Three Days in June

Sunday, 18 June 1815

Georgiana was up and dressed by six. She checked on George and went down to breakfast in the servant's common room. Servants had become accustomed to her presents for meals. She talked freely about the news and condition of Darcy. He was still in some pain but on the mend. Darcy was sleeping when she went upstairs. She sent the footman to breakfast and sat down to wait.

At eight the papers arrived and she read the news to Darcy. The events were a day and half to two days old from Belgium. Most was speculation by reporters, stories of army men and civilians returning from the ports on the continent and of wounded in small skirmishes. One story said Wellington was entrenched at Waterloo and Bonaparte was on the march east of Waterloo. That was just as her uncle had said.

Darcy asked Walker to bring a map of Belgium from the library. They waited for the noon day editions. The Earl arrived at two. He had been at Saint James Palace. Wellington was south of Waterloo, Bonaparte was marching to battle. The battle would be today or tomorrow at the latest. Darcy slept on and off thought out the day and night.

Mon 19 June 1815

Georgiana slept in until seven. Darcy's valet arrived from Pemberley at eight. Shortly after eight the papers arrived. Georgiana and Walker quickly scanned the papers for news. She went up to Darcy at nine. His valet was taking his tray away and the Doctor was due at ten. She read the papers until the Doctor arrived. He studied his map. She could see he was crying behind his map. She had never seen her brother cry. The Doctor called and examined Darcy. He said he was mending but still needed to remain in bed. He thought in two days he could get up for an hour. She checked on George. A maid suggested they go to the park to see the ducks. She agreed but said the maid had to take a footman. They waited during the day. The Earl arrived at two. Georgiana left the two men alone to talk.

At five in the afternoon Walker came with special editions of the papers. They both stood in the hall and scanned the headlines quickly. The battle was fought yesterday. The news was twelve hours old. They were calling it 'The Battle of Waterloo'. The battle was still going on while the dispatches were sent to London. Wellington was out numbered; he had 78,000 troops and Napoleon 84,000. Napoleon had defeated the Prussians two days earlier a day's march from Waterloo. Heaving fighting reported in and around Planchenoit. She took the papers and went up the stairs. She hated the news and she hated delivering this news to her brother. The Earl and Darcy looked as she entered. She gave the papers to her uncle. They took turns reading to Darcy from the papers. Her aunt arrived at seven. They had tea in the family room, and discussed the war news, Elizabeth, Richard and Darcy.

"My dear, you are so young and I think you are doing a marvelous job with all of this." She said.

"Oh Aunt, it is so hard." She said.

"I know; it is hard for me and your uncle, for all of us. We must be strong for Darcy and Elizabeth and hope for the best." Lady Fitzwilliam said.

At ten Walker brought in more special editions. They scanned the paper. It was terrible news. One paper stated Wellington had formed squares in his center and was under attack by General Nye with the Old Guard, Calvary and cannon. Another said the center had been broken by Nye and Wellington was in one of the fallen squares. Planchenoit had changed hands twice with hand to hand fighting. The town was completely razed. The French Middle Guard was holding the strategic position.

They went up the stairs with the papers. She gave them to the Earl. He read the reports to Darcy. Georgiana stood by the window. The Earl said he was going back to Saint James Palace. He would take a footman with him for a messenger if he learned anything.

After the Earl left Darcy said, "I would like to be alone."

Georgiana stared crying. She said she didn't want to be alone. She wanted Lizzie and Richard back. She wanted her brother well. Darcy was shocked at the outburst. He coaxed her to his bed and pulled her down. He held her while she cried.

"We want the same thing." He said.

He asked how young George Wickham arrived in the house in the hopes of calming her down. She dried her eyes on his blanket and began telling the story.

She told him when they had arrived at the docks Elizabeth told her she intended to go to Belgium to look for Richard. She wanted her and Harold to go to Newcastle and hunt for young George. If they found George they were to take him to London House. If not, return to London but don't go anywhere but Newcastle. Jane's letter didn't know the woman's name Lidia had left young George with. Although she felt like she should go the Belgium and look for Richard Elizabeth said both problems needed to be solved. She didn't feel she could refuse Elizabeth's request.

Georgiana left London with her maid and Harold, a brakeman and two footmen in the coach and four that morning. She told Harold to make the trip as fast as possible but not to over stress the horses. Harold joined a caravan an hour out of London They made good time to Newcastle stopping twice at coaching inns on the road. It took a day to learn that George had indeed been left with a Mrs. McDermott. Mrs. McDermott had received a letter her sister who was very ill and need her to tend house and mind her three kids. She had left for Danderhall Scotland south of Edinburgh.

At first Harold said he wouldn't go to Scotland, Elizabeth had given orders. She had to threaten to go by mail coach before he relented. Harold made a furious pace to Scotland with no overnight stops. By luck the weather was good. They arrived in Danderhall late in the day and found loggings at an inn. When I and my maid went downstairs early the next morning we were informed by Harold they knew the whereabouts of young George. Harold, the brakeman and the two footmen had been up most of the night trying to find George.

We had a quick breakfast and went to meet Mrs. McDermott and young George. At first she wouldn't hear of giving him up to someone she didn't know without a note from Lidia or Mr. Wickham. I explained my relationship to George and described Mr. Wickham, Longbourn, Elizabeth and her sisters Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. I assured her young George would be very safe and well cared for. I gave her the address of Pemberley and the London House. She agreed and we left for London within the hour. In truth I think she was relieved as she had plenty of children to tend. Harold brought us home in quick time.

On the trip to London young George was lively but well-mannered. He would often lay his head in her lap and sleep. Look out the window at the cows, horses and sheep and asked a million questions. He asked after his mother and father several time but didn't cry or fuss once.

Mon 20 June 1815

Darcy was finally asleep. Georgiana remained in his room and was able to sleep in a large chair. Lady Fitzwilliam had gone home at eleven. It was near two when she woke. Someone was running in the hall. The door opened and Walker came in with a folded piece of paper. She turned up the lamp to read.

20 June 1815 1:15AM

Gardiner Warehouse

London Docks

Colonel Fitzwilliam and John Black just arrived on the docks. They are at the warehouse. A Doctor has been called. The Colonel is weak. John Black is in pain from a leg injury. Elizabeth is still in Belgium but believed safe. John Black will explain as soon as he gets to London House. Arranging transport for the Colonel to Fritz House and John Black to London House.

Mr. Gardiner.

She looked at her brother and saw his concern. He asked she read the note again. She reread the note.

"It is good news brother. Richard is here and Elizabeth is safe. He seemed to relax a little.

"Why is she still in Belgium?" he asked.

"I don't know, we must wait for Mr. Black." she said.

It was five am when John Black arrived at London House. Georgiana introduced herself and explained her brother was injured and in bed. She could see he needed assistance to walk. He was in a lot of pain. He asked for additional assistance to get up the stairs. Walker and the hall boys placed him in a chair and carried him and the chair up the stairs and into Darcy's room. John Black sat in the chair. He and his attire were dirty. He was unshaven and had long hair. Georgiana thought he looked terrible.

"I have failed you Mr. Darcy. I left Mrs. Darcy in Belgium." he said.

"We were traveling on a small flatbed gig with no sides. The gig could only carry two and the driver. Mrs. Darcy and Richard were on the flatbed. Richard had to be held in place because the road was terrible. I was leading the horse. The road was clogged with traffic in both directions. It was stop and go all day long. Several times we were at a standstill for one or two hours. All of a sudden there was cannon fire somewhere to or right. I was holding the horse from bolting. There was a wagon coming towards us. His horse bolted and his wheel ran over my leg. Our driver pulled off the road. Mrs. Darcy bandaged my leg and helped me on the flatbed. She walked behind the gig. She started falling back little by little mostly due to traffic. Then I lost sight of her in the distance. The driver wouldn't stop. He said we could get off but he wouldn't stop. I couldn't stand and the Colonel was in worse shape. If we left the gig we would be lying beside the road. If Mrs. Darcy came we would be a mill stone around her neck. Her best chance was to make it to the coast alone. All we could do was go forward. I had to make a decision. It had rained that morning and she had her coat. Her coat had money sewed into the hem and lining. She also had large pockets on her apron with several items she would need." he said.

"Can you show me on the map where this was?" Darcy asked.

"Pretty close but not accurate, I tried to mark a map for Mr. Gardiner." he said.

Georgiana handed him Darcy's map. He struggled to his feet and studied the map at the table. He took a pen and marked a box on the map. Georgiana looked at the map and handed it to her brother.

"She was in that area." he said.

"Did you see French troops?" Darcy asked

"No sir, not that day but we saw French Calvary the day before at Planchenoit. They were scouting the countryside. It is why we left. The Colonel needed more mending time but Mrs. Darcy and I felt it was too risky to stay. We saw English troops to the left of the road maybe a mile on some low hills." he said.

"What day did she disappear on the road." Darcy asked.

"Maybe the 17th of June but I really think it was the 18th." he said.

"You didn't fail me John. Our world spins out of control and things just happens we can't control. How is Richard?"

"He will live. It will take time but the Doctor said he will live." he said.

Darcy told Walker to put Mr. Black in a room and send for the Doctor. He would need food, drink, clothes, bath and a barber. Get some rest and we will talk again when you're better.

As he was being helped from the room he turned and said. "I didn't see a different way. God I hope it proves to be a good decision."

Georgiana and Darcy had breakfast in his room and talked over what they had learned. Darcy felt she was between the two armies. She trapped on the road with strangers and no one to turn too.

At six the footman brought a letter from her uncle. She read the letter to Darcy.

20 June 1815 4:00AM

Saint James Palace

Darcy

It's not as bad as the papers are reporting. Planchenoit changed hands three times not two. At the end of the day the British held the village. It was razed to the ground. Wellington's center was broken and formed into squares but held off Nye and the guard. Blücher arrived late in the day with a Prussian army. After the battle Wellington was able to regroup and reorganize his troops. The French are retreating east towards France. It wasn't a defeat. It was a draw or likely a win.

The Navy has started evacuation of wounded and civilians. Restriction on travel will be lifted in four days.

Fitzwilliam

"He doesn't know Richard is in London. I think Aunt will send word." he said.

"Brother what do you think?" she asked.

"I think we must still hope Elizabeth will make it to the coast." he said.

The last papers for the day arrived at five. Georgiana read the papers to her brother and the news was a lot better. Some were reporting a victory and some called it a draw. The French had held the field at the end of the battle but withdrew to regroup. The Old guard was badly mauled in the French retreat. The killed and wounded was staggering. Napoleon losses were thought to be 27,000 troop plus 7,000 captured. The British losses were not reported. She continued to scan the papers for news when she said

"Oh brother!"

"What is it?" he asked.

"It's a news story about Lidia Wickham." she said.

"Read it please." he said.

The White Lady

Waterloo Battlefield

filed 18 June 1815

Her name was Mrs. Lidia Wickham but on this day she was known as the 'White Lady'. She wore a white surgeon's coat and worked at the edge of the battlefield near the British center. She bandaged and bound the wounded as they were brought from the field and sent them to the aid station. An orderly told her about 4:30pm her husband Lt. George Wickham had fallen and was at the aid station. He was asking for her. She hurried to the station. Ten minutes after her arrival Lt. Wickham died. Their words were not transcribed. She asked that he be placed under a small tree nearby and covered with a blanket. When this was done she turned and walked away. An orderly asked her where she was going. She replied calmly, 'To the battlefield sir.' He said your husband has died madam. She replied, 'I know sir and I will have a lifetime to morn him. If I go back I may be able to save some soldiers. Their mothers, wives and sweethearts will not have to morn a lifetime. She turned and walked back to the battlefield. It was recorded at 7:28pm the 'White Lady fell by shrapnel from one of General Nye cannon balls. She was taken to the small tree where her husband laid and placed beside him. They were both covered with the same blanket.

Darcy laid back and said he was very sorry to hear about Lidia and George. She could see tears rolling down his checks.

"There will be so many killed and wounded." he said.

He soon fell asleep. Georgiana left the room. She was tired and went to bed.