by Brenda Webb
Several men stepped up, offering to assist Lord Landingham with Georgiana, still in his arms, but he declined their offers, knowing how timid she would be with a stranger, especially considering what had just happened. Hurrying towards the back door, however, it became evident that a loud argument was taking place inside the building and as they stepped through the door, Lady Ashcroft turned to close it soundly. The crowd following had no choice but to disperse.
“Do not lie to me!” Lord Strongham demanded of an obviously nervous Sarah Younge. “Margaret informed me that she saw this blackguard with Miss Darcy only minutes before the abduction. You told her that he was merely a friend waiting to take you to dinner. Now tell me the truth. Is he an acquaintance of yours?”
Mrs. Younge backed up a step as though she wished to flee the inquisition. Her lips trembled with her reply. “I… I have met him. I do not know him very well. We were just beginning to get acquainted,” she blinked several times, trying not to cry. “I had no idea that he would—”
“You had no idea, madam?” Strongham hissed, taking another step closer so she could not escape. “You let this madman loiter about this establishment whilst my daughter and Miss Darcy were under your protection? It could just as easily have been my Margaret with whom he tried to flee.”
“Oh, no!” Sarah Younge hurried to explain. “Miss Strongham was not the—”
Lord Landingham, Lady Ashcroft, Lady Hawthorne and Elizabeth Bennet had entered now and were standing directly behind Strongham. Upon hearing Mrs. Younge’s last reply to Strongham, each was eyeing her with equal curiosity and disgust. Their appearance served to remind her that she was suspect and, as such, should probably say no more.
With her sudden silence, Marshall Landingham’s demeanour changed for the worse and knowing his temper well, Audrey Ashcroft took hold of his arm, causing him to regard her. His expression was as hard as steel, and she did not have to ask what he was thinking. She turned to her old friend, Lady Hawthorne.
“Would you please ask Clark to come inside and escort Miss Darcy to the carriage while Lord Landingham and I speak to Mrs. Younge?” The older woman hurried to do as she was asked, and Audrey regarded Elizabeth briefly, adding, “Please accompany them, Miss Bennet. We shall meet all of you at the carriage.”
Almost instantly Clark rushed into the establishment, his expression mirroring his employer’s concern for Georgiana. Lady Hawthorne trailed behind him, and Marshall gently set Georgiana on her feet. He whispered some endearment into her ear that seemed to reassure her and kissed her forehead. Then, with a wan smile, he surrendered her to the trusted footman, keeping watch until she was completely out of sight. He then turned to face Mrs. Younge, the set of his mouth evidence of his fury.
Seeing the intensity in his expression, Audrey took his arm. Strongham was in the process of sputtering something about ruining Mrs. Younge, and since he was not above doing the job himself, Landingham stepped between the two, stopping within inches of the gallery owner’s face. He observed with satisfaction the fear in her eyes and the difficulty she had swallowing.
“I agree completely with Lord Strongham,” he stated. “We trusted you with our most precious gifts—a daughter, a niece, a goddaughter—and you failed us. Whether you acted out of ignorance, wilful disregard or some nefarious reason in allowing that villain near our children is yet to be determined. Oh, but make no mistake, your motive shall be established. I will hold you personally responsible for my goddaughter’s ordeal, whatever part you played in it, and I assure you, Lady Ashcroft and Lord Strongham will do likewise.”
Margaret’s father agreed in a loud voice. “Indeed.”
“I suggest you do not attempt to leave this establishment. An armed guard will be assigned to ascertain that you are here to answer any questions the constable may have and those of the solicitor I intend to hire.”
“I shall hire a solicitor as well!” Lord Strongham bristled, unable to hold his tongue.
“May heaven have mercy on you, as we shall not!” Landingham added.
The proprietor’s face showed very little emotion until Lord Landingham’s parting remark, after which she visibly paled.
And as he and Lady Ashcroft stormed out of the business followed by Strongham and his daughter, and for the first time since the debacle began Sarah Younge had opportunity to question the wisdom of trusting Mr. Wickham. Sinking back against the wall, she closed her eyes.
What have I done?
The last to exit through the gallery included Alfreda Wilkens and her brother, who had made their way back inside after the crowd dispersed. Now disdainful of the gallery owner, he ignored her completely. Besides, he was more interested in finding Elizabeth to berate her for getting involved in so sordid a display. He had purposefully stayed in the background, hoping not to be associated with the scandal that was sure to surround the entire incident. As he guided his sister down the steps, he noted the object of his indignation entering Lord Landingham’s carriage and his entire countenance darkened.
~~~*~~~
Meryton
Longbourn
The parlour
As Jane surreptitiously observed the others gathered in the parlour, each member of her family seemed preoccupied with their own endeavours. Mary was reading a book of sermons while Kitty and Lydia snickered at things only shared with each other whilst trimming bonnets. Her father was reading a newspaper by the light from a window. Her mother was trying to mend a shirt, but whenever Jane glanced in that direction, she seemed to be stitching the same pocket repeatedly.
Since Mr. Bingley’s return to Netherfield, Mrs. Bennet had insisted that he dine with them every day. Of course, always pleased to see him, Jane had no objections to his presence, though she worried that even a man as good natured as Charles should not be exposed to her family every day. She feared that he might come to the conclusion that marrying her would not be worth inheriting her family. Thus, whenever he was in attendance, Jane did everything in her power to steer the conversation away from topics that were too rude to mention. Such a topic was his wealth—her mother’s favourite subject. Tonight she would fail miserably.
“Mr. Bingley, once you are wed, how many more servants do you plan on employing to serve my Jane?”
Mr. Bennet pulled his newspaper up to cover his face, though the slight jiggle of the paper and occasional snorts revealed that he was laughing as quietly as possible. Jane frowned in his direction but, of course, he could not see. Mrs. Bennet took no notice but hurried on with her enquiry.
“I am sure that you have noticed that Netherfield is badly understaffed, and one needs so many servants these days to keep up appearances. My Jane will want her own lady’s maid, of course, and I do not know of any servants that you presently employ that could sufficiently do the job. Perhaps you will want to employ a French maid. I hear they are all the rage in London.”
“MOTHER!” Jane finally managed to sputter. “I do not think that is something that Char—Mr. Bingley should worry about now. And he does not need to discuss his servants with you.”
“Oh, fiddle faddle! He does not mind, do you, Mr. Bingley?”
Kitty and Lydia’s giggles turned into loud guffaws, and they took up their mother’s tune. “Oh, do tell us, Mr. Bingley. Will you be hiring my sister a French maid?” Lydia said teasingly, as Kitty chimed in. “Will you have a French valet as well?”
Charles had reddened at Mrs. Bennet’s question, but seeing Jane’s embarrassment, he reached for her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. Her blue eyes, which had dropped to the floor, came up to meet his kind expression and his smile restored her own. Giving her a covert wink, he focused his attention on his future mother-in-law.
“I can assure you, madam, that your daughter and I shall discuss that matter thoroughly before we make any decisions. The one thing of which I am certain is that she shall have everything that she needs as my wife and mistress of our homes and that includes enough servants.”
At his assertio
n, Mrs. Bennet was effusive. “Oh, I never thought any differently! I had no doubt that Jane would marry well, and with your five-thousand pounds a year, she will have everything she could wish for.” She turned to her husband. “That is what I told you, is it not, Mr. Bennet? I said that our Jane could not have been so beautiful for nothing.”
Mr. Bennet peered over the top of the newspaper, his mouth now twisted into a slight smirk. “You certainly did, my dear. Quite often, as I remember.”
This set off another round of laughter from Jane’s two youngest sisters, but Mary huffed in disgust. “It would serve everyone to do without so many servants and give more to the church.”
“Bah!” Lydia snorted. “Mary, you are such a bore. What is the harm in living well, if you have the means?”
“I agree!” Kitty chimed in as usual. “Besides, you will need more servants in order to host lots of balls. Netherfield is perfect for having balls.”
Mr. Bennet folded his paper. “That is enough girls.” Promptly, he went back to his reading as Lydia made a face at her father that only Kitty saw. They both collapsed into a fit of giggles.
Jane just shook her head sadly and glanced back to Charles who was studying her with a sly grin. She could not help smiling at him. “I am sorry,” she whispered looking about to see that the rest of her family were not listening.
“Think nothing of it,” Charles replied. “Have you heard from your sister? Has Miss Elizabeth returned to London?”
Jane’s face lit up. “Lizzy is supposed to return to London in several days. She says that she is homesick for Longbourn. I suspect she wants to come home, though Mama may not be willing to allow it if she has not received an offer of marriage.”
“Your mother is determined to see her married?”
“I am afraid so.” Jane sighed. “For a while I feared that Lizzy might accept an offer from that awful man that has been courting her.”
“Ah, yes. John Wilkens, Earl of Hampton.”
“You know him?”
“Yes, I met him at Darcy’s club. A rather dour man who seemed to be angry a great deal of the time. Not much for conversation.”
“Then you can understand why Lizzy is not impressed with him.”
“I certainly can. Your sister is much too lively for him. He is a stick-in-the-mud. I have wondered at his purpose in pursuing Miss Elizabeth. It would certainly not be a good match.”
“No. My sister was not formed for such a man. Besides, I have a suspicion that she is interested in someone else.”
“Someone I would know?”
Jane glanced sideways at him. “I believe you know him very well.”
“Ah yes, my friend, Darcy.”
“I have been aware of Lizzy’s feelings for him since he rescued her the night of the flood. And she confided in me when she first learned that he was married. However, though the circumstances of his marriage are heartbreaking, it would seem to be an insurmountable obstacle to their union.”
“Not insurmountable, but certainly formidable. There are many steps that Darcy would have to complete in order to obtain a divorce—from obtaining the agreement of the church and the House of Lords, to the civil trial.” Bingley took a deep breath, exhaling noisily. “Then there is the scandal that would be sure to follow your sister. She would have to be very strong to withstand such disdain.”
“Lizzy is strong, but I hate to think of her being pilloried by the gossips. And I have no idea if Papa and Mama would support her decision if she decided to choose Mr. Darcy.” Both surreptitiously turned to study Jane’s parents who were paying them no mind.
Finally Jane leaned in to whisper to Charles. “I only pray that Lizzy will do whatever is in her best interest. She has been through so much this summer, trying to please Mama and secure an offer for my sake.” Overcome with emotion, her next words almost faltered. “I know it was for me that she agreed to the courtship with that horrible man. She wanted to secure a wealthy husband so that Mama would be satisfied and leave me to choose whoever my heart desired.”
“And did you find your heart’s desire?” Charles’ expression was sombre as he held her gaze, barely daring to breathe as he awaited her answer.
“You are everything I have ever desired in a husband and more.”
Bingley let go of his breath, his face erupting into a beatific smile. They both knew that had they been alone, he would have kissed her soundly. As it was, all Charles could manage was to squeeze the hand he held.
“You have made me the happiest of men, sweetheart. I can only pray that Miss Elizabeth and Darcy find such happiness as we have.”
“As do I, my love.”
~~~*~~~
Outside the Art Gallery
They had no more than cleared the front porch when Alfreda spoke. “John, Miss Bennet has been through so much today. Please do not quarrel with her again.”
Wilkens stopped walking, casting a sideways glance at his sister. “By what right do you instruct me?” The volume of his voice increased. “And to make matters clear so that you understand, what I choose to talk with Miss Bennet about is not your concern.”
“Shhh,” Alfreda whispered as his raised voice brought attention their way. “Please do not let our aunt hear you. You know she does not welcome your show of temper.”
“She is a foolish old woman who would not know a show of temper if she saw one. I am simply impatient with people who ignore my advice!” At this declaration, more people stopped to stare, and Alfreda’s eyes dropped to the ground. “Now, I will leave it to you to collect Miss Bennet. I wish to leave before the whole of Ramsgate learns what happened today.”
Timidly, Alfreda headed in the direction of Lord Landingham’s carriage, where Audrey Ashcroft stood at the open door talking to those inside. She remained unnoticed, standing silently behind Georgiana’s aunt, until Elizabeth called out from the carriage. “Alfreda, are you looking for me?”
Everyone’s attention focused on her and she flushed. “Yes. Brother wants to leave now and asked me to see if you are ready.” Her eyes pleaded for Elizabeth to agree.
Meeting the looks of the others in the carriage, Elizabeth knew that it would not do for Georgiana to be upset by another argument. Thus, she began to climb out of the carriage. “Of course. I was so shaken that I was not thinking clearly. I should return to Gatesbridge Manor with you.”
Lady Ashcroft reached out to touch Elizabeth’s arm as she stepped down to the sand. “In light of this disaster, I am sending a servant to London with an express for Fitzwilliam. I know my nephew well, and he shall demand that Georgiana and I return to London immediately. We shall set out in the morning, and you are welcome to accompany us.” She glanced to Alfreda, who was coming closer, and lowered her voice so that only Elizabeth could hear. “I do not think the Earl of Hampton will be pleased with your involvement in my niece’s rescue, though I assure you that my family and I shall be eternally grateful.” Elizabeth smiled and Audrey squeezed her hand before saying loud enough for Alfreda to hear, “We shall be leaving at first light from Hawthorne Hall.”
Being offered a way out of the predicament flooded Elizabeth with relief. “I would appreciate that very much. This ordeal has made me heartsick to see my family in London and to return to my home in Meryton.” She looked to Alfreda for assurance. “I am certain that Lady Wilkens will forgive me for wishing to return to London earlier and will provide me a carriage so that I can meet you in the morning.”
Alfreda could do nought but agree. “Of course, if that is your wish.” By now John Wilkens was coming in their direction, and the look on his face made Elizabeth uneasy.
Forcing herself to focus on Lady Ashcroft, she hoped her eyes conveyed her message better than her words. “Thank you for thinking of me. I shall not fail to be there at first light.” Unsaid was that if she did not come, she had been detained against her will.
“I look forward to seeing you then,” Lady Ashcroft said aloud, leaning in again to whisper, “I shall not le
ave Ramsgate without you.”
Elizabeth calmed, the relief in her face visible. “You are too kind.”
There was another whispered secret. “No, I am a stubborn woman who does not suffer fools or bullies.”
As John Wilkens watched the women gathered around Landingham’s carriage, he pondered what Elizabeth Bennet and Audrey Ashcroft found amusing as they conversed so quietly. Though he strained to hear the conversation, he could not make out the words, and he knew enough not to ask. Darcy’s aunt had never liked him, and the feeling was mutual.
~~~*~~~
Hawthorne Hall
That Evening
As Lady Ashcroft made her way into the library, she did not expect to find Marshall Landingham there, fast asleep. She had assumed that after she tended his wound, he had retired to the bedroom that Lady Hawthorne had ordered prepared. But there he was, still sitting upright, his head resting on the back of a sofa near the fireplace, oblivious to the world. Lady Hawthorne sat across from him in one of two matching chairs, regarding him with great empathy. Upon seeing her confidant enter the room, Violet smiled and motioned for Audrey to take the matching chair.
“How long has he been asleep?” Lady Ashcroft whispered, sinking into the soft upholstery, her weary body relaxing for the first time in hours.
“He just now nodded off,” Violet Hawthorne replied, not taking her eyes from the handsome gentleman. “Just before he fell asleep, I suggested that he retire to the guest room, since I had no intentions of letting him stay at the hotel after suffering such an injury. But he insisted on waiting for you. He also wanted to enquire after Georgiana. I could not bear to wake him, as he mentioned having a headache right before he fell asleep.”
It was obvious that though Landingham slept, he found no peace, as his face still held a pained expression. Noting that the bandage she had fashioned when they arrived at Hawthorne Hall was still spotted with blood, she refrained from the urge to check the wound again.
