Mr. Bennet’s face turned ashen as the gravity of the situation sank in. “What will become of Jane? You say Wickham will be punished?” he inquired, his voice trembling.
“Yes, whether he likes it or not, George Wickham has chosen to enlist in the Navy, and he will be sent to sea; I sincerely doubt he will survive for long. As for Miss Bennet, we are considering options for her punishment. Personally, I would like to see her jailed and tried. Fortunately for the two, their attempt was unsuccessful and could not have been, as they chose the wrong poison. Belladonna would take several doses to kill, and the amount they poured into Mrs. Darcy’s glass would have allowed her a good night’s sleep but little else,” Richard informed the gentleman.
Mr. Bennet sighed in relief, but this weight hung heavily around him as he contemplated potential consequences for his family. “Will she be tried?” he asked, his voice small.
“My cousins are deeply concerned about the potential repercussions for the Gardiners and the younger Bennet girls if Miss Bennet were to face a public trial for her involvement in this plot,” Richard replied, his tone hardening. “However, even if we were to avoid that, it would not entirely resolve the underlying issue. The crux of the matter, sir, lies with your wife. She has convinced her eldest daughter that she is the only one worthy of attention and that her beauty entitles her to anything she desires. She desires a wealthy suitor, and given my cousins’ considerable estates, she has set her sights on them, regardless of the collateral damage. She was willing to go as far as attempting to murder her own sister, all in the misguided belief that she could take her place. Frankly, that delusional thinking suggests someone who has lost touch with reality and perhaps should be in a place like Bedlam.”
“Bedlam?” Mr. Bennet gasped. “Surely not that awful place.”
“Your daughter’s intention last night, Mr. Bennet, was to kill Mrs. Darcy,” Richard stated firmly. “Had she been more intelligent or chosen a more capable accomplice, she might not have hesitated to go through with murdering her sister. Miss Bennet handed Mrs. Darcy a glass of wine, fully aware that Wickham had laced it with poison. She did not know that the poison would not work as intended. And when Mrs. Darcy declined the glass, she willingly allowed my cousin to drink from it. She did not object or utter a word to prevent him.”
Mr. Bennet paled considerably. “I … I cannot believe it. And you say my wife is likewise to blame?” he replied, his voice small and unsteady.
“Do you not know what happens in your household, sir?” Richard demanded angrily. He was growing frustrated with this weak man and was ready to throw him into Bedlam along with the ladies.
Mr. Bennet laughed bitterly. “Apparently not,” he replied. “What would you have me do?”
Richard blinked at the man’s sudden acquiescence. “Have you ever met your successor?” he asked.
“Mr. Collins?” Bennet inquired, his expression blank, curious about the abrupt change of subject.
“Yes,” was the succinct reply.
“The Mr. Collins I knew passed away a year or two ago. His son, last I heard, was finishing his studies at Oxford,” Mr. Bennet responded.
“He is a solicitor in London, a good one, diligent in his dealings. My cousin, your son-in-law, knows him well, having worked with him on several occasions when he was a barrister,” Richard said. “You obviously care little for your estate, and your wife and eldest daughter no longer deserve to live as gentlewomen. My father has a small cottage in Scotland where Mrs. and Miss Bennet could live, along with a servant or two, but with very little company. Miss Bennet would likely never marry, and the two could live on the income from Mrs. Bennet’s portion. You could remain here in the dower’s cottage or accompany your wife and daughter.”
“What of the younger girls?” Mr. Bennet asked.
“As I understand it,” Richard continued, “you have already entrusted Miss Mary Bennet to the care of the Gardiners, and the youngest two will be invited to Pemberley with my youngest cousin. Georgiana Darcy is of a similar age to Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia, and the three could greatly benefit from each other’s company. Georgiana has a governess, and your youngest daughters would join her in lessons, ensuring they receive a proper education instead of remaining as they presently are. They have shown remarkable initiative in this situation, and their warnings alerted my family to the plot against them. My cousins wish to reward them by offering them an education and broader opportunities than they would find here. It is clear that your wife has been an indifferent teacher, sir.”
“If I were to go to Scotland with my wife, what would become of the estate?” Mr. Bennet asked.
“Mr. Collins could come here and begin learning how to run it,” Richard replied. “As easily as he learned his trade, he would no doubt have an easy time learning to master the estate, and he could hire a steward to assist him. I will warn you, sir, thatregardless of your choice, my family will take steps to ensure Mr. Collins is granted this estate sooner. We will not allow you to continue as you are. If you would like to remain here and help instruct your cousin on running the estate, I dare say that could work well for everyone, but I am determined to see you surrender its control.”
Mr. Bennet felt a sense of gravity in the Major’s words, and even someone as detached as he could discern the unwavering determination in the Major’s demeanour. Richard Fitzwilliam was not a man one would want to challenge, and certainly not Mrs. Bennet.
“Do as you must; I shall not object,” Mr. Bennet replied. “Who will be the bearer of this news to my wife and eldest daughter?”
“The responsibility falls to a man, so I doubt you are suited for the task,” Richard snapped. “I will handle it, and my men will maintain their places outside your home to ensure no one departs without our knowledge. Your wife and daughter will not evade these consequences.”
Mr. Bennet simply nodded his acquiescence. The major silently exited the room and conferred with Mrs. Hill and his men before departing from the estate. Mrs. Hill would notify them when the women descended from their rooms, and a carriage would arrive later to convey the younger girls to Netherfield for an afternoon visit. Elizabeth wished to have a conversation with them, extending the invitation to Pemberley and discussing the family’s plans.
Early that same morning,Wickham was conveyed to London with two guards riding alongside him. He was given the option of Newgate or a Navy ship, and the fool chose a life at sea. Unfortunately for him, the captain he was assigned to was well known to Richard and had been given strict orders to ensure he did not leave his quarters until they were well out to sea. Given Wickham’s propensities to take what was not his to take, Richard had discussed with his friend that England would be well served were Wickham to meet with a watery grave. Neither man felt the least guilty over this, as both were military men familiar with military justice. Nor did Richard want to subject the Darcy family to the notoriety that would accompany a trial—Hertfordshire was much too close to Town that the attempted murder of such a well-connected gentleman would surely garner much publicity.
Wickham had not gone quietly. He had vociferously protested and railed against what he considered an injustice until the men accompanying him finally resorted to silencing him by using his own, rather soiled, cravat as a gag. Not another word escaped his lips until they reached London. He kicked and struggled throughout the journey, from being forcibly carried onto the ship until he was unceremoniously thrown into the brig, where the door was locked shut. There he remained for a week until one night, he was encouraged to “escape” from the brig when his food was delivered, only to find himself on the deck of a ship. He never even saw what had struck him, hurling him intothe unforgiving waters somewhere in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean. His absence went unnoticed by the rest of the sailors for several days, as he had stubbornly persisted in his complaints about his treatment and had refused to join the men in their duties.
CHAPTER 28
Oh, Jane
Richard’s report of Mr. Bennet’s continued indolence was no surprise to anyone at Netherfield, especially concerning his reluctance to communicate the consequences to his wife and daughter for their actions. It was evident to all that Elizabeth could not—nor should she—bear the burden of delivering such news to women who clearly detested her. Once again, the responsibility fell upon Richard, but this time, he would be accompanied by Lady Anne and George Darcy. The family believed that the presence of a titled lady and a wealthy landowner might aid in enlightening these women about the folly of their opinions regarding their worth.
The meeting proved to be challenging. Jane welcomed her guests into the room with a saccharine tone as they were ushered in. After the obligatory introductions and initial pleasantries were exchanged, she inquired with feigned sweetness, “How may I be of assistance to all of you today?”
The major was the first to speak. “We will wait on your mother. I know the housekeeper sent for her, but we need to speak to you both.”
Jane looked suspiciously at the rugged man dressed in uniform and pondered his presence in the room. Opting to disregard him, she turned her attention to Mr. Darcy instead. With a facade of innocence, she inquired, “Has my sister managed to cause any trouble for your family? I wouldn’t be surprised; she has always been quite headstrong. It’s fortunate for you thatyour mother can still be the hostess of your home, sparing you from having to depend on her. I assume you will seek a wife soon, someone who can follow in your dear mother’s footsteps.” She attempted a coquettish flutter of her eyelashes, believing it to make her more appealing to the gentlemen.
