Saving Elizabeth Bennet

by Melanie Schertz

  “Miss Bingley, obviously, I am not privy to all your brother’s dealings, but what I know of the matter is that your brother saved the young lady from being beaten to death. The man who committed the crime is a vile man, and your brother acted honorably. He did not bring the injured young lady here, as it would have been improper.”

  “Do not tell me my brother was foolish enough to take her to Darcy House. Good Lord, will my brother be the ruin of our family? What would Mr Darcy think of our family now?”

  “It was Mr Darcy who requested your brother move to Darcy House, for his own safety. It is my understanding that the young lady is known to Mr Darcy, and he is doing all he can to assist in the matter.”

  “Known to Mr Darcy? How can that be? She is a paid companion, not a young lady of society.” Caroline turned to walk back out the door, prepared to make her way to Darcy House and retrieve her brother. A thought suddenly came to her mind. Good Lord, could this young lady be Mr Darcy’s mistress? Is that why he is protecting my brother after his intervention with her employer? Had the employer discovered her true profession and beat her for the ruin she brought to his daughter’s reputation?

  Once returned to her carriage, she was quickly transported to Darcy House. Mr Jarvis stepped outside the front door of Darcy House, just as Miss Bingley stepped down from the carriage. “Forgive me, Miss Bingley, but I was not notified of your coming. The staff is under orders not to allow anyone inside without direct permission from the Master.”

  “Your master will allow me, as we are friends.” Caroline insisted. In her mind, she was seething at the butler’s treatment of her and she was determined to make him pay when she became the Mistress.

  “Again, Miss Bingley, I beg you to forgive me, but Mr Darcy’s orders are to be strictly obeyed. With the problems of late, the Master insists on adherence to his orders.”

  “I demand you to step aside and allow me inside. I must speak with my brother immediately. His butler informed me that my brother is staying here.”

  “Mr Bingley is in residence, but, without Mr Darcy’s permission, I cannot allow you inside the house.” Jarvis had never liked Caroline Bingley, as she always appeared to be placing value on each of the furnishings inside the house and looked about the rooms as if determining how she would redecorate.

  “Send for my brother this moment. You are humiliating me, treating me as if I were some street urchin rather than a lady of society and a close friend of the Master of this house. This is not to be tolerated. I will see you lose your position for your actions.” Caroline fumed.

  “Madam, if you would return to your carriage, I will go inside and ask your brother to come out to you.” Jarvis made his way back inside the townhouse, closing and locking the door securely behind him.

  Caroline refused to return to her carriage. After a moment of standing on the front steps, she attempted to open the front door, finding it securely shut and locked. This did nothing to calm her nerves. Every moment which passed increased her fury tenfold.

  When the door opened again, Charles Bingley was standing before his sister. “Caroline, what has happened to bring you here?”

  “Charles, move aside so I may enter the

  townhouse. I am humiliated enough, I do not wish for everyone to hear my discussion with you.” “Of course, come.” Charles looked about at the few people who were walking nearby. Once the door was closed behind her, Charles began questioning her. “Is something wrong with Louisa or Hurst? Why are you here?”

  “I am here to save our family from ruin, Charles. I received a letter telling me of your scandalous behavior here, in Town, and knew it was up to me to come and rescue you. I only wish you had not dragged Mr Darcy into your mess. We can only pray that he forgives you and he does not give us the cut directly.” Caroline glared at her brother.

  “Caroline, you have not been told the entire tale of what has happened, and I beg you to listen to it before passing judgment against me.”

  “How can I not pass judgment, when you are linked in a liaison with some lady’s companion? You are said to have set her up as your mistress. And you brought her here, to Darcy House, to recover after her employer assaulted her when he learned of the disgrace she had brought to his daughter.”

  “How dare you speak of my betrothed in such a manner?” Darcy bellowed as he entered the foyer. “You enter my home, howling so loud that everyone can hear you, and disparage the lady to whom I am engaged. This is not to be tolerated.”

  “Mr Darcy, forgive me. I do not understand. How can you be engaged to a paid lady’s companion? You are to marry your cousin, or someone of high society, not a servant.” Caroline was flustered.

  “The young lady in question fell on hard times since our previous acquaintance. She is the daughter of a gentleman, forced to find employment after the tragic deaths of her parents. Had I known of their deaths, I would have gone to her immediately, and she would have never needed to find employment. As to your brother’s involvement, he rescued her from being beaten by her employer. The reason for the beating was that she refused to submit to her employer’s desires for her. Had Charles not interfered when he did, the man would have killed my beloved.”

  “Who is this lady? I have heard nothing of anyone from society dying suddenly?” “Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I believe you are acquainted with the young lady. Her parents became victims of a band of highwaymen, as did her youngest sister. Miss Bennet was injured as well, though she survived.”

  “BENNET!” Screeched Caroline Bingley. “You cannot be serious, Mr Darcy. This is a cruel joke to play on me. For many years, I have done everything possible to prove to you how perfect I would be as Mistress of Pemberley. I was certain you would one day realize how accomplished and beautiful I am, how intelligent I am on the ways of society and how to run a house as grand as yours. But, instead, you select Miss Eliza Bennet? The country chit from a country estate of which no one has ever heard? And she brings shame to everyone by being involved in a scandal? No, Mr Darcy, it would be highly improper for you to act in such a manner. Your family will never agree to such a marriage. You will be

  ostracized by your friends and family.”

  “I have done everything in my power, other than strike you to beat the truth into you, to prove to you that I have no desire to marry you, Miss Bingley.” Darcy stood straight and tall, looking down at the woman before him. “I am in love with Miss Elizabeth, and have been given the honor of becoming her betrothed. The only family who matters to me is my sister and my cousin, the colonel. Miss Elizabeth’s remaining sisters and their Gardiner relations are far more important to me than Lady Catherine or Lord Matlock. I could never love you, Miss Bingley, and have no desire to marry without true love and devotion.”

  “Her relations?” Miss Bingley did not know when to keep her comments to herself. “Please do not tell me you are speaking of her relations in trade?”

  “Caroline, our family is rooted in trade. That is where our fortune came from. I will not tolerate any further display of superiority on your part. You are far beneath the Gardiners and Bennets in your behavior.” Bingley stood tall and proud against his sister for the first time in many years. Turning his attention to his friend, he was concerned. “Darcy, what are we to do with my sister? If we turn her out of the house, there is a chance she will be harmed as a way to get to me.”

  Darcy was furious at the thought of having to subject his betrothed and her family to Miss Bingley staying in the townhouse. But he would not endanger her life, she was Charles’ sister. “Very well, she may stay in the west wing of the third floor, at the end of the hall, until we can find a way to move her safely from Town.”

  “Why would I be in any danger?” Caroline demanded. “That is a long story, Caroline. I will take you to the rooms you will use and inform you of what has happened.” Bingley took hold of his sister’s arm and tugged her along behind Mrs Jarvis, who was leading the way.

  ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~ Chapter 11 Elizabeth was sur
prised to learn of their newest guest. She knew Caroline Bingley held extreme dislike for the Bennet family, more specifically, Elizabeth. Caroline had always thought that it was she who held claim on Darcy’s heart and would become his wife, and was jealous of any attention the gentleman showed to any other young lady.

  Sitting in the music room, listening to Georgiana playing the pianoforte, Elizabeth was attempting to determine how to treat Bingley’s sister. Due to Bingley’s love for Jane, and Jane’s love for him, Elizabeth felt it was necessary to tolerate Miss Bingley. At least, for the time being.

  Breezing into the room, as if she had lived at Darcy House all her life, and was the Mistress of the house, Caroline joined those already present. “Miss Darcy, how wonderful to hear you play. I have missed hearing such talent, while I was in the north.”

  “I thank you, Miss Bingley, though I am not as talented as you say.” Georgiana looked to Elizabeth for comfort. The younger Darcy had never been able to tolerate Caroline Bingley for long, and had always tried to find a way out of being in her presence.

  Seeing where Georgiana’s eyes had turned, Caroline sneered. “Ah, Miss Eliza. How surprised I was to learn you were the young lady behind the scandal which reached my ears in Scarborough. To think, you were forced to find employment.”

  Georgiana gasped at Caroline’s audacity. Elizabeth smiled, having had to endure Caroline’s scathing comments when the Bingleys were at Netherfield Park.

  “Miss Bingley, how nice to see you. I am certain it will not be long before the men determine a way to safely return you to your sister’s home. Being forced to remain here would be intolerable, and we would not wish to force such torment on you.” Elizabeth smiled.

  “Oh, I am in no hurry to leave. I have missed being with my brother and our closest friends, the Darcys. I have so wished to discuss the latest fashions with Miss Georgiana, as she has such refined tastes. Of course, being brought up with all the finest modistes and shops, not to mention having the guidance of her aunt, Lady Matlock, would give her such an advantage over anyone who only grew up in an out of the way, unheard of, village.”

  “I am sure that Scarborough was even further behind the fashions than we were in Hertfordshire, as you were so much further away from Town. Being only half a day’s journey allowed us to receive the papers from Town within a day of being printed. It would take, what, three and a half to four days journey to Scarborough?”

  Sneering, Caroline was trying desperately to keep her tongue under control. Elizabeth knew that she was playing with fire, but she was fed up with being treated poorly by others. Turning to her future sister, Elizabeth asked Georgiana if she would check on Jane for her. When Georgiana was out of the room, Caroline lost control of herself.

  “How dare you behave so inappropriately? You are a worthless chit, and I am certain the rumors concerning you are true. And now, you have turned your arts and allurements to snare Mr Darcy. It is not to be endured. I have just finished writing a letter to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, informing her of her nephew’s foolishness. From what I know of the lady, she will be making the trip here soon, forcing you to leave Darcy House forever. You have no right to be here, especially aspiring to be the Mistress of Pemberley and Darcy House. It would be more fitting if you were the mistress, as you have proved with your employer. I am certain my brother caught you seducing your employer and he was punishing you for your behavior. You convinced my gullible brother that the man was trying to take advantage of you. And, of course, Mr Darcy would not wish to think ill of you, so he is believing the same story you told my brother.”

  “You are pitiful, Miss Bingley. A sad, pitiful person who will sink to the lowest levels to make others as unhappy as you are. You cannot find a husband of your own, so you attempt to tear apart the happiness of others. But you will not have such power over me. I have come to love Mr Darcy, and he loves me. It is sad that you will never be able to accept the truth, as you will never find happiness until you do.”

  “I am perfectly content with my life, and, once Mr Darcy realizes the truth and comes to me, my life will be wonderful. I will be the envy of all the ladies of the ton. And you will go back to being a servant for someone, only, I doubt you will be able to find work as a companion, not after the scandal. You will be lucky to find work as a scullery maid. Most likely, you will end up in a brothel, earning your keep as the whore you are.”

  Elizabeth had had enough of the argument and began to walk past Miss Bingley, when the latter grabbed hold of her arm. “I am not through with you, harlot. You will leave this room when I instruct you to do so. And when you leave, it will be the house, not just this room.”

  “Let go of me. I do not wish to continue this foolishness. You will never open your eyes to reality, so I wish to find my family and have some pleasant time with them.”

  Caroline refused to release Elizabeth’s arm, and the two ladies began to struggle against each other. As they turned about, Caroline reached out her hand, trying to grasp Elizabeth’s hair. In the process, Elizabeth was able to work her way free and dodge Caroline’s hands. Moving as quickly as possible, Elizabeth tripped and fell to the floor, just as sounds of glass breaking came from the window.

  Looking up at the stunned expression on Caroline’s face, Elizabeth suddenly noticed a spot of red blossoming over Miss Bingley’s left breast. The spot grew, larger and larger, and Caroline stood still until the shock of what happened became a reality. Falling forward, Caroline’s head was caught in Elizabeth’s hands just before hitting the floor.

  “Miss Bingley, what happened?” Elizabeth cried out. She realized there was blood flooding the front of Caroline’s gown. Placing a hand over the wounded area, Elizabeth attempted to stem the flow as she screamed for help.

  Darcy and Mr Gardiner were the first to arrive in the room. “Good God, what has happened?” Darcy asked. “How did Miss Bingley come to receive a wound such as this?”

  Elizabeth explained what had happened, and when she stated she heard glass break just before she noticed the blood on Caroline’s gown. Mr Gardiner walked to the window, noting the hole broken which would match the size of a bullet.

  “Darcy, it appears someone was shooting at the house. It appears that Miss Bingley was shot.” “No, no, it cannot be. I was standing with my back to the window when we were fighting. I had just broken free and fell to the floor just a moment before hearing the glass break. The bullet was meant for me. But how? How could anyone see into this room?” Elizabeth sobbed, still holding Caroline’s head in her lap.

  One of the guards came running up the staircase, calling out for his employer. “In the music room.” Darcy called back to the man.

  “Sir, we just witnessed a man jumping down from a tree, in the park across the street.” The guard was breathless. “He had a rifle with him. We heard it fire just before he jumped down.”

  “How can it be that no one saw him climb into the tree?” Darcy cried out. “The only time he would be able to have done it was late at night, when it was too dark for us to see him.” Came the voice of the head guard on duty, Mr Hornsby, replied. “We will need to keep curtains closed from now on. Especially on this side of the house. What I cannot understand is how they would know Miss Elizabeth would be in this room. It appears that the man knew this was a room she would be in, which means someone with knowledge of the layout of the house assisted the shooter.”

  Richard Fitzwilliam entered the room, having run from the garden behind Darcy House. Bingley was not far behind him.

  Elizabeth was still seated on the floor, rocking back and forth, holding tightly to Caroline’s lifeless body. Bingley was shocked at the sight of his sister’s body, covered in blood, her eyes staring at nothing.

  Ever the military man, Richard took command of the situation. Learning what had happened, what the guards had told him, and the appearance of

  knowledge of the interior of Darcy House, Richard’s thoughts turned towards his father.

  “There are very
few who know the changes that you made to this section of the house, two years ago. Darce, you moved the music room from across the hall to this room just a little over a year ago. This used to be a rarely used formal dining room. As you preferred having the dining room downstairs, and wished to have more natural light for the music room, you made the change. Since then, how many people have visited this townhouse? Besides those of us who are staying here, how many others knew of this room being here?”

  Darcy shook his head. “Only two people I can think of who are alive, your parents.” “Correct. Do you not think my father capable of giving the information to Armstrong? It was obvious that the shooter was aiming for Miss Elizabeth. It is a miracle she was not killed. Forgive me, Charles, but your sister was not the target. She was an

  unfortunate casualty of this battle.”

  As the ladies began to enter the music room, Darcy instructed them to move down the hall to the former music room which had been turned into a drawing room.

  Wrapping his arms around Elizabeth, he carefully lifted her from underneath Caroline’s head. “Come, dearest. You need to change gowns and wash up. We do not wish to cause your sisters or your aunt any fright from your appearance.”

  “She is dead because of me. The person was shooting at me, and killed her instead.” Elizabeth sobbed. “There can be no more death on my account. I cannot continue to put everyone in danger to protect me. You must stop this, turn me over to Armstrong. I cannot stand the thought of anyone else being injured or killed because of this war Mr Armstrong has waged against all of us. Please, William, please let me go. You might be the next person injured, or Georgiana, or my little cousins or anyone in this house. I could not live with any of you being harmed in my place.”

  “Elizabeth, do not ask me to give you over to that monster. I cannot do it. You mean far more to me, and if you were killed, I might as well die with you.”

  “You have too many people who care about you and rely on you. You are far too important, William. I am nothing in comparison. Please, let me protect you the only way I can.”