Page 74 of Shields and Roses

Darcy had just helped Miss Elizabeth and Miss Lucas settle comfortably onto a settee against one wall in the music room when Bennet came in.

"Was it Wickham?" he asked Darcy as he walked quickly to his daughter's side.

"Yes," said Darcy, picking up a chair and bringing it over for the older man.

"Wickham?" Miss Lucas asked. "No, it was Lieutenant Brickham who attacked Lizzy."

Bennet settled gratefully into the chair, looking at Miss Elizabeth with concern as he reached to take her hands in his. Darcy explained to the ladies.

"You know him as Lieutenant Brickham, but he is actually George Wickham. I have known him all my life, since his father was my father's steward and he is my father's godson. More importantly, he is in the employ of my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Mr. Bennet, Wickham injured Miss Elizabeth's throat, so she is having difficulty speaking, and he hit Miss Lucas with his pistol."

Patting his daughter's hands gently, Bennet nodded and replied, "I have had Mrs. Hill send for the apothecary in addition to all the other requests she is fulfilling. Richard will have his cart and men as quickly as they can get it hitched up and out there, and Sir William will be notified to join us here. Charlotte, are you able to tell me what happened?"

Miss Lucas started to nod but thought better of it. She leaned her head back against the wall behind the settee to steady herself. "Lizzy and I had walked both sides of the river trail, crossing from my side at the wooden bridge. We reached the lane on your side of the stone bridge and were just about to part ways when Lieutenant Brickham, or Wickham, I suppose, jumped out from behind one of the trees. We were too surprised to react quickly, and before we knew it, he had caught Lizzy round the neck with his arm and attempted to drag her away. I tried to help free her, but he knocked me aside. I think that was when Richard, I mean Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Mr. Darcy arrived. Everything was a bit blurry just then." She looked to Darcy for assistance.

"I knocked Wickham away from Miss Elizabeth," he said, "and knocked him down again when he tried to use his pistol. He was very angry and admitted his intent had been to carry Miss Elizabeth away, turn her over to Collins and collect a reward from Aunt Catherine. After relieving him of his pistol, Richard and I threw him into the overgrown rosebush by the wall. Richard stayed to prevent him getting away, but I doubt Wickham has gotten out of that thorny prison yet."

Miss Elizabeth nodded and Miss Lucas said, "It was no less than he deserved."

"I agree," said Bennet grimly, "although it is still less than he will get when Sir William and I have words with his commanding officer. No one attacks our girls and gets away with it. I will drive with Sir William into the village once the apothecary has arrived and assessed your condition."

"No, Papa," Miss Elizabeth said hoarsely.

"Yes, my dear," Bennet replied firmly. "Although I have every faith in Richard's ability to impress Colonel Forster with the seriousness of the situation, this is one of those times when I must see the problem through in person. I would ride to London, if necessary, to ensure justice was served in this instance. The well-being of both you girls is too precious for me to do any less."

Darcy thought Miss Elizabeth might protest again, but she gave her father a searching look before closing her eyes and leaning back against the settee again.

"Thank you for your timely aid, Mr. Darcy," Bennet said. "It seems that, despite the delays you suffered on the journey here, you were still just in time to do what was needed."

Miss Elizabeth opened her eyes again and, for the first time, looked directly at Darcy. "Thank you," she mouthed. Darcy bowed in response.

Mrs. Hill appeared in the doorway. "I have a room prepared for Miss Lucas," she said. "And some hot water is in your room so you can wash up, Mr. Darcy."

Darcy looked down at himself and realized he had gotten his hands dirty and received a scattering of leaves and other debris on his clothes during the scuffle with Wickham. He wondered how dirty his face had gotten. He felt a little embarrassed at Miss Elizabeth seeing him in such a state. He glanced her way to find her still looking directly at him. When their eyes met, she smiled shyly at him, obviously recognizing his consternation. He immediately felt better.

"Thank you, Mrs. Hill," he said. "Shall I help the ladies to their rooms so they can await the arrival of the apothecary?"

"I think Lizzy can stay down here with me until then," Bennet said. "We will go to my study. It is probably most proper if Mrs. Hill assists Miss Lucas, although it might be good if you follow closely behind them on the stairs, just in case. When you are ready to come back down, please join us in the study."

Darcy nodded before offering a hand to help Miss Lucas stand. She accepted his help and cautiously rose from the seat. After escorting her to Mrs. Hill, he turned back and bowed once more to Miss Elizabeth and her father. "Until later, then," he said. As he followed Mrs. Hill and Miss Lucas out of the room, he realized that the first reunion with Miss Elizabeth was successfully past, but the awkwardness would remain until they had a chance to talk together in something resembling privacy. He wondered how long it would be before that happened.

Chapter 39: Awkward

Privacy was something that seemed to be in very short supply for the rest of the day. Any chance of talking about matters with Miss Elizabeth grew more unlikely as the afternoon wore on.

While Darcy did not exactly dawdle over washing his face and hands and trading his travel and battle-stained clothing for clean garb, he did take enough time to make certain he looked presentable. That meant it was longer than he expected before he left his room. Apparently, the apothecary lived close by, and the messenger had made quick work of summoning him, for Mr. Jones arrived just as Darcy was descending the stairs intending to join Miss Elizabeth and her father in the study.

When Mrs. Hill saw who was at the door, she allowed the man in and then turned Darcy. "Mr. Darcy, may I present Mr. Jones, the local apothecary. Mr. Jones, this is Mr. Darcy of Derbyshire. He is Colonel Fitzwilliam's cousin."

The two men acknowledged one another with polite bows as Mrs. Hill continued. "Mr. Darcy, I will take Mr. Jones upstairs to attend to Miss Lucas. If you are returning to Mr. Bennet's study, would you please tell him Mr. Jones is here? As soon as I can, I will send a maid to escort Miss Lizzy up to her room so he can attend to her after he sees Miss Lucas."

"Of course, Mrs. Hill," Darcy replied. "Mr. Jones, it is a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, Mr. Darcy," said the apothecary.

While Darcy was glad both ladies would be attended to quickly, he had been hoping for some time to clear the air with Miss Elizabeth, even if he had to do so with her father present. A few minutes were better than nothing, so he made his way quickly to the study.

"Was that Mr. Jones who just arrived?" Mr. Bennet asked after inviting Darcy to enter.