Chapter 18
Chapter eighteen
Elizabeth entered the dining room the next morning and was relieved to find it empty. Her thoughts were too numerous and pressing to allow for easy conversation.
She went to the sideboard, selected eggs and a scone, and paused with quiet satisfaction at the sight of hot chocolate. After pouring a cup, she took her seat and sipped it slowly, considering what must be accomplished that day.
Mr. Collins soon entered. His expression altered immediately upon seeing her. He hastened to fill his plate and seated himself beside her.
“Miss Elizabeth, I am glad to have found you. I have long wished to speak with you. This business of your managing Longbourn cannot be true.”
Elizabeth took another measured sip of her chocolate.
Mr. Collins frowned, perplexity giving way to irritation. “Miss Elizabeth, are you attending to what I say?”
She turned her head slightly toward him. “Yes, I heard you.”
“Well then, what have you to say?”
Elizabeth met his gaze calmly. “Unless I am mistaken, sir, you did not ask a question. You made a statement.”
Mr. Collins huffed. “I expect you to pay attention when I speak.”
“Yes,” she replied evenly. “I had understood as much. And as I have already said, I heard you.”
She resumed her breakfast.
Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh entered the room and proceeded to the sideboard before taking their seats. Mr. Collins immediately offered his greetings.
Darcy, Bingley, and Jane followed shortly after and prepared their plates. Mr. Collins’s countenance tightened when Darcy seated himself on Elizabeth’s other side.
Elizabeth offered Darcy a faint smile.
He inclined slightly toward her. “Are you quite well, Miss Elizabeth?”
“I am well,” she said, though her voice was quieter than usual. “Only somewhat fatigued.” Her glance flickered briefly toward Mr. Collins.
Darcy followed it, his expression sharpening for a moment before he returned his attention to her with a small nod.
At that moment, a servant entered quietly and approached Elizabeth’s chair. “A note from Longbourn, Miss,” he said in a low voice.
Elizabeth set down her cup before taking the note. She broke the seal and read it quickly, her expression remaining composed, though her attention sharpened.
She folded the note with care. “Thank you. If the messenger is waiting, inform him I will be leaving for Longbourn shortly.”
“Yes, Miss.” The servant withdrew.
Darcy glanced at her, clearly aware that the matter was not insignificant, though he did not intrude.
Miss Bingley and the Hursts soon joined the party, and breakfast began in earnest.
“Miss de Bourgh was in Meryton yesterday,” Mrs. Hurst remarked. “I hear she ordered half a dozen gowns.”
Darcy looked up in surprise. “Miss de Bourgh?”
“Indeed. Miss Bennet accompanied her.”
Darcy said nothing, but the information struck him more forcibly than Mrs. Hurst could have intended. His glance toward Elizabeth held a new degree of consideration.
Lady Catherine turned to her daughter in astonishment. “You went shopping?”
Anne smiled, a quiet brightness in her expression. “It was the most enjoyable morning I have had in a very long time.”
Lady Catherine remained silent, as though the world had shifted in some unexpected direction.
Mr. Collins turned again to Elizabeth. “You ought not to have done such a thing without Lady Catherine’s permission.”
Elizabeth looked toward Anne. “May I ask your age, Miss de Bourgh?”
Anne smiled again. “I shall be five-and-twenty next month.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “I do not think a few new gowns will do her lasting harm.”
Mr. Collins stared at her in horror. “But Lady Catherine…”
Lady Catherine glanced dismissively at Mr. Collins, “I am quite capable of speaking for myself,”
Mr. Collins pressed on, though with less certainty. “Miss Elizabeth has displayed a degree of independence quite improper in a young lady.”
Miss Bingley gave a delicate smile. “I have observed the same.”
Lady Catherine turned her attention to Elizabeth. “I spoke with your mother earlier. She attributes a great deal of her present security to you.”
Elizabeth blinked. “My mother said that?”
“She did. With more sincerity than I expected.”
Elizabeth was silent for a moment. Despite her composure, a tear escaped. She brushed it away quickly. “I am… quite astonished.”
***
Elizabeth remained seated for a moment, her thoughts moving quickly. She turned slightly toward Mr. Darcy. “Mr. Darcy, I must return to Longbourn at once. There has been an incident requiring immediate attention.”
Darcy set down his fork without hesitation. “May I be of assistance?”
Elizabeth met his gaze. “You may. The matter concerns Mr. Wickham.”
A brief, unmistakable change passed over Darcy’s expression.
“I shall ride to Longbourn. It will be faster.”
Darcy stood immediately. “Then I will accompany you.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Thank you.”
Miss Bingley glanced between them, her smile tightening slightly.
Not long afterward, Elizabeth and Darcy were cantering side by side down the lane.
As they approached Longbourn, they paused at the gatehouse. Mr. MacDonald came out, with Patch close behind him. Patch wagged his tail enthusiastically and leapt about Elizabeth’s horse. Bramble merely flicked an ear and stood patiently.
Elizabeth nodded to Mr. MacDonald. “I understand we had some excitement last night.”
Mr. MacDonald nodded eagerly. “We did, ma’am. Patch found him quick enough, and your men trussed him up like a turkey. He has been complaining ever since.”
Darcy suppressed a brief chuckle.
Elizabeth smiled. “My thanks to Patch. He is evidently an excellent watchdog.”
Patch wagged his tail at the sound of his name.
They continued toward the house. Darcy dismounted and assisted Elizabeth down. Harris came forward to take the reins.
“He is inside, miss. Complaining all night.”
Elizabeth turned to him. “Send word to the camp. Ask for Captain Langley. Tell him Mr. Wickham has been found trespassing again on Longbourn land and is to be collected at once.”
Harris nodded and hurried off.
Elizabeth turned to Darcy. “Let us see our visitor.”
He offered his arm, and they entered the house together.
Darcy smothered a laugh at the sight of Wickham. He was indeed trussed like a turkey and had what appeared to be a sock in his mouth. Darcy’s expression hardened before he spoke. “Good morning, Wickham. Stirring up more trouble, I see.”
Wickham glared at him.
Elizabeth regarded him coolly. “Ordinarily I would have the gag removed, but I doubt he has anything of value to add.”
Wickham struggled indignantly but could not move far.
Elizabeth turned to one of the grooms. “Tell me the whole of it.”
He nodded. “It was a little past eleven, miss, when we heard Patch growling out front. We went out with a lantern and found him there. He tried to run, but we caught him quick enough. He was shouting a great deal of nonsense, so we used one of his socks to quiet him.”
Elizabeth noticed, for the first time, that one of Wickham’s feet was indeed without a sock. She allowed herself the smallest smile. “I see. Very well. He may remain as he is until the militia arrives. This is becoming an annoyingly regular occurrence.”
After some time, Harris was seen returning down the lane with several militia and Captain Langley.
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Thank you for coming.”
Captain Langley dismounted. “I regret that he has become such a nuisance. He will be confined at camp until Colonel Foster returns next week.”
They watched as two soldiers brought Wickham out. His legs were free, but his hands remained bound. The sock had been removed, and he was loudly complaining of his treatment.
Captain Langley regarded him with disgust. “You will be quiet, or I will have you gagged again.”
Wickham subsided, though his expression remained sullen.
The soldiers assisted him onto a horse, one keeping a firm hold of the lead.
Captain Langley mounted. “My thanks.” Soon they disappeared down the lane.
Elizabeth watched until they were out of sight. “That, I hope, will be the last of him.”
Darcy glanced at her. “I would not wager on it.”
Elizabeth allowed herself a small smile. “No, perhaps not. But he will find Longbourn far less welcoming in future.”
Darcy’s expression softened slightly. “As he should.”
***
Elizabeth turned to Darcy. "What time is it?"
Darcy drew out his watch. "Almost eleven."
She smiled. "Good. The wagons will be here shortly."
"You do not need to go, do you?"
She returned his smile. "No, not this time." She took a seat upon the front step, and he seated himself beside her.
After a few minutes, several riders and two wagons came down the lane.
They drew up near the stables, and the quiet of the morning gave way to purposeful activity.
Crates and barrels were soon being shifted and secured, voices calling to one another as the work proceeded with practiced efficiency.
When all was loaded, the wagons were covered with tarps and made ready for the road.
Elizabeth rose and walked to the first wagon. She spoke briefly with the driver before handing him a letter. The wagons set off, six escorts riding with them, some ahead and others following behind.
Elizabeth watched them go, a quiet satisfaction settling over her, then turned back to Darcy. "Do you feel inclined for a ride to Oakham Mount?"
Darcy rose at once. "It would be my pleasure."
***
Most of the party gathered in the drawing room after dinner. Kitty and Lydia had gone upstairs to remake one of Lydia’s bonnets.
Darcy sat beside Elizabeth upon the sofa. Jane and Bingley were seated nearby, engaged in quiet conversation. Miss Bingley, upon entering the room and observing both couples, frowned slightly before crossing to the pianoforte and beginning to play.
Lady Catherine, Anne, and Mrs. Bennet were seated near the fire, while Mr. Bennet remained close at his wife’s side.
Mr. Collins chose a chair near Elizabeth. “I must confess, Miss Elizabeth, I was surprised to learn that the Bennets now own Netherfield. I understand the stud farm is included as well.”
Elizabeth paused briefly, then inclined her head.
He leaned closer. “All the more reason your refusal of my offer was most ill-advised.”
Elizabeth restrained a look of impatience. “And why would you say that, sir?”
Mr. Collins gestured broadly about the room. “Because all this will one day be mine. Your promise to your mother of securing her future now appears rather hollow.”
Mrs. Bennet sat upright at this, turning toward her husband. Mr. Bennet reached over and calmly patted her hand.
Elizabeth shook her head. “You are mistaken. Netherfield and the stud farm are not part of the original entail. Their purchase does not alter that. The law is quite clear. We may dispose of them as we choose.”
Mr. Collins leaned forward again. “You are mistaken. You are a foolish young woman, and entirely ignorant of such matters.”
Darcy gave a quiet, unmistakable laugh. “On the contrary, sir, she appears very well informed. Netherfield and any subsequent acquisitions remain entirely at the family’s discretion.”
Mr. Collins looked between them, unsettled. “And Longbourn? Surely it will be rebuilt.”
Elizabeth’s expression did not change. “We have not yet decided. It would be imprudent to invest heavily in a property we cannot retain.”
Mr. Collins stared at her. “But where am I to live?”
Elizabeth sat back. “That, sir, is not my concern. You may begin saving your income or seek a mortgage.”
Mr. Collins flushed. “Mr. Bennet refused me access to the ledgers. How am I to know whether the estate is profitable? Or how the funds are being managed?”
Mr. Bennet rose slowly. “What we do with our finances is none of your concern.”
Mr. Collins stood as well, agitation rising. “I do not believe you. You mean to cheat me. That is why I sought the ledgers myself.”
The room stilled.
Mr. Bennet’s voice was quiet. “When did you do this?”
Mr. Collins hesitated, his color draining.
Mr. Bennet’s tone sharpened. “When?”
“The night of the fire,” Mr. Collins said at last. “I wished to examine them, since you would not permit it.”
“You entered my book-room.” Mr. Bennet stepped closer. “Go on.”
“I searched but could not find them. Only books. I set my candle down. I struck the table. The candle fell. The rug caught fire.”
A heavy silence filled the room. No one moved.
“And what did you do?” Mr. Bennet asked.
“I was afraid.” His voice dropped. “I ran. I left the house.”
Mr. Bennet’s face darkened. “Did you alert anyone?”
Mr. Collins shook his head.
Mr. Bennet closed the distance between them. “You left my family and my servants in a burning house?” His voice rose, controlled but fierce. “Did you mean for us all to perish?”
“No. No, I did not. I panicked. I did not know what to do.”
Mr. Bennet gave a short, sharp laugh. “The ledgers? You wish to know where they were kept?” He did not raise his voice, which made the words all the more cutting. “In my daughter’s writing room, where she has managed them for years.”
A brief, terrible pause followed.
Mr. Bennet pointed toward the door. “Out. I will not have you under my roof another moment. You will leave Netherfield immediately. Your belongings will be sent to the inn.”
He turned to the butler, who had appeared at the doorway. “Have the carriage brought round at once.”
Darcy exchanged a glance with Bingley. Without a word, the two gentlemen stepped forward and escorted Mr. Collins from the room.
The door closed behind them. Mr. Bennet sank slowly back into his chair, his expression a mixture of disbelief and restrained fury.
Anne turned to her mother. “Mama, they might have all been killed.”