by Kate Speck
They sat and shared several more kisses until Darcy lifted up Elizabeth onto his horse to escort her home.
He planned on informing Mr. and Mrs. Kingston of Wickham's suspected involvement in the London murders and to take extra precaution until the cad could be investigated and hopefully imprisoned.
~*~
“Your sister should have been warned a long ago, Darcy. Women have it hard enough with unfair expectations from society as is, and for her to not know that someone she has known all her life could be complicit in ten murders is utterly wrong. It is dangerous and who knows how he might have tricked her into trusting him!” Mr. Kingston angrily retorted.
Darcy nodded, “I concur with you fully, sir. I will explain all to my sister when I return to Netherfield and I dread what might have happened if she came across that fiend without Miss Elizabeth or Mrs. Annesley to protect her. He has a way of deceiving innocent women with his appearance of goodness and thankfully Miss Elizabeth was able to see through him quickly but my sister might have fallen for his trap.” He looked affectionately at his betrothed who was sitting next to Mrs. Kingston. “I am certain there would have been many more misunderstandings if Miss Elizabeth had not befriended my sister first.”
Mr. Kingston calmed and spoke gently, “No more walks alone, Lizzy. I know you hate to be restricted but until this man is thrown into prison or sent off to the colonies, you will always be guarded. I do not want any of the girls to be out of doors without a footman or myself escorting you. We do not know how dangerous this Wickham is but I will not take any chances, Lizzy.”
“I understand, uncle. I will do as you say. Mr. Darcy was also insistent of my safety and I have faithfully promised that I will not venture out alone.” Elizabeth acknowledged. “I will make sure my sisters are compliant as well.”
Darcy added, “If you are in agreement, Mr. Kingston, I will have six of my men to be assigned to each of the Bennet siblings. I wish for each of them to be guarded and I will establish extra security at Netherfield as well. My cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, should be arriving in the next day or two with a squadron of the best men under his command. He will work with the militia to question Wickham and expose his connections to the murders.”
“That is a wonderful idea, Darcy.” Mrs. Kingston chimed in. “My brother does not have enough men here to protect the girls and Brandon will be safer when he returns to school after your wedding, but it would give me peace of mind to have more hands here. Oh, what a dreadful mess, Lizzy. We still have so much to do to prepare for the wedding! Tomorrow night is the New Year Eve party at Lucas Lodge and then we only have a fortnight until your wedding. I hope Wickham does not ruin our plans!”
Elizabeth smiled, “It will all be well, Aunt Diana. Nothing will deter us from getting married and Mr. King is also most determined to marry my sister and all will turn out well. Now, without the gory details, how shall we explain this to the girls and Brandon? They will need to be aware and Mrs. Johnson will need to know of the full situation.”
The party agreed to explain in simple terms of the dangers of Mr. Wickham and that he was a dissolute man who might wish the Darcys and Bennets harm. They left the study after Mr. Kingston wrote to Mr. Bennet to update him on the happenings at home without cause for worry and that he and Darcy were setting up extra security for the family.
~*~
“Oh, Lizzy! I can understand your anger with William after what he told me about Mr. Wickham yesterday!” Georgiana embraced her friend. “I cannot believe I was standing two feet from such a wicked man!”
“Well, my anger was a bit misplaced but I am glad everyone is aware of the situation now. With the additional guards at Longbourn, I do feel better that we are doing all we can to keep safe.” Elizabeth smiled.
Brandon Bennet added, “I can shoot my arrows quite accurately now, Miss Darcy. I will do all within my power to protect you and my sisters.”
Georgiana smiled beautifully, “Thank you, Brandon. Will you not call me Georgiana? I have told you several times and you are like a brother to me now!”
Brandon blushed, “Yes, Miss... I mean... Georgiana. Thank you.” He turned his eyes away in shyness while Darcy winked at Elizabeth.
Georgiana turned and spoke excitedly with Kitty and Lydia while Jane and Mary continued to ask Darcy more details.
“And is it true that your cousin arrived with twenty men this morning? It must have been quite a sight to behold!” Jane exclaimed. “I wonder if Colonel Forster will cooperate with Colonel Fitzwilliam. There is no concrete proof of Mr. Wickham’s involvement, is there?”
Darcy replied, “Unfortunately, no. But he has a history of gambling and multiple debts and I have recruited Bingley to assist me in warning the merchants of Meryton so their businesses are kept safe. I have purchased over £1,000 in debts in Lambton last year and I would not be surprised if he returns to his old habits.”
“I will do everything I can to assist, Darcy.” Bingley added. “I am now part of this community and we must protect our neighbours from the dangers of such a man.” He smiled as he looked at Jane, “I would not wish for any harm to come to my dear lady.”
Jane blushed and smiled in return. “I appreciate that very much, Mr. Bingley.”
Elizabeth and Darcy looked each other and exchanged their own affections as they luncheoned at Longbourn.
About an hour later, Mrs. Hill announced the arrival of Colonel Fitzwilliam and he was introduced to the rest of the Bennet siblings.
“A pleasure to be here,” the dashing colonel bowed. “Good to see you again, Miss Bennet. I hope Bingley has been behaving himself.” He winked. He shook Brandon’s hand, “Young Master Bennet, Darcy told me much about you. I understand you are interested in trying a hand pistol. I have a beautiful flintlock that I can teach you with at your leisure. Perhaps in the next day or two?”
Brandon beamed, “That would be fantastic, sir! Thank you, Colonel! Thank you, William!” He turned and smiled broadly at his favourite brother-to-be.
Colonel Fitzwilliam could see that the two youngest girls were whispering to each other loudly and rolled his eyes. He was well aware of young ladies fawning over soldiers in uniform and he knew he cut a handsome figure but he ignored the two girls and focused his attentions to the problem at hand.
After a few more minutes of cordial conversation, Richard requested to Mr. Kingston, “Sir, if you will allow, may I speak with the gentlemen in the study?”
“May I join you, Colonel?” Elizabeth asked. “If you have an update on Mr. Wickham, I should like to hear it.”
Richard raised his eyebrows in surprise and looked at Darcy. After seeing Darcy nod, he replied, “But of course, Miss Elizabeth. Should we include anyone else?” He looked around to see if the other ladies were interested.
Seeing that no one else volunteered, the men stood and left for the study with Elizabeth on Darcy’s arm.
~*~
“Has Colonel Forster heeded your warning?” Darcy began. “How did Wickham appear?”
Richard took a deep breath, “He was not there, Darcy. Wickham was nowhere to be found and was not in his bunker all night. It seems running into Georgiana yesterday scared him off and he has left his post. His acquaintance from London, a Lieutenant Denny, was able to provide further information and reported that Wickham checked in with the command yesterday and signed the paperwork to begin his assignment and Denny told him of Meryton and some of the stores he could visit for his basic needs. I believe that is when he found out that you were engaged to Miss Elizabeth and attempted to reacquaint himself with Georgiana. He returned to camp and complained to Denny that his plans were thwarted and that he would have to come up with a new plan to get what he wants.” He turned to Mr. Kingston and Darcy and continued, “He must have left the encampment during the middle of the night and no one knows where he has gone. It is likely that he returned to London to go into hiding and we will not see him again for some time, but I will keep my men here for several day
s next to track him. If he is bent on revenge against you, Darcy, he is likely to be wherever you are and my commander has given me permission to use all resources to keep you safe after your great service in capturing John Williams.”
“Thank you, Richard. I have placed six of my men to secure the Bennets but having more of your men in place is preferred.” Darcy replied his cousin. “Can you tell us anything else about John Williams? I have shared with all in this room about his suicide and we are relieved that at least that madman will no longer harm anyone else, but have you been able to track down who was coordinating the crimes?”
“We have not had much luck there,” Richard answered, “But James Colquhoun has taken a sudden trip to see his father in Hamburg and will likely be there for some time. Unless we can get Wickham to confess, we will never know for certain.”
Mr. Kingston spoke up, “The priority is seeing to the safety of my dear Lizzy and Miss Darcy now. Let us concentrate on tracking down this Wickham and perhaps he is innocent of the murders but I do not like that he holds a grudge against Darcy and he may be planning on a monetary advantage by connecting himself to Miss Darcy. I understand he was quite interested in Lizzy before and very well be aware of her fortune. We must safeguard the young ladies at any expense.” He looked at Bingley, “Ensure dear Jane is protected as well, Bingley. If this is too much for you, you are at liberty to walk away at any time, even if it is too late for Darcy.”
Bingley paled as white as a sheet but managed to croak, “Never, sir! I will stand by Miss Bennet and guard her with my life!”
Darcy chuckled, “I am glad to hear it, Bingley. Mr. Kingston is having a bit of fun with you and he knows full well that you and I are ready to jump in front of a firing squad to protect our ladies.”
Bingley blew out a deep breath, “That is a relief! Between your seriousness and Mr. Kingston’s frightening glares, Darcy, I do not know if I can take any more teasing from the two of the most severe gentlemen of my acquaintance!” He spluttered, “I mean... I meant to say...” He looked at Mr. Kingston and turned white once again and quickly shut his mouth.
This time, Mr. Kingston burst out into laughter, “Yes, I am quite fearsome, as my wife reminds me at times. I believe it is true when Mrs. Kingston tells me that I share very similar traits with Darcy. I like you, Bingley, and I fully approve of your courtship with Janey, but you must be on your guard. My timid niece still has a bit of her mother in her and you will see that she is more like Lizzy than most people think. Jane and Mary are most similar, while Lizzy and Kitty are alike, if Kitty will only cease following after her younger sister. And Lydia, well, that girl is the splitting image of her mother in looks and action. Whoever marries my youngest niece will certainly have his work cut out for him.”
The group enjoyed the amusement for a time and soon returned to the drawing room to join the others. Richard Fitzwilliam left Longbourn to settle his men at the encampment for the next few days and to continue the search for George Wickham.
No one expected what the devious villain do next and could do naught but wait for him to resurface in order for justice to be served.
Chapter 21
“Are you all recovered, Mr. Carlson?” Elizabeth asked the amiable gentleman at the New Year’s Eve party. The Carlsons were due to return to London the next day and Sir William and Lady Lucas held the party at Lucas Lodge in honour of their favourite niece and her husband.
Mr. Carlson flashed his smile. “I am doing very well, Miss Elizabeth. I feel foolish that I did not inspect my weapon before discharging it and I know Darcy saved my face from injury, if not my life. The pain is nearly gone and Agatha is rejoicing that I can help her out around the house when we return home.” He laughed loudly.
Elizabeth joined his merriment, “I am sorry for that, Mr. Carlson. I suppose one perk of being injured is that you can rest and have everyone at your beck and call. I was treated like royalty when my shoulder was wrapped up.”
“Oh, yes. You probably sympathise with me more than anyone else here!” Mr. Carlson agreed. “Will you call me Frederick? We are related now; however distant it may be.”
“Certainly, Frederick. Please call me Lizzy.” Elizabeth replied. “Agatha is positively glowing. When is the baby expected?”
Frederick answered, “Early May. We had an initial loss at the beginning of our marriage but she was thrilled when she felt the quickening this time. We will be in London for a day and will be returning to Sussex to my father’s estate until the babe arrives. I do wish we could remain for your wedding but my father has been feeling poorly and we must leave tomorrow. We hope to have Mr. and Mrs. Bennet visit us this summer if all goes well.” He paused and looked at Darcy, who was speaking with Mr. Gardiner and Bingley. “He loves you very much, Lizzy. I have never seen him speak so freely and laugh so much in all the years I have known him and I know it is all due to you. He is a bit of a romantic, did you know? He introduced me to Agatha a year ago and told me to not lose my chance at happiness and pressed me to ask her for courtship. I proposed a week after our courtship and we have been blissfully happy ever since.” He laughed. “I never thought Darcy would find anyone. He never looked at a woman twice and even though he has known Agatha for over five years, he still does not speak more than two sentences to her in a given evening.”
Elizabeth was surprised to hear of Darcy’s matchmaking skills and smiled fondly at her beloved. Although he had not spoken much during their first meeting, Darcy had applied himself in talking with herself at every outing in London and they had had many interesting conversations, no matter how austere and taciturn he might have been to others.
Darcy lifted his face to meet Elizabeth’s eyes and beamed. He nodded to Mr. Gardiner and Bingley quickly and rushed to her side.
“You called, my dear mistress?” Darcy whispered in Elizabeth’s ear as Frederick departed to his wife’s side. “I missed you. The separation of sexes was much longer than I had wished.”
Elizabeth squeezed his arm, “I love you, William. I love you more than anything else in the world. You are truly the best of men.”
Darcy’s eyebrows rose, “I do not know what I have done for such a praise but I hope you know I love you with all of my heart.”
“I know, William, and I will not doubt you again.” Elizabeth leaned and rested her head on his upper arm. “Mr. Carlson told me about your matchmaking skills and I did not know about Agatha. Who else have you introduced? Whom shall we work on next?” She giggled. “I wish to help you!”
Darcy chuckled, “A few university mates; not very many. And my cousin Anthony, Richard’s elder brother, married a decent woman four years ago. I thought they would be a good pair and he adores her.”
“Did you think Mr. Bingley and I made a good pair? What about the colonel or Mr. Peel?” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow in challenge. “Would I have been a good wife for one of them?”
“Not Bingley, Elizabeth,” he lifted her hand and kissed it, “but I saw that you would have been an excellent wife to Richard or Robert and that was one of the main reasons I grew so jealous at the Suffolk’s Ball. I was miserable that you had such options before you, with your connections to the earl and countess, and it pained me to imagine losing you to someone else.”
“But you never will. What do you think of Richard and Kitty? Or Lydia? The girls have been eyeing him as if he is a Christmas feast after starving for a week.” Elizabeth giggled. “I want to matchmake with you!”
Darcy laughed, “They are too young yet. Once they come out in society, we will see who would do well for them. Richard wants someone like you; of course, without the bite.” He chuckled louder as she glowered and tapped his arm. “You are far too intelligent and independent for him but I appreciate you for it. You and I are perfect for each other as I love seeing your eyes flash, and I will argue with you but also listen to you and compromise if we cannot agree. I will do all I can to keep you happy and fiery and strong, my love. I would not change one thing about yo
u.”
“Oh, William. I am headstrong and stubborn but I am so thankful that you love me for who I am. I truly love you and I would not change anything about you, either. I love that you speak freely with me and I will keep you all to myself.” Elizabeth kissed his knuckles.
“Enough of that, you two!” Mrs. Kingston reprimanded the couple as she beamed broadly. “You still have a fortnight before the wedding and must be patient. Come, Lizzy. Help me convince Lady Lucas on sending Charlotte for a season in town this spring. I must have someone to sponsor this year and since Kitty is too young yet and Georgiana will have her little season next winter, I need a project to keep me busy after your wedding.” She looked at Darcy and winked, “Perhaps I will reside at Pemberley for a full year and remodel the entire house!”
Darcy laughed loudly as he bowed and kissed Elizabeth’s hand, then returned to the men and enjoyed the rest of the evening with his friends.
~*~
“I wish you safe travels and do let us know how you are doing with the babe. I am sure my new mother will keep us informed as well.” Elizabeth kissed her stepsister’s cheek.
Agatha smiled, “I certainly will, Lizzy. I congratulate you heartily and will inform you if we have a Billy or a Lizzy in May. I wish you every happiness with Mr. Darcy. You are good for him and might even best him with your wit. I have attempted for five years to bring him out of his shyness but I could not get him to speak with me more than a few words and I bemoaned to Mother constantly that he was the dullest of men. He is so handsome when he smiles and he is quite the chatterbox when you are in the room.”
Elizabeth laughed, “I had thought him the same at first, of being taciturn and arrogant, but he was constantly asking me of my opinions when we were at the museum or art galleries or concerts. I thought him intelligent but could not understand why he sought my views on many subjects. I thought he was doing so due to my friendship with Georgiana.”
