A Dangerous Courtship

by Anne Louise

  “There you have it, Miss Bennet, your sister is the real footman,” said Darcy’s uncle.

  “That was quick thinking, Lizzy, but were you not scared?”

  “No, Jane, it all happened so quickly, and I reacted instinctively to get Georgiana out of harm’s way.”

  The gathering spoke of many things that evening, with each person having their say. They stayed longer at the dinner and there were many smiling faces as the women returned to the parlor whilst the men went to the study for a glass of brandy.

  Georgiana’s aunt was interested to learn more of the Bennet family and asked those questions.

  “I must say that seeing you together brings back memories of my own family. Our family had four daughters and no brothers and our father lived off of an inheritance and the income from the six tenant run farms on the property. We lived in Yorkshire and my father also was a country gentleman farmer.”

  “Aunt, how did you and uncle meet?”

  The woman chuckled softly and her eyes grew misty.

  “Georgiana, I was eighteen and walking with my sister when two riders came at us suddenly from around a curve in a copse of trees and I was forced to literally dive off the lane. Luckily I was not badly hurt but my dress was torn and muddy and my face was muddy and I had some scrapes from the briars. The riders next stopped and turned around. The rider who forced me off the lane remained on his horse, but the younger one jumped off his horse and ran over to help me. My sister was crying but the man was very polite and kind and lifted me in his strong arms. He apologized to my sister and me but when I tried to walk, my ankle hurt. It turned out to be a mild sprain but the accident happened near my house and he carried me in his arms.”

  “That must have been a scene when you arrived home?”

  “Yes, Georgiana, my father heard the commotion and my sister said she gave the man permission to help me home. For the next three days, whilst he and his friend were visiting the friend’s family, your uncle came to visit me. When he finally left to return to town, I thought that I would never see him again and was so miserable for several weeks. One day he stopped at the house and my heart was beating like a drum when I saw him. As we walked the family garden with a sister in tow, he told me he could not get me out of his mind and we agreed to court. So you see, my friends, love can come at any time.”

  Elizabeth watched as the others wiped away happy tears.

  “That is a wonderful story you have told us, Your Ladyship. I can see how much you and your husband are in love. Did your family protest about your courtship?”

  “Miss Elizabeth, there were grumblings at times. I believe my father showed his favoritism to me that way, but I was his first and favourite daughter, and he wanted my other sisters to know he loved us all deeply and did not want us to leave the nest.”

  Elizabeth and Jane looked at each other and smiled. It was clear to the sisters that Darcy’s aunt wished for Elizabeth and Darcy to marry.

  “Aunt, I have never heard that story. Did uncle’s family object?”

  “His sister, Catherine, thought your uncle was out of his mind. She and I have never been close, and her story that your brother and her daughter are engaged is ridiculous. Neither Darcy nor Anne wish to marry one another. When he does marry, he would be wise to not tell his Aunt Catherine.”

  Darcy had previously told Elizabeth these things, but it still galled her that Darcy’s relative would behave so foolishly. They continued to talk about many things and of Miss Jane Bennet’s visit and the Gardiners and their children.

  “Miss Darcy, I would be pleased to have you visit me and the children on the morrow. All them have asked of you and wish to see you again.”

  “Thank you, Miss Bennet, I should enjoy that very much.”

  Yes, Lady Fitzwilliam thought, there will soon be babies. Darcy and Elizabeth will marry and Mr. Bingley may have found his soulmate. Now, to find a woman for Richard. That will be a problem.

  Whilst the women were talking, the men spoke more about the kidnapping and the uncle asked Darcy more about the trial.

  “Darcy, is there a time line for the trial and everything else?”

  “First there will be an inquest and that should happen within a fortnight. We essentially have the man’s confession and have both magistrates as witnesses. He will have his trial during the spring assizes and will spend his time at the Old Bailey. Within a week after the trial, the man will hang.”

  “Would Wickham and the other man also have been found guilty?”

  “Yes, Bingley, the three men would likely have been hung together.”

  “So Richard, what do you think of the two Miss Bennets?”

  “Father, I have never met two young women who were more charming. Perhaps it is time that I leave the army and take a wife?”

  “But cousin, did you not say you are married to the army?”

  “Yes, Darcy, but with my brother now sick, he will not live much longer.”

  “What!” Darcy said. “Why have I not heard of this before?”

  “Darcy, your aunt and I did not want to make a circus of this. We try to remain mostly private. In fact, please do not tell Georgiana or anyone else. I will give you more details later.”

  “Bingley, I ask that you never repeat what you just heard?”

  “Yes, Darcy, I have already forgotten.”

  “Now I have Miss Elizabeth wanting me to tell all about George Wickham. I might just call him an unprincipled layabout and leave it at that.”

  “No, cousin, you will just tease her interest to learn more about the blackguard.”

  “What is it about woman who are attracted to bad boys?”

  “It is in their nature to find a man with faults and try to cure him. You might call that a project that they choose to take on. It does not help when the man is handsome and charms them. Anyway, I will give her a full account of the man and his misdeeds.”

  “Does it bother you that he is dead?”

  “No, Bingley, I figured that Wickham would die a violent death, perhaps being killed by a father or brother or friend of one of the young women who had his illegitimate children. Instead, he died whilst trying to ride Hercules. Still, it bothers me how he died.”

  “Just answer her questions, nephew. She will thank you for confiding in her. She is a remarkable young woman.”

  “So Darcy, is Miss Jane Bennet like her sister in that she loves children?”

  “I do not know, Bingley, but does the idea of children bother you?”

  “Yes, Darcy, my sisters have persuaded me not to have children when I marry. Did you not hear the little monsters crying and fighting earlier when we visited the Gardiners? Maybe I feel this way because my cousin’s children in Liverpool were even worse.”

  “Surely you are not serious, Bingley? I thought you once spoke of having children.”

  “Darcy, that was before my time in Liverpool. Just a good wife will satisfy me.”

  “Then what are you to do with Miss Jane Bennet?”

  “She is very pretty, Darcy, but she told me she wishes to have a large family. I also believe she is too quiet and is not that exciting.”

  A thought hit Darcy’s uncle but he kept it for later. He did notice that his son was following the conversation with much interest.

  ****

  By the time the men left the study and joined the women, Bingley thanked the Fitzwilliams and said goodbye to all as he left to return home, saying he had a headache. Minutes later Miss Jane Bennet thanked her hosts and soon she and Elizabeth and Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam, along with Darcy, left for Gracechurch Street. Georgiana and Jane made plans to meet on the morrow to play with the children. Elizabeth would stay with Georgiana at the Fitzwilliam’s that night and the friends would move back to Darcy House on the morrow. Three days later, Elizabeth would leave to return home to Longbourn.

  That evening, Mrs. Gardiner asked about the dinner and the company. “Jane, I noticed you had a different young man from earlier. D
o you like Colonel Fitzwilliam?”

  “Yes, he is friendly, much like Mr. Bingley, who returned home and said he had a headache. Colonel Fitzwilliam is very polite and quite interesting. I was going to ask you, but I asked Miss Darcy to join me on the morrow with the children. Please say you are not unhappy with my asking her?”

  “Jane, that is a wonderful idea. The children adore her. You can bring along Mr. Bingley if you wish, or Mr. Darcy’s cousin.”

  “Well, Aunt, which man would you prefer?”

  “Jane, you know very well that you are the one person who must answer that question.”

  “You are correct, so considering that I have spoken more with Mr. Bingley, I should like to know more about Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

  “That shows good judgement on your part.”

  “I would be interested in seeing how he reacts around the children, but I do not know if he intends to accompany Georgiana.”

  “Then I guess we shall just have to wait and see.”

  “His mother tells me he is a great story teller, so I would bet the children would enjoy being around him. Aunt, one look in his eyes tells me he has lived an exciting life, but I have a feeling he will not stay in the army much longer.”

  “Did he say that?”

  “No, not directly, but he said he was tired and it was his time to start new life. Mr. Bingley asked him if he might marry whilst he was in the army and he said he would not want to put his wife through all the uncertainty that comes with such a marriage. He did say that he hopes Mr. Darcy and Lizzy will marry and that he should look to marry and start a family before he gets too old.”

  “Well, Jane, I will go to bed now. Your uncle is already in bed, but I wanted to see how the evening was.”

  Whilst Jane went to bed and thought of her evening, she felt blessed that Elizabeth had made such wonderful friends, and that Mr. Darcy had returned safely, but now she was starting to think more about Darcy’s cousin. The few minutes she spent with those happy thoughts had her laughing and shortly thereafter she fell into a deep sleep.

  ****

  Back at the Fitzwilliam's house, Georgiana fell asleep on the sofa as Elizabeth and Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam spoke on many subjects.

  “Miss Bennet, I hope your sister enjoyed herself this evening? I know that my parents enjoyed the celebration and they seem to like you and your sister very much. Darcy tells me you will leave in a few days to return to Longbourn?”

  “My father only gave me leave to come for a few days. I did write him a brief letter telling that your cousin has returned and that the kidnapping ordeal is over.”

  “You know, Miss Bennet, I do not think that Darcy will be able to wait many days before he comes into Hertfordshire to see you again.”

  “I am the same way with him. Let us hope that the next time we meet will not be because of sickness or a kidnapping.”

  With Georgiana currently sleeping, Darcy reached out to hold Elizabeth’s hand.

  “Miss Bennet, your sister is very likable and is very kind. She told me the story of how you climbed a tree once to hide from a boy who wanted to walk with you. I could not stop laughing. How old were you when you did that?”

  “Colonel Fitzwilliam, I was fourteen and the boy was near sixteen and often pestered me about walking with him. He could not take a hint, so one day I saw him approaching the house and ran out the back and quickly climbed a tree on the lane. Jane told him I had gone for a walk and she walked as far as the tree. It was summer and all the leaves were out but it was so funny and I nearly laughed. Jane did not know I was in the tree just a few feet above. Finally he left, and Jane began to walk home when she heard the small branch I was clinging to break and she saw me fall.”

  “Were you hurt?”

  “No, sir, I had a few scrapes but no breaks.”

  “That was you getting your payback. The young man probably never got over your rejection?”

  “He had been visiting his relatives in Meryton, and many years later I learned that he has a government job in town and married well.”

  “Darcy, you do not know how jealous I am of you. You are chased by half of the single women in town, and you are wealthy and handsome and now you have found your better half.”

  “That is true and I am very fortunate to have met Miss Elizabeth, but I already have a good feeling that you will soon find a woman who will take your heart.”

  “I do not know, Darcy. All theses years I rarely thought of marriage.”

  ****

  At near nine the next morning, Mr. Darcy was advised that a Mr. Smithwick had arrived and had Mr. Darcy’s horse under tow. Darcy could see Hercules in the distance and summoned his cousin and they went outside.

  “Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Darcy, you are both friends?”

  “Indeed we are, said Darcy.”

  “Why did you not tell me that your friend is the man who saved my life?”

  “That man is also my cousin. How did Hercules fare during the ride?”

  “He was well, sir, and thank you for the money. Mr. Blackman already gave me the money you gave him. My wife and I thank you for being so generous.”

  “But I need to pay you for returning Hercules? Let me pay you some more?”

  “No, Mr. Darcy, the magistrate has already paid me for returning your horse. I will be pushing off in a few minutes. Have to meet up with a friend.”

  “Not yet, Smithwick, come inside and have a drink. You can stay a short time, can you not?”

  “Certainly, Colonel, it is good to see you, but I shall just have tea or water. One drink of anything stronger than coffee will have me into my cups again.”

  Next the men returned inside and Colonel Fitzwilliam introduced him to his parents and to Elizabeth. Mr. Smithwick next told the Fitzwilliams how their son had saved his life during a battle. Darcy had heard the story earlier but the man was careful to tell it as though he was describing a canvas painted before him. Colonel Fitzwilliam later embraced the man. Reviving such memories had the second Fitzwilliam son in a state of discomfiture, and the mother and Elizabeth choked back tears. Never before had their son spoke of such things, but his parents were more than proud of their second son, Richard.

  The man was asked to join the others for a light lunch but declined, saying he was late. The Colonel asked him to keep in touch and the man agreed and next turned his mount to ride away.

  “Are you married, Smithwick?”

  “Yes, sir, and I will say that I am happily married. Find yourself a woman like your cousin’s friend, Miss Bennet, and all of your days will be happy.”

  Elizabeth and Darcy overheard the man and smiled at each other.

  ****

  Darcy and his cousin and Georgiana arrived at the Gardiners later that morning, and whilst Darcy and Elizabeth spoke with Mrs. Gardiner, Georgiana and her cousin joined Jane Bennet with the children. The eldest boy had been cross and feeling out of sorts and Colonel Fitzwilliam sat near him and spoke with him.

  “Hello there, are you David Gardiner?”

  “Yes, sir, and you are a soldier. Do you really kill people?”

  “I am a soldier, but my job is to protect you and your family and every person in England from mean people who want what we have.”

  “Do all soldiers fight?”

  “No, but if needed, all will fight. This means that cooks and others might have to grab their guns to save the others and themselves.”

  “That sounds very scary. I do not want to be a soldier, but I love the red uniform that you wear.”

  “Thank you, David, for this is my regimental uniform. I like it too. David is a great name for a brave boy. Do you know The Bible story about David and Goliath?”

  “Yes, sir, he killed the giant with a sling shot and a small stone.”

  “Very good, David, you are correct.”

  “He must have been very brave?”

  “Yes, David, and more importantly he had God on his side. Did you know that later he became king ov
er all his people?”

  “I did not know that. Can you tell me the story of Daniel and the lions?”

  This kept up for many minutes and the other children came to sit near David and the soldier and he told them more stories from The Bible. Georgiana and Jane marveled at the manner that the man had with the children and how much he seemed to enjoy being around them.

  While they were upstairs, Elizabeth and Darcy told Mrs. Gardiner about the arrest of the footman the previous day at Darcy House and Darcy told her how he escaped.

  “Then I hope the man will be found guilty,” Mrs. Gardiner replied.

  “Yes, Mrs. Gardiner, but he still does not know that the other two men are dead.”

  “Why was he not told of this?”

  “The magistrate thought they could learn more details this way. I am sure Mr. Woods is not enjoying himself right now. Mr. Woods is the man’s real name. We all knew him as Mr. Stevens.”

  “In any event, his situation is not as awful as you being locked in the gatehouse and fearing death could come at any time.”

  “I was fortunate, Mrs. Gardiner.”

  On the return to the Fitzwilliam home, Georgiana and Elizabeth were giggling. Colonel Fitzwilliam was quiet, so Darcy questioned his sister.

  “How was your time with the Gardiner children?”

  Again Georgiana giggled and Elizabeth listened to her reply.

  “I am sorry, brother, but our cousin has won over the children.”

  “I would not say that, cousin, but I cannot remember a more enjoyable time with the little people. Perhaps I will have my own family one day?”

  “Then you must find a woman who will put up with you.”

  Georgiana and Elizabeth looked at one another. They were both cognizant of the affectionate looks that Jane and Richard seemed to have for each other as they played with the children.

  Later that next afternoon, Darcy and the others returned to Darcy House and servants hurried outside to bring their things to their rooms. After a short break, Darcy asked Mrs. Pierce to assemble all the staff for a brief meeting. Minutes later, Darcy met with all who worked at Darcy House. As he prepared to speak, the room suddenly went silent.