Mrs. Bennet, who did not understand half of what was said, focused on the last statement. “My Jane is worth so much more than ‘Elizabeth.’ I have said it before, and despite what he says now, Mr. Darcy will regret marrying that hoyden and will set her aside. I will not welcome her back to Longbourn, I assure you,” she nearly yelled angrily.
“Richard, there is no point in continuing,” Fitzwilliam interrupted her tirade. “Mrs. Bennet obviously cannot see past the nose on her face, and Miss Bennet is a murderess. For now, we should ensure they arrive home and use some of our guards to keep them there until we can discuss with Mr. Bennet what has happened tonight. Perhaps he can do something about these termagants, but I sincerely doubt it. Newgate may be the best option.”
“Or perhaps some time in residence at Bedlam might be in order,” George retorted. “It appears that one or both of these ladies subscribe to the notion that repetition can shape reality.Persisting in ignorance despite correction is often considered a sign of insanity, is it not?”
Richard smiled wryly at his elder cousin. “It does appear so,” he replied. “It is something I will discuss with Mr. Bennet on the morrow. For now, we should get theseladieshome. There is nothing for them here.”
“But my daughter was compromised by that man,” Mrs. Bennet said, pointing at George Darcy. “He must marry her.”
“I will not,” George replied. “I did nothing but prevent her from falling, and trust me,myreputation will not be ruined if you mention this to anyone out there. I believe I would be applauded by those in attendance here were I to refuse to marry your daughter on your suggestion of a compromise.”
Mrs. Bennet could not reply to that, and Richard took advantage of her silence to escort her and Miss Bennet to the waiting carriage. Richard and the guards escorted them home.
The Darcys remainedat the assembly for a while longer, but before the dance was over, both Elizabeth and Lady Anne declared themselves too tired to remain. After making their excuses, they returned to Netherfield, leaving Mr. Livesay behind, as he wished to dance again with his intended.
“Dearest, are you well?” Fitzwilliam asked once he and his wife were settled together in their bed. “You were ill tonight, and youare never ill. I am shocked you agreed with Mother to depart early.”
“I am fatigued, my dear,” she responded. “I am well, or at least I will be. Your mother mentioned something to me earlier that prompted me to reflect—I have only experienced my courses once since our marriage. I believe I am expecting a child, though I cannot confirm it now. Mother has asked to talk with me tomorrow, and I suspect she shares my suspicions.”
Fitzwilliam stared at his wife. Elizabeth began to worry that he was displeased when he did not speak. “Fitzwilliam?” she inquired, and it seemed her words brought him back to the present.
“A child, my dearest Elizabeth,” he whispered reverently.
“It is not certain yet, Fitzwilliam,” she replied. “I cannot know for sure until I feel the quickening. I know a little, but Mother can tell me more about what to expect tomorrow.”
Before she could complete her sentence, her husband drew her close, enfolding her tightly. He pressed kisses to her forehead, her eyes, her cheeks, and her nose, each gesture declaring his love for her. Finally, his lips met hers, and they shared a lingering kiss, during which he poured out his affection. Afterwards, he gently threw off the covers and, lifting her nightgown, peppered kisses on her belly, where their unborn child was quietly growing, even though still invisible and imperceptible to the touch.
Elizabeth laughed. “You are pleased, dear husband?”
“Yes, inordinately pleased, dear wife,” he replied as he moved back up her body and kissed her lips again. “So very pleased, Elizabeth.”
CHAPTER 27
Just Punishments
Richard departed Netherfield early the following morning to visit Mr. Bennet. During one of several late-night conversations, the gentlemen discussed that the youngest Bennet girls would be adversely affected if it became known that the eldest had attempted to murder her sister. Therefore, Richard was prepared to present several options to Mr. Bennet regarding the consequences of Miss Bennet’s part in the attempted murder. While it was technically too early for a formal call, Major Fitzwilliam was in the uniform of His Majesty’s Army; it was unlikely he would be turned away.
When he arrived, Mrs. Hill graciously welcomed him into the house and promptly filled him in on the previous night’s events. “My mistress has not yet stirred from her bed, and I doubt she’ll leave her rooms today as she suffered a fit of nerves last night upon their return. Miss Jane remains in bed as well. However, the younger girls have already come down for breakfast. Mr. Bennet is already in his book room and was asleep when the ladies returned from the assembly. Either he did not hear or chose to ignore his wife’s hysterics.”
“Thank you for that information, Mrs. Hill,” Richard replied, extending a note to the housekeeper from Mrs. Darcy. She accepted it with a smile, and he continued, “Would you kindly announce my arrival to Mr. Bennet?”
Mrs. Hill was delighted to receive a note from her favourite of the Bennet daughters. Miss Lizzy, as she was affectionatelyknown among the servants, had always shown kindness, a trait she had inherited from her late grandmother, who taught her to value those who served the family. Mrs. Hill was pleased the young lady found a husband who appreciated her for who she was, and she secretly relished the fact that Miss Lizzy’s marriage caused discontentment for Mrs. and Miss Bennet.
Feeling this way about the family she served was unwise. They had a good position, and finding a new one at their age would be challenging. While their current situation was not perfect, it was better than many. Mrs. Bennet depended on her housekeeper more than necessary, but there were worse positions.
After introducing Major Fitzwilliam to Mr. Bennet, she read the letter, surprised and pleased at the offer of a position at Oakridge Manor. She tucked the note into the bodice of her dress, where it remained until that evening when she could discuss it with her husband.
In the study, Mr. Bennet was surprised at the announcement of a soldier into his bookroom. “Major Fitzwilliam, what can I do for you?” he asked.
“Are you aware that your eldest daughter has been plotting with a scoundrel and a rake to murder your second daughter?” he said without preamble.
Mr. Bennet peered at Major Fitzwilliam with a mixture of surprise and alarm. “Murder? That is quite an accusation. I find it hard to believe that any of my daughters—particularly my eldest—would engage in such a plot,” he replied, his voice full of scepticism.
Richard Fitzwilliam’s expression remained stern as he summarised the previous night’s events. “Miss Jane Bennet,your eldest daughter, attempted to poison Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy during a gathering at the Meryton Assembly. Fortunately, her scheme was thwarted, and her accomplice, George Wickham, is in custody. He will be dealt with quickly, as he has been a scourge upon both Derbyshire and London for years, but this has been his final act against the Darcys. However, your daughter’s actions are troubling. She conspired with Wickham here in this house to plot Mrs. Darcy’s demise under the misguided belief that she could claim her sister’s husband after her sister’s death. It appears she is not well-versed in the laws regarding siblings marrying.”
Mr. Bennet’s brows furrowed deeply as he absorbed this shocking information. “This is preposterous! Jane would never commit such a vile act nor consort with a scoundrel. I have met George Wickham; he is an amiable gentleman and has never given me a moment’s concern.” His initial disbelief was gradually giving way to complacency.
Richard chuckled. “How much time were you in the room when Wickham visited? According to those I have spoken with, Miss Bennet met with Wickham in the parlour while Mrs. Bennet sat across the room. Wickham, I must say, is a master of pretence. He masquerades as a gentleman, but in reality, he possesses neither wealth nor property and has a bleak future ahead. He can offer nothing of substance, only empty words and flattery.” He paused, observing the emotions flitting across Mr. Bennet’s face, which prompted him to adopt a gentler tone. “I understand that this may be difficult for you to accept, but the evidence against your daughter is compelling. We have witnesses and concrete evidence to support our claims, and she herself has admitted her involvement in this plot. Wickham was more than ready to let her take the fall, for he is and always will be a coward.”
