by Lily Bernard
“Yes, I know, and I love you all the more for it.”
Elizabeth and Darcy were happily walking arm in arm toward Longbourn when they heard the sound of horses’ hoofs coming toward them. They turned to see Darcy’s valet racing toward them while leading Darcy’s horse. Mr. Kenton dismounted and walked quickly to Darcy and handed him a letter.
“I thought you should see this express right away, sir. The messenger said it was urgent.”
Darcy saw that it was from Colonel Fitzwilliam and he opened it immediately. After reading a few lines, all the color left his face and he took a few unsteady steps away from Elizabeth in order to collect his thoughts.
After a moment, he looked up from the letter in his hand and said, “Kenton, return to Netherfield immediately and begin packing. We must leave for London within the hour.” Darcy placed the express in his pocket.
Elizabeth walked over to Darcy and placed her hand on his arm. “What has distressed you so, William? Why must you leave so quickly?”
“Georgiana was, that is, my sister is in need of my immediate attention.” He did not want Elizabeth to worry about him while he was away. He had just become betrothed to this lovely woman beside him and it pained him to leave her side. “I am very sorry I cannot escort you back to Longbourn, but I must leave Hertfordshire as quickly as possible. Elizabeth, I may be gone for several weeks, maybe longer, but I will return to you, my love, and I will speak to Mr. Bennet as soon as I can. If I return with a special license, we can be married immediately if that is what you want. My dearest Elizabeth, you own my heart and I do not want to leave you like this.”
Darcy looked into the beautiful eyes of his betrothed and asked, “may I have a lock of your hair to keep close to my heart while we are apart?” Elizabeth was in disbelief at the sudden change of events and simply nodded. Darcy took a small knife out of his pocket and cut a small curl from the back of her head. He placed it in the fold of his handkerchief and put it inside his coat.
“I will write to Bingley and he will let you know when I am to return.” Darcy took his copy of Shakespeare’s Sonnets out of his pocket and handed it to her and asked, “will you keep this with you for safekeeping until I return? I shall be back to read you my favorite sonnet as soon as may be.” Darcy placed his hands on either side of her face and briefly kissed Elizabeth’s lips before he mounted his horse. “Goodbye, my love.”
As she watched Darcy ride away, Elizabeth muttered to herself, “Goodbye, Mr. Darcy.”
She walked slowly back to Longbourn and told no one about her betrothal to Mr. Darcy. She could not tell anyone about their plans until Darcy returned and received permission from her father.Elizabeth went to her chambers and took Darcy’s book of sonnets out of her pocket. She kissed it before placing it in a small box where she kept her most precious possessions.
Charles Bingley continued to call on Jane every day and shortly after Darcy left, Mr. Bingley and Jane returned from a walk in the garden beaming with joy. When they entered the sitting room, Mrs. Bennet saw their glowing faces and exclaimed, “Thank the Lord, I thought he would never ask!” Many kisses and hugs were exchanged while Bingley went to speak to Mr. Bennet in his study. After several days of discussion, a wedding was planned for the beginning of September. Elizabeth was hoping that Darcy would be back in time for them to have a double wedding.
After Darcy left, he occupied Elizabeth’s every thought. Although she had not yet been there, she often dreamt about being with Darcy at Pemberley. In her dreams, they are walking alongside a beautiful lake holding the hands of a little boy while Darcy is carrying a little girl in his arms.
Chapter 10
Darcy spent several days in London meeting with Colonel Fitzwilliam and some of the Bow Street Runners, highly qualified men whom Richard had enlisted to help them. Many of them had previously served under the Colonel and were eager to help their former commanding officer. There was very little they would not do for their Colonel.
When Darcy read his cousin’s express and learned that Wickham had kidnapped Georgiana, his first thought was to ride through the night to Ramsgate and run Wickham through with his sword. While Darcy was riding in his carriage to London, he knew that calmer heads must prevail if his beloved sister was to be rescued safely.
Wickham had written to Richard and said he was holding Georgiana hostage until Darcy came to meet with him at an inn in Ramsgate. After Darcy arrived in London, he and Colonel Fitzwilliam and the Bow Street Runners met at Darcy House for several days. There they formulated their plans to capture Wickham and any men he had helping him. Their only goal was to make sure Georgiana was safe. Several of the Bow Street Runners had already left for Ramsgate. They hoped to learn all they could about Wickham’s whereabouts and his activities before the remainder of the rescue party arrived.
On the night before they were to leave London, Darcy and Richard were sitting in Darcy’s study reviewing their plans. Darcy opened a drawer in his desk to look for another map. He noticed a tall stack of letters that had not been forwarded to him in Hertfordshire. He quickly leafed through them and saw they were all letters of business or invitations that could wait until he was back from Ramsgate. One of the last letters in the pile was from Mrs. Reynolds. Pemberley’s housekeeper was very good at her job and Darcy knew she would not be writing to him unless it was an important matter. He opened the letter and when he read Mrs. Reynold’s words about Wickham’s threat, he jumped up from his desk and shouted for Mrs. Winters. “Darcy, what is it that has upset you so?”
“Here, Richard, read this!”
Richard took the letter from his cousin’s hand and he began to read as Mrs. Winters entered the room. “Is anything amiss, sir?”
Darcy ran his hands through his hair. “Mrs. Winters, pray tell me why you did not forward my mail to Hertfordshire?”
“Miss Georgiana, sir.”
“Miss Georgiana? Kindly explain yourself.”
“Miss Georgiana asked me not to forward your mail. She wanted you to have some time away from your duties and enjoy your visit with Mr. Bingley. She said you would take care of everything when you returned to London. Have I done something wrong, sir?”
“No, Mrs. Winters, you may leave us now,” his housekeeper curtsied and quickly left the room.
“Do not be angry at Georgie, she was only doing what she thought was best for you.”
“Richard, if I had known Wickham had vowed revenge, I would have returned to London immediately. I would have...”
“What would you have done, Darcy?”
“I know not, but I wish I would have known.”
In the carriage on the road to Ramsgate, Darcy and Richard continued to look over their plans for Georgiana’s rescue. After reviewing the plans several more times, Darcy rested his head on the back of the seat. After exhaling with a deep sigh, he said, “Richard, I need to change the subject to another pressing matter. I was hoping that the next time we met, I would share some good news with you.” His cousin looked up from the paper he was reading. “Richard, I am engaged to be married.”
“Darcy, that is wonderful news, but I had no idea you were even close to offering for someone. Which fortunate lady of the ton have you tied yourself to?”
“Her name is Elizabeth Bennet and you have never met her. Her father owns a small estate in Hertfordshire and she is beautiful and smart and has none of the artificial airs exhibited by London’s pretentious high society.”
“Well, well, well, Fitzwilliam Darcy has finally met someone who has made him forget the so-called obligations to his family and his station in life. Bravo!”
“Richard, I am a gentleman and she is a gentleman’s daughter; therefore, we are equals. She is absolutely lovely. We enjoy the same books and music. I heard her sing one night at a small party and she has the voice of an angel. Elizabeth is the perfect combination of kindness, intelligence and impertinence. Her father’s estate is near the property Bingley has leased. Her joy of life is contagious, an
d Georgiana will love Elizabeth’s spirit and her outgoing personality.”
“So, cousin, you have really been struck by cupid’s arrow. She may not be a member of the ton but at least she is a gentleman’s daughter. I could not be happier for you but wait until Aunt Catherine hears about this.”
“I care not what Aunt Catherine or anyone else thinks. Elizabeth is a remarkable woman and she makes me very happy.” Darcy thought for moment and when he spoke again his demeanor had turned more serious. “I know our mission is dangerous and while I was in London I set up a bank account for Elizabeth with twenty-five thousand pounds in it in case I am unable to marry her.”
“Darcy, are you mad? Twenty-five thousand pounds is a great deal of money.”
“I would have settled at least that much on her in our marriage settlement. I want Elizabeth to have financial security if, for some reason, I am unable to marry her. Richard, I must trust you to see that my wishes are carried out. I know Elizabeth is not interested in my money. She does not know how grand Darcy House and Pemberley are and she has no idea how wealthy she will be when we are wed. She is the exact opposite of all the fortune hunters I have met over the years. I love her with all my heart and I need to know she will be taken care of in my absence.”
“I will do as you ask cousin, but it will not be necessary. We know what the villain we are dealing with is capable of. We have gone over the plan many times and I believe we will have Georgiana safely returned to us and Wickham in irons shortly after we arrive. You will be back in the arms of the lovely Miss Bennet in a few days.”
“I hope so, I miss being near her.” Darcy laughed, “as you well know, I have never felt this way about a woman before.”
“She must be very special for you to babble on like a lovesick puppy.”
“You will soon see how wonderful she is, and you will be the first one to agree with me.”
“Cousin, I am looking forward to meeting the woman who has finally brought Fitzwilliam Darcy to his knees.” The men laughed together, trying to be joyful about Darcy’s betrothal while knowing the danger they were about to face. Both of them would do anything in their power to keep Georgiana safe from harm.
Darcy put his head back and closed his eyes. He wanted Richard to think he was trying to rest but in reality, he was remembering his days with his beloved Elizabeth. He thought about the first day they met while out walking. He clearly remembered that his darling fiancée wanted nothing to do with him and it made him smile.
“Thinking about the lovely Miss Bennet, are you? Wipe that smile off your face and take out the map. Our rescue mission must be executed exactly as planned and we cannot be too prepared.”
“Richard, if I had known about Mrs. Reynold’s letter, I would never have left London.”
“Think about what you are saying. If you had never left London, you would never have met the charming Miss Bennet.”
“Yes, of course, you are correct. We must not let anything interfere with Georgiana’s rescue and the arrest of that despicable excuse for a man. There will be plenty of time to daydream about my dearest Elizabeth on my carriage ride back to Hertfordshire.”
Chapter 11
Elizabeth had not been sleeping well in the many weeks since Darcy left Hertfordshire and she rose earlier than usual. Every day she hoped that she would encounter him on her walk to Oakham Mount. She liked to sit in the shade of a large oak tree and think about her time with Darcy. Elizabeth liked to day dream about what her life would be like when she was married to such an important man. Darcy was a member of London’s highest society and Elizabeth felt that the ton would have to accept her when she entered a social event on the arm of her handsome husband. If those of the ton did not welcome her to their sphere, she knew that she and William would be happy living together at Pemberley.
When the sun began to rise higher in the sky, she knew it was too late to expect Darcy to meet her. She went back to Longbourn praying that tomorrow would be the day that her fiancée would be waiting for her on Oakham Mount.
Many weeks later, she was returning from her morning walk when she saw a stranger’s carriage parked in front of Longbourn. Elizabeth was praying that it was Darcy returning to Longbourn in order to finally ask for her father’s permission and blessing. She walked as quickly as she could and anxiously entered the house. Their housekeeper was waiting for her, “Miss Elizabeth, you have a caller and he awaits you in Mr. Bennet’s study. I was asked to tell you to go there as soon as you returned.”
“Thank you, Hill.” Elizabeth went directly to the door of her father’s study. Her heart was racing at the thought of seeing Darcy again. She attempted to straighten her skirt and she quickly brushed off the dust from her walk. After she removed her bonnet, she felt around her hair to make sure it was still pinned up and then she knocked lightly on the door and entered the room. Darcy was not in her father’s study, instead there was a man in uniform with her father whom he quickly introduced as Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. ‘He must be the cousin William told me so much about.’
Mr. Bennet walked to the door. “Pray excuse me. Lizzy, I will be right outside the door if you need me.” Mr. Bennet left his study after giving his daughter a sympathetic look.
“Miss Elizabeth, please have a seat. I am sorry to meet you under these circumstances.” Colonel Fitzwilliam indicated a space next to him on the small couch in her father’s study. Elizabeth was very confused by his presence but complied.
“As your father told you, I am Richard Fitzwilliam and I am the cousin and closest friend of Fitzwilliam Darcy.” Elizabeth began to feel uneasy and sensed that something was not right. ‘Why is Darcy’s cousin here and not my fiancé himself?’
“Miss Elizabeth, I am so terribly sorry that there is no other way for me to say this. I regret to inform you that Darcy is dead.”
“Dead! No, that cannot be true!”
The colonel paused to compose himself before he continued speaking. “Darcy was murdered in Ramsgate by a man named George Wickham. I was with Darcy at the end and his last words were words of his love for you.” Elizabeth put her hands to her face and began sobbing. Colonel Fitzwilliam put his hand on her shoulder and attempted to comfort her.
Elizabeth tried to compose herself. “Colonel, I do not understand. Why did William leave Hertfordshire so suddenly? How could this have happened?” She continued to cry quietly and shake her head as she listened to the Colonel try to make sense of this life changing news.
“Allow me to explain. George Wickham was Darcy’s boyhood friend and he conspired with his accomplice, a Mrs. Younge, to kidnap Georgiana and hold her hostage. For once, I do not think his purpose was primarily financial gain, but he was determined to have revenge. I hired Mrs. Younge as Georgiana’s companion because she presented herself well and had excellent character references. I interviewed many women for the job while performing all my Army duties and I confess I did not investigate Mrs. Younge’s background as well as I should have. It seems that Mrs. Younge was an old associate of Wickham’s and she helped him piece together the plans for the kidnapping. The first step of their plan was placing Mrs. Younge at Darcy House as Georgiana’s new companion.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam looked down at his hands before he spoke again. “We later found out all her references were false. Mrs. Younge worked in a run-down inn which Wickham frequented when he was down on his luck. Although Wickham and most of his men escaped when he stabbed Darcy, Mrs. Younge stayed with Georgiana and was apprehended by the Bow Street Runners. She was the one who told me all the details of their nefarious plan.”
Elizabeth was staring at an old map of Hertfordshire on the wall of her father’s study and distractedly uttered, “that must have been the express he received when we were walking to Longbourn together.”
“Yes, I sent him an express after I received the letter from Wickham. I suppose he did not know how to reach Darcy since he was not in London or Derbyshire and Wickham knew I was stationed in Town. While I wai
ted for Darcy to arrive at Darcy House, I gathered supplies and enlisted some of my former recruits who are now Bow Street Runners to help rescue Georgiana. On the road to Ramsgate, Darcy and I had several hours to talk, and he told me about you and your engagement. He was very happy.” Colonel Fitzwilliam reached into his pocket and handed Darcy’s signet ring to Elizabeth. “Darcy wanted you to have this. Of course, he planned to replace it with a more fitting ring when he returned to Hertfordshire.”
“Colonel, you said something about revenge. Why would Mr. Wickham want to kidnap Miss Darcy and kill William?”
“Did Darcy not tell you about his long history with George Wickham?”
“No, I have never heard his name before. We did speak a great deal about Miss Darcy and you.”
“Wickham is the son of Pemberley’s former steward. Wickham’s father was the best of men and served Pemberley well for many years. Darcy’s father, my Uncle George, decided to reward his steward’s hard work by raising his son as a gentleman. Uncle George sent Wickham away to school with Darcy and he also paid all his fees at Cambridge.”
“It was shortly after they began their university studies that Darcy began hearing reports of Wickham’s gambling debts, his seduction of young women and cheating. Darcy felt it was his obligation to pay Wickham’s debts and never told my Uncle George about it. When Darcy confronted Wickham about his offenses, he said that Darcy was jealous of the attention he received from my Uncle George.”
“My uncle passed away suddenly, and Darcy was only two and twenty when he was thrust into the role of master of Pemberley. In my uncle’s will, there was a stipulation that Wickham be given the living at Kympton when it became open. When Wickham learned of the bequest, he went to Darcy and rejected the living that Darcy’s father had promised him in lieu of three thousand pounds.”
