Richard was always planning and preparing for battles, so it came as no surprise when he determined action needed to me made. “It would be unwise for Miss Elizabeth to remain here. No offense, Mr Gardiner, but it places your home and family in jeopardy. We should make a production of her leaving your home, with her trunks, in case someone is watching the house.”
“I have already instructed Mrs Kingston to prepare the Mistress’s rooms at Darcy House. You could simply move into the rooms that will be yours tomorrow.” William stated.
“Fitzwilliam Darcy, you will not do such a thing.” Lady Matlock declared. “It would tarnish Elizabeth’s reputation further. It would be best if she came to Matlock House for the evening. As the wedding and wedding breakfast will be there, it would not raise too much attention. And Richard is correct. We should assume that there is someone watching over this house, and a show of Elizabeth moving out would be best for everyone.”
“Mother, you would make an excellent general for his majesty’s army.” Richard chuckled.
“Do you think you were just born with the ability to command? You learned your skills from watching how I arrange everything in our homes. Preparing for a party or ball is not a simple task, and I refuse to put the planning on the shoulders of our staff. We may have the best staff in England, but they might not know of certain difficulties which would result in disaster if someone was seated near an enemy.”
Lord Matlock smiled at his wife. “Never underestimate your mother’s abilities, Richard.”
The younger son held up his hands in surrender. “I will never take Mother for granted. Perhaps I should invite her to join me when we have our next drills, so she can make suggestions.”
All in the room laughed at the thought of Lady Matlock directing soldiers in their maneuvers. After several moments, the room became serious once again.
“Henry, would you be so kind as to send a message to our house, requesting a room prepared for Elizabeth. I would suggest the green room in the second level guest wing. It is a cheery room, and I am certain Elizabeth will be comfortable in the suite.”
Elizabeth’s eyes lowered. Her discomfort was palpable. Realizing what had caused his betrothed to become uneasy, Darcy addressed the issue. “I will come to Matlock House with you, so I may be of assistance with the stairs. My cousins are strong, and I will regulate your care to them for the remainder of today, and early tomorrow. After our wedding, it will be my distinct pleasure to be available when you require aid with stairs.”
“I am embarrassed to require someone to help me take stairs. All my life, I have been independent, and now is just the opposite. If only my legs were like before.”
“Elizabeth, you are alive, and that is more important to me than assisting you move up and down on the stairs. We will adapt as is required. Have no fear. And I find it to be a privilege to be your humble servant.” Darcy smiled.
For his words, he was gifted with the sweetest smile Darcy could ever imagine. Yes, he was looking forward to his future with Elizabeth as his wife.
~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~
Chapter 10
George Wickham watched from an alley north of the Gardiner townhouse, as the carriage bearing the crest of the Earl of Matlock had a trunk loaded on the back, before people began exiting the home. He was able to hear part of the conversation as Elizabeth Bennet gave her aunt and uncle each a kiss.
“Thank you for all you have done for me, Aunt Helen and Uncle Edwin. There are no words to express how dear you are to me.”
“It was a pleasure to have you stay with us, Lizzy. And you are always welcome in our home. We will see you soon.” Mr Gardiner stated.
The family entered the carriage, as Lord Matlock handed in his wife, then entered himself. Darcy and his cousins would follow in Darcy’s carriage, after he handed his betrothed into the Matlock carriage. Once everyone was loaded in the carriages, the family and soon to be family were on their way to Matlock House.
Wickham knew where Matlock House was, as he had been inside it twice when he was younger. Once was when he traveled to Town with Mr and Mrs Darcy, before she had given birth to Georgiana. As a boy, George Wickham had been a playmate and companion for the young heir to Pemberley. The second time was when his father, the steward of Pemberley, journeyed to London to do some business with Lord Matlock after the fire. The first few months after Pemberley burned, Mr Darcy was unable to deal with such things as estate repairs. So, it was Lord Matlock who took command of the situation.
Seeing how Fitzwilliam Darcy lived after the estate had burned, seeing the luxury of both Darcy House and Matlock House, the young Wickham seethed. He has been left at several homes, one a distant cousin, a few belonging to tenants or staff who had cottages unaffected by the fire. His father was too busy to trouble himself with the son. All so the grand Darcy family could live a life George Wickham could never have. Sickened by the situation, the boy turned into a bitter young man. To make matters even worse, Gerald Darcy, who had accepted the role of godfather when George was born, left him one thousand pounds and the living of Kympton, if the young man took orders. No man could be worse suited for the position of clergyman, as George was a gambler, scoundrel, rake, thief, and more.
When Gerald died, and the will was read, Wickham was furious that his godfather did not leave him better situated. Knowing he would never take orders, Wickham asked for compensation for the value of the living. The debate lasted for nearly half of an hour, before the agreement of the original bequest of one thousand pounds, and an additional three thousand pound would be Wickham’s inheritance. With a bank note in hand, Wickham signed papers stating he had no further claims to the living and had been given payment instead.
Unfortunately, when one lives the style Wickham had, the funds only lasted a year. He needed more. Returning to the new Master of Pemberley, Wickham was refused further compensation and denied the steward’s son from being given the living, as it had become vacant. George Wickham vowed to one day get even with his nemesis.
Nearly two years later, Wickham was in dire straits. With debts mounting, merchants demanding payment, and the families of several young ladies who had been ruined by the scoundrel, all looking for their pound of flesh, the young man was desperate. That was when he first met Lord Ashton, then known as James Ashby.
Ashby was an odd man. And he was the sort of man one did not cross. Once you came under the employ of James Ashby, there was no resigning, as Ashby would see a resignation as a betrayal. And betrayal meant the person had best have all his affairs in order.
A month after Wickham had been employed by Ashby, he found just how cruel and heartless the man could be, as James Ashby ordered the execution of his father and elder brother. It was made to appear that highwaymen had attacked their carriage, as they were on their way from their estate in Wiltshire, south of Trowbridge, to their townhouse in London. The attack claimed the lives of the Earl of Matlock and his heir, his driver, the valets of each gentleman, and two postilions. As the earl faced his imminent death, his younger son removed his mask, showing his father who had taken his life. The elder Ashby pleaded with his son to spare his life, only a moment before James pulled the trigger, shooting his father in the chest. Though he disliked his own father, who had died two months prior to Gerald Darcy, Wickham could not imagine hating the man enough to murder him.
Having assisted in the murders of those with the carriage, Wickham became invaluable to his employer. The next on the new Lord Ashton’s list was a man who owned several ships which made the journey between the West Indies and England. Lord Ashton wished to purchase the man’s ships, and when the man declined the offer, he was murdered and his warehouse was destroyed. The man’s widow sold the ships to Lord Ashton, before she moved, with her children, to the north to live with her sister.
There had been others. A man who owed the earl a hefty sum of money and could not pay. A woman who had refused to become his lordship’s courtesan. And more.
The night Wick
ham had journeyed with Lord Ashton to Hertfordshire was by far the worst experience he could imagine, conjuring memories of his childhood, watching as his father and other men attempted to save Pemberley.
Lord Ashton had brought lamp oil with him, enough to start a blaze of immense proportions. Quietly, the two men made their way through Netherfield Park’s halls and up the stairs, coming to the family wing. The earl had learned the layout of the manor house from a man who had worked on remodeling the Mistress’s rooms a month prior to Lord Ashton’s original bid for purchasing the estate. Outside of the rooms that were said to be family apartments, the oil was splashed on the doors and the frames, even on the carpet. The man who had been at Netherfield had drawn a map of the manor house’s family wing, so the rooms of the viscount, his wife, his three children were easily identified. The men struck matches, tossing them on the oil soaked rugs and doors, setting the blaze, before exiting the house.
Arriving outside, Wickham had thought they would continue to where the horses were securely tied to a tree. Instead, Lord Ashton leaned against a tree, watching as the fire spread. Fear of being caught stirred Wickham in begging his employer to leave. There was a change that had come over the earl, a moment of anger, as he looked at a particular window in the family wing. When Wickham followed the gaze that held Ashton’s attention, he witnessed the collapsing of the ceiling of the room. After the collapse, and the window shattered, James Ashby agreed it was time to leave the area.
Weeks later, Wickham was sent to the Netherfield Park neighborhood. Rumors had reached the London papers that a guest of the family had survived the blaze. Wickham was charged with discovering it the rumors were true, and, if so, who the guest was. Lord Ashton was determined to ensure his participation in the fire was unknown. If there was a survivor, he would see the person eliminated.
Wickham had learned that there had been a survivor, a young lady who was staying in one of the rooms in the family wing. He learned that the young lady was from a neighboring estate, which belonged to Thomas Bennet. And the man learned that the young lady was seriously injured and was staying in London with relations.
Having learned the information, Wickham returned to his employer’s townhouse. Lord Ashton knew Thomas Bennet, but he was not certain who the relations living in Town were, as he had lost contact with his university friend. The next chore that Wickham was given was to learn the identity of said relations of the Bennet family.
The information took Wickham some time, as he did not wish for people to become suspicious. On the third trip to Hertfordshire, Wickham was introduced to the gentleman, as Mr Bennet had returned to his home just days before. Wickham was at the dining room of the inn when Mr Bennet visited his friend, Mr Kelly, who owned the inn. The two men moved to the dining room to share a repast while they discussed a book Mr Bennet had read. When the topic of Elizabeth’s recovery was brought up, Wickham paid close attention. He finally approached the gentleman.
“Forgive me, did I hear you speaking of your daughter? Is she the one who was injured at the fire of which I have heard?”
“Ah, Mr Williams, you have not met my friend, Mr Bennet of Longbourn. Thomas, this is Mr Williams, who has been stopping here from time to time, as he travels for his employer.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Mr William.” Thomas Bennet stated. “What sort of work are you employed?”
“I travel to farming communities to set up the purchasing of wool, for my employer’s mills. As you can imagine, I travel often. Since finding this inn, I have enjoyed my time journeying through the area.” Wickham was an expert at lying.
“As to your questions, my daughter is indeed the survivor of the fire at Netherfield. How do you know of the event?”
“While you were in Town, Thomas, it was all the village talked about. We all prayed for Miss Elizabeth’s life being spared. And the Lord saw fit to bless us with your daughter surviving. The thought of a world without her smile and teasing ways would be terrible. What a dear young lady, and her singing is superb.”
“It is not certain she will ever be able to sing again, as the smoke has caused damage to her lungs and throat.” Mr Bennet grew melancholy at all the fire had cost the people of Hertfordshire.
“Well, let us pray she recovers fully.” Wickham stated.
“You have my gratitude for your well wishes.” The gentleman stood, preparing to leave. “Pleased to meet you, Mr Williams. Have a safe journey.”
“If you wish something delivered to your daughter, I would be happy to be of assistance. I am often in Town, and would be delighted to carry any message or something from home to the young lady.”
“Thank you, Mr Williams, but my brother-in-law has things well in hand.”
“Might I inquire as to your relations in Town? Incase my employer might know them.”
“My wife’s brother and his family reside in Cheapside, on Gracechurch Street, near his warehouse.”
Mr Kelly thought for a moment. “It is Gardiner, your wife’s family name?”
Mr Bennet nodded his head, before heading on his way. Mr Kelly was busy woolgathering, paying little attention to the other man in the room. Wickham quickly made his excuses and left the inn. He was pleased to have the information to locate the young lady in Town. Lord Ashton would be glad to have the location and prognosis of the young lady.
The only problem was how they would silence the young lady permanently. If she was unable to leave the home of her uncle, how could Ashton and Wickham reach her?
For weeks, Wickham had watched and waited, hoping to have a chance to create an accident, and put an end to the matter, once and for all.
When Wickham learned of Fitzwilliam Darcy interest in Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Wickham’s desire to see the woman come to an end increased. In his mind, striking down the young lady would cause pain to the one man he hated most in the world.
He would find a way to exact the greatest pain possible. He had years of wounds festering, and Darcy would atone for each moment.
~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~
Chapter 11
Elizabeth woke with a start, hearing the sound of thunder rattled the window of the unfamiliar bedchamber. At first, she was confused, until she remembered she was at Matlock House.
So many thoughts were running through her mind. The most important one was how drastically her life would change in just a matter of hours. She would become Mrs Darcy, mistress of a grand town house in London and one of the largest estates in Derbyshire. And importantly, she would become a wife, with duties, as her mother referred to them, to her husband.
Mrs Bennet had spoken with Jane and Elizabeth soon after they were out in society, explaining what would be expected of a wife. The image she conjured in the minds of her daughters was terrifying to the girls. “Just lie down, close your eyes, and allow him to do his business. It might be painful, especially at first. Once you have given your husband a son, he will not require spending as much time in your chambers, as he can go to a courtesan for such needs.”
Fortunately, Mrs Gardiner had managed to calm her nieces. Having witnessed the marriage of their parents and of their aunt and uncle, the young ladies determined they wished their married life to emulate the latter.
While Darcy was visiting Longbourn to obtain permission of Mr Bennet to wed, Mrs Gardiner was having a long chat with Elizabeth. She spoke of the relations that a husband and wife could share, and what was to be expected. And, contrary to Mrs Bennet’s claims, Helen Gardiner spoke of a woman being able to enjoy the relations shared on the marriage bed.
“Lizzy, I am certain that you have nothing to fret over. Mr Darcy loves you. He is not the sort of man to treat you with less than kindness and care. From what I can remember, he is much like his mother. I knew her, when I was younger, when she would come to the village of Lambton, where my father owned the bookshop. Lady Anne Darcy was a generous and kind lady, always giving the children of the village a moment of her time, and usually handing out treats to the eager little han
ds. She was greatly mourned by the entire community, as Lady Anne was admired by all.”
“You have known Fitzwilliam for some time?” Elizabeth asked.
“One time, when I was near ten, I remember Lady Anne bringing her baby with her as she was shopping for a gift for her husband. The babe was not even a year old. That was the first time I met Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy. We were introduced several years ago, when your uncle invited him and the Bingleys to dine with us. Mr Darcy laughed when I spoke of our first meeting and my comment that he would not remember the event.”
“Why would he wish to marry me? I fear his expression when he sees the scars on my legs. Certainly, he will be appalled and want nothing further to do with me.”
As Elizabeth spoke, her eyes looked down at her hands, clasped in her lap. Mrs Gardiner placed a hand gently on either side of her niece’s face, forcing Elizabeth to look at her. “Elizabeth Bennet, you are the most amazing young lady I can think of. All that you have endured would have trampled most people. But you are intelligent, sweet natured, deeply loyal, and cherished by all who love you. You are also a beautiful young lady, who has scars. We all have scars, of one sort or another. Some have scars on their souls, while others have scars that are visible on the body. But we all have some. Mr Darcy was at his mother’s side as she died in the fire at Pemberley. I can remember the devastation all in Lambton shared at the news of Lady Anne’s death, and the damage of the estate. To have been at Lady Anne’s side, during her final moments, as everything around him crumbled, left a scar on Mr Darcy’s soul. He did not allow it to destroy him; rather he used it to make himself stronger and make a better life for the future of his estate and his family. Even before his father’s death, William had begun taking over the financial decisions, working hand in hand with his steward in the rebuilding of Pemberley. Due to his hard work, he as rebuilt his estate. Though it is not as large as it had once been, my friend in Lambton said it is still quite a manor house, and William had it furnished with quality, though comfortable furniture and fixtures. I look forward to one day seeing the estate.”
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