Chapter 25 #2
Much to Darcy’s relief, Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived at Darcy House only a half hour after the family returned home. Less than an hour later, they had a clear answer of who was to blame for the attempted abduction and the answer surprised no one.
“Lady Catherine is even greater a menace than I initially thought,” Fitzwilliam said to Darcy as the two made their way back to his study after interrogating the two men.
Darcy shook his head in obvious frustration.
“Indeed. Her lack of subtlety and her willingness to endanger others in pursuit of her aims astonish me. As much as I hate the thought that she would harm my wife or sister in any way, I am grateful that she is so inept in her planning and hires people who are even more foolish than she is. Thankfully, her overconfidence and her poor judgement in allies have worked against her.”
Fitzwilliam nodded thoughtfully, his gaze darkening. “It is hard to fathom how far she is willing to go. The men were far from tight-lipped, which is fortunate. They admitted their instructions without hesitation nearly as soon as I began to press them.”
Darcy’s jaw tightened. “As if her repeated attempts to interfere in mine and Anne’s lives were not enough, she is now willing to stoop to outright criminal behaviour.
This is the second time she has attempted to kidnap my wife, and this time she intended to capture my sister as well.
First Wickham and now these two men who she found God knows where.
I shudder to think what could have happened if we had not arrived when we did. ”
The colonel gave a small, grim smile. “She underestimated both your vigilance and your resources, Darcy. At this rate, she is digging her own grave. We must keep a close watch for desperation breeds recklessness. How do you wish to proceed? You have in writing her plan to kidnap your wife and could easily bring charges against her.”
“Agreed. While I take no pleasure in exposing her, it might soon become necessary to prevent any further harm.” Darcy paused, his expression hardening. “This is no longer just family discord. Lady Catherine is leaving me no choice but to act.”
He narrowed his eyes, lost in thought. “I hate the idea of a public trial. Tempting as it is, bringing charges would create a scandal. Such exposure could harm our entire family, and I prefer not to risk our reputation over one person’s desperate actions.
Besides, Lady Catherine’s status as the daughter of an earl and her influence, while waning, would make such a legal case difficult and distasteful.
I would rather keep this matter contained if possible.
We should speak with your father to see what he suggests. ”
Fitzwilliam’s face hardened at this. “I know I wrote to you that my father knows more than he is letting on. Before I left for Hertfordshire, I overheard him speaking to himself. He may not have assisted his sister with her plans against you, but he was aware of them and did nothing to stop them. I would dare say that both he and our aunt are worried about what happened to Wickham since neither of them have heard from him. You should also know that Wickham did not survive even to board the ship. He died from the injuries he sustained on the final leg into London.”
Darcy raised his brow in question.
“Despite the bullet wound in his shoulder, he still attempted to escape. He did not get far, but was injured when they recaptured him. He was sufficiently weakened already and did not survive long after that,” Fitzwilliam replied, his voice hard.
Closing his eyes for a moment, Darcy nodded as he remembered the boy who had been his friend all those years ago.
“I confess, I am relieved it was not my bullet that was responsible for his death. Regardless of how he turned out, he was once my friend. As terrible as it is to say, society is most likely better off without him wreaking havoc. However, let us return to our original topic of conversation. Your father was aware of his sister’s plans against my family? ”
Fitzwilliam nodded. “He was, although I cannot be certain when he knew. It is possible he did not know until after the fact and simply did not want to say anything to you because he did not wish to upset you. However, he was annoyed by your marriage because he had a candidate in mind for you already. He might have intended to use his knowledge of Georgiana’s near-ruin to manipulate you into a marriage that benefited him. ”
Darcy groaned at this and ran his hands through his hair. “How could forcing me into marriage have impacted your father? He has plenty of influence in Parliament and is well aware that I have little interest in politics.”
“He may have political influence, but he is broke,” Fitzwilliam said, his voice flat.
“My investigator learned that my brother has bankrupted not only his own estate but our father’s as well.
Despite all his efforts to keep it secret, there are murmurs beginning within the ton.
Be wary of him, especially if he offers you any investment or business opportunities.
As much as I may not want to believe it, I am convinced he would sacrifice any relationship—yours included—to save his own reputation and secure his finances.
My father sees alliances as assets and your wealth as a solution.
Marrying you to a woman of his choosing would have secured him both an influential connection and a way to access your fortune, however indirectly. ”
Darcy shook his head, his face clearly showing his shock. “The man I thought I knew would not have done so, but perhaps I do not know him that well. Did you have any inkling of this?”
“I did not,” Fitzwilliam replied. “However, as you well know, my loyalty is to you, as my brother in spirit if not in truth. You and I have always been much closer than I have been to Andrew since my parents preferred me to be at Pemberley rather than Matlock whenever it was possible. That is why I am telling you all I know. Perhaps it is only a slight advantage, but forewarned is forearmed. I wish I could assure you that he would stop, but I fear he will grow desperate. He could marry off my brother, which might help to some degree, but unless he changes his ways, few women would want to marry him and even fewer wealthy fathers would bind a daughter to him. Without you to marry off, it is possible he will attempt to set his sights on me.”
Darcy stood silently for a moment, deep in thought.
“Then we shall proceed as though he is desperate. If he attempts to use the threat of scandal, I will make it clear that I will not tolerate any further schemes or interference. He may be family, but I will not allow him to meddle in mine.” Darcy’s voice was steady, with just a trace of regret.
“I never wanted our family to become fractured in this way, but if he seeks to force my hand, I shall not hesitate. What will we do about Lady Catherine?”
The colonel’s expression became grave. “If we wish to avoid a public scandal, our best course is to cut her off from any leverage she might still have. Father sent her to Matlock, although I wonder whether she truly went since she managed to hire those men to kidnap Elizabeth and Georgiana. Send a man to discover if she has gone there, and then we must find a way to prevent her from sending letters or having any contact with anyone. Banishing her seems too easy an option for her, but I am not certain what else we might do. Lady Catherine is not one to see reason, Darcy.”
His jaw tight, Darcy glared at his cousin.
“Regardless, she will not have any further opportunities to harm my family. I will inform my servants to remain on alert, and perhaps we can impress upon the woman a final warning, making it clear that it would be foolhardy to attempt another scheme.” He sighed, shaking his head.
“Her funds should be limited, since I doubt your father is able to give her much, according to what you have discovered, but we should attempt to discern what her schemes might be. Can we find a trustworthy servant at Matlock to report her activities?”
Fitzwilliam thought about this for a second, then a grin broke out on his face. “I know just the person,” he replied. “We will stop her, Darcy. Family or not, we will not allow her to harm anyone in our family.”