Chapter 15 Darkness
Rosings Park, Kent
Darcy
"You have news to impart, Richard," Darcy closed the letter he was perusing and turned to his cousin, who entered the chamber with a solemn expression.
"Yes, Darcy, I have news. I received a letter from Colonel Forster.
Wickham is going to be on trial any day now.
He has been charged with two offences - desertion and eluding creditors.
I had provided the evidence of all the debts you held over Wickham to Colonel Forster.
I believe our old friend shall finally face the consequences for all he has done. "
Darcy offered no immediate response. His mind went back to the handsome, bright-eyed boy with whom he had spent his childhood. He was feeling let down.
"Darcy, you must not shoulder the blame. Wickham's actions warrant retribution," Richard, as always, saw through him.
"I know that, Richard. But that doesn't mean I am not saddened by this. My father cherished him as a son. What do you think his punishment is going to be?" Darcy inquired.
“I cannot speak with absolute certainty. Desertion during a time of war is legally punishable by death. However, it is rarely enforced, especially in the Militia. The charges of debts exceeding five thousand pounds could seriously incriminate Wickham, though. It would not astonish me if they decide to execute him. Or, if he is fortunate, they may deport him to one of the colonies, most likely the Caribbean or Australia,” Richard replied in a subdued voice.
Darcy's heart sank. Richard's intuition was typically correct in matters such as these. It seemed that Wickham was finally going to pay for his sins.
Forgive me, father. I tried to help him. But he never made an effort.
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
Elizabeth
Elizabeth pondered the conversation she had just had with Mrs. Goulding.
Whenever Mrs. Goulding visited the Bennets, primarily to keep her mother company, she always tried to engage with Elizabeth as well.
Typically, their discussions revolved around the various occurrences in Meryton.
However, on this occasion, Mrs. Goulding seemed preoccupied with her son, Mr. Mathew Goulding, who had recently returned after completing his education.
All of Elizabeth's recollections of Mr. Mathew Goulding were from their childhood.
He had been an unassuming and ordinary boy, who preferred the company of his fellow boys over engaging in play with girls.
Consequently, their interactions during those early years had been infrequent.
In stark contrast, his brother, Mr. Augustus Goulding, was much more amiable and talkative.
The Gouldings possessed a modest estate with three or four tenants.
The estate also had a charming dowager house, with a beautifully maintained front garden that Elizabeth found attractive.
Mr. Goulding displayed genuine concern for his estate and tenants.
However, he adhered to traditional landowning practices, resisting the acquisition of knowledge regarding new farming techniques.
Consequently, while the estate never faced any significant trouble, it was not considered prosperous.
Elizabeth settled back on her bench as her thoughts turned to Charlotte’s latest letter, which informed her of Miss Anne De Bourgh’s untimely demise.
Elizabeth had not engaged in much conversation with Miss De Bourgh during her time in Kent.
However, she felt sympathy for the frail, petite lady who, to her understanding, led a sheltered existence.
The letter also detailed Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam's presence at Rosings, which caused Elizabeth's mind to immediately recall the handsome, dark-haired gentleman who had regarded her with a defeated countenance on that fateful evening at Hunsford.
Elizabeth had resigned herself to the fact that the memory of that particular evening would haunt her for the rest of her life.
The realisation of her love for that gentleman, a love that could never be fulfilled, pierced her heart.
Jane and Charles were currently on their wedding trip, with Mary accompanying Jane as a companion.
Under normal circumstances, it would have been Elizabeth in Mary's place. However, Aunt Gardiner insisted that it would be better for Elizabeth to remain behind until the situation with Lydia was fully resolved. Mr. Weston, now residing at Netherfield, visited every day to spend time with Lydia, and from all Elizabeth could see, it was only a matter of time before they became betrothed. To Elizabeth’s surprise and delight, Lydia seemed to be falling in love with the gentleman who was courting her.
She, on the other hand, found herself immersed in a profound sense of emptiness, discontent, and solitude.
She no longer spent much time with her father, who had regressed to his former indolent ways following the Lydia debacle.
Elizabeth's esteem for her father had diminished entirely.
Throughout the nights, she lay restless in her bed, tormented by relentless thoughts of a certain gentleman who occupied her mind.
Thus she remained, until fate intervened, unveiling an unforeseen twist of events.
Saturday, May 30, 1812
Rosings Park, Kent
Darcy
For the first time since Anne's passing, Aunt Catherine joined Darcy, Richard, and Georgiana for breakfast instead of taking a tray in her chambers.
To everyone's surprise, she sat with Darcy at the side of the table, departing from her customary place at the end.
Throughout the meal, she conversed with each person, including the timid Georgiana, employing a gentle tone unlike her previous manner.
It was evident that their aunt was undergoing a change—a change for the better.
After breakfast, as they gathered in the parlour, Aunt Catherine resumed her position beside Darcy.
Richard sat with Georgiana, engaging her in conversation.
Darcy observed that although Aunt Catherine did not actively participate, she listened attentively to Richard and Georgiana's exchange.
Among various topics, Richard introduced the subject of Georgiana's frequent correspondence with Anne.
Georgiana recounted how she had written her first letter to Anne three or four years ago.
"It was Fitzwilliam's suggestion, though I am unsure if he remembers it now.
One day, he was in his study, composing a letter to someone.
Feeling bored, I approached him, took a seat, and observed his countenance as he wrote.
It was enthralling to witness the various expressions that played upon his face.
After a while, I teasingly remarked that letter writing seemed to be his sole pursuit in life.
It was then that he mentioned something about a well-written letter possessing countless voices or some similar sentiments.
Curious, I inquired to whom I should write, and after some contemplation, he mentioned Anne's name. "
Darcy observed as Aunt Catherine suddenly looked up, revealing an expression he never saw in her before—pain. Her countenance bore the weight of unshed tears, a sight that startled him. Richard and Georgiana remained unaware of her distress as Georgiana continued speaking.
"I derived great joy from writing letters to Anne. Despite our inability to meet in person, we forged a deep connection," Georgiana's voice suddenly dropped to a hushed tone. "Richard, I made a mistake. I should have journeyed here sooner. I waited until it was too late."
That was the catalyst. Aunt Catherine swiftly grasped Darcy's hand and nestled her head upon his shoulder.
A heartfelt sob escaped her lips, marking a profound moment of release—a torrent of pent-up emotions unleashed after being confined within her for nearly five and twenty years.
Tremors coursed through her frame as the weight of her sentiments surged, causing her shoulders to quiver with each gasping breath.
Darcy held her close, his hands tenderly caressing her back.
They remained in that embrace for an extended period, leaving Richard and Georgiana stunned in their presence.
Eventually, Aunt Catherine gently disengaged herself from Darcy and approached Georgiana, who stood frozen like a statue.
Aunt Catherine grasped Georgiana's hands, uniting them together and pressed them to her lips.
In a voice raw with emotion, she admitted to her mistakes, taking ownership of the reasons that prevented Georgiana from visiting sooner.
With heartfelt sincerity, she apologised to the sixteen-year-old girl standing before her.
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
Elizabeth
Elizabeth struggled to control her tears. Why am I so emotional nowadays?
It all commenced with the visit of Lady Lucas, Charlotte's mother, who came to apprise them of Charlotte's delicate state.
She was bearing Mr. Collins's child. As soon as Lady Lucas took her leave, her mother promptly launched into her customary litany of complaints, reproaching Elizabeth for her rejection of Mr. Collins's proposal.
She even went so far as to lament that it ought to have been Elizabeth, rather than Charlotte, who was now carrying Mr. Collins's offspring.
Her tirade seemed endless, and father made no effort to intervene or quell his wife's outburst.