Vol 2, Chapter 10 #3
“What do you suggest, Darcy?” Bennet asked.
“We should have Mrs. Younge return with a doctor and some footmen dressed like brigands. Once the doctor hears what it is Miss Bingley is ordering, he will be able to commit her to Bedlam,” Darcy suggested.
Bennet cogitated for a minute. “That is a sound plan, Darcy. You are willing to assist, and you expect nothing in return?” Bennet looked at Mrs. Younge and saw the deep relief and sincerity of her willingness in her mien.
“Yes, your Grace, I am,” Mrs. Younge responded succinctly. “There is one thing I would ask of Mr. Darcy, but my help is not contingent on his granting my request.”
“Ask,” Darcy allowed.
“If your sister will hear it from me, I would like to apologise to her for my reprehensible actions against her. If you and any others wish to be present, I will understand, but I cannot but despise my own actions, more so when I saw the truth of the man I was being used by, but even before that I was ashamed of myself.” Mrs. Younge asked quietly.
“I will speak to my sister. If she allows it, I will agree,” Darcy stated.
The Duke summoned the butler and asked him to request Dr. Bartholomew and three of the new footmen-guards join them. It was an unexpected luxury that Bedford House had a resident physician who cared for everyone in the household from the lowest scullery maid on up.
“Your Grace,” the doctor bowed as he was followed in by three large men. Between the Duke and Darcy the task was explained to the men who departed with Mrs. Younge, after changing into old street clothes.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“You have done very well, Mrs. Younge,” Miss Bingley cackled.
“Thank you, Miss Bingley. Explain exactly what you require to these men, and they will make sure you receive what you deserve,” Mrs. Younge stated, the double meaning missed by Miss Bingley who had lost all ability to reason—not that she ever had any.
“You know the new Duke of Bedford,” she spat out, and the doctor nodded without comment. “On the first of May, the one that ruined my life is to be married in the church at their former, insignificant estate of Longbourn, near the nowhere town of Meryton in Hertfordshire.”
“What of it?” Bartholomew prodded.
“Once the bride is inside, I want all doors barred so no one may escape, then I want you to set fire to the church. After, I also want you to burn down their manor houses of Longbourn and Netherfield,” Miss Bingley instructed, her blissfully maniacal look truly alarming the doctor.
“What of all of the other people who will die?” the doctor asked.
“I do not care. They all deserve to die for they stole what is mine!” she shrieked.
The doctor stood up. “I have heard more than enough, Miss Bingley. I am Dr. Bartholomew, and I find you insane and hereby consign you to Bedlam.” He nodded to two of the men, the third produced a straitjacket.
Before Miss Bingley realised it, she was secured and no amount of invectives or attempts to shake herself free made a difference.
The doctor nodded to the third man who gagged the woman, and then the men carried her down to the waiting cart in front of the widow’s house.
“Miss Bingley is ill, hysterics it seems.” Mrs. Younge informed the landlady.
“She will not be renewing her rental after the two months are completed.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The doctor and Mrs. Younge returned to Bedford House to report the threat had been eliminated.
After the doctor made his report, he vacated the office.
“I understand there was close to ten thousand pounds of the woman’s fortune remaining in the apartments.
As you could have taken the money and simply disappeared, it shows your determination to change.
Miss Bingley’s money will be sent to her aunt in Scarborough.
I understand she purchased a carriage; the cash value will be sent to her aunt as well.
In recognition of the good deeds you have done without the expectation of reward I am gifting you ten thousand pounds and the carriage.
After you speak to Miss Darcy, if she allows it, take the money and the carriage, and live a good life Mrs. Younge,” the Duke granted.
Mrs. Younge was rendered speechless! Once she regained her ability to speak, she thanked the Duke profusely and swore she would live an honest life.
The next day, before they departed for Hertfordshire, Georgiana Darcy, with William and the Duke of Bedford at her side, listened to Mrs. Younge apology, which was judged to be sincere, and forgiveness was granted.
Mrs. Younge travelled from London to Fowey in Cornwall where her brother was a fisherman.
She used part of her windfall to buy a small structure she turned into a school for young ladies, regardless of social standing.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Some six weeks later, in New York, Bingley received a letter from his solicitor in Scarborough telling him of his sister’s confinement to Bedlam. Neither Charles Bingley nor Louisa Hurst was overly surprised by the news.