Chapter 10 #2
“Oh, you dear, sweet man.” Elizabeth cupped his right cheek, pressing a kiss to the left. “I see you are deeply shaken, but I will have none misinterpret this moment.”
“I care not. I could never repine being married to you, for you are everything lovely.”
“I suggest we all go inside,” said Mr. Bingley.
When she saw Mr. Bingley tap Mr. Darcy’s shoulder, Charlotte assessed her friend and Mr. Darcy. Miss Darcy might well get her wish, given that her brother still embraced Elizabeth. But a forced marriage was the one thing Elizabeth would fear, presuming he would regret her.
“Yes, my father will arrive in short order. Neither the apothecary nor my father will want the body moved. You can place him out of sight after, Mr. Bingley, but not yet,” Charlotte said, taking Miss Darcy’s arm and, with Elizabeth taking her other, led the way into the manor.
After their guiding Miss Darcy to her room, and, telling Elizabeth she needed to wash her hands, Charlotte moved down the corridor.
When she was certain she was alone, she took in great gulps of air, pressing a hand to her stomach.
Will I hang for my actions? She braced herself against the wall with her other hand.
I have said love is unnecessary, but the sight of him riding his steed makes me sympathetic to Mrs. Bennet’s nervous flutterings. I have never known such a powerful emotion. I now know what it is to be driven into action by such passion that others have died and lived for.
Charlotte worked to keep tears at bay. She knew she had just forfeited her freedom, perhaps even her life. She had pulled the trigger in defense of a young woman she barely knew and a man she had never met.
What little hope she had of having a home of her own, a future with children to nurture, of a husband who would love her seemed beyond her now. Charlotte forced herself to regain some measure of poise, given that her course was set.
“I killed a man,” Charlotte whispered, swallowing around the lump in her throat. “And there is naught to be done but to accept what comes.”
I acted impulsively for the first time in near two decades.
I have killed a man.
And would do the same again to see them unharmed.
Having come to this conclusion, Charlotte smoothed the front of her gown with both hands, making her way back to Miss Darcy’s room in time to help Elizabeth brush the younger lady’s hair.
Dressed in a new gown, they watched her place the reloaded weapon in a small pocket they would not have known was there.
For herself, Charlotte had been offered a maid’s Sunday dress that might fit. Though it was not particularly fine, she suspected it would do for the gallows.
Less than two hours had passed when the ladies entered the drawing room, yet they found a great many more people present. Miss Darcy rushed toward the newcomers.
“Darcy,” the eldest gentleman stated in an abrupt tone that interrupted all others in the room.
“Uncle, Aunt, Anne? May I introduce you to two ladies with whom we are fortunate to claim a friendship? Miss Charlotte Lucas aids Ana in her hostess duties and is a trusted friend. She, along with Richard, protected Ana when Wickham raised the gun. And this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, an invaluable friend to us both. Ladies, I introduce to you the Earl and Countess of Matlock. And our beloved cousin, Miss Anne de Bourgh, from Kent.”
“I would speak to Miss Darcy,” Sir William said with due respect.
“You will do so in my presence, as she is not of age. I will not allow you to confuse my niece,” the earl announced with all authority.
“I had no such intentions, my lord. By the accounts I have thus far received, I must take my daughter into custody, which is corroborated by all,” Sir William said in dejection.
“Miss Lucas? She cannot be blamed,” Miss Darcy said, moving to stand between Elizabeth and Charlotte.
“I care not what a footman said. Yes, she took his gun, but there are three wounds. The one that killed him is mine,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said so fiercely that none refuted him.
“Richard, no, they cannot take you from me,” Miss Darcy said, her fear and upset pitching toward panic.
“Shh, dear girl. The man attempted to take you against your will. And he raised your gun towards your cousin. His shot was one of defense, the same as yours,” Charlotte said, soothing the girl she held close while locking eyes with her father over Georgiana’s head.
“Shh, your future will not be marred by scandal.”
“Thank you, Miss Lucas.” Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped to them, his voice thick with gratitude. “But it is in defense, there is no question of that. There will be no blame. I do not serve a country that hangs women who defend those who are defenseless against those who intend harm.”
“Mr. Bingley, would you send for Colonel Forster? He must be informed of the death of a soldier under his command,” Sir William said, his shoulders slumping at his daughter’s confession.
“I will inform him myself, sir,” Colonel Fitzwilliam announced. “Darcy, Ana said in her express, the dastard hoped to run off with a Miss King.”
Darcy looked at his sister, confused, not knowing that his sister had seen Wickham in town, then he understood.
“His was the distressing conversation you wrote of? Of course, it was upsetting. That makes five daughters of gentlemen with no dowry that he has ruined, and now two attempts to elope with heiresses to gain control of theirs.”
“Darcy,” Her Ladyship admonished her nephew for speaking about such unseemly acts while glancing at Georgiana.
“I am well aware of the man’s heinousness, Aunt. I am counted amongst those he has importuned.” Miss Darcy stood tall when she made her declaration.
“Georgiana,” the countess gasped.
“He tried to convince me I loved him, to elope with him to Gretna Green. Brother will tell you I speak the truth. It was my dowry he wanted. He needed the blunt, he called it, when William found us in company and demanded that he account for his being in Ramsgate. Every lie he spoke to me, he repeated to Miss King—a near exact echo. Comprehending how foolish I had been made me ill. I had believed he loved me. I am so very foolish.” Miss Darcy was shaking by the time she finished speaking.
“When Eliza and I came down the drive, we heard her yell for help. Miss Darcy screamed her demand that he not touch her. Miss Darcy only defended herself against the man attempting to harm her,” Charlotte said. Elizabeth joined her in hugging the girl as any sister might.
“He hurt her.” Elizabeth lifted one of Miss Darcy’s sleeves to show the bruising.
“His joining the militia means it is probable that he attempted to hide from debts he could not pay. I suspect he believed the army would protect him.” Mr. Darcy moved to stand behind his sister and Elizabeth.
“Where is the lout?” Colonel Forster demanded, storming into the room.
It was obvious he had expected to be in the exclusive company of men. He stopped short, wincing when he saw the ladies.
Bingley said, “Lord and Lady Matlock, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Miss de Bourgh, Miss Darcy. May I introduce Colonel Forster of the regiment? Colonel, you have arrived before I have had time to message you.”
After announcing that Captain Denny was the man who accompanied him, Colonel Forster snapped to attention, executing the sharpest of salutes to Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“At ease, Forster. Please.” Fitzwilliam extended a hand.
“Colonel, it’s an honor—” Forster cut himself off at the shake of Colonel Fitzwilliam’s head.
“Such deference from a man of equal rank? I would dearly like to know why he thinks it such an honor to meet you, Richard,” the countess challenged both men with a seeming benign inquest.
“A decision I made put my life in danger but spared the lives of most of those men under my command. It was done in haste, and I captured their commander before the enemy could evade us. Their men surrendered and shall be able to return home at the end of this blasted war,” Fitzwilliam said in a succinct explanation.
A hush fell when the countess pursed her lips, apart from Miss Darcy’s crying out in fear of her cousin.
Her Ladyship eyed her son but only said, “I believe you were speaking of the deceased, Colonel Forster. If so, then your proclamation is accurate.”
“Deceased? Denny told me Wickham had come to Netherfield Park to see some old friends. He has now missed his duty a third time, so I came to collect him personally,” Colonel Forster said.
“A friend he was not,” Mr. Darcy declared.
“So I learnt today. There is a Bow Street Runner who has tracked him to my regiment.” Colonel Forster said, looking bewildered. “Forgive me, Miss Lucas, but are you harmed?”
“I thank you, Colonel, but no. We are only a little shocked,” Charlotte said, her insides wincing when she saw her father’s distress.
“Sir William, if I am not needed, I must return to Longbourn. I know my family will soon be worried, if they are not already. We expect our cousin’s arrival today, and our mother wishes us all to be present,” Elizabeth said, both breaking the silence and leaning to kiss Charlotte’s cheek.
The two of them took notice of Miss Darcy’s turmoil with the suggestion of Elizabeth’s departure.
“Might I send a note to ask your mother if you might stay the night? Perhaps Miss Bennet might come with your things and also remain here with us?” Miss Darcy asked with hope shining in her wide, tear-filled eyes.
Charlotte knew Elizabeth would agree even before Elizabeth did.
“If it is your wish. But I would think this is a night to visit with your cousins and your aunt and uncle.”
“Please, I also wish you and Miss Lucas to stay with me, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Of course. Though you were able to vanquish the monsters as well as any knight may have done,” Elizabeth said with a small laugh. “As you wish.”
With Elizabeth, Miss Darcy moved to a small table to pen the request.
“And you shall remain, too, Miss Lucas,” Miss de Bourgh said, walking across the room to where Charlotte stood.
Charlotte was too surprised and too impressed with the lady, who did not wait for permission or agreement before objecting.