by APRIL FLOYD
She took the letter Lady Anne had sent her from this very house and held it out for his approval.
“There is a terrible man and woman presently holding my maid against her will. Round up your bravest footmen. I can tell them where she is being held. We must hurry!”
The butler moved with haste after having seen the letter from his mistress. In less than a quarter of an hour, three footmen left Darcy House with the task of rescuing the maid Eleanor.
Elizabeth paced the parlor waiting for the maid to be safely delivered. The minutes dragged into eternity and she nearly gave up hope of seeing the young woman again.
If only she had gone to Netherfield and never met Wickham and his companion! Her desire to be as far from Rosings Park as possible haunted her still. Even here, she imagined Lady Catherine arriving with Mr. Collins to see her back to Kent.
Her own trouble seemed nothing in the face of Eleanor’s plight and she kept watch through the lonely hour, alert and jumping at every sound, no matter how inconsequential. She prayed fervently for Eleanor’s safe return. Sally Younge was dangerous. Her obsession with George Wickham had long since taken a deadly turn.
How would she tell Lady Anne and Mr. Darcy of the woman’s words of Georgiana being made to pay? As she crossed to the window to distract her mind from the situation, she wished Mr. Darcy was in Town.
The butler rushed into the parlor and Elizabeth startled. She followed him into the hallway. The footmen entered from the back of Darcy House, carrying Eleanor. She was limp and so pale. Elizabeth fought back tears. She sent the one footman upstairs with two maids to put Eleanor to bed. The others, she sent for a doctor. She ran up the stairs and bade the butler stay by the front door after he posted men to the rear of Darcy House.
Elizabeth entered Eleanor’s room and sat beside the stricken maid. Eleanor’s eyes fixed on a far wall and she would not speak. Elizabeth dismissed the other maids to stand outside the door and stayed with Eleanor until the doctor appeared to give his examination.
The young woman grew worse by the moment and the doctor was certain she had been poisoned. He recalled how another young lady of this house had met her end, a very similar circumstance. He would seek Mr. Darcy when he returned and have a word.
No sooner had he left the room than poor Eleanor succumbed. Elizabeth was certain of her killer. The poison had been meant for her. In her rage that Elizabeth had escaped and at George Wickham’s fickle heart, Sally Younge had taken her measure against Eleanor.
Elizabeth sat with the body, wondering where the Darcys might be. What a terrible thing to come home and find such mayhem at their door.
She called the maids from the hallway to see to Eleanor’s body. The desire to busy her feet and hands delayed her heartbreak for a time but she knew the dam would soon break and her emotions would overcome her. She was exhausted, lost, and in a state of utter shock.
She would send word to Anne right away about Eleanor, for she was certain the young girl had parents or family in Kent and Mr. Darcy would have her taken home again.
At last, she climbed the stairs with Betsy by her side. The young maid she’d first met at Pemberley had come along to Darcy House with Lady Anne and Elizabeth was grateful for her familiar presence.
Betsy had her bath ready and tea on the table by the fireplace. Elizabeth moved slowly, the shock of her day sending her farther and farther from the routine tasks that were ingrained in her memory. Betsy combed out her hair and helped her undress.
Not half an hour later, Elizabeth lay under the softest sheets and blankets she’d ever known but they were little comfort in her current state. Her eyelids fell shut before another sob could escape her throat.
* * *
Mr. Darcy arrived home late in the night but Richard continued his search. They had decided Wickham or Younge would seek Darcy House if they indeed were in Town. He made his way to his study fully intent upon involving the constable after checking with his butler who seemed to have retired. When Darcy looked to the clock on the mantle, he was surprised to find the hour was indeed quite late.
A small cry from somewhere in the room startled him and he turned, his eyes accustomed to the darkness, to search out the trespasser.
He approached the sofa slowly from behind, wary of a trap and gasped in shock as he saw the lovely spill of gently curling chestnut hair against the sofa.
Elizabeth lay sleeping safely in his study at Darcy House!
He rounded the sofa quietly and knelt before her, his arms longing to hold her tightly. Elizabeth blinked in her sleep and sat upright, her face tear stained.
She bolted upright, a cry lodged in her throat. Mr. Darcy forgot himself and gathered her in his arms, wondering how she’d escaped Wickham.
Elizabeth trembled with relief to be safely in Mr. Darcy’s arms. “I tried to sleep upstairs, but Eleanor is there and she’s dead. Tis all my fault. I never should have agreed to see them to London.”
Her tears began again and Mr. Darcy’s heart broke at the horrible grief visited anew upon his house. He stroked Elizabeth’s hair and allowed her to exhaust her tears.
They sat together, just that way, quietly, until Richard strode in with Wickham and Younge bound tightly together.
Elizabeth jumped from her seat and lunged at Sally Younge. “You killed Eleanor and you killed Miss Georgiana. God have mercy on you, because I will not!”
Mr. Darcy grabbed Elizabeth and held her tightly in his arms. “Is this true, Richard? Have they killed my sister and an innocent maid?”
Sally Younge laughed bitterly and spat at Mr. Darcy, almost hitting her mark.
“Too afraid to address me directly, are you? I did kill your precious sister. She and Wickham were biding their time until they could marry. She went to her death knowing you tried to pay him off. And you left her and your mother vulnerable at Pemberley where it was easy enough for me to slip in and make sure her tea was just right. Her mother would be in the ground beside her if I’d only been quicker.”
She laughed a high, wicked laugh that sent chills down Elizabeth’s spine.
Mr. Darcy’s grasp on Elizabeth loosened and it was her turn to hold him back. “Mr. Darcy, you must not. She has admitted her guilt and we shall see that she pays for her wickedness.”
Richard tightened their ropes and pushed them from the room. He turned back to Darcy with a knowing glance. Elizabeth did not miss the meaning that passed between them. Charges would be pressed, after Richard took his measure, but at least Elizabeth was safe and sound.
Richard bowed slightly to his cousin and the brave Miss Bennet before taking the evil pair for a ride around London. He wished to visit a special kind of justice upon them before handing them over to the constable.
17
Darcy helped Elizabeth t0 her room and remained in a chair by the fireplace until dawn approached. He wished for her to feel safe at Darcy House and would not leave her. His night was spent in fresh grief for his sister. To know Georgie might have died thinking ill of his reasons to protect her caused him the greatest pain.
He did not hear Elizabeth approach, as lost in his memories as she’d ever seen him. Her light, warm hand upon his shoulder broke the sorrowful spell and he reached to cover her hand with his own.
She had returned unto him the company of his mother, had found the woman who killed his sister, and had won his heart.
The noise of an arrival downstairs drew them apart and Darcy stood to quit the room. In the hallway, he held out his arms to receive his mother as she hurried to Elizabeth’s room but she fairly flew past him and gathered Elizabeth into her arms. Her tears mingled with that of the young lady in her arms as each found comfort in the presence of the other.
“My dear, my darling! I wanted to come to you last evening but William would not hear of it. I left Netherfield after everyone else retired. I could not stay there with your person in peril.”
Elizabeth wiped the tears of her conflicting emotions, her love for Lady Anne evident up
on her face. She gazed to Mr. Darcy who stood behind his mother, his eyes bright with his own tears.
Lady Anne released Elizabeth and called for William to come sit with her. “I have spoken at length with Mr. and Mrs. Bennet at Netherfield and they send their heartfelt sorrow over the circumstances you fell under with your horrible cousin, Miss Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth breathed deeply, trying to still her racing heart as Mr. Darcy placed her hands in his large ones. He nodded to his mother and she quit the room with a happy smile upon her face.
Elizabeth frowned as the great lady passed over the threshold. “Shall we have to tell her, Mr. Darcy? Surely she does not need to know all?”
Mr. Darcy kissed the tip of Elizabeth’s nose lightly and smiled his most handsome smile. “It is better she hears the truth from us than from the papers. She is stronger than she appears, I assure you. Her grief is terrible, but she is prepared for talk of what has been and what will come. Trust me.”
Elizabeth did, with her whole heart. Still, there was the business of the poor, dead maid. Darcy followed Elizabeth to the young woman’s room and dispatched a footman to have a wagon brought to the rear of the home. The young woman would be taken to Kent with escort.
The sad business was settled, yet it would hang over Elizabeth’s heart. She turned to Darcy and led him down the hallway and further still down the stairs.
Fitzwilliam Darcy stood in the entry of Darcy house silent and serious. He bowed slightly to the lovely fine-eyed lady before him.
“Miss Elizabeth, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. I regret our first meeting with all my heart. I must not suffer longer with my feelings. They will not be denied. Honor me with your eternal love and become Mrs. Darcy.”
Elizabeth could only nod her assent as the happy tears escaped her tired eyes. The man who stood before her with love shining in his eyes would be her husband.
And so Mr. Darcy arranged for a special license that day. Once Anne de Bourgh had come from Netherfield, Lady Anne took the two young women on many shopping trips and visits with the modiste. The wedding of her son and Miss Bennet would be the spectacle London required to dampen any hurtful gossip.
Elizabeth sat in the parlor with Anne one morning a few months after her wedding to Mr. Darcy and watched as the young woman dreamily read a missive that had been sent to Darcy House.
She suspected they might soon have a suitor hanging about the place seeking the hauntingly beautiful Miss Anne de Bourgh. Elizabeth had slowly built the young woman’s stamina for walks and fresh air. She had improved a great deal over the weeks in London and held no great desire to return to Rosings.
Lady Catherine had put up a fight, they’d expected no less, truly. Mr. Darcy was able to persuade the woman to leave off with her pleas for attention. For that is all they were.
“Come, Anne, do share your news. A Viscount as a suitor must be seriously regarded and made to prove his undying love. Shall he come to Pemberley to visit?”
Anne’s smile gave Elizabeth all she need know. Her friend in word and deed would likely be the next to marry. All as a matter of chance, it would seem.
Lady Anne watched the glances between the young women before quitting the parlor to make dinner plans with Cook. She must have Viscount Henry Amestrey and his parents for dinner soon.
Epilogue
Winter and the time of celebration arrived at Pemberley and the families were settled for the season. The Bennets were tucked safely away at Pemberley along with the Viscount Amestrey and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Miss Anne de Bourgh spent her time at Brambling Hall with Jane Bingley and the new baby.
One afternoon at Brambling, the tiny child mesmerized Anne so that Elizabeth had to pull her from the nursery and draw her back into the merriment downstairs.
Viscount Henry Amestrey awaited at the bottom of the grand staircase of Brambling Hall and Anne de Bourgh’s countenance was that of a woman in love. Lady Catherine remained at Rosings, in no way pleased her only child would accept a courtship without her mother’s approval. As the large party of family and friends descended upon the dining room of Brambling, Jane and Elizabeth stole away to the parlor.
Elizabeth sat before the fireplace with Jane, dreading she must return to Pemberley before long. The one thing that gave her comfort in leaving Brambling to return home with her parents was the fact Jane was stuck with Caroline Bingley. She spoke in hushed whispers with Jane about Mr. Darcy’s recent visit to Rosings and of his words with Mr. Bennet.
Mr. Darcy, much to his chagrin, had allowed Mr. Collins to keep his living at Hunsford on the condition that the entailment of Longbourn be broken. He would not see the Bennet women made to deal with the unscrupulous weasel should they someday be left without Mr. Bennet. Richard Fitzwilliam had come along to teach the man manners and the proper way to treat a young lady. He was certain several well-placed bruises would serve as reminders of his grim lesson.
As to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, the winter at Pemberley was an awkward time as Mr. Darcy found his anger at their misuse of his Elizabeth returning at the oddest moments. He called Mr. Bennet to his study one afternoon to settle the matter, for the remaining daughters of Longbourn must be carefully matched in their time.
“Mr. Darcy, the butler says you wish to speak with me?”
Mr. Bennet took a seat by the fireplace causing Mr. Darcy to rise from his desk and approach. The man had been lessened in stamina by a great degree since his collapse at the Netherfield ball. Mr. Darcy released the anger in his heart and resolved to speak kindly, yet plainly, to his wife’s father.
“Mr. Bennet, as you may or may not know, I have dealt with Mr. Collins on all accounts regarding Longbourn and my wife. He should never show his face in Hertfordshire again. I would offer, nay demand, to be apprised of future inquiries concerning your unwed daughters. I do not believe you must rely upon the judgment of your wife in such matters with Longbourn now safely held by your family.”
Mr. Bennet sighed deeply, his face cast down in shame and remorse. The wrong done to his Elizabeth was still a sore wound between them and he wished he might change what had passed.
“Mr. Darcy, my heart is broken over the terrible night Lizzy was taken. I do not trust myself, nor my wife, to decide rightly for our girls and so it is a great relief to know you would offer aid in that quarter.”
The men remained in the study and Mr. Darcy spoke with Mr. Bennet on how he might make amends with Elizabeth.
Jane smiled when Elizabeth’s recounting of events was finished and stood to join the family in the dining room. “It would seem all debts are paid and there is joy for us if we seek it, sister.”
Elizabeth nodded. She could not help but think of the rift between herself and her father, nor the horrible chasm between dear Anne and her mother. What might the year ahead bring for those situations?
* * *
On a snowy afternoon at Pemberley a few weeks before the ball, Anne sat in the parlor with Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary, whilst Lydia and Kitty chattered endlessly, giddy over the coming dance. The idea of parading before the eligible young gentlemen of Derbyshire thrilled them. But Lady Anne would not rest until they learned the proper etiquette and comportment necessary to secure the perfect match.
Elizabeth watched the proceedings with much amusement as the great Lady Anne instructed her most difficult pupils in the ways of a true lady. Anne turned to her side and spoke softly to the quietest Bennet sister. “Miss Mary, I cannot say for certain, but it seems Cousin Richard is quite taken with you. Have you the same feelings?”
Elizabeth and Jane covered their smiles and glanced to Mary. They had noted Richard’s attentiveness to their sister and were pleased should the man seek a courtship.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam is a fine and decent man,” Mary managed before smiling demurely while the pink bloomed in her cheeks.
Anne clasped her hands in her lap, her eyes wistful. “I do not wish to bring sadness into this room today, but I must say tis
strange to think of myself apart from Rosings. And now, to live at Pemberley, there is the bittersweet memory of my dear Georgiana. All that remains is the gift of mother’s approval.”
The ladies nodded and each sat quietly for but a moment, their thoughts on the previous year, memories now smoothed and burnished by time.
Elizabeth took Anne’s hand and squeezed tightly, her own sadness at the damage to the bond with her father deep in her heart. “Your own happiness will bring your mother happiness, one day. For how could she not wish the blessing of a perfect husband, life, and home upon her only daughter?”
From Love to Matrimony Sample
From the next book in this two part series.
Elizabeth and Lady Anne worry as an express on the night of a Pemberley Ball will draw Anne back to Rosings. Garnering her promise to write, and with the Viscount Henry Amestrey to see her home, Elizabeth and Lady Anne trust their dear Anne will return to Pemberley for a wedding.
A month after the Bennets, Bingleys, and their assorted relatives arrived in Derbyshire, the ball at Pemberley was marked as a smashing success were one to rely upon the word of the youngest Bennet sister. Lydia had believed she might only encounter older gentlemen in search of young wives, but the opposite happily proved true.
She had no particular need to sit out for a set with the music so lively and the dance partners plenty, but her feet began an incessant aching and she glanced about for Kitty.
Her sister stood with a handsome gentleman who was the second son of a wealthy family connected to the Darcys. Her own eyes favored a young man she had danced with but once. His father was a baronet and Lydia hoped they might form a lasting acquaintance.
Mrs. Bennet had said they would remain at Pemberley until the springtime, and so she and Kitty would have to beg Jane and Lizzy to hold several dinners, and perhaps a ball at Brambling, so they might snare the young men. Returning to Longbourn without an offer of courtship, and considering the dim prospects there, did not appeal to the vivacious young woman.
