Netherfield Park Quarantined

by Schertz, Melanie

  “William stated one of the guards was injured. Was it bad?” Jane shook her head. “No, Mr Denny is well. He was only grazed by the bullet, fortunately. Mr Denny has been a great help to Papa and Charles. Mr Darcy was wise to send such a man to assist us.”

  “How are Mamma and our sisters? Lydia was not harmed, was she?” Elizabeth asked. “Frightened, but unharmed. I was pleased to see them journey to Town to stay with Aunt Gardiner. And now, Lydia is being taught ways of doing things for herself, even though she is blind. The teacher from the blind school has been working with Lydia every day, and she is pleased with our sister’s improvements.”

  “Jane, this is wonderful news. I am so very pleased to hear this, for I hated seeing Lydia wasting away, frightened of everything in the world.” “Aunt Gardiner says it is joyous to watch Lydia learning how to do things. Our little sister is regaining some of her courage.” Elizabeth sighed in relief. “I have worried for Lydia, as I know she will have a rough road without her courage. Now, I wish to hear about you. How are you adapting to being betrothed?”

  A look of delight flowed over Jane’s expression. “Oh, Lizzy, can one die from being too happy? Charles is so charming and kind, he has been so protective and attentive through all of the troubles. And the way my heart seems to wish to beat so quickly that it almost leaps from my chest. When I am with him, I cannot stop smiling, and when we are apart, all I do is think of him.”

  “My dear Jane, you are madly, deeply, head over heels in love with your fiancé.” Elizabeth smiled. “I am so pleased to hear such news. You deserve to be happy, and loved. Charles Bingley could not have chosen a more perfect lady to love. You must promise to visit Pemberley often, for I insist on teaching your children to play the pianoforte very poorly.”

  “And you will have to visit our home often, as I will need to teach your daughters how to stitch without sewing themselves into their project.” Both of the sisters broke out laughing.

  Hearing someone walking towards them, the sisters turned to see their men coming to meet them. Darcy smiled as he spoke. “And what is so humorous out here?”

  “Jane was reminding me of when I was young and learning to stitch. I ended up sewing my dress to the cloth I was stitching, as well as tangling my fingers in the threads on the back. I had literally sewed myself to the fabric.” Elizabeth had tears in her eyes as she laughed. “Thankfully, I have improved over the years.”

  “You should have seen Mamma’s face when she saw what Lizzy had done. She tried to scold Lizzy, but she had a difficult time biting her lip to keep from bursting out in laughter.”

  Darcy chuckled. “That would be a sight to behold.” Assisting his wife to stand, he wrapped his arms around her. “Dearest, shall we go upstairs to rest? Your father has offered us a room here, and my aunt and uncle will be staying in the dowager house. Georgiana will stay in the room which belongs to your sister, Kitty.”

  “I am fatigued.” Elizabeth said. “I would enjoy a nap and then enjoy a delicious meal. Jane, Mr Bingley, we will visit more with you later.” Jane and Bingley stood, hand in hand, watching their loved ones return to the house. It was clear how deeply the Darcys loved each other. After all that they had been through, it was a pleasure to see the young couple so perfectly content.

  The engaged couple took a stroll in the gardens before returning to the house themselves. They entered the parlor to find Lady Matlock and Mrs Phillips enjoying their chat.

  “Ah, Jane, I was just telling Lady Matlock of your upcoming wedding. I was pleased to see you choose the fabric you did for your wedding gown, as the pale blue silk is so flattering for you.”

  “I was so grateful for your opinions when we went to the dressmaker. The gown Mamma wished for was nice, but the style you suggested was much more to my tastes.”

  “It was my pleasure to assist, my dear girl. You should show Lady Matlock the sketch of the decorations which Kitty drew for you. Kitty has such a talent for drawing.”

  ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

  Chapter 18 Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam was exhausted when he arrived at Longbourn in the morning, having left quite early from London in the carriage with Mr Williamson, the family physician from Town. Knowing his parents and the Darcys would be wishing to be on their way as early as possible to arrive at Rosings early in the day. When the carriage pulled to a stop in front of Longbourn’s house, he was met by Darcy and Lord Matlock.

  “Welcome, Richard, how was the trip from Town?” Lord Matlock inquired.

  “Dusty and bumpy. It does not matter how well sprung your carriage is, some roads are horrible.” Richard nearly growled from his weariness. “Mr Williamson, thank you for coming. I take it my son has informed you of the situation.” “Matlock, it is a joy to see you, though I wish it were under different circumstances. I must admit, I am not shocked to hear what has been happening with Catherine. I have believed for years that she was not well. When she refused to allow me or my partner to examine Anne, to see if she can improve her own daughter’s well-being, there is something wrong with her.”

  “Are you saying, my sister actually refused to allow you to examine my niece?” Lord Matlock was shocked. “Indeed. When Catherine and Anne were in London, not long ago, I asked her to bring Anne to see me. From what you had spoken of, I felt I might be able to offer some treatments to aid Anne.”

  “Why in the world would Lady Catherine refuse to allow such for her daughter?” Darcy asked as he joined the other men. “She is afraid of Anne’s health improving and being able to take charge of her inheritance.” Lord Matlock stated as he shook his head. “Of all the selfish behaviors, that is the worst. To keep her daughter frail and fragile so you can control their home, staff and funds, shows my sister is ill in her mind.”

  “Come in and have something to eat, before we head off to Rosings.” Darcy motioned towards the house. “The ladies will be ready momentarily, which will give you time to enjoy some of the delicious pastries the cook has prepared for us.”

  ~~ ** ~~ Once everyone was fed and ready to travel, the two carriages were loaded. Lord and Lady Matlock and Mr Williamson climbed into the first carriage, with Darcy, Elizabeth and Richard loaded into the second one. The coming confrontation was making everyone tense. Darcy and Richard were furious with their aunt, and wished to throttle her rather than speak with her. Darcy was also concerned with Elizabeth’s participation, as he wished to protect her.

  Elizabeth, on the other hand, demanded her chance to confront the woman who had brought so much pain and agony into her family, especially as Lady Catherine was responsible for hiring the men who murdered her beloved uncle and had herself and her young sister kidnapped. In her mind, Elizabeth felt she had more right to confront Lady Catherine than any of the others in the carriages.

  When they neared the estate, Elizabeth began to fidget. She wished to be done with this situation, and never have to think about Lady Catherine de Bourgh again.

  As they pulled up to the front of the house, there was no concern with the grand dame greeting them outside. Lady Catherine had always refused to greet a visitor anywhere but in her most intimidating drawing room. It was decided for Lord and Lady Matlock to enter the drawing room alone, and attempt to convince Lady Catherine to give up her obsession with Darcy marrying her daughter. If Lady Catherine did not give up her plans, which Darcy was certain would be the situation, Richard, Mr Williamson, Darcy and Elizabeth would enter the room and the confrontation would begin.

  Lady Matlock held on to her husband’s arm as they entered the drawing room. Lady Catherine had had the room decorated extremely ornate, giving the impression of being in the presence of royalty. The furniture was uncomfortable, the use of the color gold made the room overwhelming to most people.

  “Henry, I had no messages stating you were coming. What brings you here?” Lady Catherine asked her brother.

  “Catherine, we must speak with you on the situation of Darcy’s marriage.” “There is no need. From what I have heard, his wife
is not long for this world. When she is gone, then Darcy will marry Anne and there will be no need for an annulment. I estimate it will only be a month before Anne is Mrs Darcy and they are off to Pemberley, as they should have been years ago.”

  “Sister, this is foolishness. Mrs Elizabeth Darcy is alive and well, and there will be no dissolving their marriage. William will not be marrying Anne, you have to accept that fact.” Lady Matlock declared.

  “Your comments were not asked for, Rebecca. I do not wish you to be here. You should go upstairs while Henry and I speak. It is a family matter, and does not concern you.” Lady Catherine attempted to dismiss her sister in law.

  “It does not concern me? Oh, Catherine, you are a fool if you think I have no concerns in my family.” Lady Matlock was furious. “William is more my concern than yours, as Henry and I were his godparents since his birth. That has always been a thorn in your side, as you felt Lady Anne should have declared you William’s godmother. And his dear bride is a sweet young lady, whom I am pleased to have as a part of my life. Have you ever asked your daughter what she wished? In the last letter I received from Anne, she stated clearly she had no desire at all to marry William.”

  “Anne does not know what she wants and what is best for her. With her health, she needs a husband to protect her.” Lady Catherine declared. “William will be the perfect husband for Anne. I will not tolerate your interference, Rebecca. It is none of your concern.”

  “William is my beloved nephew, the son of my dearest friend in the world. Anne is my niece, whom I also love dearly. How dare you state I have no concern in this matter?”

  “They are not your blood, they are your family by marriage. Therefore your opinion is far beneath my own. I am the nearest relation Darcy has, therefore it is my right to counsel him on such matters.” Lady Catherine held a sense of superiority.

  “And what of my opinion, Lady Catherine.” Darcy stated as he entered the room. “I am an adult, the master of my estate, guardian of my sister, and I am the very proud husband of Elizabeth Darcy, nee Bennet. I refuse to be the husband of anyone else. I care for Anne, but as a cousin, not as a spouse.”

  “You are taken in by a young lady’s arts and allurements. Miss Bennet has cast a spell over you or the bout of scarlet fever caused your mind to be addled. It is ridiculous for you, the grandson of an earl, nephew of the current earl of Matlock, one of the wealthiest and most eligible young men in England, to be married to a country nobody, a common harlot.”

  “Watch your tongue, Madame. I will not tolerate any disrespect towards my wife.” Darcy stated clearly. “You are a man, and like all men, you are turned by a young lady who is willing to behave improperly. That is the only reason you decided to wed such an unfit young lady, she will never be proper enough to be seen in society.”

  Elizabeth entered the room, followed by Richard and Mr Williamson. “Is it proper to hire someone to kidnap your young niece? Is it proper to hire someone to kidnap your nephew’s wife? Or is it proper to hire someone to murder a man because of his profession as a solicitor? By your behavior and actions, I would be pleased to be thought improper if you are considered to be proper.”

  “How dare you step into my house? I will not have a common whore in my home, especially speaking to me. I insist you leave immediately.” Lady Catherine stated as she stood.

  “I will not leave. I will stay here, at my husband’s side.” “Take your hand from my nephew. How dare you show yourself in my house? I will not have this.” Lady Catherine was stomping her foot. Calling for a footman to drag Elizabeth from the house, she then turned her attention to her other nephew. “Richard, do your duty to me as your family, and toss this harlot out of the house.”

  “No, Lady Catherine, I will not. Of all of us, Elizabeth has the most right to confront you for all you have done.” Richard was pleased to watch his new cousin standing up to his formidable aunt.

  Turning her attention back towards Elizabeth, Lady Catherine’s fury grew. “Have you favored Richard with your allurements as well? You turn my entire family against me, you little tramp. You are supposed to be married to you cousin, your own mother wished such. How dare you turn my family against me to have your way with my nephew?”

  Elizabeth was tired of listening to the pompous hag. “I have never behaved in such an improper manner as you have. You hired George Wickham to kidnap Georgiana, an innocent young girl, who was scared to death the entire time she was forced to remain with him, locked in a small room, all alone. You hired Wickham to kidnap me, and I was injured in the process. Then you hired men to go to my uncle, attempting to find the documents proving William and I are married. Your men murdered my uncle. They murdered him, in cold blood, because he would not give them the papers. He did not have them. My father does not have them. William was sure you would try to find the papers, and he insisted the copies be sent away from Meryton. So you had a wonderful, loving, caring man murdered for no good reason. He died for your selfish disregards for others.”

  “I demand to know where those papers are. I insist to have them, as I must protect my nephew.” Lady Catherine demanded. “You do not have a right to have them. Especially after the letter you sent to Mr Collins. You insisted he murder me, and that you wished to be there to witness my demise. How dare you behave in such a manner? You gave me to my cousin, to do whatever he wished to me. Fortunately I was too ill and Mr Collins was unable to do anything to me. And he never will again.”

  Lady Catherine’s attention was peaked. “What do you mean? Where is Mr Collins? What have you done to the poor man?” “Mr Collins died, as he was attempting to keep my away from my husband. Both Mr Collins and Mr Wickham are dead. The men you sent to Meryton, who killed my uncle and set fires in the area, all so they could access my father’s study, are in custody. They will most likely hang for their crimes.”

  “You see, Henry, do you see just why I have been adamant to annul our nephew’s marriage? She is responsible for killing Mr Collins and Mr Wickham. She is a murderer. How can you approve of her being married to Darcy?”

  Elizabeth was not finished. “It is you who is responsible for the deaths of those men, as well as my uncle’s. It is you who is responsible for the two men who will most likely lose their lives for following your orders.”

  “Where are the papers? We must have the marriage annulled, Darcy must marry Anne immediately to protect our family’s honor.” Turning her full attention towards Elizabeth, she continued. “You will tell me where the papers are, or I will beat it out of you.”

  The men were furious with Lady Catherine’s words, but it was Lady Matlock who spoke up first. “Catherine, I have one of the copies of the documents pertaining to William and Elizabeth’s marriage. They sent them to me, to protect them. I had them the entire time you were at Matlock House, in my study, locked in my desk. You were just down the hall from them, and yet you went out of your way to harm others to find the papers. You fool, you incredibly stupid fool.”

  Lady Catherine suddenly lunged forward, though who she was aiming for was uncertain. A moment later, she was collapsed on the floor, unable to speak and she appeared unable to move on her own. Mr Williamson moved forward quickly, and insisted Lady Catherine be moved to her bedchambers.

  After a thorough examination, Mr Williamson declared Lady Catherine had suffered an attack of apoplexy. The attack was severe, and it was not certain if the lady would survive an hour. Lord Matlock entered the room and sat in the chair beside Lady Catherine’s bed, taking his sister’s hand in his own.

  “Catherine, dear sister, I do not wish for you to be so sick, but, perhaps this is for the best. If you do not survive, then we will not be forced to place you in a sanitarium. We will be able to keep your actions secret from the world, protecting Anne from the shame which would be attached to her for being your daughter. I do love you, my dear Catherine, but I pray you do not survive. Please, Catherine, do one final good deed and go to meet your judgment from God.”

 
Lord Matlock sat beside the bed for nearly a quarter of an hour, when suddenly he would have sworn his sister squeezed his hand. “Catherine, can you hear me?” There was no response. Only moments later, he felt an extreme sense of calm come over him. Looking down at his sister, he instantly knew the truth, Lady Catherine de Bourgh was no longer alive.

  He stepped out to the hallway, motioning for Mr Williamson to return to the bedchamber, before wrapping his arms around his beloved wife. “It is over, nothing more will need to be done against Catherine.”

  Richard and Darcy exchanged glances, though could not find their tongues. It was Elizabeth who spoke up. “Lady Catherine is dead?” “She is. I believe it was for the best, and it will protect the family, especially Anne.” “Forgive me, Uncle Henry, I did not mean to cause her death.” Elizabeth felt terrible, believing her words were the cause of Lady Catherine’s death. Tears began to sting in her eyes, as she turned to leave the hallway.

  Darcy placed his arms about her as he blocked her escape. “Lizzy, my dearest, you were not responsible for Lady Catherine’s death. There is nothing you did to cause her harm.”

  Mr Williamson had just returned from the bedchamber. “Mrs Darcy, I must agree with your husband. As a matter of fact, I believe Lady Catherine’s mind deterioration may have come over time due to minor attacks of apoplexy over the years. It could have caused the damage which led to Lady Catherine being so deranged. The lady I knew twenty years ago was not pleasant, but she was far more reasonable than the lady we dealt with today. If the attacks were extremely minor, they might not have been noticeable when they occurred, but the damage would continue to accumulate.”