by Jennifer Joy
Elizabeth could only hope that with Mother’s eldest daughters advantageously married, she would dedicate more time to the improvement of her younger daughters. Elizabeth had no doubt that if Mother decided on it, she would find a way to turn Mary, Kitty, and Lydia into gracious ladies who would do the Bennet name honor. It was a lot to hope for, but today was a day of joyful events and she indulged herself in the dream.
With nothing else to do but wait, Elizabeth went to the room she shared with Jane upstairs.
It took ten minutes, but Jane joined her soon enough.
Elizabeth stood when the door opened. “So?”
Jane nodded, unable to speak. Happy tears poured down her cheeks.
“Oh, Jane, how happy I am for you.”
They sat next to each other clasping hands.
When she could speak, Jane said, “It is almost too much; my heart feels like it might burst with joy. Oh, Lizzy, I wish this for you. It is a pity you must wait until tomorrow.”
“Longbourn could not stand so much delight in one room. This is your day. You should enjoy it just as I expect to enjoy mine tomorrow.”
“How strange that I should marry someone so similar to my character and you… You will marry someone so opposite to yours.”
Pondering for a moment, Elizabeth said, “On first impression, William is serious and overly proper. I think that the tragedies he experienced naturally encouraged a solemn outlook on life. But, I see something in him that craves happiness and freedom. I wish to make him laugh at least once a day.”
“If anybody can do such a thing, it is you.”
“We shall all be happy, Jane. If there is one thing I have learned from Mother, it is this: If you decide on something to be and tenaciously stick to it, there is a good chance of it happening.”
Chapter 23
Darcy told Colonel Forster and the constable the events leading up to his father’s death. He told about the many requests for money made during and after their university years, all a consequence of the debauched life Wickham had chosen. He told about Wickham’s bitter reaction when Darcy refused to give him funds which led to his attempt to gain possession of Georgiana’s dowry. The more he told, the more he remembered until it was so painfully obvious who had caused Darcy’s unease all these years. All along, it had been Wickham.
Georgiana, hearing the depth of Wickham’s wrongs against their family, squeezed her hands so tightly together, her fingers turned white. She looked like a volcano ready to erupt with her clenched hands and reddening face. Darcy braced himself to witness a verbal attack.
He was unprepared when she turned to face him instead of the originator of all this malice.
“He did all of this, and you did not think to tell me?” she accused, completely ignoring the presence of the other gentlemen in the room.
“I wanted to protect you. I could not in good discretion speak of such things to my little sister.”
Georgiana’s nostrils flared, and she breathed heavily out of them. “You and your discretion. Had I known, I never would have…” She stopped herself, now mindful of the two men in the room, who knew nothing of her near elopement. “I never would have allowed such a despicable man near had you been less discreet and more honest with me, William. You should have trusted me.”
She was right. Had he only shared some of the burdens he carried, instead of assuming that she was too young and weak to handle them, they could have helped each other, and Georgiana’s reputation never would have been placed in peril.
“I am sorry. I did not want to worry you.”
“Not worry me? This lack of communication has caused more harm than good— exposing me to unnecessary danger and you to unnecessary anxiety.”
Wickham snickered from his chair.
Georgiana snapped her attention to Wickham. “Hush, you. You are a pox,” she hissed at him.
The whole room fell silent at her command, though she had intended it only for Wickham.
Darcy wanted to applaud her outspokenness. Her timidity and easy nature had a limit, and it would serve her well in the months to come when she came out in Society. For now, she needed his reassurance.
“Georgie, you have every reason to be upset with me. I am sorry. I promise to include you in the decisions and concerns which affect our family. It is something I have learned the necessity of only recently, and I do mean to continue trusting you by confiding in you.”
She relaxed her hands, but her eyes scrutinized him. He held his gaze steady in his sincerity. Finally, she lifted her chin and said, “Good. Elizabeth would never put up with you otherwise.”
The constable laughed. “Miss Darcy has a valid point, Mr. Darcy. Our Miss Lizzy is a thinking sort of girl and would not take kindly to decisions being made for her. I heard her give you a piece of her mind just outside my front door your first day in Meryton. You would hear much worse were you to deny her the ability to express her opinions.”
Mr. Digby joined in. “I remember that day. What a shock it was for me to see the Darcys walk through your door. From what I have heard and seen today, it looks like you can collect your winnings.”
Darcy looked between the two men. “You placed a bet on me and Miss Elizabeth?” It just got worse and worse.
The constable stopped laughing, sitting straight in his chair. “Oh, happy day. Let me congratulate you, Mr. Darcy. You have made a fine choice in Miss Lizzy. Maybe Mrs. Bennet will simmer down some. Do not be offended, please, good sir. It was a harmless wager, and it has brought you a happy ending and will fatten my pockets when the news of your engagement is heard in Meryton.”
Darcy grimaced. He wondered how many others had overheard their conversation and wagered on a budding romance.
Needing to control the conversation before his embarrassment took over, Darcy said, “Let us remember that I am not the man on trial here. I have learned my lesson and will endeavor to improve, so please let us get back to the matter at hand.”
He looked at Wickham, who stared back at him with loathing.
“I want to know why you did it. Why did you manipulate Mrs. Digby to kill my father?”
“I admit to nothing. You have nothing on me other than the word of a killer’s son.” He crossed one leg over the other and slumped down in his chair, as if he had not a care in the world.
Colonel Forster spoke. “That is not entirely true, officer. It has come to my attention that you attempted to desert your post while stationed in Ramsgate. Do you deny it?”
Wickham said nothing, just shrugged his shoulders, so the colonel continued, “I have also been made aware of debts you accumulated there and a growing amount of unpaid demands here. Do you deny it?”
Still, Wickham said nothing, but he uncrossed his legs and sat up attentively.
“Based on these charges alone, it is in my authority to dismiss you and give your commission to a better man— one more deserving. You would no longer receive a lieutenant’s pay, and with nothing to cover your debts, you would be bound to debtor’s prison until more evidence of these present charges are provided… and we all know where that would lead.”
The hangman’s noose. As much as Darcy wanted Wickham out of his life, he could not sentence him to die. But, there was no need to say so at that moment. This was one time when Darcy knew that discretion and silence were the better options.
Wickham’s eyes went wild as he looked at his captors around him. “You would not send me to die, would you? Darcy?”
Darcy kept his face straight and his voice solemn. “That remains to be seen.”
“What!? You would end my life?”
“If you cooperate fully, it might encourage me to be more lenient. The choice is yours.”
“I will tell you anything! What do you want to know?” A sweat broke out over Wickham’s brow and upper lip.
“Why did you do it? Why Father?”
The muscles in Wickham’s jaw twitched. “I never intended for her to aim for Mr. Darcy. She was supposed to
aim for you.”
Georgiana gasped and Darcy’s blood went cold.
“You have no idea what it is like to grow up under the shadow of someone who can do no wrong. Had you not been so… perfect… at everything, maybe I could have borne it better. But, you never make mistakes, do you, Darcy?” Bitterness dripped from every word. “With you gone, I would have become the son they needed. I could have brought them comfort until they forgot about you.”
“You wanted to take my place?” His parents would never forget him, nor would they have replaced him. Wickham was insane.
“I deserve better than what I was born to. I deserve the life you live,” Wickham strained against the sash holding his hands behind him. Mr. Digby pushed down on his shoulder to prevent him from standing. Unable to move, he sat seething hatred from his chair.
Colonel Forster asked, “You admit that you attempted to kill Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy through the use of a third party?”
“I did it, and I would do a better job of if I could do it again.”
“That is all I need to hear. You are a condemned man, Wickham. You have confessed before the witnesses in this room your attempt to murder a man you grew up with out of pure, unadulterated, disgusting envy.” Turning to Darcy, he added, “If you hand him over to me, I will see that he is escorted to Newgate to await a proper trial. With the evidence given today, he will be condemned to the gallows. Of that, I have no doubt.”
Darcy moved forward in his chair. “That, I cannot agree to. I will not be responsible for Wickham’s death. However, he should be put away where he can work off his debts. Were he to die, his debts would die with him and innocent people would suffer the loss.”
The colonel nodded. “A very sensible solution. We can see to that.”
“There is one more thing, and I want this to be very clear.” Darcy paused until Wickham looked up at him. “If you ever set foot in Derbyshire; if you ever pursue me or any who I hold dear, you will hang for your indiscretion. I will have no reason to show you any further mercy, and my decision would be swift and final. Am I understood?”
Wickham blanched. It was answer enough.
They hauled him away, the constable and the colonel discussing how best to proceed with their plans to transport their prisoner.
When they left and the door closed behind them, Darcy sighed a breath of relief. Georgiana wrapped her arms around his torso, and he hugged her back.
“I am sorry you lost your sash. We shall buy you another one to replace it.”
She pounded his chest with her fist. “I am not worried about my sash. I have dozens more in my room. I just… I had no idea. Yet, I feel that justice was served today and a weight I did not know I carried has lifted off of me.”
“I feel exactly the same, Georgie. Now, Bingley must be home by now. I ought to tell him what has transpired in his house.”
Georgiana smiled at him. “You have changed, brother. Since when did you learn to trust others?”
Darcy shook his head and grinned. “I do not know. This past fortnight? Really, I could not tell you, but you are mostly responsible. Without your help, I would have found myself engaged to Miss Bingley and under obligation to Wickham, but I am not the only one who has changed, Georgie. Mother and Father would be so proud of you. As am I.”
Georgiana buried her face in his chest, so he held her until she loosened her grip.
No nightmares invaded Darcy’s sleep that night, yet he still woke early.
Dressing himself and slipping outside just as the sun made an appearance on the horizon, he walked toward Longbourn.
Chapter 24
Too excited for the day to dawn, Elizabeth slipped out of Longbourn as the sun began its ascent. She set out in the direction of her thoughts. Netherfield Park. The grass in spots was ankle deep, and the dew on the verdant turf dampened the hem of her dress. Miss Bingley would have been horrified, Elizabeth snickered to herself.
How proud she had been of Mr. Bingley to hear how he had firmly and decisively handled matters in his household. It had been her only concern about the gentleman. Miss Bingley would have made Jane miserable. But, Mr. Bingley proved by his actions that he was not so blind to his sister’s faults as it had appeared.
Mr. Bingley and Jane would live a long, happy life together. Of that, Elizabeth was certain.
Smiling to herself, Elizabeth closed her eyes and raised her palms up to the sky. She allowed her senses to take over, feeling the caress of the chilly wind weaving through her fingers and ruffling her loose hair. Birds sang, announcing the arrival of a new day with a melody that touched her heart and lifted it up so that her spirits soared.
She sensed him before she saw him. His presence enveloped her with warmth and comfort, like a favorite blanket.
Slowly lowering her hands, she placed her palms facing forward and waited, not wanting to open her eyes.
He touched her fingertips, laying his bare hands against hers. Such a sensation of weakness overwhelmed her, but with it a strength as soft as velvet, yet as powerful as iron.
“Elizabeth,” spoke William in his soft baritone.
“William.” She smiled contentedly and finally opened her eyes. His face was so close to hers, all she had to do was tilt her head back ever so slightly and their lips would meet. She knew his discretion would prevent him from making advances before they were married, and she decided to make it her life’s mission to tempt him as much as possible once she became Mrs. Darcy. She stepped back, shocked at the intensity of her thoughts.
William cleared his throat and stepped back too, but he held on to one hand still. “You are dangerous,” he said.
“And you are the epitome of steadiness. However do you think we will manage?”
He smiled. “I do not know, but it will be diverting to figure it out. There is one thing I am certain of. Life with you will never be dull.” Turning toward her and leaning forward so that they were nearly eye level, he gave her a look which made her knees wobble. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, I am not very good with words or with speaking the thoughts of my heart. Please let me tell you in the best way I can how deeply— no, how ardently— I love you. I would not part from your side unless you wished it and even then, every heartbeat would beat for you, would long for you.” Kneeling down, his hands holding hers, he asked, “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Elizabeth ran her hands through his curly, brown hair and rested them on either side of his face. “I am as much yours as you are mine. Yes, I will marry you.”
Standing up, he lifted her up with him, and together they spun in the middle of a field with nothing but birds and insects as eyewitnesses.
She was dizzy when he set her down, but it gave her a good excuse to lean against his arm. Laughing in her astonishment, she said, “I certainly did not expect that from you. What a pleasant surprise.”
“The first of many to come, I hope.” He straightened up and tensed, “Still, the sooner I speak to Mr. Bennet, the better. I have become a firm believer in short engagements.”
“Since when?”
“Since right now.”
“Then, by all means, let us return to Longbourn. Father will be in his study at this hour, and you can speak to him without interference.” Mother would not wake for a few more hours.
“He will not think me too forward?” Morning calls were exclusive to the closest of friends and family. Early morning calls were unheard of outside of an emergency.
“He will not mind so long as it concerns the happiness of his favorite daughter.”
William groaned out loud. “You have made my speaking to him infinitely harder. He will hate me for taking you away to live in Pemberley. What if he refuses to let you go?”
“Father is selfish with his time, but he is not selfish where his daughters are concerned. He loves me enough to let me go. And he and Mother will have Jane close by. It is enough.”
“Yes, I must congratulate your sister. Bingley was beside himself with joy last ni
ght. I would not be surprised if he calls again this morning.”
There was something Elizabeth had wondered and now was the time to ask. “Did he ask your opinion of Jane before he proposed? The reason I ask is that he seems to be the sort of man who relies on the opinions of others, and I thought… well, he definitely was not encouraged by his sisters. Was it you who encouraged him?”
“Bingley is stronger than you give him credit for. The only encouragement I gave him was to say that Miss Bennet has much to recommend her and that she is a lady worthy of imitation. The latter was said in the presence of his sisters.” The corner of his mouth curled up.
Elizabeth covered her mouth with her free hand, eyes wide. “You did not! Oh, how I would have loved to see the expression on Miss Bingley’s face.” She chuckled. “I know it is wicked of me to think poorly of the woman who is soon to be my sister-in-law, but she was so rude to us while Jane was ill at Netherfield Park, I cannot help but rejoice to hear that she was put in her place.”
“For that to truly happen would take a miracle. She is not the sort to be content with her situation, but I have confidence that Bingley knows how to keep her from attacking your sister.”
“That brings me no end of comfort. And tell me, please, since we are being open with each other… Are you free of Mr. Wickham? Is Georgiana’s reputation safe?”
Darcy unfolded the events of the previous evening, careful to leave nothing out. He even told her how Georgiana had scolded him and what the constable had said about ‘our Miss Lizzy’.
“You are well-liked by the villagers,” he commented.
“I have lived here my whole life. Do you think the people at Pemberley will take to me?” The thought of running such an immense household intimidated her, though she knew she would rise to the challenge. She loved a good challenge. Perhaps that was what drew her to Fitzwilliam Darcy at first. There was nothing simple about him.
“They will love you.”
