Page 72 of Her Affections and Wishes

“Not so ill that I will give such critical evidence from my chamber in a dressing gown. Tell him I will be ready in half an hour.”

His valet left, and Darcy looked at Jane. “Do not tell Elizabeth yet about giving evidence. She ought not to worry about such a thing whilst she recovers.”

Darcy parted from her and carefully made his way into the house. He would demand from the magistrate that Elizabeth be spared questioning until she was fully healed. He was so extremely fearful of any ill consequence to her from an interview with himself that he would not press for it at all, nor encourage her in the hope that he would see her in spite of the surgeon’s warning.

Although not seeing Elizabeth was ripping out his heart.

“After Mr Henry Tessier directed our attention to the cart, I then saw Lady Metcalfe try to push a bundle onto the turf. When she moved to get a better grip, I saw feet and realised it was a person.” Darcy’s voice caught. They had been so close to tragedy.

“And you ran across the turf and climbed into the cart?”

“Yes,” Darcy answered. The magistrate, Mr Cole, and his secretary were in the former’s library. He had given his statement regarding the arsenic and was now explaining the horrific moments before Elizabeth was nearly tossed in front of the horses. “I climbed in and pushed back Lady Metcalfe from Miss Bennet, who was still wrapped in the horse rug.”

“Did she strike you?”

“I do not remember specifically. She did try to fight past me to get to Miss Bennet, but the horses had already run by. Two other men climbed in to help restrain her, and they removed her from the cart whilst another man tied her arms behind her back.”

“Did Lady Metcalfe say anything to you?”

“She screamed in outrage. After I untied and cut free Miss Bennet with a knife one of the spectators handed me, Lady Metcalfe said—” Painful memories intruded, and the swell of sickness sweeping over him had nothing to do with the arsenic. “That getting Miss Bennet out of the way gave her daughter time to secure my affections instead. And she said that once I married her daughter, she could then marry Mr Travers, whom she referred to by his given name.”

Darcy sat back in his chair as Mr Cole’s secretary scribbled away. His account was accurate, but would Elizabeth be sensible enough to give a sworn statement or appear in court? If only he could put his arms around Elizabeth and know for himself how she was.

“We have all we need from you at the present,” said the magistrate, looking over his notes.

“How strong is your case against Lady Metcalfe if Miss Bennet cannot recall what happened?”

Mr Cole’s face fell in sympathy. “I hope her concussion is not severe, but it will not matter. The witness accounts and their characters are unassailable. Regardless, Lady Metcalfe has admitted to me and in others’ hearing to wanting to poison Miss Bennet and see her dead on the turf. She admitted to having Miss Bennet’s trunks hidden in her carriage to make everyone think she left Woodcote alone and was missing.” The magistrate gave him a reassuring smile. “This is all just a formality, I promise you.”

“When will the case be heard?”

“I am determined to be ready for the summer assizes in Guildford.”

That was not a long time to wait for this affair to be over. “Where is Lady Metcalfe whilst she awaits trial?”

“In deference to her rank, Lady Metcalfe is staying in the gaoler’s home. But tomorrow she will be moved to Horsemonger Lane Gaol to await her trial.” Mr Cole gave a little smile. “I doubt the accommodations will be as good as she has here.”

“Will anyone ask the King’s Bench for a writ to let her out on bail?” He hated the edge of fear that crept into his voice. If she was free, he would hire an army of men to guard Woodcote until Elizabeth could be safely moved to Pemberley.

“No. Her husband is dead, and her remaining family fears the scandal by association.”

“Did Mr Travers not speak for her?” He might not marry her, but he could wish for her to await her trial outside of the county gaol.

“The lover?” Mr Cole asked, surprised. “No. I am sending someone to Sanford Court to intercept him to see what he knew about her schemes.”

Darcy suspected he knew nothing. He was an ignorant, uncurious man without loyalty or love.

Mr Cole’s secretary gathered his papers, and Mr Cole offered Darcy his carriage to return him to Woodcote. Darcy thanked him, but could not help but ask, “But you are certain she will be found guilty?” How could he sleep at night if Lady Metcalfe somehow walked free?

“Mr Darcy, she boasted of her wish to see Miss Bennet trampled at Epsom. I questioned her thoroughly, and she did not deny what she had done. The Crown will take it all from here. You will be called to testify in court. Miss Bennet too, but it will be a mere formality. You will be in and out in half an hour. This deposition took longer, I promise you.”

Darcy followed him toward the door, then asked in a rush, “May I speak to Lady Metcalfe?”

It felt like a peculiar request, but the magistrate quickly agreed. “Hundreds will turn out for her execution, or if she is deemed insane, then hundreds will gawk at her in Bedlam. I will have my carriage take you to the gaol before returning you to Woodcote.”

In a quarter of an hour he was in the gaoler’s home, awaiting Lady Metcalfe to be brought down. Why was he doing this? Resolution? To satisfy a vengeful part of himself to see her confined and defeated? Elizabeth would not have come here, that was for certain. As liberal as he was, she had a more generous heart than he did.

The gaoler escorted her in with a firm grip on her arm, and after making sure the other parlour door was locked, said he would await them in the lobby. Darcy would have preferred to see Lady Metcalfe in rags in a gaol cell rather than in a plain day gown with her hair done in a sunny parlour. He did not trouble himself to bow, and she did not trouble herself to sit.