her husband were to remain in Hertfordshire for two more days before returning to London and had been staying with the Lucases, and Agatha was spending the day with Charlotte Lucas while her husband hunted with Darcy. Elizabeth knew that Darcy was on friendly terms with her new stepmother as well as her stepsister and wondered if he had ever considered Mrs. Carlson before meeting herself. She shook off the thought and prepared for the short travel to Meryton after Jane and Mrs. Hurst declined to join them.
After the carriage arrived in the town square, Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Mrs. Annesley beamed brightly as they stepped down from the carriage. Elizabeth introduced the shy young lady to several merchants and after finding yards of perfect ribbons, Elizabeth and Georgiana stepped out of the milliners.
“Do you wish to go to the bookstore with me, Georgie?” Elizabeth asked her sister-to-be. “It will not take long but I know you had wished to pick up some sweetmeats for the children.”
“I will go to the store now for the treats, Lizzy. Come and meet us there after you pick up your book.” Georgiana answered.
Elizabeth agreed and went into the bookstore to pick up the latest copy of Lord Byron’s publication. As she carried her book in her arms and left the store, she looked around and saw at a far distance that her dear Mr. Darcy was standing in front of the gunsmiths with a woman.
She was about to call out to greet him but was absolutely stunned when she witnessed Darcy lifting up the woman’s hand to kiss it and then that lady tiptoed up to kiss his cheek affectionately. As the woman departed with a broad smile, Elizabeth could clearly see that it was Agatha Carlson who had been unabashedly kissing her betrothed.
Feeling confused and betrayed, she turned around and forced herself to walk toward the store to retrieve Georgiana and wished to return home immediately. As she briskly strode to her destination, she saw Georgiana speaking with an unexpected man and now grew bright red in anger.
“Georgiana!” Elizabeth spoke as controlled as possible, “I hope you have completed your errands. We are late and must depart now!” She slowly turned to the man and barely nodded her head. “Mr. Wickham, I did not expect to see you in Hertfordshire. You must be surprised that the Darcys are also in the same county. Pray, excuse us. Mrs. Annesley, we will be late for our appointment with Mr. Goulding.”
Mrs. Annesley paled for a moment, “But of course, Miss Elizabeth! Forgive me for forgetting the time. We must hurry, Miss Darcy! Excuse us, Mr. Wickham.” She curtsied and rapidly waved to the driver of the carriage awaiting a short distance away.
“But of course, ladies.” Wickham smoothly responded. “I am now a lieutenant with the militia here and I am certain our paths will cross often. Congratulations on your engagement, as I have just found out from Miss Darcy.” He leaned seductively and kissed Georgiana’s hand, “I hope to see you very soon, my dear Miss Darcy. It has been far too long since I had seen you last.” He bowed to the ladies and quickly departed.
Mrs. Annesley spoke anxiously as the carriage pulled up, “I did not know he was dangerous, Miss Lizzy. He seemed very cordial and Miss Darcy had told me she had known him all her life.”
“I do not understand, Lizzy,” Georgiana expressed. “Dangerous? What do you mean ‘dangerous’? Who is Mr. Goulding? We need to make a visit now?”
Elizabeth rushed the young woman into the carriage and explained after instructing the driver to head to Longbourn. “Mr. Goulding the elder always spends Christmas and a month afterwards in Shropshire with his sister. Mr. Goulding Jr. was Jane’s betrothed before and you know he is deceased. I always used the excuse of visiting someone unavailable with Mrs. Annesley as a secret code if I felt unsafe at any time. Mr. Wickham is a terrible person, Georgie. Has your brother not warned you of him?”
Georgiana looked frightened as she shook her head rapidly. “No, Lizzy, he had not mentioned a thing. Could I have been injured? Mr. Wickham has always been so kind before. I cannot believe it!”
Elizabeth was outraged again and huffed, “How could he not share… He has been completely irresponsible and I cannot… I am so angry, I cannot speak right now.” She could not believe Darcy did not warn his sister of the man connected to numerous murders to warn her of the danger. She also recalled his kissing Agatha’s hand and felt her skin burn.
“Oh, I think that is William over there now, Lizzy. I am certain he will explain everything to us now. He is coming toward the carriage.” Georgiana stuck her hand out of the window and waved at her brother who was on horseback.
Elizabeth crossed her arms, “I have no wish to speak to him now. In fact, I will go for a walk to Oakham Mount now.” She tapped the roof to stop the carriage. “Tell your brother about Mr. Wickham and make sure to demand he tell you what kind of an evil man he is, Georgie. Mrs. Annesley, please insist on Mr. Darcy escorting you back to Netherfield immediately. Georgie needs to be kept safe.” She practically jumped out of the carriage as soon as it stopped and ran toward the mount.
Darcy hopped down from his stallion on the opposite side of the carriage and saw that Elizabeth was dashing away toward the hilltop and be
came perplexed. “ELIZABETH!” He called after her and looked inside the carriage to speak with his sister. “Where is she going, Georgiana? I thought you had stopped to speak with me; otherwise I would have ridden to Longbourn alongside you.”
Georgiana now crossed her own arms in anger, “What have you done, Fitzwilliam Darcy? Lizzy did not wish to speak with you and she was angry that I knew nothing about Mr. Wickham. This is all your fault again!”
“WICKHAM? Of what are you speaking? When did you see that rogue?!” Darcy bellowed. “He is NOT to be trusted!”
“I know that NOW, William! I think Lizzy saved me from him. He saw me in Meryton and was very flattering with his greetings and Mrs. Annesley was with me the entire time and Paulson was nearby as usual, but Lizzy returned from the bookstore a few minutes later and immediately sent him away. She was not angry before the bookstore but she was furious afterwards. Why is she so upset with you? What have you done?!” The young lady uncharacteristically shouted.
Darcy shook his head, “I have not a clue, Georgie. I must ensure Elizabeth is safe and will go after her. Return to Netherfield and send Richard an express on my behalf. Just write that Wickham is here and he will understand.”
“Will you tell me what is going on, William? I will do what you say but I am scared, brother.” Georgiana began to cry and she teaches for her companion.
Mrs. Annesley added, “Miss Elizabeth asked me to insist on your accompanying us back to Netherfield, Mr. Darcy, but I believe she is mainly angry that Miss Darcy nor myself knew anything about Mr. Wickham’s history with you.” Mrs. Annesley patiently spoke to the young man as she rubbed Miss Darcy’s back. “Go after her, sir. She is not safe alone.”
Darcy entered the carriage and kissed his sister in the forehead. “All will be well. I will explain later but stay indoors until I return and Paulson is to accompany you whenever you go out of doors from now on, do you understand me?” He looked at Mrs. Annesley, “Thank you. I will escort Miss Elizabeth home myself.”
After nodding their agreement, Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley returned to Netherfield, while Darcy mounted his horse and began to climb the hill with dread in his heart.
~*~
“ELIZABETH! ELIZABETH!!” Darcy shouted to the woman storming off to the peak of the mount. “Please stop and let us speak.”
“I do not want to speak with you, William. How could you do not tell… No, I do not want to hear excuses. Go away.” Elizabeth huffed and began to run.
Darcy kicked his stallion to her side and then quickly jumped off the horse. “No more running, Elizabeth.” He grabbed her by the waist and softly spoke in her ear as he gathered her in his arms. “We promised each other that we would not walk away from each other, remember?” He caressed her back and kissed her head, “And I will never delay in chasing after you again, Elizabeth. Please, my love, tell me what is wrong. Georgiana told me Wickham is here in Hertfordshire and she will send an express to Richard, but what did I do to vex you? This is more than about Georgiana being unaware of Wickham, is it not?”
Elizabeth took a deep breath, “I will not run away, William, but you must let me go. I wish to go to the top. I come here often when I reside here and it is my favourite spot to seek my peace. I wish to sit by my tree as I have done often when I felt lonely or upset.” She began to walk as soon as he released her.
Darcy did not know what was bothering her but quietly walked beside her.
Several minutes later, they reached the top and stood to overlook the vista and remained silent a little longer.
Elizabeth calmly spoke after taking a seat by the foot of her tree. “William, I know you rarely allow anyone to touch you and I have only ever seen you bow over ladies’ hands, other than myself. I do not believe I have ever seen you kiss anyone’s hand before. Not your aunt, not my sisters, no one,” Elizabeth sighed, “until today.”
Darcy immediately stiffened, “You saw… I was not… She is married…”
“And she is my stepsister as of three days ago, William. I do not know why I am feeling so… I… Georgie told me that Agatha has similar traits as myself and that she even reminded her of me. I now wonder if you had been only late in your war of affection against Mr. Carlson and are regretting your lost chance with her. I do not like feeling second-best in your life, William.” Elizabeth wiped a lone tear.
Darcy sat still, carefully thinking of how to explain himself without irritating his betrothed further. It broke his heart to have been the cause of her distress.
“Elizabeth,” he began, “I understand that you must have seen me at the gunsmiths in Meryton and you saw me kiss Mrs. Carlson’s hand and she kissed my cheek. I know it must have appeared conspicuous but I promise there was no hidden motive.” He lifted Elizabeth’s hand and caressed it gently. “I know you have not known your stepsister for long but there is no reason for you to suspect her and I hope you will trust me when I tell you that I love you with all of my heart.” He lifted her hand to kiss it tenderly. “I rarely kiss a lady’s hand but I wanted to touch you the first day I met you and you would not believe how nervous I had been when I kissed your hand. I wish to hold only your hand for the rest of my life.”
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned on his chest to hear his steady heartbeats. “I hope you do not regret…Perhaps I remind you of her? Am I a pale imitation of the woman you once desired?”
Darcy’s soft laughter rang from his chest. “Do you recall how angry you were when you thought me wishing to court Caroline Bingley?” He saw her head nod. “I can confidently tell you that I never harboured such a thought for Agatha Howard in all of our acquaintance. Not for one minute, not even half of a minute.” He raised her chin with his finger and looked into her eyes. “I am wholeheartedly in love with you, Elizabeth Bennet. I think of you in my waking moments and dream of you in my sleep. You are the first and the only woman to have bewitched my body and soul.” He bent down and kissed her fondly. “My lips will never touch another if you command, my mistress. I am sorry for making you cry. I hope you will never doubt me again.”
“You must think I am the silliest girl alive, William. I have never experienced such jealousy before. After Georgiana explained how long you have known Mrs. Carlson and of our similarities, my imagination ran wild when I saw you kiss her hand.” Elizabeth melted into his embrace.
“Similarities? She is nothing like you! What was Georgiana saying?” Darcy was flabbergasted.
Elizabeth explained, “Oh, that she was lively and that our personalities were similar. I am not sure how else, but Agatha does have dark hair like myself and I have heard her speak her mind.”
“And that is where it ends.” Darcy caressed her cheeks. “She speaks out because she likes the attention. She likes being witty and believes no one admitted to the privilege of hearing her speak can think anything wanting. She likes to perform to strangers and friends alike but does not have deep, meaningful thoughts. Like Miss Bingley, like all of the society ladies, they follow what they were taught and speak of whatever men might wish to hear.” He kissed her lips, “I like her and she is a good wife to Frederick but I never considered her, Elizabeth. You, you challenged me from the beginning and gave your opinion decidedly without fear. And you were kind and intelligent and beautiful.”
“I know you are biased because you love me but I trust you, William. I am sorry for being a jealous fool and for running off. We did promise that we would not leave each other in anger.” Elizabeth held him tighter.
Darcy kissed the top of her head, “I was at the gunsmiths because Frederick damaged his double barrel gun and it caused a backfire. He had dropped it this morning on horseback and when I saw that there was a dent on the muzzle of the gun as he was about to fire, I knocked it out of his hand before it could burn his face or eyes. He did get a good bump on his right shoulder and dislocated it so we had to cut the hunting trip short and took him to Lucas Lodge. Mr. Jones, the apothecary, was called and Frederick is doing fine and B
ingley returned to Netherfield while I took the task of getting his rifle repaired. Mrs. Carlson was grateful and came to town to thank me as well as fetch her husband some tonics for his pain. She congratulated me on my betrothal and told me that her babe will be named either William or Elizabeth for my services and that was when I kissed her hand out of excitement, because I was thinking of a baby in your image, and she kissed my cheek in gratitude. I did not mean anything by it and I am sorry you were hurt by it. I wish to be married to you more than anything else in life.” Darcy looked down into her eyes again and softly smiled, “I am quite desperate to be your husband.”
“I cannot wait to be your wife, William. Thank you for indulging a silly, jealous woman, William. You did not have to explain but I appreciate that you did. With that emotion running through my veins and then seeing Mr. Wickham flirting with Georgie and her knowing nothing about him infuriated me. But she is still an innocent child and I know you protect her from the evils in the world so I understand why you did not tell her.” Elizabeth sighed. “I hope he does not cause any trouble.”
“I was wrong, Elizabeth. You have every right to be offended that she did not know. I have guarded her to the point that she is unaware of the dangers near her and I should have warned her and exposed Wickham’s perfidy a long time ago. I should have informed Mrs. Annesley of the situation as well, in case that scoundrel attempted to approach my sister. You are right and I will explain it all to her today. She will know to avoid him and Paulson will be even more cautious in guarding her now.” Darcy rubbed her back.
Elizabeth reached up and kissed his lips. “Thank you, my love. I believe no woman should be left unprotected and at least carry the knowledge of how to protect herself, even if we are the weaker sex.”
Darcy chuckled, “There is nothing weak about you, my Beth. You are the strongest woman I know.”
