“Lizzy?” Darcy looked first at his mother, then at the woman beside him on the bed. “Am I having a bizarre dream?” “No, dear boy, you are truly lying beside the woman you love. Nothing else seemed to work to help you fight the fever you developed, and they were forced to keep Miss Elizabeth sedated to keep her from rising from her bed to come to you. The sedation was not aiding in her recovery, so Mr Bennet agreed to my plan to have her brought to your side.”
“Thank you, Mother. I am pleased you are here.” “Where else would I be, William? You and Georgiana are the dearest part of my life. Albert and Georgie will be here tomorrow. We wish to be here for you and for Miss Elizabeth.” Lady Anne smoothed back some curls which were on her son’s forehead. “Now, if you ever scare me like this again, I will be forced to have Richard take you behind the stables and tan your hide.”
“Forgive me, Mother. I had not planned to end up in this manner. But I would do it all over again to protect Elizabeth from what was happening to her.”
Wiping tears from her cheeks, Lady Anne smiled. “Your cousin told me what happened. I am so proud of you, William. You saved Miss Elizabeth from being killed by those men. I cannot wait to get to know her better. From everything you wrote to me, and the devotion she showed yesterday in tending to you, she is indeed a most amazing young lady and deserving of your love.”
“Thank you, Lady Anne.” Came a soft voice beside Darcy. It was another few moments before her eyes opened, but Elizabeth was feeling stronger than she had since she was attacked.
“Welcome back to the world, Miss Elizabeth. I am pleased to see a little color in your cheeks, compared to yesterday. How are you doing? Is there anything you need?”
“Everything I need is beside me, here on the bed.” Elizabeth smiled. “I am grateful for your speaking to my father and convincing him to allow me to be at William’s side.”
“I am grateful that my ludicrous plan worked.” Lady Anne chuckled. “Now, I will send to the kitchen for something to be brought up for you. You both need to eat something to build your strength.”
In unison, Darcy and Elizabeth smiled and said “Yes, Mother.”
~~ ** ~~ The arrival of Lord Covington and Miss Georgiana Carrington was met with appreciation. Lady Anne welcomed her husband and daughter, insisting they remain at Darcy House rather than open their own townhouse. As there were plenty of rooms available, Lady Anne felt it would be ridiculous to allow her husband to withdraw from her son’s home.
“Albert, it is time that whatever issues have been between William and us are resolved. I have never understood why William resents you or our marriage, but it is time to work it out. I nearly lost my son, and the young lady he loves. It is time that we act like a family.” Lady Anne had tears flowing down her cheeks.
“Anne, I will do whatever is needed to see the breach mended. I love you, and our daughter. William is your son, therefore, I cannot help but care for him. I have never truly understood his animosity towards me, but I wish for it to come to an end as well.”
Georgiana came into the room. “Mother, how is William?”
“He is much better. And he has exciting news for us.” “Is he to marry Miss Elizabeth?” Georgiana’s eyes widened. “Each letter I have received from him has spoken of the young lady.”
“Yes, your brother is indeed engaged to marry Miss Elizabeth. Once they have both recovered sufficiently, they will have a wedding.” Lady Anne said with a smile, her hand caressing her daughter’s hair.
“Both? Was Miss Elizabeth ill as well?” Georgiana was frightened. Albert was interested in knowing what had happened to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, as Anne had not been able to tell him.
“Miss Elizabeth was injured badly, and she was brought to Town to be treated by a surgeon. They were fortunate in being able to save her life. After she was doing better, William fell ill with a fever.”
“Anne, you are not telling us the full story. I know you would wish to protect Georgiana, but I feel it is important to be honest with her.” Lord Covington stated.
Lady Anne looked into her husband’s eyes, tears continued to flow down her cheeks. Her eyes returned to looking into her daughter’s eyes. “Your father is correct. Miss Elizabeth was attacked by three men, with the intention of violating her. William arrived in time to save her from the worst, though she had been beaten severely. In protecting Miss Elizabeth, your brave brother was forced to defend himself and Miss Elizabeth. Two of the men were killed, the other injured William when he struggled with your brother for control of a gun. The wound was treated, but with his concern over Miss Elizabeth and dealing with the issues of the men, he did not rest as he should have.”
Georgiana was shaken. “How badly was Miss Elizabeth injured?” “Due to blood pooling in her brain, the surgeon was forced to make holes in her skull to release the pressure. Otherwise she would have died.”
A gasp was heard from both Georgiana and her father. Albert reached out a hand to his wife, who eagerly gripped it for strength. “As Miss Elizabeth began to improve, William was finally overcome with fatigue. After he had slept for some time, Richard discovered William was running a very high fever.”
“The fever has broken now?” Albert asked in a soft, caring voice. “Fortunately. He was very ill for several days. It was the love that he has for Miss Elizabeth, and her for him, which made him fight his way back to us. It was improper for us to take Miss Elizabeth to William’s bedside, but it was worth it to see both of them truly begin to recover. They had to sedate Miss Elizabeth during William’s illness, or she would have harmed herself trying to get to his side.”
“Mother, they do love each other. It is so romantic.” Georgiana embraced her mother. “William has found a lady who will love him as you do Father.”
“I am pleased to know the depths of Miss Elizabeth’s regard for your brother. I was sure of his feelings towards her, his letters were quite telling to one who knows William as I do.”
“Anne, I could not be happier for your son. I look forward to meeting Miss Elizabeth when she is stronger.” Albert said with a smile.
Lady Anne nodded her head. “Well, let us get you two settled into rooms. I wish to return to check on our two patients.”
~~ ** ~~ Two days after Darcy’s fever broke, a message arrived for Richard from General Stockwell. Wickham had been found guilty of conspiracy, attempted murder, attempted rape, abduction, false report, and several other lesser charges. He was sentence to death, and was hanged the following morning. Even as he was led to the gallows, Wickham cried out for Darcy, begging to speak with the man, claiming he had information as to the person who had hired him. His dying words were cursing Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, for leading him to his death.
Though relieved to be rid of Wickham forever, the thought remained that the man claimed to have been hired by someone close to Darcy, to ruin Darcy in the eyes of society. It was believed Anthony had been the one behind hiring Wickham. Richard could not fathom where money would have come from, as his brother had very little.
~~ ** ~~ With both Darcy and Elizabeth recovering, Elizabeth was returned to her own rooms for propriety’s sake. Though they were saddened by the separation, Darcy was granted the freedom to sit beside her often, so long as he did not overtax himself.
Elizabeth had convinced Darcy to return to his bed to rest just an hour before Lady Anne came to visit her. “Lady Anne, I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for my family.”
“Goodness, my dear girl, you are soon to be my family as well. And I know how precious you are to William.”
“Might I ask you a question, Lady Anne?” Elizabeth asked nervously.
“You may ask, if you start calling me Mother.” Lady Anne smiled as she squeezed Elizabeth’s hand lightly. “Did you love William’s father?” Lady Anne was not expecting such a question. “I loved him dearly. Gerard was one of the kindest men I have ever known, and handsome. William looks so much like his father, including those incredi
ble dimples. Whenever Gerard smiled, showing his dimples, my heart melted. He treated me as if I were his princess, making me feel cherished and loved. When he died, a part of me died with him.”
“William does not believe you loved his father. He told me that he felt you would not have married again if you had truly loved his father.” Elizabeth divulged.
Shocked, Lady Anne stood and began to pace. “This is why he has held such dislike for Albert? He believes my marriage to his own father was of convenience?”
Elizabeth nodded her head. “Oh, my poor boy. All these years he has felt such pain and for nothing. If I had only known, I could have told him the truth. Gerard taught me what it was like to love openly and generously. Elizabeth, you cannot know how grateful I am to you for telling me this. Now I can speak to William, tell him about my marriage to his father. Hopefully, we will be able to mend the relationship between William and Albert.”
“I pray that it can be so.” Elizabeth said with a smile.
~~ ** ~~ Bingley decided to leave Darcy House to do some shopping. Jane had explained to him that Elizabeth’s hair had been shaved from one side of her head, and he wished to find something to cheer his future sister in law. The bandaging would be in place for another week, and then she would most likely desire something to wear to hide her lack of hair.
Lady Anne had suggested a milliner who might be able to design something to be of comfort to Elizabeth, as she was already self-conscious about her looks. Not only was the hair missing, but she also had scars from the holes in her skull, and it would be some time before her hair grew back enough to cover her head.
After speaking with the milliner, and ordering several fashionable covers which would hopefully bring Elizabeth comfort, Bingley stepped out of the shop and headed for the confectionary shop next door. Entering the door, Bingley could not believe his eyes. Standing before him was his missing sister. “Caroline, where have you been? We have been trying to find you for weeks now.”
“Oh, Charles, it is a pleasure to see you again. What brings you to Town?” “I am here with Darcy and some of the Bennets. I wish to speak with you.” Bingley was looking around for a private area in the shop to allow him to speak with his sister.
Just then, a man stepped to Caroline’s side. “Is all well, Dearest?”
“Dearest? Forgive me, Sir, but I insist you not speak to my sister so informally.” Bingley declared. “Ah, Charles Bingley. A pleasure to meet you at last. Has my dear Caroline not written to you about me?”
Bingley was confused. “I have not heard of you Sir, nor have I been introduced to you.” Caroline placed a hand gently on the other man’s arm. “Charles, allow me to introduce you to Mr Geoffrey Goodman. Geoff, my love, this is my brother, Charles.”
“Caroline, you are behaving most improperly, and in public. I need you to come with me immediately, as we have much of which to speak.”
Mr Goodman placed a hand gently, though firmly, over Caroline’s hand on his arm. “Forgive me, Mr Bingley, but my wife does not require your assistance or shall you force her to join you for a private conversation.”
“YOUR WIFE?” Bingley nearly shouted to the entire shop. “When did you marry?” “Why, just last week.” Caroline stated. “It was a lovely ceremony, and we then spent three days at Geoff’s townhouse. Today is one of the first days we have come out of the house, as my dear husband insisted on taking me to order a new wardrobe. He is so very kind to me.” Caroline was practically salivating as she spoke.
“I am here to inform you, Bingley, I will do all that I can to protect my wife from you and your other sister. I plan to see my solicitor, to see what is needed to be done to release Caroline’s trust fund. I will warn you to refrain from further contact with my wife, especially without me present.” Goodman was adamant.
“If this is what you wish, Caro, I wish you great joy in your married life. I will speak to my solicitor and have him prepare the papers to release the trust to you, Goodman. Have no fear, I have no plans to stand in the way of your happiness. The trust was set up for my sister’s protection, it is her money to do with as she sees fit.” Bingley found it difficult to hide his frustration with his sister. “I will leave you now, Mr and Mrs Goodman. God bless you both.”
Bingley then turned and walked away from his sister. How had this come to be? His sister was married, she was no longer under his protection. Having had enough for one day, Bingley returned to Darcy House.
~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~
CHAPTER 12 Mrs Bennet was finally pulling herself together again. Fortunately, her husband had the presence of mind to send her brother and sister in law, Edwin and Helen Gardiner, from their home in Town, to look after Fanny and the younger three Bennet daughters.
When the rumors were expanding on the lies Wickham had started, before leaving Meryton with Colonel Forster, Mrs Bennet feared for her family being ruined. She continued to have nightmares of Elizabeth dying, and Mr Bingley refusing to marry Jane. She also had nightmares of the younger girls having to become scullery maids and never being able to marry. All of the ruination because of the rumors of Mr Darcy having forced himself on Elizabeth, or worse, Elizabeth was giving herself to him willingly, without being married.
Mr Gardiner had learned the truth before leaving London, as Mr Bennet had sent for him while they waited for the surgeon to relieve the pressure building inside Elizabeth head. The General had just left the Darcy townhouse, pronouncing Mr Darcy innocent of being the perpetrator of Elizabeth’s injuries, when Mr Gardiner was shown to the sitting room.
Mrs Bennet was relieved to learn that Elizabeth had not been violated, but her fear grew when she learned how severe her daughter’s injuries were. Her heart ached for Mr Darcy as well, as she was certain he loved her daughter completely. And she ached to comfort her husband, for she knew how dear Elizabeth had always been to Thomas Bennet. Helen Gardiner sat beside Mrs Bennet’s bed, talking with her, encouraging her to eat and rest.
Two days after the attack, word arrived from two sources. First, an express arrived from Mr Bennet, explaining Darcy’s fever and the need to sedate Elizabeth to keep her from harming herself. The second source of information was from Sir William Lucas, and he came with news that Colonel Forster had been taken into custody in Town for his failing to command properly. A new commander had been sent to Meryton to take over the militia regiment, a Colonel Watkins. It was from Colonel Watkins, who had been given the information directly from General Stockwell, that Sir William learned the true events of the fateful morning.
According to Sir William, everything Wickham had claimed, before he was taken to London, was false. It had been Wickham who had instigated the attack, bringing his friends Woods and Denny, with him. They had intended to ruin Elizabeth, and blame Darcy, thereby ruining him as well. Fortunately, Darcy had arrived in time to rescue Elizabeth before the men could violate her, and Darcy had killed Woods and Denny in self-defense. When Wickham struggled with Darcy for the gun, the latter was shot, which had led to his taking a fever. The evidence had cleared Darcy, and convicted Wickham. Wickham faced a list of charges and would, most likely, be hung, if found guilty. Colonel Forster was most likely to be demoted or even dismissed from the militia. Sir William was remorseful for all that had happened to his neighbors and friends, he was fond of Elizabeth, who was his eldest daughter’s closest friend.
Sir William promised Mr Gardiner that he would contact all of the families in the neighborhood and inform them of the true nature of the events, in an attempt to protect the Bennet family from ruin.
~~ ** ~~ Darcy had been resting in his room, waking late in the evening. “Ah, my son is awake.” Lady Anne said with a smile. She leaned towards him, reaching out her hand to caress a lock of hair which had fallen on his forehead. “How are you this evening?”
“I am well, Mother. Is Lizzy well?” Darcy rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
“She is much better and resting peacefully. I would like to have a little bit of your time. T
here is something important I wish to discuss with you.” Darcy looked at his mother with concern. “What is wrong?” “Nothing is wrong, my dear boy. But there is something important I believe we should discuss. It is my understanding you believe I did not love your father, that our marriage was one of convenience.”
A blush grew on Darcy’s cheeks, and he knew Elizabeth had spoken with his mother. “It is not important, Mother. I know that marriages of convenience are common in our society.”
“William, how can you think that I did not love your father? Can you not remember all the times you saw Gerard and me together? Can you not recall our constantly touching each other, holding hands, his arm wrapped around my waist as we walked? We never held with the society view on having separate bedchambers, and I never slept a day in the Mistress’ bed in my married life. Your father and I shared a passion that was beyond words. You are proof of our devotion. And it appears that you were not aware of the three other times I was with child by your father. I lost those children, the last one died at birth. Your father was devastated, as he knew how dearly I wished for more children to love.”
“But, if you loved Father so dearly, how could you marry Lord Covington so quickly and be so happy with him? It is clear that you love him.”
Lady Anne laughed. “Do you believe I love you?” Seeing her son nod his head, she continued. “And do you believe I love Georgiana?” Again, Darcy nodded his head. “It is possible to love more than one person, my dear boy. The love I shared with your father was intense and powerful. The love I share with Albert is comfortable and soothing. Albert and I have known each other since we were children, so he knows everything about me. He has always been in my heart, though as a dear friend when I was married to your father. Albert has nothing but respect for your father, and for you. I cannot believe that all these years, you have held Albert in disdain because you felt I did not love your father. You were so young when your father died, perhaps I should have realized you needed to hear from me how much I loved Gerard, I hope you can forgive me for failing to do so.”
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