Page 27 of Midnight at Pemberley

Darcy took a sip of the port, taking time to weigh his words. “Unfortunately, I believe she did. It was a gruesome sight, especially for a gentlewoman such as Miss Elizabeth. If you ask if your daughter knew the person, I doubt it. Mr. Bingley did not recognize the woman’s face, and her clothes and appearance would indicate she was of the working class, not likely to be of Miss Elizabeth’s acquaintance.”

Mr. Bennet murmured, “I see.”

Mrs. Bennet sobbed audibly, and her younger daughters saw to her immediately.

Darcy planned what to say next. “The constable and possibly Colonel Forster will arrive soon to ask Miss Elizabeth some questions. She will require your support,” he said with authority.

“Naturally,” Mr. Bennet said as he stood. “Jane and Mary, I believe Elizabeth could use your assistance.”

“Yes, Papa.” And they were gone.

Mrs. Bennet’s lament became so agitated Mr. Bennet sent his wife to her room, along with Kitty and Lydia. “Give your mother a dose of her nerve draught,” he ordered.

When they were all removed, Mr. Bennet asked, “Was the woman murdered?”

“The body was badly mutilated. She did not die naturally, but I cannot say whether she died at the hands of a man or was attacked by a wild animal.” Darcy spoke in serious tones.

“Was Elizabeth chased by an animal or a man?” Mr. Bennet demanded.

Darcy did not know how to answer. “I saw no pursuer, Mr. Bennet, but from the reaction of the birds, I would suspect an animal.Yet, for Miss Elizabeth, the pursuit was very real and very harrowing.”

“Do you know where Elizabeth’s cloak might be, Mr. Darcy? She did not have it on when you brought her home. She wore your greatcoat.” Mr. Bennet provided Darcy the opportunity he required. He would use the cloak as his excuse to return to the body. He originally thought he would tell Mr. Bennet he would meet the constable before the man came to question Elizabeth. Now, he had a ready excuse. “Did she throw it at the pursuer? Was it ripped from her? It is a chilly morning. Lizzy would dress for the weather.” Mr. Bennet continued.

“I cannot say, Mr. Bennet. Your daughter did not wear a cloak when I found her. Perhaps she discarded it while she ran. In truth, the cloak was the least of my thoughts at the time.”

“I am thankful, Sir, that you and Mr. Bingley were there when Lizzy needed protection.” Tears misted the man’s eyes.

“Mr. Bennet, I believe I will ride out and see if Miss Elizabeth’s cloak can be located. I am confident the constable went to the scene first. Possibly, I can intercept him and ease the pain of the questions he will be asking your daughter. I would not wish Miss Elizabeth to suffer more distress than necessary.”

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. We are in your debt.” Mr. Bennet stood and Darcy followed.

“Miss Elizabeth appeared most insistent that I stay with her today, so I will not be gone long. Simply inform her I meant to find Mr. Bingley.” Darcy picked up his gloves from the entrance table. He had permission to leave, and time was short. “I will return within the hour.” And with that, he was gone.

In the saddle again, Darcy circled Longbourn House, hoping to find what he required in the barn or stables. If not, it would be necessary for him to ride to the manor house he and Elizabeth used for the fencing lessons and retrieve one of the swords. At length, he saw what he required resting beside a stack of firewood. Leaning down from the horse, he caught the short-handled ax with one hand. Turning the mount, he rode with a purpose. He must reach the woman’s body before Bingley brought the authorities. Viewing the woman’s corpse made him realize how fortunate he had been with both Georgiana and Elizabeth.

Reaching the site, Darcy surveyed the area before taking the ax from the saddle. No one could observe him unless they came the way he had from Longbourn. He still had time to right one of Wickham’s wrongs. He would not permit this victim to become one of the souls who roamed the earth for an eternity.

He bent by the body and forced himself to withdraw the cloak. From about his neck, he removed the cross. First, he touched it to the woman’s forehead. “In the name of the Father,” he began. Then her chin. “And of the Son,” he continued. Finally, he laid it between her breasts. “And of the Holy Ghost,” he whispered. “Dear God in heaven, take this woman’s soul and guard it from the evil it knew. Ask her to forgive me for what I must now do to her earthly form.”

He rose to his knees, where he might have more leverage. It took three sharp whacks of the ax to sever the head from the body, but he did so without remorse. Otherwise, the woman would become like Wickham, searching the land for innocent victims. With no blood circulating through her body, his task was a matter of bone and tendons. Afterwards, Darcy adjusted the head so it would appear as it had when he and Bingley examined the corpse. He retrieved his cross, covered the woman again with Elizabeth’s cloak, and mounted his horse to leave.

When he reached the cover of the tree line, Darcy looked back to view Bingley and Colonel Forster riding towards the site. Overweight and from shape, the constable lagged behind, but Darcy watched as the local sheriff joined the others. Bingley pulled back the cloak. All three stood mouths agape as they examined the body. Eventually, the colonel touched the head, and Darcy watched their reactions of shocked alarm.

After a few moments, during which he uttered another prayer, Darcy turned his horse towards the main road leading to Longbourn. He would meet Bingley’s party there once he hid the ax among some bushes along the road. When he came to Elizabeth this evening, he would return it to the woodpile.

“Darcy,” Bingley called when they saw him, “how is Miss Elizabeth?”

“The lady puts on a good face, but she suffers greatly.” Darcy said. “Please be kind to her, Sirs.”

“Naturally, Mr. Darcy. We will treat Miss Elizabeth with all decorum,” the sheriff declared.

“That is all I can ask.”

Chapter Seven

TRUE TO HIS WORD, THE CONSTABLE ASKED ONLY A FEW TACTFULLY phrased questions of Elizabeth. Her story echoed what Darcy and Bingley said earlier. During her interrogation, Darcy stood close, filling in details where she appeared uncertain. With Darcy’s impeccable reputation, Bingley’s new status in the neighborhood, and the presumed innocence of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, their retelling satisfied the law. Colonel Forster asked a few more probing questions, but they were nothing Darcy had not anticipated. When both gentlemen departed, Mr. Bennet issued an invitation to supper for Bingley and Darcy.

“We cannot impose, Mr. Bennet,” Bingley said quickly.