Chapter 20
Jane had sent a note to Lady Edith informing her that her sister, who was expected, and others had arrived earlier that day. The reply said that Mrs Collins and Miss Lucas were welcome to join them for dinner.
Even though Charlotte was aware that her late husband would have accepted an invitation to the home of an earl and countess no matter what, she declined the invitation because of her mourning.
However, Charlotte did tell Maria she should not miss such an opportunity and that she should go with Jane and Lizzy.
After confirming Charlotte would be well on her own, Maria gratefully accepted.
The Bennet sisters had found time to speak before departing the Gardiners’ house. Elizabeth told Jane all, not leaving out anything, even if it did not show her in a flattering light.
“I suspected that something had occurred between you and Mr Darcy, but I will admit I did not think it was a proposal. You were justified in refusing him even if, as you freely own, the manner of doing so leaves much to be desired,” Jane reacted.
“After reading the shocking letter from Mr Darcy, you then received that scolding letter from me. Had I known, I would have waited before posting it.”
“There was no way for you to be aware of what had occurred. Besides, what did you say to me which I did not deserve to hear? I needed to be brought low so I would be able to see that I do not always have the right of it, and I have judged far too quickly in the past.” Elizabeth paused.
“What think you of what I did with regard to Mr Wickham?”
“No less than he deserved! That such a scoundrel was loose among us was horrendous. There are many in Meryton who owe you much without knowing to whom they are indebted,” Jane opined.
“I just thought about something though. Do not tell Mamma you rejected a man as wealthy as Mr Darcy. Perhaps Papa inheriting Rosings Park will be a sufficient distraction. Unless Mamma has fundamentally changed, you know she will go distracted upon hearing about the family’s newfound wealth.
She might even be worse when I tell her I am being courted by a viscount. ”
“I can see our mother dragging you with her as she runs about the neighbourhood crowing about your catching a viscount and all because of your beauty,” Elizabeth predicted.
“I wonder if she has flounced into Lucas Lodge to boast about Charlotte never being the one to replace her as mistress of Longbourn. Perhaps I should not assume the worst; I have been proved wrong once or twice of late.”
As she had promised in her letter to Elizabeth, Jane explained how she had met Jamey thanks to Priscilla almost knocking her to the ground and how they had proceeded from there.
If Elizabeth had any lingering doubts about Jane pining for Mr Bingley, the way her sister spoke of the man courting her would have banished them.
Soon enough it was time to dress and leave for the Carringtons’.
During the ride to the mansion, Maria was even more nervous than she had been when they had enjoyed dinner at Rosings Park the first time.
On arriving at Holder House, Elizabeth was impressed at the restrained way it was decorated.
It was the exact opposite of the style Lady Catherine had employed at Rosings Park.
That led her to thinking of her mother with chagrin.
Mamma would most likely appreciate the décor at their new estate.
Like she had earlier, she stopped her assumptions and chastised herself for her ungenerous thoughts.
She admonished herself that she needed to stop assuming she knew what others would do.
When they were shown into the drawing room, Elizabeth was pleased to see Lord and Lady Matlock, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr Darcy, and Anna present. She found that she was genuinely pleased to see Mr Darcy. It was unsurprising, though, that Lady Catherine was absent given the loss of her daughter.
Lord Holder requested that Jane introduce the two ladies he had not met, which she did with pleasure. Then Lord Matlock asked to be introduced to Mrs Gardiner and Jane. Evidently, he knew Uncle Edward, as he was one of his investors.
Elizabeth was impressed that Ladies Emily and Priscilla did not think themselves above their company.
They had met Anna before, and Maria was soon included in their circle of friends, which helped her relax.
When she thought of her old prejudices against the nobility, Elizabeth was ashamed of what her former opinions had been because none of those present were close to how she used to imagine them.
It took her no time at all to warm up to Lord Hadlock.
He was very attentive towards Jane, but unlike Mr Bingley had behaved in Hertfordshire, the viscount did not ignore everyone else in the room.
After an enjoyable dinner, the Gardiner parents, two eldest Bennet sisters, and Miss Lucas departed, and everyone agreed they had enjoyed themselves immensely.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The day after the dinner at Holder House, Carstens was ready for when Darcy woke, even before he rang for him. It did not take long before his morning ablutions were completed, and Darcy was dressed for the day.
There were yet two full days before everyone would travel to Hertfordshire.
Before Bingley had departed for Scarborough, Darcy had obtained his permission to take over the Netherfield lease.
At the time he had done so out of feelings of guilt because of his officious interference.
He had wanted to make sure Bingley did not lose any money.
However, now the estate would be put to good use.
Darcy now did what he had not managed to do the previous day on arriving home. He made for his study to see if any new correspondence had arrived which he needed to see to right away.
Killion had a list of senders’ epistles which were to be forwarded to wherever Darcy was. There was one on his desk in a script Darcy recognised but hoped he would never see again. It would not have been forwarded to him, as Wickham was most certainly not on the list of those deemed important.
Since Miss Elizabeth had spiked Wickham’s guns, and from what she had related of what Mrs Collins told her after a letter from said lady’s father, Wickham had been cashiered out of the militia and was now a resident at His Majesty’s pleasure in Marshalsea.
Darcy was sure this was a plea for help—something which would not be forthcoming to the man suspected of murdering his own father and Darcy’s.
As such, he almost destroyed the missive without opening it.
However, curiosity won out, and Darcy opened the roughly sealed epistle.
8 April 1812
The Hellhole that is Marshalsea
Darcy,
The only reason I have already not sung about my activities in Ramsgate last year is because I know you had no hand in me ending up in debtor’s prison.
It was that ridiculous knight in Meryton who decided to check to see if there were debts owed by soldiers and officers before the regiment left Meryton. If it were not for that interfering busybody, I would not have been kicked out of the militia and sitting in a gaol cell now.
“I always knew Miss Elizabeth was intelligent. She must have told Sir William to investigate all debts, not just Wickham’s,” Darcy said aloud.
Things were better than they had ever been between him and Miss Elizabeth, but he had a long road to cover before there was a chance of more than friendship.
Knowing that Wickham wanted something, otherwise he would not have written, Darcy’s eyes dropped back to the paper.
Unless you want me to tell the tale of Ramsgate everywhere I am able, you will come to Marshalsea and pay my debts, and you will give me an additional ?5,000 for my trouble.
I expect to hear from you soon. You never know how long I will be able to hold my tongue.
You are not that brave, but if you get it in your head to have me done away with while I am in here, there is one who hates you as much as I do.
That one has letters to be posted in the event of my death.
I will hurt you from beyond the grave. We both know you have too much bloody honour to do that.
Hurry up and pay,
GW
The fool had signed his blackmail note. Darcy rang for Killion. “Have a footman go to Matlock House and tell Colonel Fitzwilliam he is needed for a most urgent matter.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“What can be so pressing that I barely had time to break my fast before you summoned me?” Fitzwilliam drawled insouciantly as he entered the study.
Without a word, Darcy handed Richard Wickham’s note.
“This is his last move!” Fitzwilliam exclaimed.
“It is time to end this murdering bastard. He thinks he is so clever. The only one who would help him and still believe his lies is Mrs Younge, and we know where to find her on Edward Street. As for Wicky, I have some men who will be perfect for what I have in mind.”
“As long as you do not end up with blood on your hands, go to it,” Darcy agreed.
When he entered the study, it had been the jovial cousin who had arrived; it was the hardened colonel who left. Fitzwilliam mounted Invictus and rode hard. He was certain he knew where to find the men he needed.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Fitzwilliam sent one of his officers to knock on the door of Mrs Younge’s boarding house as he pulled down his hat. As soon as the door was opened, the man pushed the maid back and covered her mouth, allowing the colonel and four other officers to enter.
Karen Younge was seated in her dingy office when the door was thrown open and there stood Colonel Fitzwilliam, a pistol in his hand, and four other men behind him.
“Where is the letter George Wickham gave you to post if anything happened to him?” Fitzwilliam demanded.
“I-I k-know n-n-not w-what y-you mean,” Mrs Younge stammered.