AN: My gratitude to all who commented and encouraged me. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 9
Darcy had listened in stunned silence while Elizabeth explained what had happened for over two months. Sorrow filled him when he heard of his friend Bingley's demise. The loss of one of his best friends made him want to weep. However, he pushed aside the sadness for the moment as he listened to her tale of the past months. Several times, he could not help but blush sometimes with embarrassment, others with pleasure.
When Elizabeth stopped speaking, Darcy reached for her hand and sighed contentedly. "We are engaged."
"We are if you still wish it," she replied, unable to look into his eyes as he softly caressed her fingers.
"Of course, I wish it, dearest Elizabeth," he proclaimed with feeling. "I may have had a problem with my memory, but never did I forget you. If I had my fondest desire, we would be wed today."
Raising her eyes to meet his gaze, Elizabeth's smile was radiant. "I am very happy to hear it, sir. Now, all that remains is for you to regain your strength, so that you are able to meet me in front of the parson." Her quip made him laugh.
"Indeed, I would not wish to be carried to the altar, and I do not believe sitting while my bride stands is proper."
The couple were lost in thought for several moments, enjoying the thoughts of marriage which might bring to pass all of Darcy's false memories.
A knock on the door interrupted the young lover's reverie. Mrs. Whitehead went to the door.
"It is your cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Bennet," she announced.
"Do let them come in," Darcy exclaimed happily.
Jane was the first to enter and the first to notice a change in the room. Her sister beamed with happiness and Darcy's expression was equally so.
"We came with news, but I wish to understand why you are both looking so happy!" Jane demanded softly.
"It is because we are engaged," Darcy smiled while taking Elizabeth's hand.
"That is part of the reason, Jane." Lizzy paused for effect. "Since Mr. Darcy has regained his memory, Mr. Pritchard has given permission for William to know what has happened."
"It is very good news, Cousin," the colonel stated quickly. "And I have news that I am not sure if you have been made aware."
Elizabeth remembered her youngest sister and paled. "I completely forgot about Lydia."
"Darcy, please stay calm while I explain. I do wish that I had a better report to give you, but it involves George Wickham."
"Wickham!" Darcy made to stand, but Elizabeth prevented him.
"It will do you no good to get up. Please listen to what your cousin has to say."
Grunting his displeasure, Darcy leaned back on his pillows and reached for Elizabeth's hand again.
Glad that Elizabeth could get Darcy to listen, Colonel Fitzwilliam related the story, beginning with the elopement and ending with Lydia's return to her family in Gracechurch Street.
Knowing that there was nothing left but for Lydia and Wickham to marry, Elizabeth began to cry. Darcy would wish to end their engagement, rather than have Wickham for a brother-in-law. She pulled her hand from his and fumbled for a handkerchief.
"Dearest, I know it is not the best solution, but there is no other respectable way out of this situation." Jane tried to soothe her.
"I understand that there is nothing more to be done, but I am certain that Mr. Darcy will not wish to marry me now. I will release him from the obligation."
"What?" cried Darcy. "I care not who marries your sister. You have promised to be my wife, and I will hold you to it."
The colonel signalled to Jane that they should leave this private conversation. The nurse moved again to the sitting room.
Surprised by Darcy's adamant response, Elizabeth opened her mouth to argue.
"No, my darling Elizabeth, I will not allow you to break this engagement. I am grateful that you love me enough to be willing to give up your chance of happiness to save me from having Wickham as a brother, but I would rather have a dozen brothers such as him if it meant you were my wife."
"Do you truly mean that?" Elizabeth seemed incredulous.
"I do with all my heart."
Unable to resist it, Elizabeth leaned closer and kissed him. After a long sweet kiss, she smiled and said, "Then you are stuck with me for life."
The time arrived for Jane's appointment with the solicitor, Mr. Alton. She nervously asked for a carriage to be readied and for a maid to accompany her. She was pacing the foyer when Colonel Fitzwilliam came down the stairs.
"Are you waiting for someone, Miss Bennet?" he asked.
Despite her anxiety, Jane tried to smile. "I am waiting for a maid. I have an appointment with Mr. Bingley's solicitor. He sent word that because the Hursts have finally returned to Town, it is time to read the will."
"While I was out yesterday, a message arrived for Darcy from Bingley's attorney. Since my cousin is not allowed to leave the house just yet, I was going to go to represent him."
"I still think it odd that Mr. Bingley would mention me in his will," Jane said timidly.
I know that Bingley was eager to have things ready for his return to Meryton, but writing you into his will does seems a trifle odd, being that you were not even courting. However, Darcy did the same, so it may be where Bingley got the idea."
"I do not expect much, but I am anxious about seeing the Hursts again. They should be the ones to inherit from him." Jane rubbed her arms as if chilled.
"Will it help you feel more comfortable if we go together?"
Jane did not hesitate in answering in the affirmative. She knew that the colonel's presence would help her stay calm. "I thought to ask Lizzy to come with me. However since you are to go as well, I do not wish to be the cause of separating her from Mr. Darcy at this time."
"Then it is settled," he declared as the maid arrived.
A few moments later, they were in the carriage and on their way to the solicitor's office. Upon their arrival, they were invited to remain in a room with a comfortable seating area until the Hurst's appearance. They were served tea in the meantime.
Louisa and Gilbert Hurst were shown into the room, followed by Mr. Alton who closed the door behind him.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, I believe you know both Miss Bennet and Colonel Fitzwilliam," Mr. Alton said by way of a greeting.
"We are acquainted, but I am surprised to see them here." Louisa Hurst said sharply.
"There are bequests in your brother's will for Miss Bennet and Mr. Darcy, The colonel is here to present Mr. Darcy's interests since Mr. Darcy is recovering."
Colonel Fitzwilliam nodded briefly.
"There is tea, if you would like," Mr. Alton offered.
"We are not thirsty." Mrs. Hurst spoke up before her husband could.
"Very well, then we shall begin." Pushing his glasses up his nose, Mr. Alton lifted several pages from the file in front of him.
"Firstly, there is the disposition of your late sister's dowry. As per your father's will, as she died unmarried, the money as well as her personal possessions go to you, Mrs, Hurst."
The married couple could not quite hold back their smiles, but neither commented.
"Your late brother rewrote his will almost as soon as he arrived back in London from Netherfield, which he had arranged to purchase at the same time." The solicitor began to explain.
He was interrupted by Mr. Hurst. "Are you saying that we now have possession of Netherfield?"
"If you would allow me to continue, all will be made plain." Mr. Alton frowned and cleared his throat.
Jane was shocked that no one in Meryton had heard of the purchase, but she said nothing as she listened.
"Mr. Bingley's will states clearly that if he and Miss Bennet were wed before he died, she would inherit both the house and his fortune, including his remaining business interests. There were also a few provisions that pertain to any offspring. However, since Miss Bennet and Mr. Bingley were not married, I shall skip those."
Mrs. Hurst gave a dismissive sniff.
Ignoring the sound and pausing briefly to turn a few pages, Mr. Alton searched over the paper and said, "Here it is. I will attempt to be concise, but I have a copy of the complete will for all parties, in case there are any questions.
"Mr. Charles Leroy Bingley left the house and lands of Netherfield to Miss Bennet."
When both of the Hursts began to sputter their objections, Mr. Alton stopped them with a glare. "I must be allowed to continue!" he declared sternly, which quieted them for a time.
"As to his remaining fortune of twenty five thousand pounds, he wished it to be divided, half going to Miss Jane Bennet and half to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Hurst. His business interests in their entirety are to go to Miss Jane. Mr.. Bingley ordered that a trust fund be set up, which includes the half his remaining fortune and income from the business, for Miss Bennet to be administered by Mr. Bennet and Mr. Darcy until she turns five and twenty or is married.
"His rifles, hunting gear, and his horse, he left to his good friend, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. All other of his worldly goods go to Miss Bennet for her to keep or to sell."
The contrast between Jane's reaction and that of the Hursts could not have been more different. Miss Bennet sat in stunned silence, wondering if she should even accept such a bounty, while Mr. and Mrs. Hurst loudly argued the unfairness of the arrangement.
"Pardon me, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst," Mr. Alton cut short the couple's tirade about visiting their lawyer to take legal action. "As the late Mr. Bingley's solicitor and the executor of his will, I will tell you there are no grounds for contesting it. You would only waste your time and money. I believe your portion is nothing about which to complain."
Mr. Alton stood and handed a copy of the will to each party. "You shall be receiving papers to sign regarding the disposition of everything pertaining to the will. You may take those papers with your copy of the will to your legal council if you are so inclined. Miss Bennet, I assume that you will be with your friends in Town for the time being." At her nod, he bowed stiffly and left the room.
Opening her mouth to apologise to the Hursts, Jane felt the colonel take her arm before he spoke. "We must leave now, Miss Bennet. Good day, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst."
They found the maid waiting for them at the front waiting area. The carriage was where they had left it. As soon as they had boarded, the driver urged the horses on.
"Why did you make me leave? I wished to speak to the Hursts." Jane could not keep the irritation from her voice.
"I shall explain when we arrive back at Darcy House. I think it will be best if we have privacy."
The carriage ride had been uncomfortably silent, so much so that Jane was pleased to see Darcy House when they finally disembarked. She refused him when he offered his arm but rapidly made her way into the building.
Once inside, Jane impatiently waited for Carson to help her out of her cloak. She took a deep breath and turned to face the colonel. "Might we discuss the matter now?"
"Let us retire to the library," he replied calmly. "Carson, we are not to be disturbed unless it is an emergency. We will leave the door ajar for propriety's sake."
The colonel led the way to two chairs on the far side of the room but in full view of the door. "Please be seated, Miss Bennet."
Jane sat near the front edge of the chair, not wanting to relax. Her ire had cooled somewhat, but she was still upset at his abrupt action at the solicitor's office.
"I shall apologise first for my seemingly rude action, but I do have my reasons for doing it." The colonel had leaned back comfortably in the chair. He tried not to smile as the miffed Miss Bennet's lovely eyes sparked with her ill-humour. It made her more beautiful than ever.
"I am listening," she responded curtly.
"The Hursts were not in the mood to listen rationally to anything you might say. Their portion was greater than they should have expected, knowing Mr. Bingley's feelings toward you. Even so, they must have considered that since you were not engaged, let alone married, he should have left everything to them.
"Also I had the impression that you wished to refuse the inheritance. That would have been foolish. Bingley wished for you to have it. He was of sound mind. It would be foolish and wrong to turn away something that he had planned so well for you to receive."
"But it is too much," Jane protested with tears replacing the anger in her eyes. "And now that I am certain I never really loved him. How can I in good conscience take his money and possessions? What will people think of me?"
"I imagine I understand your feelings. You think that because your regard is not what you or he had pictured it to be, you believe you are unworthy of what Bingley willed to you. Is my conjecture correct?" Fitzwilliam asked gently.
"Yes." Jane's tears now fell as her emotions had been summed up so precisely. This man was so kind, yet firm.
Handing Jane his handkerchief, the colonel leaned forward in his chair. "Besides Bingley wishing for you to have all of this, just think of the ways in which you could help your family. You would be able to provide a home for your mother and unwed sisters if something should happen to Mr. Bennet."
"What about my reputation? What will people think of me? We were not even engaged?"
"I believe my father and mother will be able to keep the gossip to a minimum. Father will be able to keep the will from being known for some time. Besides, I doubt if anyone would believe that Mr. Darcy of Pemberley would become engaged to the sister of a person of will repute."
As Jane wiped her eyes, she pondered this new thoughts.
"You do not have to decide at this moment." Fitzwilliam paused. Although he wished more than anything to offer for her at that moment, he knew he would be seen as mercenary. Inwardly, he shook his head. I will not have Jane think that I am only interested in her money. Why did I not propose to her before now? I am certain that we could have managed on my salary. As to the other, I will see to it that no foul words are spoken against her, or die trying.
Breathing in and out quickly, he said, "Perhaps you would like to discuss this with Miss Elizabeth. She is wise and loves you."
A sweet smile graced Jane's face. "That is an excellent idea. I shall do so at the first opportunity."
Jane stood and held out her hand. "Thank you for your kindness in explaining things to me. It has helped more than you can imagine."
Having got up when she did, Fitzwilliam grasped her hand, but he kissed it instead of shaking it. "It is always my pleasure to assist you in any way possible," he declared while gazing into her eyes, hoping his glance would express what he was not able to in words.
Blushing at both the kiss to her hand and the intensity of his look, Jane whispered her thanks and left the room. As she went to find her sister, she could not help but wish that it was proper for a lady to propose to a man.
After going to her room to wash away any trace of tears, Jane went in search of her sister. She saw a maid coming from Mr. Darcy's sitting room carrying an empty tray. Speaking to the girl, Jane asked after Elizabeth.
"Miss Elizabeth just left for her room after I arrived to remove the tea things." The maid curtseyed and continued on her way.
Jane knocked on Lizzy's door and was bid to enter.
"Jane, how was your meeting with the solicitor?" Elizabeth asked cheerfully.
"Would you mind if we went into the back garden to talk? The day is lovely, and I could use the fresh air."
"Of course," her sister agreed with a smile. "I had thought to go out of doors only a moment ago. Mr. Darcy's valet is helping him with some strengthening exercises recommended by the doctor."
The sisters walked arm in arm down the stairs and to the back of the house. Once they moved into the garden, Elizabeth took a deep breath. "It smells like it truly is spring. Look at the lovely crocuses and the daffodils."
Walking toward a bench lit by the sunlight, Lizzy exclaimed, "Violets! I had not expected to see them here." She leaned over and picked one. Inhaling deeply of the fragrance, she sat down.
The two sat enjoying the warmth of the sunlit spot for several moments before Elizabeth turned to her sister expectantly.
Holding back a sigh, Jane began. "I was completely surprised when Mr. Alton told us the contents of Mr. Bingley's will. I discovered he had purchased Netherfield."
Elizabeth's eyes widened at the news. "We heard nothing of this when we were at home."
"I also was stunned to find out that not only Mr. Bingley had bought the estate, but he left it to me."
This time, Lizzy gasped. "How can that be?"
"That is not the only shock I received." Jane revealed the whole of the story and her astonishment at the vast fortune she now would possess.
Elizabeth was quiet for several seconds as she pondered the information. Her thoughts could not seem to settle, so she finally asked, "What are your plans, Jane?"
"I had thought to refuse it all, but after talking with the colonel, I realize what a benefit it would be to my family. I can set up dowries for all of you, and Mama will never have to fear being homeless when Papa dies."
"As ever you are too generous, Jane," Elizabeth said as she shook her head. "You must not think only of others. This will enable you to marry well."
"The only difficulty is that it could ruin our family's reputation if it is made known. However. the colonel thinks his parents will be able to quell any gossip."
"I believe that we should wait and see about that." Elizabeth did not wish to think about another problem coming between her and Darcy.
Smirking, Elizabeth said, "I believe that a certain colonel would be pleased to marry you. And do not give me that look. I have eyes. I have seen you both gazing longingly at the other when you thought no one noticed. There is no barrier now."
"But even if he does care for me, I do not believe he will propose," Jane protested. "It would look as if he was marrying me for my money. He is not that kind of man."
"I noticed you did not deny your regards for the colonel," Elizabeth observed softly. "Do not give up hope. I did not ever think that I would ever see Mr. Darcy again or be engaged to him when the Netherfield party left after the ball."
Speaking mostly to herself, Jane repeated her previous thought out loud, "If only it was possible for a woman to propose."
"Yes, it is a pity that it is not done."
Blowing out a breath, Jane finally said, "Shall we return indoors? I should write a letter to Mama."
"Of course, but you will not inform Mama of your change in fortune, will you?"
Giving a short giggle, Jane responded, "No, I will not. You know she would be at Gracechurch Street within hours of receiving the news. It shall stay between us for the time being, of course."
Sergeant Harris was one of the officers that Colonel Fitzwilliam had brought with him to Wickham's room in order to be able to recognize the man. He stood guard at the rear entrance to the seedy inn in which Wickham was held. Pleased that since he had been given night guard duty, he was allowed a small fire by which to stand. Disliking the cold, especially since his old battle wound ached in the chill, he was much more comfortable than he would have been without the small blaze.
As he slowly marched back and forth in the narrow alley, Harris heard a scream. Instinctively he went to investigate. In the pale light from a street lamp, he found a rough looking bloke groping a young maid that the sergeant recognized as the daughter of the innkeeper who worked with her father at the inn.
"Let me go," she cried out as she struggled to free herself from his grip. "I ain't no doxy."
Harris pulled a pistol from his belt and called out, "Unhand the girl, or I will blow your head off."
The man jumped in surprise at the command. When he found the barrel of a gun pointed at his head, he pushed the girl away. The ruffian tripped over his own feet as he tried to escape.
Harris put his foot on the man's back as he tried to crawl and prevented the man's flight. The sergeant spoke softly to the girl. "If you are able, please go get your father and have someone call a constable for this trash."
"Yes, sir!" She ran swiftly into the inn.
Within a few minutes, Harris and the innkeeper had the miscreant tied up.
"I thank ye fir helping me girl. She's a good un. I will watch over her better from now on." The innkeeper's voice was husky with gratitude. "You ever need help, I'll be your man."
Harris gave a quick bow in acknowledgement. Taking his leave, he moved back toward his post. He had only made a couple steps when he heard a loud yelp and then a thud. Hastening around the corner of the building, he found the prone body of Wickham near the fire.
