Chapter 57
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Elizabeth had been back in London for a week, and Fitzwilliam called on her every day.
This morning, he brought Georgiana. Elizabeth had wished to see the girl many times in the past few years, but she had never suggested a meeting, thinking her brother was protecting her from Elizabeth and the scandal that always threatened to surround her.
“Miss Darcy, your brother has told us so much about you. I am honored to finally meet you.” Aunt Gardiner expertly made the girl feel comfortable, choosing topics to draw her out without forcing too much attention on her.
They spoke of Derbyshire and London and their relations.
Elizabeth was gratified that Georgiana was soon comfortable talking to them both.
She had a heaviness about her that must be from her recent heartbreak, but the girl lit up when Elizabeth spoke to her of music and of Mrs. Annesley.
Colonel Fitzwilliam had joined the Darcys on their call, and when Uncle Gardiner stopped in to bring his wife a sample of new lace, he stayed to speak to their guests.
“What more can you tell us of Mr. Darcy’s diamonds, Colonel? He told us he found a few, leading you both to investigate. Have you found any more of Lord Rowe’s treasure?”
The colonel nearly choked on his tea. “Um…no, Mr. Gardiner. Darcy’s three stones may be all that are ever recovered.” He glared at Fitzwilliam, and Elizabeth wondered why. Did they both know more than Fitzwilliam had told them? Had he already told them too much?
“Elizabeth, do you still wish to stop in at Dutton’s today? I thought Georgiana would like to see the library, as well.”
Fitzwilliam was changing the subject, but she was not opposed to helping him. She informed him she would return with her bonnet and pelisse. Although the streets were dry today, the wind would make for a cold walk.
Her aunt remained at home, but her uncle joined them as far as his Emporium.
Elizabeth then walked with Georgiana, and Fitzwilliam walked with his cousin behind them.
She knew Matthew trailed not far behind.
During the pauses in conversation with Georgiana, she could faintly hear the men speaking behind her.
“…nothing of the letters or their owner…what we agreed upon last week.”
“When…to Bath…”
“Tomorrow?”
“…tear yourself away.”
Elizabeth had been straining so intently to hear what was behind her that she missed a man coming up beside her until she felt her arm yanked to the side, and she was being pulled into the street.
Georgiana screamed beside her and then in a shocked quiet said a name. “George.”
Elizabeth realized she was about to be forced into a carriage when she was suddenly in Fitzwilliam’s embrace. She heard a gunshot and yelling, but she was safe in the arms of the man she loved.
Matthew had nearly knocked Darcy over as he ran past him, prompting him to look up at a terrifying scene.
Wickham had a gun pressed to Elizabeth’s side and a hand tightly gripping her arm.
He was tugging her toward a closed carriage with a door waiting open.
Just before Darcy reached Elizabeth, Matthew knocked Wickham from her and to the ground.
Darcy pulled Elizabeth into his embrace and rubbed his hands gently up and down her arms, touched her cheeks, murmured words of love and comfort.
Then he heard a gunshot behind him. He turned to see Matthew, Richard, and two additional men Richard had watching the house all hauling Wickham off the ground.
He turned back to see Georgiana, who looked to be in shock.
Releasing one of Elizabeth’s arms, the two of them welcomed his sister into their circle.
“I will come in an hour to question him.” Richard gave his men instructions to secure Wickham, and they led him away.
“You are hurt!” Elizabeth’s cry had Darcy taking inventory of his own limbs. Had he been too concerned for Elizabeth and his sister to notice he had been injured?
“It’s only a scrape, Miss. No real harm done.”
Matthew! Her footman had been shot.
“Matthew, thank you for protecting Elizabeth. We should head back to the house and summon a doctor.”
“Why would George try to harm you, Elizabeth? He looked into my eyes with such scorn right before he pointed that gun at you and tried to take you away. Why would he do that?”
His sister’s soft, trembling voice nearly broke his heart. He was glad Elizabeth knew how to answer because he did not.
“I do not know, Georgiana, but do you see now that Mr. Wickham is not a good man? We will talk later of my experiences with him, but he is deceitful and seeks only gain for himself.”
“I thought he loved me.”
“Unfortunately, he is a man who can love only himself.”
Darcy stepped between them, taking an arm of each, and led them back to the house. Matthew and Richard followed.
Hours later, Georgiana was safely in her bedchamber with Mrs. Annesley.
She was upset but less heartbroken than before.
While the doctor had looked at Matthew, Elizabeth had taken Georgiana upstairs, and he suspected she had told his sister all about her experiences with Wickham a year earlier.
He was relieved not to have had to listen to that conversation.
Once the doctor had confirmed Matthew’s wound was superficial and bound his upper arm to help it heal, Darcy had taken his sister home. He was eager to hear what his cousin would have learned from Wickham.
Leaving his study door open, Darcy tried to distract himself with estate business and correspondence, but he was furious with Wickham and worried that they had left Elizabeth unprotected when the man may not have acted alone.
He had sent three of his own footmen to Gracechurch Street, but they were not trained for this like his cousin’s men were.
When he finally heard a knock at the door and his butler’s voice, Darcy went to greet his cousin in the vestibule.
“Your study.”
The two men did not speak again until they were safely behind the closed door of his private room. Darcy offered his cousin his favorite drink, and they sat by the crackling fire.
“Everything is fitting together, Darcy.”
“You know why Wickham keeps trying to take Elizabeth’s life?”
“He does not know why, but he said Mrs. Younge hired him to do it, and the money was good enough for him to ask no questions.”
“Was he acting alone? Is Elizabeth safe now?”
“She is safe. If you still wish to go to Bath tomorrow, we will ensure Mrs. Younge does not have time to hire another.”
Darcy sagged in relief.
“Wickham confirmed her address is the same as on the letter to her from Mr. Jeune. And he did say he thinks this is some sort of revenge. He assumed she meant it against you, but he did not know why she cared so much, as the plot against your sister was all his idea. Apparently, Mrs. Younge has no need of Georgiana’s dowry. ” Richard raised his eyebrows.
“Because she has more diamonds.”
“Likely. I did not tell Wickham about Guillemine’s letters or your diamonds from Ramsgate. He swears he has never seen any diamonds in her home but a few pieces of jewelry.”
Darcy’s fists clenched. “The silver hair comb Wickham gave Elizabeth. It was lined with ten or fifteen diamonds.”
Richard whistled. “An expensive gift from someone who is never flush with funds.”
“Where is Wickham now?”
“At Newgate. He admitted to the two attempts on Miss Elizabeth’s life in Hertfordshire, too. We certainly have enough to hang him. Or transportation if you prefer.”
Darcy nodded. “I believe I have time to go see Elizabeth today and inform her she is safe and that I will be away for a few days.”
“Continue to be discrete, Darcy. Mrs. Younge is probably only lashing out at you through Miss Elizabeth. After all, you not only sent her off from Ramsgate late at night, but you found her Red Silk Reticule. It is unlikely Miss Elizabeth has any other part in this, and for her continued safety, she does not need to know more.”
“Of course.”
“How is Georgie?”
“Better. Seeing a new side of Wickham was surprisingly good for her. I think she will be well while we are gone, but I will suggest Elizabeth call on her in our absence.”
The evening before, Fitzwilliam had told Elizabeth he had to leave London for a few days.
It was Friday now, and as he would not travel on Sunday, he expected to return on Tuesday.
She understood this was a necessary journey, but she worried for him.
If Mrs. Younge had wanted to harm her because Fitzwilliam cared for her, how was he to be safe from the woman?
Elizabeth knew she would not rest soundly until she could once again be in his presence.
She was not supposed to think of herself as engaged to him, but in her heart, nothing had changed.
He had said he would tell nobody of their intentions but that he was as much hers as if they were already wed.
Such a tender speech had made her wish they were alone, so she could feel his kisses again.
But they had not been permitted a moment alone since her return to London.
His embrace in the street was the first time he had touched more than her hand all week. How she missed him!
Still, she reminded herself to be grateful Uncle Bennet had not forbidden her from seeing Fitzwilliam at all.
She told her beloved that she would write to her uncle about how Fitzwilliam was so obviously innocent of any harm to her, but he had reminded her that he was present once again and had helped to protect her.
He did not think the incident would strengthen their cause.
Elizabeth was thinking of Fitzwilliam as she absently played the pianoforte when guests arrived.
“Jane!”
Elizabeth had not known her cousin had returned from her wedding trip. Her timing could not have been better. In addition to her visits to Georgiana, Jane and Mr. Bingley would provide an excellent distraction from her thoughts these next few days.