Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“ H as my father told you of his plan?” Her face glowing, Cecilia addressed Elizabeth with a bright smile.
“He mentioned it briefly.” Elizabeth smiled at her friend, glad to see her looking much improved. They were in Lord and Lady Matlock’s house, drinking tea. “Are you pleased?”
She nodded. “My father has promised that he will persuade Fulford to allow me to leave. How, I do not know, and nor do I care. I think it was fear that I might have to return to my husband that made me ill, for ever since my father spoke to me of his plans, I have felt much better.”
“Does Colonel Fitzwilliam know?”
“My father has written to him, and I await his reply. I expect he will be delighted. He told me recently that he has lost all interest in his military career, and he was beginning to fear that he might have to set his cap at a wealthy heiress to escape it. ‘A battle unlike any other,’ he said.” She smiled again. “But now there is no need. There is a woman he loves, but she has little fortune. Once he has established himself at the estate, I believe he will propose. It will not be an extravagant life, but it will be comfortable.”
“What will you do when they are married?” Elizabeth asked.
“I shall continue to live with them and endeavour to keep out of their way. It may sound rather slow after living in London, but I anticipate my husband will meet his end sooner rather than later, and then I hope I shall have a second chance at happiness. Until that happens, I have resolved to embrace every day that I am not in my husband’s presence.” She gave Elizabeth a sly glance. “Besides, the house is not so far from Pemberley, and I am sure you will agree it is large enough for me to stay without disturbing you should my brother wish me gone. You would hardly know I was there!”
Elizabeth gave an embarrassed laugh at the mention of Pemberley’s impressive size, wondering how it would feel to be mistress of such a large estate.
“I am certain that Darcy will welcome you as much as I.”
“When will you be married?”
When the threats and harassment are finally over, she thought with a pang of anxiety before replying, “We shall set the date once Darcy has completed some business affairs. We have spoken of the summer.”
“I am envious, you know.” Cecilia regarded Elizabeth affectionately. “You are marrying a man you truly love.”
The man you love. As the words came from Cecilia’s mouth, they breathed life into the secret that had lain deep within Elizabeth’s heart. She is correct. I love him. How could it be that she had never named it—not even to herself–until now. Mr Bull’s actions may have thrown us together, but I cannot imagine my life without Darcy. Overwhelmed by the sudden rush of emotion, her eyes filled with tears.
“Goodness, you goose! Do not tell me that you have become a weepy miss. I may have to reconsider my plans to stay with you and Darcy.”
Elizabeth laughed and brushed away her tears. A movement behind Cecilia caught her attention, and she started. In the doorway, as though a genie had granted her heart’s dearest wish, stood Darcy.
“Cecilia, I need to speak to Elizabeth privately.”
“Good day to you, too, Cousin,” Cecilia said, rolling her eyes. “I am feeling a great deal better. Thank you for your enquiry regarding my health.”
“Forgive me,” he said, his tone slightly impatient. “I shall give you every sympathy in just a moment, but I have news I must share with Elizabeth.”
“How fortunate for you that I wish to be in your good books.” She gave Elizabeth a sly wink and left the room.
Darcy looked weary, but there was none of the anxious fatigue she was used to seeing. His strong jaw was set firm, his back straight, and his shoulders square.
“What news do you have?” she said, eager for his response.
“Georgiana has been saved,” he said quietly.
An enormous relief filled Elizabeth, and in an instant, she was standing by him, his hands in hers. “Oh, thank God! How? What happened?”
“I found Thorpe with Mrs Wilder. She confessed that she used my idiot of a cousin as a means of securing valuable information to send to the Morning Gazette . From what she told me, I deduced that the editor, Mr Calvert, and Mr Bull were the same man. She has been passing information about you to him—I imagine that is how he knew that you would be at the museum. I went to his address to confront him, but he was not there.”
Elizabeth drew her brows together. “Then how can you be sure Georgiana is safe? I understand that Mr Bull was behind the gossip published about us, but how was he involved with the threats to your sister?”
“He has a habit of finding information and using it to exploit those around him for money. I suspect that was why he was so keen to speak to Wickham. Thorpe has long known that I no longer considered Wickham a friend, and I believe he heard Fitzwilliam and I speaking of Wickham after Georgiana’s near-elopement. No doubt Thorpe mentioned it to Mrs Wilder, who shared it with Mr Bull, which led to him seeking out Wickham. When I have an opportunity, I intend to ask Thorpe if he recalls telling her about Wickham, but it is more for my own curiosity at this point.”
“But how do you know the threats will end?”
“Mr Bull had already been apprehended,” he explained. “Apparently, someone took it upon themselves to write anonymous letters detailing Mr Bull’s actions and providing a description of him. They were sent to those whose names have been tarnished in the Morning Gazette ’s vile gossip column. It appears that Mr Bull has provoked the ire of many influential people, and the letters were enough to prompt them into action. Presently, he is incarcerated and lies injured at Bow Street.”
Elizabeth felt the blood drain from her face. Darcy caught sight of her expression and added, “It is no less than he deserves. He has evaded justice for too long.”
She quietly agreed. “Will there be a court case? Do you think any of Georgiana’s past will be revealed?”
“I do not think we need to involve ourselves with any more of this sordid business. The magistrate's office was flooded with complaints about Mr Bull. I believe his crimes against you and Georgiana will be buried under the weight of everyone else’s. That is my intention, certainly, and I shall instruct my solicitor to do what he can to ensure it. I shall give my support in a private capacity, but there are far more pressing matters that preoccupy my mind.” He caressed her cheek and smiled at her. “What an enormous stroke of good luck that this benevolent letter-writer should have chosen this week to act. He—or perhaps I should say she —has prevented my sister from suffering the most acute pain. I am quite in their debt. However shall I show them my gratitude?”
Every one of his handsome features radiated a tender warmth, and Elizabeth’s knees felt weak. Wrapping an arm about her waist, he pulled her against him.
Elizabeth’s cheeks warmed and, suddenly feeling shy, her eyes dropped to the floor. “I-I…”
“No more secrets,” he murmured.
She returned her eyes to his and saw within them her future. “No more secrets,” she whispered, and, raising her lips to his, she allowed herself to be swept into his loving embrace.