by Kate Speck
“He told me that he had never loved anyone before and you broke his heart. All because of that conniving wench who stole my sister’s ring and took advantage of Darcy’s memory loss. You are a fool, Miss Bennet. You should beg him to take you if you truly love him.” Lady Catherine concluded.
Elizabeth could only laugh loudly at the ridiculousness of this situation. It dawned upon her now that she only had Miss Bingley’s word of the secret engagement; Darcy had not looked at that woman twice and he had never, not once, showed inconstancy in his love for herself. He had kissed her, declared his love for her, and she had been the only partner he danced with at the Ball. He favored no one else, and at every meeting, with every look and every touch, he spoke of his love for her.
“We are all fools in love, madam. And I will live with this regret for the rest of my life. I have pushed him too far. This very morning, I told him I hated him and that I did not believe him. I accused him of being a seducer and to let me go and never return. His good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.” She sat on the bench and began to weep.
Lady Catherine took a seat next to her and gathered her with one arm. “There, there. It will be well. You and Darcy have much to speak of, but it will turn out all as it should. If you love him, if you make him happy, I wish for both of you to find your contentment together. Perhaps you will prove me wrong and show me that you do have some good sense and accept him when he proposes again.”
Elizabeth was sobbing on her ladyship’s shoulder by now. “But he will not ask again. How could he? I have abused him most cruelly.” She wailed.
“If he were a lesser man, if he were not so in love, perchance he might not be able to overcome his pride to ask again, but he will. I know he will.” She patted Elizabeth’s shoulder.
“Thank you, milady.” Elizabeth slowly sat up after her tears were spent.
“Call me Aunt Catherine, child. I believe you will be my niece soon. Very soon.” She comforted Elizabeth. “Let us return. Your family must be expecting the worst, we have been gone so long. Introduce me to your family, as they will become my family soon.”
They began to walk arm in arm. “And let me tell you about Mr. Collins. I have never met a stupider man but he loves to talk so much and extols so many of my virtues, I found him quite entertaining and hired him on. I do hope his new wife will be sensible. That man is harmless but needs a steady hand to make sure he does not become a complete sycophant!” Lady Catherine gleefully shared with Elizabeth, as they entered Longbourn.
Chapter 15
“Aunt Catherine! What are you doing here?” Darcy exclaimed as he entered the sitting room at Netherfield.
He had left Richard and Mr. King with Colonel Forster and returned tired but anxious to see his sister. He saw his aunt sitting with Georgiana and Bingley, taking tea and conversing pleasantly. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were nowhere to be seen, while Mr. Hurst, appearing quite sober, sat with Bingley, although quiet. He walked over and kissed Lady Catherine’s cheek and sat next to her.
“I have come to fix your lovelife, Darcy. Apparently you have made quite a mess of it. Now, what is this about your being engaged to Caroline Bingley? I shooed that woman off with her sister from sitting with me but how could you get tangled up with her, of all people?” Lady Catherine inquired.
“I am NOT engaged to Caroline Bingley!” Darcy fumed, as he stood and paced. “I have never been and I will never be engaged to her. Why does everyone think that I am engaged to her?” Darcy gruffly replied.
He saw Bingley and Hurst chuckle, as he flailed his arms as if throwing a tantrum.
“Tell me about this ring of hers. Is it truly my sister’s?” Her ladyship asked.
“What ring? Which one?” Georgiana innocently asked.
Darcy rubbed his face and began his story after sitting down again. “The sapphire with pearls around it, Georgiana. Miss Bingley conveniently told me that I proposed to her right before my injury, AFTER she validated that I suffered a memory loss, and showed me that ring as proof. I have been able to gather that she attempted a compromise the night before my accident and Wilkins was witness to it.” He heard Georgiana gasp. “Nothing happened! She was promptly kicked out of my room but I spoke with Hastings and he believes she might have put in a potion, some ridiculous love potion that might have caused me to hallucinate and fall off my horse that next morning. If it is true, she is not only responsible for my injury and may have stolen our mother’s ring, but is now telling others that she is pregnant with my child. It has been three months. You would think she would have signs of this phantom pregnancy but it has been lies. All lies.” Darcy took a sip of tea that Georgiana offered and continued.
“I already approached her to cease this nonsense of an engagement but I cannot prove what has happened with the ring. I wrote to Mrs. Reynolds about it and she did report it missing from Pemberley’s safe. It had not been noticed before since we all thought it locked in the safe, but I do not understand when she could have had the chance to steal it. I cannot accuse her without proof.” Darcy concluded grimly.
“Oh, William,” Georgiana sighed. “Have you been suffering all this time because of that ring?” She stood, “Oh dear brother, why did you not tell me earlier? Give me a few moments. I will return.”
In a few minutes, Georgiana returned with her hands behind her back. She stood in front of her brother and Lady Catherine who was sitting next to him and flashed her hand. “Is this the ring that you are speaking of?”
“Yes, well, it is not identical to the one Miss Bingley was wearing, now that I look at it, but this is what I remember Mother wearing. This is the one in the portraits but Miss Bingley’s might have been smaller, from what I recall. Wherever did you find it?” Darcy asked curiously.
Georgiana grinned broadly. “I never found it; I never lost it. This was Mother’s favorite ring, from what Aunt Catherine told me, and I had held on to it for months. It was always safe in my jewelry box, where it has never left it. I would never lose such a precious memory of our mother.”
Lady Catherine beamed. “Your father had acquired it for William’s fifth birthday in thanks for her giving him an heir. I helped him fetch a good price for it, since I had to fight off some of the harpies who had wanted it. It once belonged to Queen Elizabeth, you know.” She turned Georgiana’s hand from side to side. “Look at the sparkle. You do not find many sapphires of this size and shine without paying a fortune for it. Your father did not care how much it cost. Anne loved blue and she wore this until the day she went to heaven. Such a beautiful ring.”
“But what is the one that Miss Bingley is wearing then?” Darcy returned to the problem at hand. “It looked so similar, I thought it the same.”
“You know nothing, William. When it comes to fashion and jewels, you are as clueless as… as Mr. Bingley here. No offense, Mr. Bingley.” Georgiana nodded with a huge grin.
Bingley smiled cheerfully. “None taken! Go on. Tell us about the other ring.”
“Well, when I was in Ramsgate last June, I found that ring at a small shop by the sea and it looked so similar to this one,” she pointed to the ring on her hand, “that I decided to purchase it to wear it just for fun. I thought of giving it to Mrs. Younge but she was so mean to me that I just held on to it. I took it to Pemberley and I remember Miss Bingley asking me about the ring in the portrait and she must have thought the imitation was the original. She must have stolen it right off my dressing table, since I did not bother to lock it away. I had completely forgotten about it. I wish you had asked me sooner, William. I am no longer a child.” Georgiana pouted.
Darcy stood and embraced her. “I am sorry, sweetling. I know you are a wise young lady and I am sorry I kept secrets from you. I would have never guessed…. The time that I spent in misery…” Darcy took his seat again. “It matters naught. It is over and I am free.” He whispered, “If only she will have me.”
Lady Catherine patted his hand. “Have hope, nephew. She loves you. She told me
herself that she loves you. Go to her. Find her and make each other happy.”
“Who, William?” Georgiana quietly asked with hope rising in her heart. “Could it be Lizzy? Could you possibly be in love with her?”
Darcy could only nod his head as Georgiana squealed and jumped into his arms in joy.
Bingley suddenly stood appearing very pale. “Miss Darcy…” He paced almost in circles.
“Yes, Mr. Bingley?” Georgiana could not understand why his face was blanched and what could possibly be wrong.
Bingley stopped his movement and looked at Darcy and then Miss Darcy. “If I may ask, how much did you pay for that ring?”
Darcy groaned and leaned his back, understanding his friend’s question.
Georgiana innocently replied, “A guinea, actually. I thought it looked so pretty and I paid more for it than my usual trinkets. Why do you ask?”
Bingley sat down on the nearest chair. “More than a shilling. It is a capital offense.” He sighed. “Darcy, I know you detest her but she is… she is still my sister...”
“We will not have her hanged, Charles. I do not wish anyone to hang and although she has caused so much misery, it has brought many discoveries that I would not trade for the world.” I might not have fallen in love with Lizzy and she might have found me an arrogant sod, caring only for status and connections. If she understands that I am not bound to that woman, I might still have a chance to win her.
“Bingley, perhaps we can ask Mr. King to assist us. I would like to still teach her a good lesson about stealing, and perhaps we can use this to distance her from us. I plan on giving her the cut direct, as I will not recognize her in public or in private after our discussion. She will never be invited to my homes and if she is at a function where I am, either she must leave or I will. I do not know of Mrs. Hurst’s perfidy in this but perhaps it is time,” he turned to Mr. Hurst, who was sitting upright and very sober now, “for Hurst to take his rightful place at his family estate and take his wife and sister with him. I believe they have trespassed long enough on your generosity, Bingley.” Darcy suggested.
Hurst stood. “Quite right, yes, you are right. I had been too indulgent of my food and drinks and have not taken the reins of my own life. Father has not been feeling well and even though it is a small estate, I do need to take my responsibilities more seriously. Yes, I believe your suggestion is a good one, Darcy. I will remove them after the wedding and return to Liverpool and learn to be a proper landowner.”
He was reddened with embarrassment and not inebriation for the first time in years. He bowed and excused himself to make his declarations known to his wife.
Darcy quickly wrote a note to be sent to the King residence and requested his audience.
About an hour later, Mr. King and Richard arrived together, where Darcy informed them of what was discovered and how they would approach Miss Bingley, with Mr. Bingley’s full consent.
Darcy wished to run to Lizzy’s side but decided to wait until after the situation with Miss Bingley was resolved, so he could give his beloved a full accounting and propose again.
*~*~*~*~*~*
“How long have you loved her, William?” Georgiana asked, as they sat in his sitting room before facing Caroline Bingley.
Darcy smiled softly. “From the moment I met her. That day of the accident, she came to my rescue, and I hallucinated her looking like Caliban. She was kind and gentle and even though I thought her a hideous monster, I could not help falling in love with her.”
His sister asked, “So all those times that you appeared to hate her…”
“Never. I have never hated her. I made a mistake of insulting her several times and even though I tried to explain myself, things became more convoluted until we were both misunderstood. I hope she will accept me. She will be a good sister and it was what you wished for, is it not? To have her as your dear sister?” Darcy beamed.
“Oh, yes, William. It would be my greatest wish. You are the best of brothers and she is the best of sisters.” She pulled out their mother’s ring, the authentic sapphire, “This will look perfect on Lizzy’s hand. Please give this to her as your betrothal ring. It belongs on her finger and never on Caroline Bingley’s.”
“But this is your favorite!” Darcy exclaimed.
“Yes, it is, and it will be perfect on my future sister. I will have my replica ring soon enough from that harridan, and perhaps you may trade me two other rings for it.” Georgiana winked.
Darcy chuckled. “Anything you wish, sweetling. Thank you, it will be perfect for my Lizzy. From one Elizabeth to another.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
“Take a seat, Caroline.” Bingley commanded.
Caroline gulped before taking her seat. As nonchalantly as possible, she asked, “What is this about, Charles? Why is Mr. King here? Have you invited him here for dinner without telling me?”
She eyed the angry faces of Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, as well as a sober Mr. Hurst and a very stoic Mr. King. Louisa was cowering in the corner without making eye contact, playing with her bracelet, and Charles loomed over her, as he stood next to her with his hands in tight fists.
Caroline was most afraid of Lady Catherine’s presence, whose countenance was unreadable as always. She had heard praises from Miss Darcy and knew that she was Mr. Darcy’s favorite aunt, but she had found this grand lady intimidating and frightening whenever they met. She never smiled at her, she never made pleasant conversation, and always scowled at her as if to silently criticize her.
“Well, is this not cozy?” Caroline decided on a preemptive strike. “We must all be gathered for a very special news. All we need is a minister.” She nervously laughed. Turning to Mr. Darcy, she spoke confidently with a large, fake smile, “I must assume everyone here knows about our engagement, Mr. Darcy. You must congratulate me, everyone. I am to be Mrs. Darcy.”
It was Richard Fitzwilliam who began to laugh first. It was not a laughter of joy but rather a mocking laugh. Caroline’s brows furrowed and she fumed at being ridiculed at such an exciting news.
She turned to find her own brother laughing and even Lady Catherine was hiding her amusement.
Caroline began to nervously laugh as well. “Oh, surprise?” She quietly added. Not understanding at all what was happening.
Lady Catherine interrupted the diversion. “I understand I should be congratulating you, Miss Bingley. Not for the betrothal, no, but I hear you are with child. Again. You lost the first one, though? But now you are with child again?” She jibed, “Since we know of no one in this room who will perform such an act with you, who is the father of the baby? Surely not some stable boy or a soldier, I hope.”
Caroline turned bright red. “No! Of course, I am not with child! Where did you hear such a ridiculous story?”
Georgiana chimed in next. “From the same source where you spewed your lies, Miss Bingley. Whom you told of your secret engagement and that ring you wear as proof of the proposal. Whom you wounded by fabricating a story of a proposal, after an attempt to compromise my brother, then inventing a story of his taking advantage of you. You were with child apparently, but conveniently lost it, only to become with child again, when, William?”
“Last night apparently. You work very quickly. Even if you were sullied last night, it would be impossible to be already with child today. Nothing but lies escaped your mouth, Miss Bingley. Everything you ever said were lies.” Darcy spat.
“But we are engaged! Look!” She lifted her hand. “I have your mother’s ring. You gave this to me after you begged me to marry you and you took my virtue. You cannot be so dishonorable. Word will spread quickly that you are a rake and where is the honor in that? I know how much your family name means to you. You must marry me!” Miss Bingley shouted in desperation.
Mr. King stood and put his palm out. “Madam, I would like to inspect your ring for authenticity.”
Caroline hid her hand away from the man, “But you will not return it to me. This is
my only evidence that Mr. Darcy proposed to me. I will not hand it over to you!”
Patiently, the elderly gentleman spoke softly. “I am the magistrate of Meryton. If this does indeed belong to you because it was gifted to you by its owner, I promise it will be returned to you.”
Hesitantly, Caroline pulled the ring from her hand and gave it to the official.
Mr. King inspected it closely, drawing the ring closer to a candlelight, and finished his examination. “Paste. It is a good copy, with its edges carved well to look like a sapphire cut, but it is not real. These are definitely not sapphires and pearls.”
Caroline gasped. “Your mother wore paste? Are the shades of Pemberley thus to be polluted? How is it possible that with all her riches, she wore paste?!” She shrieked.
Richard laughed loudly at her again. “You are truly a stupid woman. Why in blazes would my aunt wear paste?” He pointed to Darcy who drew out the original. “Your ring was Georgiana’s copy that she purchased in Ramsgate. You stole my cousin’s ring, believing that it was Lady Anne’s.”
Caroline saw the sparkling ring in Darcy’s hand and looked over at Mr. King who was still holding the one she had been keeping for the past five months.
“Miss Bingley, you are hereby charged with theft of a personal item valued at one guinea. How do you plead? The penalty, should you be found guilty, is death.” Mr. King thundered.
Caroline promptly fainted.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Caroline awoke to a piercing odor as her sister placed the smelling salts under her nose. She slowly opened her eyes to see that she was lying on the couch in the drawing room.
The room was empty except for Louisa who wore a scowl and as Caroline moaned to sit up, she heard her sister hiss.
“What have you done, Caroline? You are a stupid chit and you could be hanged for your crimes. What were you thinking to steal Miss Darcy’s ring? If you had stolen the actual Darcy sapphire, well, you would already be swinging right now. How could you disgrace us like this? And to poison Mr. Darcy? You could have killed him with your potion. He only fell off his horse because of the draught you put in his coffee. Your maid found the bottle you were hiding in your jewelry box and gave it to Charles. Theft and attempted murder! You are done in society. You will never be able to return to London. I cannot believe I followed your lead all these years only for you to bring us so much shame.” Louisa helped Caroline sit up and promptly slapped her cheek.
