The Lady's Jewels

by Perpetua Langley

  Lady Catherine turned and took in her new opponent. “And pray, who might you be?” she asked sneeringly.

  “I might be any number of people, but I am in fact, Lady Castlereagh.”

  Elizabeth noted Freddie covered his mouth to hide his laughter.

  Lady Castlereagh drew herself to her full height. “Leave at once, madam.”

  “I am not accustomed to being spoken to in such a manner,” Lady Catherine said. “I will seek out my nephew in all haste, I am sure he is in London and I will stop this charade before it goes further. I will not spend a moment more in this God-forsaken place.”

  “I can assure you, Lady Catherine,” Lady Castlereagh said in a silky tone, “that when I return to my many friends in town, I will see to it that London becomes equally God-forsaken for you.”

  Freddie snorted. “She can do it, too.”

  Lady Catherine paled and Elizabeth thought it had just occurred to her what sort of damage to her reputation a woman placed as high as Lady Castlereagh might actually do. Lady Catherine, as all tyrants were, was bold to those below her but rather less so in the face of a person with influence.

  The lady glared at the footman cowering in the corner of the room and said, “Well? Pick up my cane, you imbecile.”

  Lady Castlereagh held up a hand and paused James, who had been ready to run to it. The lady picked it up herself and handed it to Lady Catherine. “No need for niceties when speed is what we are after. Good day, madam.”

  Lady Catherine clutched her cane and hobbled from the room as fast as she had come into it.

  Elizabeth sank down into the chair.

  Freddie looked to his aunt and said, “I ought to go see to my horse.” He left the room laughing to himself.

  The room remained in silence for some moments. Lady Castlereagh finally broke it by saying, “You continue to surprise me, Miss Bennet. Are you, indeed, engaged to Darcy?”

  “I am not,” Elizabeth said.

  “I presume he has asked, so must also presume that you declined, which is a shame, I think. Though how extraordinary that the lady should be so convinced that you are engaged to him.”

  “She claimed she received an anonymous letter outlining it,” Elizabeth said.

  “An anonymous letter?” Lady Castlereagh said, surprised. “You must have been overheard. Did the interview take place in the house?”

  “In the front hall, my lady, just before the gentlemen set off for Pemberley.”

  “Ah hah,” Lady Castlereagh said. “And so it must have been somebody there on the day. I can only think of one person who might be interested in creating difficulties. Miss Bingley. She is an unpleasant sort of person and I believe she may have designs on our poor Darcy.”

  Elizabeth suddenly remembered that Miss Bingley was in the small room with the door closed. And that she had seemed shocked to see Lady Catherine descend from her carriage. She thought Lady Castlereagh might well be right.

  Elizabeth pointed at the door and whispered, “She is there.”

  Lady Castlereagh smiled. “I see,” she said, loudly. “Well, everybody knows that those who listen at keyholes are bound to hear things they had rather not. Come, Miss Bennet,” she continued, “let us find another room where we can talk more privately.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Lady Castlereagh had taken Elizabeth’s arm and would lead her from the room, and the curious ears of Miss Bingley, when Warpole stumbled into it and stopped, breathless.

  “He’s been caught, my lady. Wickham has been caught. I thought you’d want to know right away. He sought out the local doctor for his injuries and the doc recognized him from the drawings posted around Meryton. The doc sent for the constable afore he set and bandaged his arm and the scoundrel was taken in.”

  “Good Doctor Kellerman,” Lady Castlereagh said.

  “There’s more, my lady,” Mr. Quinn said, rushing in behind Warpole. “The constable was able to elicit certain information from Wickham and your jewels have been recovered. They were found in a cave in the countryside.”

  Lady Castlereagh clapped her hands together. “Gracious! With Georgiana being in such danger, I had nearly forgotten my jewels. How pleasant it will be to have them back. It has all come right, has it not?”

  Warpole and Mr. Quinn both nodded in the affirmative. Lady Castlereagh turned to Elizabeth. “Well. Perhaps not all has come right. But I think it shall, in time.”

  The house had been abuzz with the news that Wickham had been captured and Lady Castlereagh’s jewels recovered. Lady Castlereagh had taken advantage of the general confusion and pulled Elizabeth into the now-darkened war room.

  “Now Miss Bennet,” she said, “I intend to set off for London in two days’ time, as soon as my jewels are back in my possession. There is no further reason for me to remain here longer and I wish Tuesday to be well-settled before the pups arrive. I will not leave Georgiana behind, as I think Miss Bingley a rather terrible influence. I would propose you join us, as Miss Darcy finds you a great comfort. For that matter, I find you a great comfort.”

  Elizabeth was both surprised and grateful. Putting some distance between herself and Mr. Darcy was a welcome idea.

  Then she paused. Of course, he would visit his own sister. As much as she enjoyed Miss Darcy’s company, it must be unpleasant to her for that reason.

  “I thank you, my lady,” Elizabeth said, “but I ought not.”

  Lady Castlereagh appeared slightly exasperated. “I do not believe I have yet given you any bad advice?”

  “No, my lady!” Elizabeth said hurriedly.

  “Then I tell you that you ought. Do not spend another moment debating it, you really ought and I shall be exceedingly unhappy if you refuse me.”

  “Very well,” Elizabeth said softly, though she had an inkling of an idea that she really had better have refused.

  “Excellent,” Lady Castlereagh said, pleased. “I shall just go and tell Georgiana and start the maids packing. Send word to your mama and have her pack for you—James can ride over and pick up your bags in the morning. I do not see a need for you returning to Longbourn before we set off as we are all quite cozy together. I must get some letters off before I go, one to your mama in appreciation of her hospitality and one to Doctor Kellerman, the architect of Wickham’s arrest.

  The lady hurried out of the room, leaving Elizabeth alone.

  She was inclined to stay in that gloomy, darkened room, but as she was to leave for London so soon, she had better get a letter off to Longbourn as soon as possible.

  Mr. Quinn sat down at the desk in his bedchamber. He had written a letter to Darcy to warn him that Wickham was near Netherfield and Miss Darcy had made a close escape, but now he crumpled that paper and threw it in the fire. He must start over to account for the many developments that had seemed to occur rapid fire.

  Mr. Darcy,

  The enclosed news will astound you, and so I start by saying that Miss Darcy is safe, Freddie has arrived safe, and the scoundrel Wickham has been apprehended.

  Wickham very cleverly drew you away from us by leading us to believe that he stayed in Lambton when he did no such thing. Once you and the armed men were gone, he bided his time, waiting for an opportunity. He accosted Miss Darcy in the garden and attempted to force her away. Miss Elizabeth Bennet came upon the scene and sprang into action. She beat Wickham with her crop and her horse struck him down, gravely injuring his arm. He was later apprehended as he sought treatment from Doctor Kellerman, who recognized him instantly. The jewels have been since recovered.

  So, all danger is at an end.

  I hesitate to include another matter in this missive, as it is not any business of mine, but I will communicate it to you nonetheless.

  Lady Catherine de Bourgh arrived at the house, though she only remained within its walls under an hour and I do not believe your sister was made aware of her visit. It does not appear that Miss Darcy was even the reason for the visit. I did not witness the interview, though have had i
t from a servant that the lady insisted of seeing Miss Elizabeth Bennet and accused her of wishing to secure you and told Miss Bennet in no uncertain terms that she was not worthy and it was not to be. I do not look further into the circumstance, nor will I wonder what it means. I simply thought you should know of it since the lady claimed she was off to London to find you.

  Regards,

  Horatio Quinn

  Dinner had been a lively affair—Miss Darcy had recovered herself and Freddie was all high spirits. There could be no room to feel dull with two such animated young people at table.

  After being pressed by Lady Castlereagh, Freddie owned that he did well at Eton. Miss Darcy was charmingly admiring of that fact and thought it must be terribly hard to keep up with all of his studies. Freddie appeared struck by this sentiment and then claimed it must be equally hard to master all of the accomplishments a young lady was tasked with. Elizabeth thought Freddie a far more suitable admirer for Miss Darcy. He was of an age when a mild flirtation was all innocence, and so was Miss Darcy.

  Lady Castlereagh presumed that Darcy would escort Freddie back to Eton. Freddie did not appear to be overeager to return to Eton at this very moment. He was placated by the idea that he would stay with his aunt for Christmas. Elizabeth thought his placation had been highly dependent on the idea that Miss Darcy would be in residence also. It had been so for many a Christmas, Miss Darcy would stay with the lady so she might have company all of the time, while Darcy would come and go from his house a few doors down.

  Mr. Quinn was deeply satisfied now that the case had been solved. He determined that he would wait for the return of the gentlemen before quitting the house for London. He thought he might spend his leisure time calling on Lucas Lodge, Miss Lucas having been such an integral part of the investigation.

  Elizabeth smiled to herself and hoped Mr. Quinn would have something to declare when he got himself to Lucas Lodge.

  Miss Darcy was delighted with Lady Castlereagh’s scheme to remove to London. The two made endless plans on how they would entertain Elizabeth, Miss Darcy having stayed with Lady Castlereagh many times before and eager to show her new friend some of the diversions of town. There were also plans to be made for Tuesday and Elizabeth thought the mastiff was to be treated as well as any duchess. Lady Castlereagh had already determined that the two dogs must have the bedchamber next to her own as a proper nursery.

  “My lady,” Miss Darcy said, “do not you think the yellow bedroom would suit Miss Bennet?”

  Lady Castlereagh smiled indulgently. “I had thought you might think so, Georgiana. Miss Bennet, you are to know that the yellow bedroom is next to Georgiana’s usual bedroom and has a connecting door. This makes it convenient to have a late night tête-à-tête.”

  Despite Elizabeth’s initial reluctance to go on the trip, she found herself beginning to look forward to it. She did so like both the ladies’ company and it would be exciting to stay at such an address.

  She said, “You are to know, Miss Darcy, that I am experienced with the late night whisperings of females, as I have four sisters and one in particular to whom I have been confiding in all my life.”

  Freddie, hearing of late night female whisperings, charmingly blushed down to his cravat.

  “I presume you mean you have confided in Miss Jane Bennet,” Lady Castlereagh said, “who I would be delighted to have come, only I think Mr. Bingley would only be hanging about our door at all hours.”

  They went on along such merry lines all through dinner and Elizabeth’s spirits rose. She might not avoid Mr. Darcy forever, but it might be some time before he relocated himself to London. He might even, having received the news that Wickham was arrested and the jewels recovered, stay at Pemberley to see to his estate.

  In all, she found she became delighted with the prospect of the journey.

  Miss Bingley was, perhaps, not so delighted, as she no doubt felt the cut of being left behind. She was circumspect throughout, though Elizabeth noted that she gripped her fork with such strength that her fingers were white.

  Elizabeth could not say she felt particularly sorry for Miss Bingley, as she was fairly convinced that it had been her that wrote the anonymous letter to Lady Catherine. She must consider whether she ought to tell Jane of the visit, though if she did then she must tell Jane of the proposal. She was not certain she would ever tell anybody of the proposal. Not even Jane.

  Darcy laid down the letter from Quinn, dumbfounded. “We were outmaneuvered,” he said. “Wickham did not stay in Lambton, he only set it up as a ruse. He remained in Hertfordshire, waited for our departure, and then he approached Georgiana when he caught her alone in the garden.”

  “That rogue!” Bingley cried. “Is she all right?”

  “Yes, she has come through it unharmed,” Darcy said. He paused, rereading that part of the letter, as it seemed too incredible the first time he’d read it.

  “It seems Miss Elizabeth Bennet came upon the scene,” he went on, “beat Wickham with her crop and then her horse struck him down, gravely injuring his arm and giving Georgiana time to escape.”

  “Miss Bennet!” Bingley cried. “She has saved Georgiana!”

  “Apparently so,” Darcy said, still in wonderment.

  “You disapproved of that horse, but I suppose you do not now.”

  “No,” Darcy said. “I suppose I do not. A gentler, smaller horse might not have been able to accomplish the feat.”

  “Well, Darcy,” Bingley said with a hint of glee in his voice, “your elegant London ladies could never lay claim to this sort of daring.”

  “No, I suppose they could not,” Darcy said.

  He took his time reading again the last part of Quinn’s letter. Once his relief upon hearing that his sister was safe had settled, a feeling of dread began to creep stealthily upon him.

  His aunt had descended on Netherfield and accosted Miss Bennet. The boldness of the lady knew no bounds. She was determined that he marry Anne, though he had said he would not on more than one occasion. He did not care for Anne and he had real doubts about whether the lady was even strong enough to marry anybody and produce children. He’d thought his aunt resigned to his decision on the matter, though he’d known that whoever he did choose as a wife would be scrutinized, measured and pronounced suitable or not.

  What must Miss Bennet think of him now? He, with the rudest proposal ever given, and his aunt come to threaten and insult her? He’d known he’d left her with an unfortunate impression and now his aunt had seen fit to make it all the worse by charging her as unworthy. All of this, to Miss Bennet—Georgiana’s savior!

  As much as he wished to repeat his proposal, and to do it properly, he did not see how Miss Bennet could overcome all that had been foisted upon her. She had been insulted in every possible manner.

  What a fool he’d been! Lady Catherine was outrageous in her behavior and her views, that came as no surprise. But until this moment he’d not seen how uncomfortably similar her views had been to his own. Had he not been as a watered-down, perhaps somewhat gentler, version of his aunt? Peering down his nose and making pronouncements on what was right and what was not, overly concerned with rank and reputation? Had he not allowed himself to be comfortable in his own judgment, convinced he should be the arbiter of everything that should be said and done? If he’d allowed himself to go on as he had been, might he not have eventually become what Lady Catherine was—a bad-tempered scold with few friends and even less admirers. An individual who was generally avoided, if not laughed at, and rightly so.

  He could see how he would have gone on. The Fitzwilliam Darcy of forty or so, pompous and self-satisfied in his Pemberley fortress. From that high perch, he would condescendingly denounce any and all who did not live up to his standards, and that would be nearly everybody. Every year that passed would harden his views into some new and more rigid accounting. He might even have married a lady who would support his ever-narrowing opinions, further convincing him of his rightness.

&n
bsp; Miss Bennet was not only Georgiana’s savior. She was his own. It was only by chance that he’d met a lady who could shake him from the path he’d so steadfastly marched. But now, it was too late.

  “Darcy,” Bingley said, “all is well, is it not? Georgiana is safe and Wickham apprehended. Why do you appear troubled?”

  Darcy folded the letter. “My aunt has been to see Miss Bennet.”

  Bingley paled, and Darcy knew he understood the gravity. Anybody receiving an unexpected visit from Lady Catherine de Bourgh must regret the meeting.

  “My aunt told Miss Bennet that she had been informed that the lady had set her cap on me and it was not to be countenanced as she was unworthy of the connection.”

  Bingley sighed. “I felt you might have a hill to climb to work your way into Miss Bennet’s good graces, but now I fear it is a mountain of the steepest sort.”

  “No doubt you are right. There cannot be any chance now.” Darcy paused. “I cannot say I am surprised by my aunt’s behavior, she has ever been highhanded, but I cannot fathom how Miss Bennet’s name ever came to her attention.”

  “Who could have known of your intentions to Miss Bennet?” Bingley said quietly. “I certainly did not speak to anybody of it.”

  “I only told you yesterday and I did not tell anybody else of it. I must have been overheard. Though, even if someone else had known, why would they cause such a mischief?”

  Bingley was pensive. Then he said, “I am afraid I can guess who has done this. Of the people who may have overheard you, it is only Caroline who would take such a step.”

  As soon as Bingley posed the idea, Darcy knew it to be true. Nobody but Caroline Bingley would design such a subterfuge.

  “I am sorry for it,” Bingley said, “and can do little to undo the damage other than plead your case to Jane, who has some influence with her sister. But I can ensure that Caroline does no more damage. And I will ensure it.”