Murders in London

by Kate Speck

  “How could you do this, Penny? You have been my maid for two years!” Louisa cried out. “I thought you enjoyed your position here.”

  The maid wept and answered, “Mr. Wickham and I have been friendly since he came around with Mr. Allens, ma’am. He flirted with me and even after he made his calls through the backdoors of the townhouse to meet with Miss Bingley in secret, he gifted me with loads of items he received from Miss Bingley and he promised me a life of comfort if I helped him get away with a young lady who was waiting to elope with him.”

  Bingley exclaimed, “What do you mean Miss Bingley and Wickham? They were intimate?” He was in shock, as he thought of the timeline and suddenly realised that Caroline must be carrying Wickham’s babe. He looked at his sister who was of the same thought.

  Penny wiped her face with her sleeves, “He used to sneak in and spend an hour with Miss Bingley while her maid was running errands. I kept watch for them and Miss Bingley even gave me coins for my secrecy. I believe they met each other through Mr. Allens at an outing and Mr. Wickham never did call Mr. and Mrs. Hurst during calling hours.”

  Elizabeth took compassion on the foolish maid. “Penny, did you know that Mr. Wickham wanted to kidnap Miss Darcy? His plan was to abduct her to force her to marry him so that he could get his hands on her fortune.” She saw the maid turn completely white. “He is complicit in eleven murders and was an accomplice to the Ratcliff Highway murderer.”

  Penny immediately dropped to her knees and began to cry louder. “I did not know, ma’am! I had nothing to do with any of that and I am innocent. I only helped him with his liaison with Miss Bingley and was told to keep everything quiet for a payment. I did not know he was so evil, Mrs. Hurst. I know nothing about it at all!”

  Elizabeth looked at Louisa and Jane, who were sitting next to each other and raised her eyebrow. Jane clasped Louisa’s hand and softly smiled.

  Louisa Hurst took a deep breath, “Penny, it seems you were innocent of Wickham’s plans but you still deceived me and stupidly helped him. You know he should not have been allowed in Netherfield but you believed him instead of coming to me and disobeyed my orders to report any sightings of George Wickham. I will not have you arrested and tossed in jail but I will have to let you go without a reference. You will not be allowed to ever enter any of our homes again. You have lost our confidence and we cannot have you return here.” She looked at Jane.

  Jane gently spoke, “Penny, you will not be able to be a lady’s maid from now on but I do know that the baker’s wife is looking for a helper. If you are willing to work hard, you may visit her and let Mrs. Miller know that I have recommended she employ you on a trial basis for one month. I know Mrs. Hurst has been happy with your services so far but it is only too bad that you forgot your loyalty for a man’s deception.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Penny bowed repeatedly. “I will do as you say. I swear I will work hard and I will never make such a terrible choice again. Thank you, ma’am. Thank you.”

  Richard instructed his men to escort the maid to Meryton and relay the maid’s involvement in Wickham’s invasion within Netherfield to Sir William and Mr. King. The eighteen-year-old maid was only guilty of being foolish to believe the deceiver’s lies and was otherwise a hard worker.

  The rest of the group continued to converse until it was time for the Bennet party to return to Longbourn. Darcy and Bingley accompanied them to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Bennet personally that the nightmare was finally over.

  Chapter 24

  On the day of the wedding, no one was more relieved for the day to finally arrive than Darcy. He looked at the beautiful woman promenading up the aisle to his side and beamed brightly, as Elizabeth shined in her beautiful dress and smiled as she walked toward him. They were both immensely pleased that they would finally join as man and wife today after overcoming so many obstacles. He held her hand as Mary approached and stood next to Mr. King and they all turned to the reverend to listen to his words.

  After vows were made and registers signed, the families enjoyed the grandest celebration that Meryton had ever seen.

  Elizabeth wrapped her arm around her husband’s and whispered, “I am so happy, William. I have never known such happiness, I am certain.” Darcy smiled and kissed her hand. “Mr. Bingley proposed to Jane and she accepted him. Mr. Collins also proposed to Charlotte Lucas yesterday and love is everywhere.”

  Darcy chuckled, “With Bingley and Jane, I agree, but Mr. Collins and Miss Lucas? Do you truly believe theirs to be a love story like ours?”

  Elizabeth giggled, “Well, now that you say it like that...” she laughed louder. “Everyone is happy but none more than I, my love. I hope you are ready to depart soon. I am most eager to start our life together as a wedded couple,” she breathed in his ear with a gleam in his eye.

  “As you wish, my dearest wife,” Darcy nodded enthusiastically, “I hope you will not regret having me as your only companion for the next six weeks. We will be completely alone for a fortnight in London then a month in Bath before returning here for your sister’s wedding. I plan on showing you off to everyone during the Season in town and then whisk you off to Pemberley for a glorious summer and you will finally see your home.”

  “I am quite impatient to see it, my love. It will be incredible and we can work diligently on your heir. I believe constant practice is a requirement!” Elizabeth teased. “Let us farewell my aunts and my father now. It will take some time to speak with my sisters as well.”

  The couple soon departed in their carriage to London. Mrs. Kingston cried her happy tears and promised to see them during the season in London, and warned them that she would visit Pemberley when least expected to change all of the furnishings.

  ~*~

  Darcy and Elizabeth were cuddled in front of the fire when there was a knock on the library door.

  “Pardon the intrusion, Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy,” Mr. Mason bowed deeply. “The knocker is still down but there is a woman who is requesting to see Mrs. Darcy. I attempted to turn her away but she seemed to be fully aware that you were residing in Darcy House and she insisted that she needed to see you, madam.”

  “It is not Miss Bingley, I mean, Mrs. Allens, is it, Mason?” Darcy asked with curiosity. He could not understand how anyone knew of their being in London after the wedding, as he had told no one but family and only Peel knew of his current location at this time.

  “No, sir,” Mr. Mason replied. “The woman... she is a… working woman, I believe.” He coloured as he continued, “I believe she is a... a lady of the night, sir. She says it has to do with the murder of her sister.”

  Now more curious than ever, Darcy and Elizabeth stood to meet this mysterious woman. “Place her in the sitting room and have Matthews and Patterson on guard. I do not wish for any trouble but I want to know why she is here.”

  The butler did as bid and the newlywed ventured down the hallway a few minutes later.

  Elizabeth noted the woman who was dressed in bright colours with long feathers in her large hat. The dress was slightly out of fashion but she appeared clean and genteel. “I am Mrs. Darcy. I am told you wished to speak with me. Have we met before, Miss...”

  The older woman of about thirty years in age curtseyed. “I am Mrs. Harper and I sincerely apologise from disrupting your wedding trip before you head to Bath tomorrow. I did not want to miss you before you left town and I rushed today to thank you in person for finding my sister’s killer, as the newspapers published the details this morning.”

  Elizabeth was very curious to understand who this woman was. It may have been apparent to Mr. Mason that she was a prostitute but Elizabeth saw an educated gentlewoman who spoke very properly. “You appear to know much of what is happening within my household. Who was your sister, Mrs. Harper? I am very sorry for your loss.”

  Mrs. Harper replied, “I know it is none of my business but the downstairs servants do talk at the marketplaces and your matrimony has been famous in town, madam. My sister was known to y
ou as Mrs. Younge, Mrs. Darcy. I did not see her often but she told me that she had found a comfortable position in the Darcy household as Miss Darcy’s companion and she visited me a few times last fall.”

  Darcy’s usually calm demeanour broke with this information. “She was your sister? Did you know that she was Wickham’s accomplice? Her intent was to separate my sister from her family so Wickham could elope with Miss Darcy for her dowry. Were you aware of this as well?” He bellowed with indignation.

  “NO! No, sir; I know nothing about that. Ginny told me that she was being paid handsomely to sit in drawing rooms and that this was a very respectable home, unlike the one in Manchester where she was forced to be used by the master or his son. She said you did not touch her and although she would have welcomed it, you paid her no attention.” Mrs. Harper flushed. “I knew nothing about any schemes to harm your sister, sir. None at all!”

  Elizabeth soothed her husband as she wrapped her arm around his and held his hand. “My husband is an upright master and he would never take advantage of his employees.” She squeezed his hand. “I believe you that you did not know about Mrs. Younge’s devious plans but she did order a man to have me killed. I was shot in front of this very house two months ago.”

  Mrs. Harper gasped. “I had heard about a shooting and there were gossips that it was a jealous lover or a mad man but I did not know my sister was behind it; I swear it! Ginny had a lot of secrets but I would have never guessed that she would try to harm anyone. She had been a selfish creature all her life but I had hoped that once the awful rumour about our family’s past died down and we had both married decent men, that we would have peace in our lives.” She wiped her tears as Darcy and Elizabeth continued to listen.

  “I apologise.” Mrs. Harper spoke again, “When I heard she had lost her position and left Darcy House, I was desperate to find her. I lost all contact with her and it was as if she had disappeared off the face of the earth. When I read in the papers yesterday that George Wickham was responsible for the River Thames murders along with John Williams, the notorious Ratcliff Highway killer, I was relieved that at last my sister’s disappearance was explained and that justice had been served. My sister and I met him years ago and I knew he was an evil man but never thought he would be capable of murdering my own sister. I beg of you, Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy,” she pleaded, “to keep my sister’s involvement with Wickham hidden. My family, I have three sisters who are finally happy with their husbands in the north and I dare not have Ginny’s shame taint the family reputation again. My family’s name has been dragged through mud and back and although my present occupation is not something I am proud of, it is a living and I have a chance to find contentment with a man who is interested in making me his wife. He gained employment and we will be moving to Cumberland next month.” She looked at her hands and softly smiled. “My parents deserve better. The Bennell name has been disgraced because of my sister and me for far too long.”

  “BENNELL?!” Darcy and Elizabeth both exclaimed.

  “I apologise, Mrs. Harper,” Elizabeth calmly continued. “I have heard of the gossips about your family these past months and I had no clue that any of the Bennells were in London. Might I ask... Is there a grain of truth in what has been spread about? I understand it was years ago when the... the rumours of a rushed engagement began.”

  Mrs. Harper blushed, “Ginny was my elder sister, Mrs. Darcy, and she had wished to be the first to marry. I had become engaged to Mr. Younge a week when I discov... when I discovered them laying together in her bed. Father was furious and demanded that he marry Ginny immediately and they did marry a week later. Unfortunately, my mother was a very excitable woman who could not keep the secret and shared it with her sisters and friends, and gossip quickly spread that not only had Mr. Younge taken my sister’s virtue but mine as well and that I was spurned because Ginny was more beautiful. My parents moved up north and Mr. Younge whisked my sister to Newcastle where his parents resided. He died six years later in a carriage accident and my sister left her three children with Mr. Younge’s parents and I know not how she lived for four years until she wrote to me this summer. I had married Mr. Harper but he died and left me penniless after nearly two years of marriage, and I ended up in London to become a mistress to a man who adored me but beat me when I was seduced by his son and became pregnant. The son gave me £10 and I was able to survive a while, even if selling my body to strangers to feed myself. I lost the babe with the beating and plenty of men mistreated me, but I have a future now and I had only wanted to thank you for your kind treatment to my sister while she worked here and for your part in solving the River Thames murders and bringing justice to her death.”

  Darcy let out a deep breath and sighed. “I am sorry to hear of your difficulties.” He looked at his wife, “We will not speak a word of your past or your sister’s relationship with Wickham. I hope your family will find peace at last.”

  Elizabeth concurred, “I hope you are able to remember the past with pleasant memories of your sister. Her death has been avenged and I wish for happiness in your future, Mrs. Harper.” She saw the woman gratefully nod her head in thanks.

  “Mrs. Harper,” Darcy spoke next, “When Mrs. Younge’s identity was confirmed after her death through my resources, her belongings were packed up at The Pear Tree Inn and because I had no way of knowing any of her relatives, all of her possessions, along with £30 in bank notes, were delivered to me. I did not know what to do with them and due to the urgency of capturing the villain, I had not had a chance to search for Mrs. Younge’s next of kin. If you will return tomorrow, I will have Mr. Mason prepare her trunk for you.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Darcy.” Mrs. Harper stood to take her leave. “Thank you, Mrs. Darcy for your kindness and God bless you both. I will return tomorrow to speak with Mr. Mason and I promise that I will never bother you again. Thank you for all you have done. Good day, sir, madam.”

  Darcy and Elizabeth watched the woman walk down the street to catch a hackney and Elizabeth wrapped her arms around her husband’s waist.

  “I cannot imagine such a fate, William. If Jane and I had fought over a man, our future could have been similar. How awful, to be cast out from society because of her elder sister and then to become so destitute that she had to sell herself. Can you imagine Jane or myself in their shoes?” Elizabeth lay her head on Darcy’s chest.

  “Never, my love,” Darcy consoled her. “You were never jealous of Jane and your sister always wished for your happiness, even if marrying before herself. And you would have done within all your power to make something of yourself in the world. Even if you had no fortune and were not an heiress, you have family who love you and won my heart the first moment I saw you. Only the deepest love would have induced you into matrimony and I am the fortunate soul to have earned your regard. Your good opinion is worth the earning and I shall treasure you for all of my days, my dearest wife.” He embraced her tightly and kissed her head.

  “Oh, my love,” Elizabeth sighed, “I believe I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve. I love you so dearly and I cannot imagine being more blessed. I love you, husband,” she looked up and met his eyes, “with all of my heart.”

  Darcy leaned down and kissed her tenderly. “I love you, Mrs. Darcy.”

  Chapter 25

  “I am so sorry, father. All I had wished to do was to make you proud and heighten our family’s reputation. You had contributed so much for our great nation and I had only wished to help,” the young man grovelled at the elder gentleman’s feet.

  “Stand up, you fool! I am aghast with what you have confessed. While I was busy working here as Consul General, you nearly ruined all of my works with the Marine Police by hiring a criminal to kill people!” He bellowed. “Although more could be done to circumvent crimes to keep the peace in London, orchestrating murders near the river is worse than what misconducts might have occurred in the future!”

  James Colquhoun stood and grumbled, “I belie
ved if crimes increased near the River Thames, the government would be funding more to your Marine Police and your works would have been celebrated for all of history. Everyone would know our family name and we would have fame and glory for eternity!”

  “I have recognition enough, son, and fame and glory were not my motive for establishing the police force. I saw a need and I did what I could to serve my country. You have been spending too much time with George Canning, James, and he has corrupted you. Although his ambitions will get him far, his vision is too narrow and he can only see his immediate surroundings.” Mr. Colquhoun sighed, “If you are certain your actions will not be traced, go and enjoy a quiet life for a while and join me as my successor as consul general. Stay out of the politics in London and seek peace instead. Go home to Glasgow and I will see you again in a few months, son. Your aspirations for our family’s reputation have brought nothing but bloodshed and anguish. There is more to life than politics and following the edicts of those seeking power over others. Find peace, James, and leave the rest to those idiots in Parliament.”

  James conceded and answered, “Yes, father. When John Williams killed that baby in London, I knew that I had lost control and too many innocent lives were sacrificed. I will do as you say, sir. I will commit the rest of my life to be of service and to work hard to raise my own standing. Perhaps I might find a good woman and marry. Forgive me, father. I repent for the errors of my ways and I swear to do better.”

  Patrick Colquhoun embraced his son and they made plans to improve the lives of those under their jurisdiction and to do all in their power to be a good leader to their charges.

  ~*~

  Lady Catherine was shocked when her daughter returned to Rosings Park in May, appearing healthier than ever with a broad smile on her face. She was accompanied by Richard Fitzwilliam and Lord Matlock.