Chapter 20 #2
“In other words,” said Mrs Carter, “the consumption of too much saffron resembles overindulgence of alcohol, only to an inferior degree.”
“We must remember,” Miss Darcy added, “that Miss Wright also drank three glasses of wine. So, she consumed extra saffron, some laudanum, and alcohol. ’Tis little wonder she was dizzy.”
Speaking unclearly, Miss Wright said, “Still dizzy. Still taken down by my own scheme. Should have known. Ice-cream was terribly bitter.” Then she whimpered. “I have the worst headache, Papa. And I am very nauseating.”
Having almost snorted at that, Elizabeth had to cover her mouth lest she be caught grinning during an awkward situation that should not be found at all humorous.
“Darcy, I must protest! My dear daughter is obviously delirious and should not be subjected to undue anxiety.” Mr Wright had moved to stand in front of his host.
“On the contrary, sir, I believe this is an opportune time to uncover the truth. Earlier this evening, while you and Mr Baker were making piquet wagers, Miss Wright first complained, as she did again just now, of being hoisted by her own petard. At that time, I asked whether some nefarious plan had rebounded on her. She answered in the affirmative and mumbled something about saffron and its sedative properties.” Hands behind his back, Mr Darcy walked about the room.
Elizabeth nodded in agreement. “Miss Wright pointed to me, saying she was in her cups because I had supposedly substituted her dessert for mine.”
Mr Darcy continued prowling about. “Your daughter then accosted me and alleged that we had a secret understanding.” He made a point of again catching Elizabeth’s eye. “Which is, as I said at the time, a complete and utter fabrication.”
Warmth, vindication, and rejuvenation radiating throughout her body, Elizabeth discreetly smiled at him, then wiped away a few happy tears.
“But there is something amiss here, Brother.” Miss Darcy peered quizzically at the maid. “Molly, why on earth would you play a prank on Miss Bennet, of all people?”
“Oh no, miss. It were not me that wanted to do that. It were Miss Wright. When Mrs Carter sent me to the kitchen, Cook showed me how to make the ices. That’s when the lady came in.
She took me aside and told me she’d pay me if I added laudanum and extra saffron to a separate little batch of ice-cream and top it with almonds.
She told me saffron were only mildly harmful. ”
Every moment was quickening Elizabeth’s perception of the humiliation that had been intended for her.
Miss Darcy had said that Miss Wright was desperate.
Now ‘reckless’ can be added to that description.
But to fret over things that had not happened, or might never happen, was not part of Elizabeth’s disposition.
Molly looked behind her to where Miss Wright was, by then, sound asleep.
“I told her I wouldn’t do it, even if it only made Miss Bennet act silly.
That’s when she slapped me and threatened to tell Mrs Carter that I were sneaking round with one of the footmen.
She told me I’d be dismissed without reference.
But I weren’t sneaking round. John’s me brother.
Miss Wright must’ve known we needed extra money to send home on account of our father being poorly and unable to work.
I shouldn’t have told John about the lady hitting me, though.
In revenge for that, he served the laced ice to her instead of to Miss Bennet.
He thought it’d only make her giddy or sleepy.
” Using her apron, the maid wiped tears from her face. “Now we both fear we’ll be dismissed.”
“Thank you for speaking with candour, Molly.” Mr Darcy gave the maid a slight smile.
“Such an absence of pretence or outright deceit is often lacking, I find. Once I discuss the matter with her, Mrs Carter will inform you of your fate. You may go now. And tell your brother to report to me in my study in three quarters of an hour.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” The maid curtseyed and fled.
“Mrs Carter, I shall see you in my study in a quarter of an hour. And please request that my valet meet me there in half an hour.” The housekeeper nodded and left the bedchamber.
Miss Darcy softly comforted an upset Miss Althea while Mr Darcy engaged in another low but heated exchange with Mr Wright and Miss Margaret.
Taking that opportunity to sneak closer to the bed, Elizabeth stood there looking down as Miss Wright slept.
Once, she had hoped they might be friends until she perceived that Hannah Wright was an unprincipled, jealous woman.
Such artifice provoked her, but she would not retaliate.
Never would she stoop to such levels of malice.
“Miss Bennet.”
The very sound of her hero’s voice, so close behind her, gave Elizabeth a much-needed sense of safety.
“Please, come with us now.” He twitched his head towards the door.
As Mr Darcy escorted his sister and Elizabeth from the room, no leave-taking was conveyed to the three eldest members of the Wright family. Not a word, obeisance, or acknowledgement of any kind was exchanged.
John was gone from his post, and Elizabeth supposed the footman was somewhere pacing and fretting about his and Molly’s futures, which soon would be made known in Mr Darcy’s study.
“Brother, after you have spoken with Mrs Carter and John, may I have a moment of your time? There is something I would discuss with you.”
“Of course, little hen. Just give me an hour or so.”
Once Miss Darcy departed, Mr Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm, and she wished he might offer her more. Much more. But other matters prevailed.
“May I just say, Miss Bennet, how much I admire your firmness of character. It takes courage to confront one’s antagonist. I was about to say your ‘nemesis’, but it might be debatable which of you two ladies best fits that word.”
“Why is that debatable?”
“The word nemesis can certainly mean an arch-enemy. But Nemesis, with a capital ‘N’, is a Greek goddess, the agent of divine vengeance and punishment for wrongdoing. Miss Wright cannot, will not, avoid inevitable consequences for her actions.”
“Oh dear. Rather than vengeance or punishment, I just wish she would take herself and her schemes somewhere far, far away from me.” As for Mr Darcy, Elizabeth wished he, with his fine person and woody-spicy fragrance, might come closer.
At the end of the passage, he did. He leant in and whispered, “It is no secret that the Wright family face almost certain ruin, and I assure you that they soon will be gone from Strandsmere.” Standing tall and in a louder voice he said, “Now, with utmost regret, I must leave you and speak with Mrs Carter, my valet, John, and Georgiana. I bid you a good night and sincerely apologise for all the unpleasantness you were subjected to this evening.” Gazing deeply into her eyes, he gallantly placed a lingering kiss upon her hand before bowing and walking away.