Chapter 44 Reports
When the group of five reconvened in the study that evening, they all felt they had made good progress, even though the mood was still somewhat somber.
Darcy, who had spent much of the day with Bennet in the study, rearranged the chairs into their earlier grouping.
At Bennet's direction, he had also brought another chair in from the music room so that Lizzy would not need to sit on the footstool when all were present.
Although they had not explicitly planned the second gathering, they all arrived at about the same time, just as if they had.
Bennet and Darcy were finally finishing up their interrupted game of chess as Lizzy and Miss Lucas came in.
After helping Miss Lucas to her chair, Lizzy went to the desk and examined the miniature chessboard.
"We should each get two turns on the elder Mr. Darcy's behalf, Papa," Lizzy said to her father. "We were all too distracted to invoke his memory this morning."
"I believe that game is nearly at an end, but if you would like to play it out, we can give everyone two chances as we start a new one," Bennet told her.
She looked down again. "I see what you mean. Mr. Darcy, would you be willing to concede on your father's behalf so we can start out fresh?" She offered him a smile that made him think he would have conceded anything to have her look at him like that again.
As a matter of form, he joined her at the desk and took a look at how the game stood. Using the tweezers, he gently tipped his father's king.
"My father concedes," he said aloud. He then reset the board and Bennet, as winner of the previous match, told them his first move.
"Ladies first," said Darcy, offering Lizzy the tweezers so she could respond after he made Bennet's move.
Bennet was kept busy for the next few minutes directing them on his play as Miss Lucas and Darcy each took their two turns as well. Richard walked in just as Darcy was making his second move and offered his own play after Bennet responded.
"We are each taking two moves because we were all too distracted to follow our tradition with the board this morning," Lizzy said as he was about to step away.
"That works for me," Richard replied. He finished his turn, moved for Bennet, then joined the others as they all settled into their seats, making sure to take the place next to his betrothed.
"You look pleased with yourself, Richard," Bennet said. It was true that Darcy's cousin had a calmer and more satisfied look about him than when he had left a few hours before.
"I am still upset by the news," Richard replied, "but it is no longer the surprise it was earlier.
I had a good ride and chance to think it out.
Wickham's horse seemed relieved to have a new rider and gave me no trouble at all.
I can report that I have also been successful on all my errands and a little bit beyond. "
"Do tell," said Bennet.
"I found Sir William and explained the full situation to him.
He agreed it would be best if we married before news of Grandfather's death and my change of title become public, even if he would have preferred a little longer betrothal before the wedding.
Although he tried to contain it out of respect, he was somewhat excited to learn that his daughter would be the wife of a viscount now and one day wife to an earl.
He felt he needed to push things along as much as possible to help us, so he had his horse saddled and rode with me to see Mr. Timmons about the license. "
"And when is your wedding date?" Darcy asked.
"If Charlotte is ready, we can be married tomorrow morning at ten."
"I will be ready," Miss Lucas said firmly. Richard took her hand briefly and squeezed it while offering her a bright smile. He turned back to the group and continued.
"As we were leaving the vicar's home, I ran across an officer I knew when he was connected with the war office.
He told me he had just arrived to begin an investigation into the need for a court martial for a member of the militia.
He had not yet seen Colonel Forster, but Sir William and I took the opportunity to present our views on the case.
I also made him aware that I am marrying one of the targets of the attack and gave him Darcy House as the best place to contact me after tomorrow.
Better yet, he has met Wickham before and knows him well enough to identify him as a liar.
I am sure Captain Jackson will decide that an investigation is warranted and the court martial should proceed. "
"Very good," said Bennet with satisfaction. "That will prejudice him in our favor despite whatever Colonel Forster tells him."
"My thoughts exactly," Richard said. "I was concerned that Forster might still make trouble or argue for leniency. Captain Jackson has no patience for a man who will raise his hand against a woman. Forster had better watch his own position if he tries to shield Wickham."
"I am glad to hear it," said Lizzy. "I do not want to think of that man ever being free to hurt someone again."
"I will ensure he is not," promised Richard, and Darcy nodded his agreement to the promise as well.
"Well, I can understand why you are feeling satisfied. Our ladies also seem to have an air of satisfaction about them," Bennet observed. "Was there anything you wished to report?"
"Although it is probably not of major importance to you men, Lizzy got Jane, Kitty and Lydia away from Mrs. Bennet and roped them into helping me prepare a bonnet for my wedding tomorrow that will not press against the bruises and cause me pain.
They also added some frippery to one of my gowns with the intention that I can use it as a wedding gown.
We told them I would be marrying quickly but have not yet given them all the information why," Miss Lucas told them.
"Mr. Jones also said that I could travel to London after the wedding so long as I felt comfortable making the trip.
He suggested I try returning to my parent's home by carriage this evening, just to make sure the rocking motion of the carriage will not cause me to feel ill.
Beyond that, he said the headaches should dissipate over the next few days, but that I should seek further medical attention if they do not. "
"I just realized we are going to need a carriage tomorrow," Richard said. "I cannot very well take you to London on the back of Wickham's horse."
"Leave me the horse, and you can take my carriage.
I will not need it for a few days anyway," Darcy said, smiling.
"Just send it back once you are settled in, and have another footman come along, since we have sent off the two I had to watch Collins.
You can use the smaller carriage at the townhouse for any of your travel needs until you take possession of the vehicles from Randbrook. "
"Thanks, Will. That saves me the trouble of hiring one."
Darcy just nodded. Loaning Richard the carriage did not sound like much of a problem.
Even if he needed to go to Pemberley suddenly to collect Georgiana, Darcy could use Wickham's horse or hire one.
He had another carriage available at the estate for the return trip.
"I have sent a messenger off to Darcy House to warn them you are coming and to ensure they show you and your wife every courtesy.
I will trust Miss Lucas to keep you in line and ensure some of the contents of my wine cellar remain after your visit. "
"Spoilsport," said Richard, as he winked at Miss Lucas.
"You can trust me," Miss Lucas assured Darcy with a smile.
"I am glad to hear it. Unless the ladies have any more to report, Mr. Bennet and I have taken some actions of our own," Darcy said.
Lizzy spoke up. "I can report that Mr. Jones is pleased with the improvement to my throat and, while warning me not to tire myself by talking too much, says I should be fine soon as well.
He told Mama as much but insisted it is best for my health if I not discuss the events of yesterday.
She seems to have understood, although I left the parlor as soon afterward as possible, so I am not sure how long that state will last. Now, what have you two been doing? "
"We have been doing a great deal of writing," Bennet answered her. "First, we had to prepare full reports for Richard's father, both about the plans we have and about recent events here and at Rosings Park. As we were doing so, we received yet another express." He paused for effect.
"From whom?" Richard asked sharply.
"Sir Phillip," Darcy answered. "He sent it to both you and me in care of Mr. Bennet, so I went ahead and opened it.
He wrote that Aunt Catherine is livid about Anne's marriage and our response to her at the church.
She insisted that Sir Phillip and his mother remove themselves from the dower house immediately. "
"Can she do that?" Lizzy asked. "I thought he was the heir."
"He is heir to the baronetcy, but only inherits the estate on Aunt Catherine's death," Darcy explained.
"The property was not tied to the title, which was granted later than estate came into the family, so Uncle Lewis was able to stipulate that separation in his will.
Sir Phillip receives a quarterly allowance from the profits of the estate in recognition of the title, but that is all.
Aunt Catherine is within her rights to insist he and his mother vacate the dower house, and they fully expected that is what she would do.
Knowing that things would come to a head when Anne married, they have been slowly moving their belongings to a small cottage far enough from the estate to be outside of my aunt's influence, but close enough to make the move easy and unobtrusive.
When Sir Phillip was first born, Mrs. de Bourgh was a penniless widow, and they relied on Aunt Catherine's charity for a good home.
They have been cautious with the allowance and can now be comfortable without the dower house. "