Chapter 33
Looking toward the entrance to the ballroom Matlock exclaimed in disgust, "There was nothing I thought could be worse then my sister showing up here with her wey faced daughter. It turns out I was wrong."
Darcy turned from watching Elizabeth dance with his cousin, Col. Fitzwilliam, to see Lady Catherine arriving with Miss Bingley and Lord Warwick, one of the Earl's nephews through Lady Matlock's family.
"If it was the wey faced daughter we could have hoped that the old bat hoped to find her a husband now that Darcy is off the market and she could have become some other gentleman's problem," Edmund said. "I wonder what she is doing being seen with them? Your nephew, Warwick is about as depraved as they come. Not terribly surprising Miss Bingley found her way to him, but Lady Catherine is unexpected."
Seeing Warwick's attention on the dance floor, Darcy followed his gaze to where it rested on Elizabeth who was now being led off the floor by the colonel. Darcy stiffled a curse and began striding toward Elizabeth and Col. Fitzwilliam, his uncles close behind him but Warwick was also moving that way and closer.
"Bloody hell," said the Earl as they headed toward Elizabeth and Col. Fitzwilliam, "Warwick is headed that way. Where is my eldest son when I need him? Someone needs to secure a dance with Lizzy before that reprobate does." Seeing the viscount appear at Col. Fitzwilliam's elbow, the earl breathed a sigh of relief. His son, unlike Warwick did not bother attempting to coerce unwilling ladies of society to be his mistresses and he knew better then to even flirt with his cousin Darcy's wife. More then one previously marriagable young lady after finding her reputation ruined had agreed to be under Warwick's protection. Matlock could not imagine what Warwick could possibly be up to to approach Darcy's new wife, he had to know she was adequately protected, unlike some of his previous prey.
As Darcy approached the group with Elizabeth flanked on either side by the two Fitzwilliam brothers standing across from Warwick who had Miss Bingley on his arm, he was relieved to hear the viscount inform Warwick that Elizabeth had just granted him her next set.
"Pity," Warwick said. "I had hoped to dance with such a charming lady. I believe you know my companions?" Warwick said while Lady Catherine smiled maliciously her eyes gleaming and Miss Bingley attempted to look down her nose at Elizabeth and the Fitzwilliams.
"We do," Darcy said flatly coming up to join the group.
"Would rather we didn't though," Edmund said joining as well.
"What are you up to Warwick?" demanded Matlock.
"I knew approaching the new Mrs. Darcy would help us arrange this little te-te-te between all of us. I wished to preform a service for your family uncle, after all your sister has been bleating about how it is my duty to the Fitzwilliams as a relation," Warwick said reaching out to grasp Lady Catherine's wrist and roughly hauling her forward. Tightening his grip on Miss Bingley he thrust her toward the group and said, "of course it is not quite the service she or this one had in mind. I enjoy most of the vices known to man and rarely let a little thing like morals get in my way, but I do not hold with murder," he said his voice hardening as he raised it to ensure he was heard by as many as possible. "I had thought it would be amusing to offer this one a large sum of money to be my mistress," he said indicating Miss Bingley. "As eager as she had been to be your wife she was even more eager to be my misstress, Darcy. Women like her always have a price they can be bought for. For Caro here, she was easily swayed by the thought of being draped in silks and jewels and parading around high society on the arm of an Earl, in any capacity. She was quite eager to show me her particular skill set she had learned in hopes of gaining your hand. It would not have worked on you, but it was certainly entertaining for me, since I had no desire to push her away but rather encouraged her. It turns out she can use her viper's tongue for more pleasantly then she usually does. Unfortunately despite her manifold talents, that I encourage any man here to sample, she is quite bearable when she is not speaking but I won't be making her my mistress." Glancing at Miss Bingley's pale face he said, "Sorry Caro. You have a talented mouth and were eager to please me, but I overheard that talented mouth of yours making plans with this one, " he indicated Lady Catherine, "for the permanent removal of Mrs. Darcy in hopes of him choosing a new Mrs. Darcy, before our little encounter, not that I let the fact my plans had changed stop me from enjoying what I came for at least. Both of you likely plotting how you would arrange who the next Mrs. Darcy was. Of course once you realized what I could offer you, it became about revenge, not being Mrs. Darcy. I found it amusing you both believed I would assist you. I find Darcy to be a stuck up prig, but I don't hate him. I would think the gossip about his preferences was a bit skewed, my dear and your efforts would have been for naught," he said to Miss Bingley. "My Uncle here is an Earl, and so am I. I do believe the testimony of an Earl is enough to see you two charged with some serious crimes." Addressing Darcy and his relations he said, "Lady Catherine was hoping I would assist in kidnapping Mrs. Darcy and after enjoying her, get rid of her. Lady Catherine not only offered a way to sedate her for the initial kidnapping, where Caro played a large role in subduing and transporting her, she offered that I could enjoy her in peace at her estate, Rosings Park, as long as I took care of disposing of the body afterward somewhere it would be found so she could be declared dead and Darcy could remarry. Caro believed if her brother where the one to find it no one would question him, since they sre such good friends. So in service of the Fitzwilliams I have brought you these two. Might I recommend locking them up. Since I am not likely to get to dance with Mrs. Darcy, I believe I will go seek my entertainment elsewhere and you may deal with your own problems now." With a bow, Warwick released both ladies and turned around and sauntered off. Calling over his shoulder he said, "Let me know if you need my testimony. You might also consider shipping them off to the Americas."
The Earl was quick to grab his sister and Col. Fitzwilliam was quick to grasp Miss Bingley's wrist when Warwick released them so neither could escape. Lady Catherine began raving about how she bad been betrayed and how she would see that Elizabeth was eliminated not matter what. By silent agreement all the men began to leave the ball room. Elizabeth protectively held under Darcy's arm while Matlock and his eldest son attempted to restrain Lady Catherine. Miss Bingley had swooned, so the colonel simply heaved her over his shoulder and carried her. Edmund mummered to no one in particular, "Never a dull moment."
The Bramhursts and Lady Matlock met them at the entrance way where it was decided that the Bramhursts would stay with Lady Matlock and provide her a ride home so she could represent the family to society for the rest of the evening. Lady Matlock was confident that she would be able to successfully manage the situation.
…
At Matlock House, Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley were placed in a locked room together. Edmund had suggested with a wicked grin that rather then separate the two they should be allowed to enjoy each other's company. Two footman were stationed outside the door and Edmund presented them with some cotton and a cheeky, "For your ears."
Since hearing Miss Bingley and Lady Catherine's scheme against Elizabeth, Darcy refused to let go of her. All present wished to bring criminal charges against the two for conspiracy to commit murder but with only Lord Warwick's testimony, they were uncertain how much of a punishment would be brought down on them.
"I hate to say Warwick had the right of it, but perhaps we should ship them to the Americas," Col. Fitzwilliam said. "Miss Bingley would likely agree without to much argument. She knows she is ruined at all levels of society. After Warwick's little drama he played out, it would be in her best interests to leave England."
"What about Lady Catherine?" Darcy asked. "If she isn't locked up, I don't want her in England."
"Given how she was threatening Lizzy I think a case could be made to have her put in a Sanitorium, " Edmund said.
"Bedlam. All the curious can come and gawk at her," Matlock said.
"Either that or sedate her like she planned to do to Mrs. Darcy," the viscount said, "and put her on a ship bound for the Americas with Miss Bingley. Miss Bingley can be responsible for keeping her subdued during the crossing. Aunt Catherine with no money or servants would be hard pressed to ever return to England, and I imagine the Americans would not take kindly to her attitude and treat her accordingly. "
"I do not think Lady Catherine should be unleashed on the Americans," Elizabeth said speaking up. "They might just ship her back to us to get her out of their communities."
"Then as the head of the Fitzwilliam family, I will contact a doctor about having her committed," Matlock said. Turning to his eldest son, he said, "David, can you present to Miss Bingley her plans to travel to the Americas at the earliest opportunity?"
"Yes. I will make it clear to her that it is in her best interest to immigrate," he said.
"We will leave you to oversee your unwanted guests," Darcy said referring to Miss Bingley and Lady Catherine. "I would like to take Elizabeth home. It will be up to Elizabeth if we put in any appearances at society events the rest of this week, regardless of what Aunt Miranda says. My wife has earned the right to rest after yet another scene that society will chew over."
"With Miss Bingley out of the picture I imagine society will find me quite boring," Elizabeth said with a smile.
"Never," declared Edmund. "You are far to enchanting and you have shown a magical ability off, making my nephew smile in public."
"Take Elizabeth home, Darcy," Col. Fitzwilliam said. "We will deal with the details."
With good byes, the two left Matlock House for Darcy House.