Saving Elizabeth Bennet

by Melanie Schertz

  His thoughts returned to the letter. Perhaps it would be better to return to Town sooner than expected. The thought of his sister being exposed to a young lady, who had most likely been violated by her employer, was more than he could tolerate. What was Bingley thinking, bringing some governess or companion to Darcy House, expecting his family to see to her needs? It is not uncommon for the men in society to expect more from the young ladies who serve their families. Maids, governesses, companions, and more were prime targets for their employer’s advances. The threat of being fired without reference was common. Most of these ladies have no choice or protection, and are forced to submit to the men. But I do not wish for my sister to be exposed to such a lady. It is not proper. Yes, I should finish here and make my way back to Town.

  ~~ ** ~~ The constable had been to Darcy House, taking Bingley’s statement and witnessed the wrath Armstrong had unleashed upon his daughter’s companion. The matter was then taken to the local magistrate, Lord Bentley. Armstrong denied the charges against him, claiming the young lady had taken a fall down a flight of stairs and was in his office to inform him of her accident. In his club, Armstrong told a different story of his daughter’s companion. Two days after the attack, Armstrong was overheard speaking of his attempts to enjoy the favors of the young lady, when he was interrupted by a young whelp who should have kept his nose out of Armstrong’s business. Rumors began to flow through Town.

  So disgusted with Armstrong, Bingley had spoken with his solicitors to dissolve any business dealings he had with the man. Fortunately, his dealings were minor, and Bingley was prepared to take a loss from his decision. To Bingley’s way of thinking, if a man could treat his employee so appallingly, what else was he capable of doing?

  The papers soon relayed the news of the rumors surrounding Armstrong. Though they did not print the name of the young lady, Edward Gardiner knew it had to be his niece. He was beside himself with worry, as he could not locate Elizabeth. Armstrong had refused to speak with Mr Gardiner, forcing the man to seek the information he required from the constable.

  After a full week, Mr Gardiner finally learned that it had been Mr Bingley who had rescued his niece. Arriving at Bingley’s townhouse, Mr Gardiner gave the butler his card.

  Bingley was astonished to learn Mr Gardiner was at his door. He welcomed the elder man into his study and ordered refreshments to be brought for them.

  “Mr Gardiner, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have heard from my friend, Mr Darcy, of a business venture he is considering with you.”

  “Yes, um…well, it is another matter which brings me to your door this day.”

  “Speak freely, Sir. What is this matter you wish to discuss?” Mr Gardiner was nervous. “I read in the papers about an incident with Mr Armstrong. My niece was employed by him, as his daughter’s companion. We have not heard from her since last week, and have been quite concerned. I have been searching for her, and finally learned of your involvement. Can you tell me where my niece is to be found?”

  “As she was in need of medical attention, and unable to speak, I took her to the home of a friend. My sisters are away from Town, so it would have been improper for me to bring her here. My friend’s sister was at their townhouse, and she graciously welcomed your niece there.”

  “Can you tell me…was she…what is her

  condition?” Seeing Mr Gardiner’s nervousness, Bingley realized what the man was most likely thinking. “Mr Gardiner, fear not. Her virtue was not taken, as I interrupted Armstrong. She was badly beaten, though, and he held her by the throat, causing her injury. The poor girl, she still cannot open her eyes, for they are still quite swollen. Her jaw was broken, so her head has been wrapped to prevent her opening her mouth. We have been fortunate, she has not developed a fever. Had I not arrived when I did, I am sure he would have beaten her to death. Poor Miss Benson, she did not deserve such brutal treatment.”

  “Miss Benson? Perhaps we are speaking of another young lady, not my niece.” Mr Gardiner was confused.

  “She has dark brown hair which has unruly curls, and is small built. As I said, she has not been able to open her eyes, so I do not know their color.”

  “But my niece’s name is not Benson. It is Bennet.” Bingley’s jaw nearly hit his desk. “Miss Bennet? What is her first name?”

  “Elizabeth. Elizabeth Bennet.”

  “Of Longbourn?”

  “Until recently, yes.”

  “Good God, it cannot be. Why would Miss Elizabeth be a paid companion? She is the daughter of a gentleman, how can it be her?”

  “You know my niece?” Mr Gardiner was shocked. “Indeed. I leased Netherfield Park last fall. I know the Bennet family, especially Miss Bennet.” Bingley was nearly as amazed as Mr Gardiner.

  “Then you have not heard of the tragedy which befell the Bennet family?” Mr Gardiner asked. Seeing Bingley shake his head, Mr Gardiner went on to explain. “Mr and Mrs Bennet had taken their daughters, Jane and Lydia, to dine at one of their neighbors. Lizzy stayed at Longbourn, as Mary and Kitty had been ill. A group of highwaymen descended upon the carriage, and, in the end, there was only one survivor, though she was critically injured.”

  ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

  Chapter 3 Bingley sat in stunned silence. “Who was the survivor?” He choked out the words. “Jane. She is at my home. She has a bullet near her spine, causing paralysis in her legs. She has endured two bouts of fevers, and suffers from melancholy.”

  “Good God, this cannot be.” Bingley felt tears welling up in his eyes. His Jane, his angel, forced to endure so much tragedy.

  “Lizzy took employment, as she wished to assist in paying for the upkeep for her sisters. I am not a wealthy man, Mr Bingley, but I tried desperately to make Elizabeth see that it was unnecessary for her to work. It is my fault, I should have demanded she to abandon her desire to work. She is now paying the price from my foolishness.”

  “It is difficult for me to realize that the battered young lady is truly Miss Elizabeth. But I am certain you wish to see her for yourself. If you wish, I will take you to her immediately.”

  Mr Gardiner nodded his head. “Can you tell me, in whose home she is to be found?” “My friend, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.” ~~ ** ~~

  Georgiana was preparing to visit her guest when she heard voices in the foyer. Stepping to the top of the staircase, she was able to recognize Mr Bingley and another man. “Mr Bingley, please, come up. I was just about to visit Miss Benson.”

  “Miss Darcy, may I introduce you to Mr Gardiner. Mr Gardiner, this is my friend’s sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy. Georgiana, it happens that Mr Gardiner is the uncle of the young lady I brought here. I was misinformed as to her name. Her name is not Benson, it is Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

  Georgiana gasped at hearing this name. “Not Miss Elizabeth, of which my brother wrote when he visited you at Netherfield?”

  “The very one. The story as to how she came to be employed as a companion is a long and painful one, though I will say her family suffered a tragedy of monumental proportions.”

  “Brother will be devastated to learn of her injuries.” Georgiana stated. From her brother’s letters, while he was at Netherfield, she was certain he was half in love with the young lady.

  “Miss Darcy, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude for your kindness to my niece. Our family has been concerned for her, as we had received no word of her for a week. When I read in the papers of the rumors surrounding Armstrong, I was certain it was Lizzy of which the article spoke.”

  “Please, Mr Gardiner, come up and see your niece. She is improving every day. Her left eye is open just a sliver now.”

  Mr Gardiner followed Bingley up the stairs and down the hall. As they reached the door to Elizabeth’s room, Bingley took hold of Mr Gardiner’s arm. “I feel I must warn you. Though I am familiar with Miss Elizabeth, I was unable to recognize her.”

  “I am prepared.” The men entered the bedchamber and stepped closer to the bed. Mr Gardiner gasped, and
his stomach nearly expelled its contents. This could not be his niece. Not Lizzy, the young lady who was filled with life and energy. This young lady appeared to be lifeless. Suddenly, she moved, her left eye opening slightly. She reached out her left hand, begging for him to move to her. Indeed, it was his Lizzy.

  “My dear girl, we have been so worried about you. I am so sorry, I should have protected you from such a monster. I should have insisted you not take employment. Can you ever forgive me for not protecting you?”

  Elizabeth grasped his hand, squeezing it repeatedly. “When will the physician return?” Mr Gardiner inquired. “I wish to learn when we can move my niece to our home.”

  “Mr Gardiner, I do not see the need to move her at this time.” Bingley stated. “I realize you wish to have her with your family, but moving her at this time might be unwise. I am sure Miss Darcy agrees with me.”

  “Oh, yes. And my brother would also agree. We have ample space for her to recover, and the physician comes every day to check her progress. There is no reason to move her from here.” Georgiana pleaded. She would send an express to her brother as soon as Bingley and Mr Gardiner left.

  “We shall see what the physician has to say about the matter. I will abide by his decision. And I wish to have the physician’s bill sent to my home. And any other expenses you have incurred in your care of my niece.”

  “Nonsense, Mr Gardiner. There is no need of that. I hired the physician, and I will cover the cost. And I am certain Darcy will say the same. Consider it in memory of Mr and Mrs Bennet and Miss Lydia. Our way of paying tribute to them.”

  Georgiana’s eyes grew wide. “Brother spoke of Mr and Mrs Bennet. Have they perished?” “Yes, Miss Darcy. Unfortunately, there was an incident. But let us not discuss that at this moment.” Mr Gardiner’s eyes pleaded for a change in topics.

  “Miss Elizabeth is improving, are you not, Miss Elizabeth? She and I worked out a method for her to somewhat speak to me. If I ask her a question, she squeezes my hand once for yes and twice for no. With her right hand bandaged, she has not been able to write, though she has tried a little today. And she cannot speak with her jaw and throat injuries. And now she is able to see a little bit. The swelling is diminished and the bruising is starting to change colors. Much improvement, is it not, Miss Elizabeth?”

  Elizabeth gave her uncle’s hand a single squeeze. He gave her a painful smile. If this is improvement, I would have fainted at the sight of her after the attack occurred. “Lizzy, I wish to speak with the physician when he arrives. I wish to know when we will be able to take you home.”

  He felt her hand squeezing his, over and over. “What is wrong, Lizzy? Do you not wish to return home?”

  Again, he felt her squeezing his hand. “Calm yourself, my dear girl. There is no need to fear. Once you are home, your aunt and I will see to your care.”

  Elizabeth motioned to Georgiana. Holding her hand out to her new friend, she made her desire known. “Only this morning has she been able to write a little, though it is somewhat difficult to read, as she is forced to be left handed out of necessity. Georgiana quickly brought writing supplies to the bedside.

  Scratching out letters, Elizabeth wrote: RUINED.

  “How could you be ruined, Lizzy? You were beaten by your employer. How would that ruin you?” Georgiana looked up at Mr Gardiner, her eyes filled with tears. “We spoke of this earlier. She will not believe me that the scoundrel did not…”

  Mr Gardiner was devastated. It was what he had feared for his niece. “Did he…?” “No, Mr Gardiner, she still is virtuous. If Mr Bingley had not acted the way he did, I can most assuredly tell you the blackguard would have succeeded.” The voice of a man, entering the room, announced.

  “Mr Gardiner, may I introduce you to our physician, Mr Johnston. Mr Johnston, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s uncle, Mr Edward Gardiner.”

  “Sir, it is a pleasure to know the young lady has family.” Mr Johnston stated as he shook Mr Gardiner’s hand.

  “I am grateful for your care of my niece. Might I ask as to my niece’s injuries?” The men stepped outside the room to speak privately.

  “I believe she has broken jaw, possible broken cheekbone on the right side, which explains the left side healing more quickly. Her right hand was swollen, and, at first I feared it was broken. But it seems to be more of a strain than broken. Her neck, as you can see, has finger impressions where the scoundrel wrapped them around her throat to control her. She has scratches on her chest, cuts on her face and right arm, and bruises all over her face and body.”

  “How long will she be bedridden?” Mr Gardiner inquired. “I would recommend she remain so until her swelling is lessened. Perhaps another week. Where do you live, Mr Gardiner?”

  “I have a house on Gracechurch Street. We took my four nieces in after their parents died, the eldest was crippled in the event which took her parents and youngest sister’s life.” Mr Gardiner was obviously weary from his burden.

  “Mr Gardiner, do you have room for Miss, you said Bennet, not Benson, correct?” “Yes, her name is Bennet. We can make room for Lizzy, it will be snug, especially as I would not wish her elder sister to fret from seeing Lizzy in this condition. They have always been close, and share a room. But there is a store room on the main level we could convert into a bedchamber for Lizzy.”

  “Mr Gardiner, I believe I speak for my friend, Mr Darcy, in offering that your niece to remain here as long as is needed.” Mr Bingley stated. “She is no burden, and is being well looked after.”

  “I do not wish to impose upon your friend any more than is necessary. I am grateful for the generosity, but I am certain Lizzy would be more comfortable at home.”

  “As I was entering the room, had Miss Bennet shown concern that she was ruined by this situation?” Mr Johnston asked.

  “She wrote the word ruined on a sheet of paper.” Mr Gardiner replied. “But she was not violated, you said so.”

  “But in proper society, she would be decidedly ruined. And with Mr Armstrong’s words of the incident consisting of Miss Bennet flirting with him, teasing him until he could not withstand her arts and allurements. He will also try to claim her injuries sustained from an accident, and that Mr Bingley was jealous, desiring Miss Bennet for himself. The only ones who can verify the condition in which Mr Bingley found your niece are in the employ of Mr Armstrong. If we brought charges against the man, you can be assured, he will fight the charges and violate her with words.”

  “Good God. Is it wise to bring the charges? Should we find another way to find justice?” Mr Gardiner was shaken.

  “It is up to the magistrate to determine. He and the constable were here, and they were both appalled at the sight of your niece the day after her attack. The magistrate may wish to make an example of Armstrong. The magistrate is Lord Bentley, and he does not approve of the mistreatment of young ladies, especially gently born young ladies, such as you niece.” Mr Johnston stated. “The look on his face when he viewed Miss Bennet the day after the assault…well, let me just say, he will most likely wish to hang Armstrong by his private parts, before he is castrated and drawn and quartered. And, to be honest, I would most likely be beside Lord Bentley in seeing the sentence carried out. Armstrong deserves all that he is given, though our society usually blames the innocent young ladies for what happens to them.”

  “But my niece cannot remain here, especially once Mr Darcy returns. I must find somewhere for her to go. Somewhere she can recover in peace and quiet, without judgment being placed on her.”

  “Mr Gardiner, it will be several days before your niece will be able to take the simplest carriage ride, let alone any distance.” Mr Johnston declared. “And we should not treat her as if she needs to be hidden from decent society. She did nothing to bring dishonor on herself.”

  “I have a suggestion, Mr Gardiner.” Bingley offered. “My aunt has a small townhouse which she normally leases out. It has been empty now for two months and she begged me to have it renovat
ed and prepared for leasing. She will not arrive for another six months, so the townhouse will be empty. I am willing to hire staff to run the day to day needs, as well as someone to watch over Miss Elizabeth. Mr Johnston would still be able to tend her, and everyone could visit her as they were able.”

  “And we should ensure there is protection, security measures to keep her safe from Armstrong if he were to learn where she was.” Mr Gardiner was adamant. “If he knew she was here, I would not put it past him to force his way in here and cause Lizzy more harm. Removing her from Mr Darcy’s home is for his own sister’s safety as well as Lizzy’s.”

  “It is agreed, then?” Bingley asked, looking at both of the men. Mr Johnston and Mr Gardiner nodded their heads.

  ~~ ** ~~ “I do not know how I will be able to explain this to Jane, she will be quite upset.” Mrs Gardiner stated as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “I am not sure I like this situation. Why can we not bring Lizzy here? We can make the room for her and it will be easier on her sisters as well.”

  “My dear Helen, this entire situation is delicate. Though the papers have not given Lizzy’s name in connection to this vicious attack, I doubt it will be long before Armstrong makes her identity well known. Once her identity is made known, her reputation will be ruined, as will the reputation of all of our family. Jane, Kitty and Mary will suffer from the repercussions of the situation. Our own children will be injured as well. And, what would you do if Armstrong or men he could hire were to force their way into the house to intimidate or harm Lizzy further? The townhouse Mr Bingley has suggested can be protected with guards.”

  “It sounds as if Lizzy will be a prisoner, unable to be with those who love her or to be able to freely go about her life, for fear of retribution from this evil man.” Mrs Gardiner was furious at the treatment her niece had received. “This entire event is horrible. How such a man can behave so is beyond me.”