Chapter 14 #2
“Miss Elizabeth, I wished to let you know I have been keeping an eye on the place. No one has come about except the Longbourn servants. They were here early this morning to collect some clothing.” He gave a small nod to Millie.
“Thank you for your attention to the house. Have they been sending you meals?”
“Oh yes, ma’am. They brought over some this morning. Even a pie.” He seemed especially pleased with that.
“Very good. Please let us know if you see any trouble or have any concerns.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He tipped his hat and returned to the gatehouse.
As they continued toward the house, the smell of smoke was unmistakable, even in the open air.
When the carriage stopped, Harris opened the door. Darcy stepped down and helped Elizabeth and Millie.
Elizabeth turned to Harris. “Please see that the broken window in the book-room is boarded up. We do not need any animals or intruders in the house. Also, I would like to bring Bramble and Willow back to Netherfield when we leave.”
Harris nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I will get some men on that window right away.”
“Thank you.”
She started toward the house. “Millie, see if you can find some crates so we can bring the ledgers back to Netherfield.”
Millie nodded and headed toward the kitchen. Elizabeth continued into the house. The floorboards were still damp from the water thrown during the night.
Mrs. Hill walked up to her. “We are working on packing up more of the family’s clothing and personal items.”
“Mrs. Hill, I am glad to see you. Were any of the servants injured last night?”
“No, Miss Elizabeth, thank heaven. A few minor burns and scrapes, but nothing serious.”
When they entered the damaged passage, Elizabeth looked around carefully before turning to the housekeeper. “Good. And the fire was contained to this wing?”
“Yes, miss. The bucket line did its work, though the paneling and part of the ceiling are ruined.”
Drawing nearer she examined the wall. “Has the carpenter been sent for?”
“Yes, miss. Mr. Wilmot dispatched a rider at first light.”
“Excellent. We will also need a mason to examine the chimney before any fires are lit again.”
Darcy, who had been quietly observing, spoke. “You expected structural damage?”
Elizabeth glanced at the charred beams. “With heat such as this, it would be foolish not to assume it.”
Darcy gave a small nod of approval.
She studied the damage fa moment longer. “We should have men taking turns guarding the house. We do not want it looted.”
She paused briefly when she saw that one of her mother’s favorite chairs had been scorched along the arm.
Darcy watched as Elizabeth moved through the room, speaking calmly with the servants and examining the damage with a practical eye.
They continued toward the book-room. Elizabeth slowed as they reached the doorway. The door had been burned through and stood open. The smell of smoke was stronger here. Very little was left. The books were either burned or ruined from water.
Elizabeth gave a small sob as she surveyed the blackened room. Darcy took her hand but did not speak. He simply stood beside her. “Papa will be devastated. All his books are gone.”
She turned and continued to her writing room. This room, other than the smell of smoke, had not been touched by the fire. She began to pull ledgers out of the drawers and stack them on the desk. Millie came in with two crates, and between them they quickly packed the ledgers.
Elizabeth pointed to her writing desk. “I have room for this in my room at Netherfield. The men can bring this back on one of their trips.”
Darcy picked up one of the crates.
Elizabeth smiled. “You do not have to do that.”
Darcy shrugged. “I am already here. I may as well be of use.”
“Thank you. Your support has been much appreciated.”
The three of them started to walk out of the house.
***
They had only just left Longbourn when a carriage appeared coming down the lane. When it stopped, Sir William Lucas and Mr. Harding, the blacksmith, stepped out.
Sir William raised his hat. “Miss Elizabeth, I hope you will forgive the interruption. In my capacity as magistrate, I felt it my duty to speak with you.”
“Of course, Sir William. What is the matter?”
Sir William gestured toward the blacksmith. “Mr. Harding has recalled something which may be of interest regarding the events of yesterday.”
Harding shifted his cap in his hands. “Well, miss, I do not know as it means much, but I thought it best to mention it.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Please do.”
“I saw Mr. Wickham in Meryton the day he first came to town. He was speaking with you in the street, miss. When he walked away, he looked in a rare temper.”
Darcy’s expression became very still.
Harding continued, “I am sorry, miss. I meant to come and tell you, but then I was distracted when old Mr. MacDonald fell in the mess in the street.”
He paused briefly. “But after hearing about the fire, it came back to me.”
Sir William added gravely, “It may be nothing at all, but I believed it prudent that the matter should be noted.”
Elizabeth took a deep breath. “Mr. Wickham was here yesterday afternoon. He wished to speak with me. When I asked him to leave, he grabbed my wrist.”
Darcy’s hand closed into a fist at his side.
Elizabeth continued, “My father saw him from the book-room window and had the grooms haul him away. They locked him in the coal shed until the militia could retrieve him, which they did soon after.”
She looked at Darcy. “With the fire and all that followed, I gave it no further thought.”
His expression softened slightly. “Of course. You have had much on your mind.”
Sir William nodded. “I will go and speak with Colonel Foster.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Thank you, Sir William. And I appreciate your assistance, Mr. Harding.”
Darcy said in a low voice, “Mr. Wickham’s conduct is entirely consistent with what I have long known of him.”
Elizabeth glanced at him and saw, not composure, but something far less controlled.
***
“Charles, I cannot think it at all proper that the entire Bennet family should remain here for any great length of time.”
Charles replied cheerfully, “They will remain as long as necessary.”
Caroline persisted. “But surely some other arrangement might be made.”
“I believe Miss Elizabeth has already made the most sensible arrangement.”
Caroline frowned. “What arrangement?”
“She has relieved me of the rent entirely.”
Caroline blinked. “The rent?”
Bingley said it plainly. “The Bennets own Netherfield.”
Mrs. Hurst looked up from her book. “Well, Caroline, that does explain a great deal.”
“The Bennets own Netherfield?” Miss Bingley stared at her brother in astonishment. “You must be mistaken, Charles.”
“No mistake. Mr. Phillips has already delivered the cheque this morning.”
Caroline glanced toward the study door. “Did Mr. Darcy know this?”
“Oh yes,” Charles added cheerfully. “Darcy suspected as much some time ago."
Caroline said nothing. Her expression smoothed, though her fingers tightened on the arm of her chair.