A.N. Thank you, Michelle, Missouri Walker, Nanciellen, Debu, Joan, Vesper, Jolanda, Kiwipride, MrsSP9, Colleen, Gabyhyatt, Happy Lizzy, for the reviews. I am so happy that you find the story interesting and Lucy, a woman with strength. Happy Lizzy, in my mind, Genna Darcy only hid Paul's confession letter and Collins's knife right before Darcy and Elizabeth returned to 1812 from 2009.
I'm not sure if I have mentioned this here at FFN. The story idea came after I saw a photo of an elegant African American lady dressed in the late 1800s clothing. It made me wonder what would happen if I send our favourite couple from Regency England to America in the late 1800s. I then looked into some famous African American women. I came across Mary Jane Patterson, the first black woman to earn a B.A. degree (source: Wikipedia). She served as Dunbar High School's (Washington, D.C.) first black principal, from 1871 to 1872. Patterson was demoted and then reappointed from 1873 to 1884. I am in awe of Ms. Patterson to have thrived in such a difficult time. She graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio. It had some difficult beginnings in 1839–40, and Rev. John Keep and William Dawes were sent to England to raise funds for the college. I thus weaved some of Ms. Patterson's background into the story as Lucy's. I settled Lucy in 1892 and sent Lizzy to that time mainly because I wanted to introduce the fingerprinting method to solve a crime.
The first draft of the story, which I completed in September 2019 before posting, didn't have the part about God Janus, Obama's inauguration in 2009, nor the pandemic in 2020. As I started posting and revision, my idea evolved. Sorry, Debu, that it is too painful for you to read about the situation of the pandemic. I feel deeply about it too. Many of the elderly people died of the Covid-19 without any family by their side. The basic things about food, family, social contacts and freedom which many, including myself, seem to have sometimes taken for granted because of our preoccupation with earning a living, surfing the Internet or becoming rich, etc., come into the forefront of everyone's mind.
Thank you and other readers for reading my unbeta'ed stories. I feel some connection with different readers around the world. I also hope that I've brought you some laughter. Let me know if there are still any unanswered questions. Do leave me some reviews. I'd love to hear about your thoughts. Cheers Enid, from sunny Sydney.
Chapter 26
Darcy's reminiscence of the time-travel was interrupted by the arrival of three more persons in Netherfield.
"Lord Metcalf, you made excellent time!" Darcy greeted the magistrate from Kent. His Lordship was accompanied by Peter Mitford, Father of Daisy and Paul Mitford and the Colonel's batsman Tuttle. Colonel Fitzwilliam added his greeting to the party but stared at his batsman with a frown. After a round of introduction, Mr. Mitford was asked to verify the handwriting of his son. He examined the letter with tears in his eyes and confirmed that the confession was writing by his son. Lusington asked Mrs. Bingley to prepare a room for the tavern owner to rest. Once Mitford left the parlour, Lusington bid Lord Metcalf to take over the proceeding.
"His Lordship, I am sure Sir William has no objection for you to preside over the matter of both murders. You are more senior and longer serving magistrate of the two."
Lord Metcalf looked to Meryton magistrate, who opened his mouth and then stuttered, "Umh, His Lordship will be…tired from his journey. Perhaps we should not…bother him and let him rest instead."
"Thank you for your consideration, Sir William. I had a comfortable and easy journey and what is 50 miles of good road." Lord Metcalf dismissed Sir William's suggestion and asked Lusington to bring him up to speed about the two murders.
Miss Bingley pleaded a headache and asked to be excused from the party during all this, but Lord Metcalf would not let anyone else leave the room. She fainted, but His Lordship instructed her brother and Tuttle to carry her to lie on a chaise. Bingley cradled Caroline's head when Tuttle stepped forward to take her foot.
"How dare you!" Miss Bingley revived miraculously from the fainting, tried to kick Tuttle and yelled at him. "Take your hands off me!"
Tuttle shrugged his shoulders, stepped back and turned to look at His Lordship.
"Great, Miss Bingley's malaise seemed to have gone, Tuttle, pray stand guard behind her for me."
"I must object, Your Lordship," Caroline snarled. "What is the meaning of this?"
"You are interrupting Lusington from briefing me about two serious murders. I could send you to prison for obstruction of justice."
Caroline opened her mouth to say more, but Bingley sat down by her side and stuffed her mouth with his handkerchief, muffling her protest. He also held her on the seat.
Once Lusington finished, Lord Metcalf bid Elizabeth continue. "What do you know about the arsenic, Miss Bennet?"
"I was away on business for my Father to Dover for a few days," Elizabeth said, "and I met Mrs. Worting at a shop there."
"The herb woman at Walthamstow," Lusington said. "My men interviewed her and asked her not to leave town!"
"Mrs. Worting must have misunderstood your instruction," Elizabeth said. "she was visiting a friend there."
"Did she confess to selling arsenic to Miss Bingley's lady maid?" Colonel Fitzwilliam said.
Miss Bingley mumbled a protest and Bingley said on her behalf. "My sister would not do such a thing."
"Indeed not," Elizabeth said. "Mrs. Worting was less tight-lipped this time. She confirmed that she recognized Mr. Bingley's carriage. A lady's maid by the name of Carlina came to her shop and bought a large amount of sleeping draught from her."
"Carlina is the nickname of Miss Bingley's lady maid," Jane said with scorn. "Miss Bingley is so forgetful that she called the maid with a name after herself."
"That confirmed my men's interview," Lusington said. "Let us summon the lady's maid."
Jane pulled the bell and gave the instruction eagerly. However, a few minutes later, the footman returned with Mrs. Nicholls, the housekeeper. Mrs. Nicholls reported that the lady's maid was nowhere to be seen and Miss Bingley's jewellery case was opened and empty. Another alarming matter was that Miss de Bourgh was missing too.
Darcy and the Colonel conferred for a moment and Richard left the room to organise the search for their cousin. Darcy remained.
Miss Bingley's eyes burst with anger. She muffled more words behind her gag.
"Miss Bennet, pray continue to recount with your meeting with Mrs. Worting," Lord Metcalf said.
"Mrs. Worting said that Carlina complained about Miss Bingley's 'high dungeon'. Her mistress had just learned that her intended would be wearing emerald green for the party and she had her heart set on changing the colour theme of the party to green."
"I remember that," Bingley murmured. "Caroline was like a monkey gone crazy, ordering the servants to dye the fine orange tablecloths and dining serviettes she particularly bought from London emerald green."
Mrs. Bingley had returned to the parlour and nodded. She murmured with disgust. "For the peace of my husband, I let his utterly elegant sister ruined a few fine furnishings by dyeing them green for the party."
"What did that have to do with the arsenic?" Bingley asked.
"Carlina told Mrs. Worting that her mistress even wanted to match the wine glasses, the same emerald green as the tablecloths. Mrs. Worting warned Carlina that dye contained arsenic and her mistress surely would not want the guests to drink in too much arsenic."
"But, Caroline did!" Jane exclaimed. "She made the servants painted a few of the finest glasses, with green dye paint, before Mrs. Nicholls stopped the servants. I thought the housekeeper asked the servants not to use them."
"The glass that Miss Bingley gave me before I sat down for supper with Miss Bennet, was green in colour," Darcy said with a frown. "Did Miss Bingley want to poison me?"
Miss Bingley pushed her brother's hands away and removed the gag. "Indeed not! I only thought the green wine glass looked quite a good match with your coat. I personally did not like green that much. What sacrifice I made for you! I put green accents on my orange gown and chose feathers with more green than orange. I even had to paint two other best wine glasses myself, one for me and one for you, because that blasted housekeeper confiscated the ones the servants painted. How devoted I am to you, Mr. Darcy! Why did you reject me? All I have wanted was to be the Mistress of Pemberley. How grand! And the pin money! The fine carriages! I can buy hundreds of gowns and hats in any colours I like and turn your shirts, waistcoats, cravats and coats to match mine. We would be the most admired and talked about couple in town!"
Darcy drew in a deep breath to suppress the bile that emerged in his throat. The image of himself in an array of colours, with a matching Miss Bingley digging her claws on his arm, made him nausea.
"The poisonous wine glass is in green!" Lusington exclaimed.
"Mr. Wickham had no business drinking from my special glass! I was going to get Mr. Darcy to come with me after I disposed of Eliza and Mr. Wickham. We would toast together with the two green wine glasses I prepared while Eliza would be compromised by Mr. Wickham. It was such a fine scheme. Mr. Wickham ruined my plan! He drank from my glass. He killed himself. It has nothing to do with me!"
Lord Metcalf had listened enough. He signaled for Bingley to gag his sister again and Tuttle to tie the lady's hands. Then His Lordship asked Captain Carter to take the fingerprints from Miss Bennet and a struggling Miss Bingley. Carter carefully examined the two prints and compared them to the patterns he had on his portfolio. He confirmed that wine glass P contained fingerprints of Miss Bingley and the deceased only. Wine glass T had prints of Miss Bingley, Miss Elizabeth and Wickham.
"Now we have the conclusive evidence that Caroline Bingley accidentally poisoned George Wickham," Lusington said.
"You are under arrest, Miss Caroline Bingley," Lord Metcalf added. "for the wrongful killing of George Wickham and hindering justice by implicating Miss Mary Bennet."
"Please, Lord Metcalf, can we speak privately for a moment?" Bingley asked.
"Fine, I will allow that." Lord Metcalf bid Lusington and Sir William to come with them.
As they walked together to the library, Darcy shot Elizabeth a look to check if she was alright. She nodded and smiled. Darcy was relieved and he followed Bingley into the library, where the younger man made a petition.
"Your Lordship, kindly hear me out and sympathize with my pain. Caroline is but a young woman. Her actions, even though they were terrible, were not intentional. She could not have intended to kill Wickham. After all, it was a sleeping draught she bought rather than arsenic. Is there anything that can be done for her? Her idiocy is deserving of heavy punishment but it was simply a mistake. Can an alternative arrangement be made for her?"
Darcy was incensed on behalf of Elizabeth, the ultimate victim of Miss Bingley's crime. But he understood Bingley. Bingley tried to show his brotherly love by pleading for his sister's life.
"Well, even though I am a man of the law, I understand that it was a foolish error on her part. I will not recommend a death sentence, but she deserves punishment, a very severe one. A man died, regardless of whether it was a mistake. She deserves a heavy sentence."
"Anything but the death sentence would be exceedingly gracious."
Lord Metcalf thought for a few moments and talked to Lusington. Sir William wanted to join in the discussion but Metcalf told him to remain seated at his place.
"The deceased does not have a family. I think there will be no one to object to Caroline Bingley not be taken to trial," Lord Metcalf said after conferring with Lusington.
"I would recommend to the crown that she leaves England and never to return again. Also, I would order her to pay compensation for three parties: the militia for the loss of a member, Miss Mary Bennet, for her wrongful detention and Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the intended victim of Caroline Bingley's viciousness."
"Of course, Your Lordship, I would help pay up," Bingley replied. He was relieved that Caroline would not be hanged, even though he might never see her again after her transportation.
"Indeed not, you cannot pay for Caroline Bingley's wrongdoing. She must own up to her mistakes. I understand that she has twenty thousand pounds dowry. I would recommend to the crown that she be stripped of the entire sum and the money be split three ways for the three parties I mentioned."
"But how could she live in exile, with no money?" Bingley exclaimed.
"I would allow you to purchase her a ticket to sail out of England. Nothing fancy. It must be a cabin for servants. You can pay her the wage of 15 pounds a year, the equivalent of how much a lady's maid earns, with a possible five percent increase after 10 years. Nothing more. Should you or any of your family or friends are found to provide her with more funds, other means such as jewellery now or in the future, I would recommend the party be fined too. Have I made myself clear?"
"Fifteen pounds a year! Caroline will be furious."
"Or she can choose to go for a trial where I would recommend death sentence if she is convicted," Lord Metcalf said sternly.
Bingley nodded glumly. "No, I would tell Caroline to accept this arrangement."
"Good. Now, Sir William. I found you exceedingly incompetent in exercising your authority as a magistrate. You interviewed only a handful of witnesses and listened to just one-sided account by Caroline Bingley who turned out to be the real culprit and arrested an innocent gentlewoman. Miss Mary Bennet's reputation would be forever tainted, even though she is exonerated. I would recommend to the crown that you would never be allowed a magistracy."
"That is unfair!" Sir William protested. "I sent my men out diligently to investigate!"
"Yes, as far as I heard, for Mr. Collins's murder. That evil clergyman was not a worthy person! What have you done regarding George Wickham's murder? Did you interrogate Miss Mary about where she procured the poison?"
"No…but I was busy,"
"With what?"
"Mr. Collins's murder was not yet solved. I was desperate to make an arrest for that crime while I had a murderess for Wickham's case."
"I am sure you are eager to pin Collins's murder on Mr. Bennet, judging from what I was told and the letter from Paul Mitford."
"That letter is entirely a fabrication, by this man from Derbyshire!" Sir William pointed to Darcy.
"I see you are still intend on an libelous act against Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy, would you care to sue Sir William for libel? Lusington and I will be happy to be the witness."
Before Darcy could reply, Sir William apologized. "No, I am sorry, Lord Metcalf. I agree that the confession letter is genuine, as confirmed by Peter Mitford. I apologize for not investigated vigorously enough for George Wickham's murder."
"You do not owe me an apology," Lord Metcalf said. "but to Mr. Darcy. I can see that you are not man enough to admit to your error. I am tempted to fine you as well, for at least one thousand pounds, to pay Miss Mary Bennet for her loss of reputation."
Sir William's mouth gaped open and fainted dead away. Lord Metcalf shook his head and stood up. The party of four left the Meryton magistrate to be tended by a servant.
Soon, Miss Bingley was locked up in her room, with Captain Carter overseeing her confinement, awaiting Bingley's arrangement for her departure from England. Miss Mary was released and returned to Longbourn, much to her family and Colonel Fitzwilliam's relief.
~0~
The next day, Darcy went to visit his secret fiancée at Longbourn, with Colonel Fitzwilliam in tow.
"I miss you, Elizabeth," Darcy wrapped his arms around her when they had a moment of privacy in the garden. Richard was walking with Miss Mary at the opposite end of the garden.
"I miss you too, Fitzwilliam. But you know the short separation of two days was necessary."
"I understand. I was grateful that it was Tuttle who found us when we returned to 1812 from our time travel in 2009. I know him well enough during his years with Richard."
Tuttle knew Darcy very well too, for not asking a question about how muddy Elizabeth and Darcy both looked when they emerged from the cave. As Darcy's request, Tuttle got Darcy's valet to come to fetch Darcy with Prospero to go to London for two days. Tuttle escorted Elizabeth back to Longbourn before going away on behalf of Darcy to fetch Lord Metcalf and Paul Mitford. He even promised not to mention the whole episode to the Colonel.
"Tuttle got an earful from Richard last night, about disloyalty and keeping secret from him and so on. Richard still believes I ventured into this tunnel in the caves at Oakham Mount, met this mystery inventor named L and went to London for five days!"
"Lucy, a secret inventor!" Elizabeth laughed. "We needed to appear in Meryton separately, or my reputation would be ruined. It was good for Genna to suggest you go to London for two days before returning to Hertfordshire, while I went back to Longbourn. I think Genna inherited my cleverness."
"Now you are getting my arrogance, Elizabeth," Darcy shook his head. "But your reputation will not be harmed. I am going to ask your Father for permission to marry you anyway, my dear Elizabeth."
Elizabeth smiled brightly, then frowned almost instantly.
"What?" asked Darcy.
"How will you ask my parents without asking me first."
"I have asked you, have you forgotten already? In 2009, in front of a world full of the television audience."
"But that is not me," Elizabeth said archly. "that is Elizabeth Bennet of 2009."
"Well, you are certainly going to say yes as well, Elizabeth of 1812."
"Do not be so sure."
"Do you mean to say there is a chance you might refuse me?"
"Ask me and find out."
Seeing the game Elizabeth was playing, Darcy held her hands and looked into her eyes before saying with all the emotion he could muster.
"Miss Bennet, will you give me the eternal pleasure of being your husband of the Regency era, and of any time in the future?"
"No, Mr. Darcy," she said very flatly. "You did not sound very convincing. Stage actors could do better. I want something theatrical and memorable."
Darcy laughed and then, after a moment's contemplation, got down on one knee. He stared up at her and said, "Elizabeth, make me the happiest man in this world by being my wife and spending the rest of my days and future with me. Marry me, my dearest Elizabeth."
"Yes! Yes, yes and yes! But only for the consideration of our descendants!"
Darcy tapped Elizabeth on the nose and scolded her for the impertinence. They embraced and laughed and cried a little. They went into the house and announced the news to the joy of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, who gladly gave their consent. Mrs. Bennet hugged Elizabeth and there were many congratulations.
"I always knew you would find such a worthy man, Lizzy. How happy I am. Two of my daughters have married into a fortune."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes at her mother's vulgar jubilation. "We are yet to be married, Mother."
"Imagine how grand a wedding! Imagine the number of important guests. Layers and layers of finest lace…"
"Mother, stop. You are in too much of a hurry."
"I cannot help myself. I am overcome with joy."
"And your nerves?"
"Forget my nerves for today."
"Did mother just say to forget her nerves?" said Lydia in between fits of laughter. She seemed to have gotten over Wickham's death quite quickly.
"I could hardly believe it myself," Mrs. Bennet pressed her handkerchief to her bosom.
"Well, I am indeed happy for you, Lizzy, but do invite as many handsome redcoats as you can," Lydia said with a pout. "Oh, and make sure the wine is served with glasses in every colour but green!"
"I will take your warning to heart," Elizabeth said, laughing.
Mr. Bennet came over to where they were talking and it was apparent that even he was as excited as they all were.
"Elizabeth, it is a surprise how things have turned out, I remember how you hated Mr. Darcy initially. To think that you would end up marrying him. This could be a folder for a love story."
"Thank you, Father. I will soon be leaving you with Mary, Lydia and Kitty. However, Mary may follow soon, judging by Colonel Fitzwilliam's eagerness for her company. How will you cope?"
"What do you mean, cope?" Mary interjected, "we will take good care of you, Father. And Colonel Fitzwilliam needs to learn a few things about the bible before I will give in to his request."
Richard scratched his head and sighed.
"The Colonel has already asked you to marry him?" Mrs. Bennet squeaked. "Oh, Mary, you are marrying the son of a Lord! How grand!"
"I told Colonel Fitzwilliam I am not yet ready," Mary said. "I want to stay at home for a bit longer and take care of you two."
"Nonsense!" Mrs. Bennet objected.
"I already have a migraine in anticipation of your care, Mary." Mr. Bennet teased.
"I do not give you migraines, Father. It is Kitty and Lydia, who do surely give you headaches."
"You always play strange music, though."
"That is unfair, Mr. Bennet," Richard defended his love interest. "Miss Mary shall be most proficient if she is afforded the teaching of a music master."
"I see you agree that Mary's playing does need some instruction." Mr. Bennet laughed.
Richard clamped his mouth shut, on seeing Mary glaring at him. But she then burst into an uncharacteristic laugh, which brightened her complexion. It was such a wonderful day for Mary. Elizabeth was back in Longbourn and marrying Mr. Darcy soon. Mary herself was out of detention, free from any allegation of a crime. She thought little of the two men murdered. William Collins and George Wickham were both vile men. She had much pity for Mr. Paul Mitford and hoped he escaped the noose in the New World. She could not say the same for Miss Bingley, as the woman schemed to harm Elizabeth. Mary did not care about the money that came in her way from Miss Bingley's compensation. Mary was courted by a conscientious gentleman. They could make their future together, with hard work.
After a month, Darcy and Elizabeth were married in a touching ceremony. Six months after their wedding, Elizabeth finally published the book "Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller" under the pseudonym Lucy Hill and it was a success. The profits, together with Miss Bingley's fine, went to a charity to educate poor women and train them to gain employment.
Today, Elizabeth and Darcy returned to Hertfordshire for Mary and Richard's wedding. Mrs. Bennet was in a frenzy with preparation for her daughter's marriage into a noble family. Darcy and his wife escaped the hysteria in Longbourn for walking at Oakham Mount.
"Did Mr. Tincton discover any more information regarding Miss de Bourgh's disappearance?" Elizabeth asked. "You had a letter from him yesterday."
"Only a wealthy woman named Mrs. Carlina Collins was seen disembarked at New York City. She travelled with a Caroline Bourgh and a young baby." Darcy then showed Elizabeth a drawing.
"But that is Miss de Bourgh!"
"Yes, Anne travelled as Mrs. Collins. Her friend Caroline Bourgh is Carlina, the lady's maid of Miss Bingley. But they seem to have disappeared in the vast land of the New World."
"Miss de Bourgh must be still in love with my sadistic cousin if she is calling herself Mrs. Carlina Collins. But why took Carlina's name?"
"I can never understand Anne's mind," Darcy shook his head. "However, we can safely say that the Carlina Collins we met in 2009 is most probably Anne and evil Collins's descendent."
Elizabeth nodded, thinking of the future. "I wonder if we should risk a visit to the future to see Lucy. I miss her dreadfully."
"I suppose that would be fine, except we do not know for sure if this will not lead to any complications of disastrous proportions."
"Well, I do not believe it will. Things worked out pretty well for us the last time. We arrived in 1812 from 2009 without any problem."
"No, we cannot risk it," Darcy said.
"I am teasing you, Mr. Darcy. I do not need to travel into the future. I have everything I need here with me, my lovely husband and my family. But we could send a package. A letter and goods of some sort. I will send Lucy something special, rare herbs, and a copy of my book."
The next day Elizabeth prepared a letter and a package full of things for Lucy. She suggested that they could write a letter to each other on the 27th every two or three months. Darcy and Elizabeth both went to the cave. The glow at the time portal lit up not long afterwards. The package vanished right before their eyes amid the bright lights.
"This is the first time I have witnessed the working of the time machine and it is almost like magic," Elizabeth murmured.
"Indeed!"
Three months later, they returned to the cave and saw they had received two packages, from Lucy and surprisingly from Genna Darcy of 2038 too. Genna told them in a letter that she had stayed in England to witness Darcy and Elizabeth's wedding in 1812. They were astounded and overjoyed. Genna must have observed them from afar. It would not do for another lady who resembled Georgiana Darcy to appear at Darcy's wedding at Longbourn Church.
Darcy and Elizabeth never crossed into the future again themselves. They spent their lives dedicated to their family, tenants and the poor and disadvantaged people in England. Their descendants worked tirelessly for more and more people, and beyond that to other countries in the world.
Darcy and Elizabeth were happy and content with each other in their lives. They did not need to forgive time or to forget life. They were resolute in their purpose and their time in life. Their love and admiration for each other never dimmed.
The End
