.The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux
A/n More… enjoy...Answering reviews is not always possible. Ff acts up.
The Opportunist
A light breeze was blowing before, but the wind was picking up speed. The ladies were trying to keep their skirts from lifting, not Meredith, and she could care less. She didn't wear a bonnet, but her hair was decorated with short feathers and pins with gems; the wind took some of the feathers. She didn't care and stood in place, trying to find out what happened to Darcy. Her friends were snickering at her words; of course, they were her devoted friends. Charles wanted to hurt her, maybe kill her.
Lord B. intervened, "My, my dear Meredith, your crassness doesn't seem to end, tsk, tsk." He clicked his tongue. "Best be gone before you are dismissed twice." He disliked her lack of tact. "Go before the wind takes all your plumage away before someone punishes you for the liberties you took; I would be glad to be the one to do it."
As much as Lizzie disliked him, she was grateful. She had wished for the wind to undo Meredith's hair, but the wind did the same to hers. Oh well, I am learning, Lizzie thought.
Meredith walked towards the carriage laughing with the friends. They were devoted because she was free with Darcy's money. When she went by Lizzie, she stopped, moving closer to her. Lizzie's hair escaped her pins since her bonnet hung on her back, so Meredith stretched her gloved hand to tuck Lizzie's hair but changed her mind when she saw the dog; Meredith grinned. "My dear lady, I hope we can be good friends," Meredith spoke softly and smiled seductively. Lizzie could see her beauty and how rotten Meredith was.
Rosie was quiet around Lord B. There was no need to worry. Rosie knew better; Reggie Hurst was by Lizzie. "My lady, I think your hopes are for not." He said, his voice full of disdain. He didn't care if her father was a duke, so what? His uncle was also one.
Lizzie kept walking, giving her a cut direct. Lord B. chuckled, making Meredith mad; she glared at him. "I would watch my step if I were you. I know things about you. Step lightly." She spoke between clenched teeth.
He answered, "Watch who you threaten; I can be an unpleasant enemy. Things you do won't be forgiven by the Ton; tongues can waggle. If I were you, I would forget Mrs. Bingley; she is not for you." He stared, making her squirm. Something in his eyes made her wary. Mrs. Bingley would be his sooner or later; he could wait, so Meredith should stay away.
Meredith huffed and walked to her carriage. She had sent a messenger; her parents' country estate was not far from Meryton. Close enough to wait for news. She would also write to her godmother with news about her nephews and ask her for help. She heard gossip about Lord B, rather scary; he was probably just unpleasant.
Ruminating in the carriage, she had a great idea, lure William's sister. It was better to ask her godmother. Meredith didn't consider that her godmother was a Fitzwilliams, and no matter what, blood came first.
The wounded
After all the drama, Charles sat by his friend. They set a room for both of the injured next to theirs. Charles posted footmen at their door; one of them had come with Lucas. Lizzie stood behind Charles and held his shoulders. "Dearest, don't fret; he will be fine." Charles still cried, worried for his friend. Lizzie believed he was healed but was also concerned. Rosie was uneasy, sniffing around the room.
She jumped on Lizzie's shoulder, surprising her. Rosie whispered in a screechy voice, "Don't say much; someone is hiding behind that wall; he can see and hear you." Rosie licked Lizzie's ear, making her laugh. After that, she jumped down and went by the wall behind her; they smiled. Rosie was playing the dumb dog.
Lizzie put her face on Charles' shoulder, repeating what Rosie said.
"My Lizzie, thanks for being so good to me. William is my good friend." Charles reached for her hand and kissed it.
"I love those you do because I love you." She said, holding him.
The one behind the wall curbed a growl after hearing Lizzie. How could she love that nobody, maybe Charles needed to die? The one in the wall didn't stay long; he had to run when he felt someone looking around. He had been found, perhaps, but more than likely, her father was looking after her. It was time to find out who was the one who shot Darcy and gain an advantage.
"Lizzie, my love, William is my brother. If something happens to William, I will go after that scum. Your father is right; I will help him." Charles meant it.
"You will not. I don't want you hurt." She brought his hand to her mouth to kiss it. She wanted a real kiss, but this was not the time or place. Her mouth on his hand made him want to be in their room, but not now, not while Williams was so sick. He was afraid if he left the room, William would die.
After a while, he said, "My dear, stay away from our guest, the nasty lord. He might be handsome and charming, but he is not a good person. His name is Ernest Berger. Tobias is coming to share something about Ernest."
"Dearest, he is what you say, but he stood for me," Rosie growled at that comment, making both smile. "I am also aware he is someone to dislike. I am still unhappy. What he told you was not his affair, he tried to make us fight."
Lizzie stayed by William and his cousin. Darcy started getting a fever; she touched him hoping to heal him, but her father was right. Healing was not always possible. The bullet did a lot of damage. He half-opened his eyes and saw her, and he reached for her hand. It was clear he was delirious, "My wood fairy, you are here. Don't leave me, stay."
Lizzie pulled her hand, unable to free it. She looked at Charles, "He won't let go."
"There is no harm. Let him do it. Maybe it makes him feel better. He has had a heavy load since he was in Cambridge, raising his sister. Wickham hasn't made it easier, and now his wife, giving him grief. I will confess we had plans for the future, but I wouldn't say I liked his choice of wife. I cannot bear the thought of him dying." Charles's voice was full of sorrow.
Lizzie sighed. She liked holding Darcy's hand, though she could feel his pain inside. He had a lot of money but not a happy life. "You are right. Let him hold my hand. After all, he is injured for protecting my family. I don't know how Wickham managed to spend all the dowry. He was here because to take the baby away so my father would give him more money; he is poison."
Darcy brought her hand to his cheek and pressed it against it, his hand over hers. Lizzie thought she liked it, and Charles had said it was okay.
Charles held her other hand. "He calls you a wood fairy; you must have done something when he saw you." He was curious.
Lizzie pondered, "When I walk along the forest, mostly when I am alone, the wildlife creatures come out and let me pet them; you heard what my cousin said. I remember the day the mama boar sent her piglets to me, one by one; then she came herself." She remembered what Rosie had said and was careful; "My sisters and family said I had magic because animals like me so. Jane said when I was little, a young wolf was sitting by my perambulator. Mama screamed, but the young wolf stayed sitting by me, licking me. Then he vanished; I imagine he is someplace good."
She heard a chuckle inside her head, "I was the wolf; you looked so pretty, I couldn't help it." Her no-name father; it was true, he had always been around. She grinned.
Charles smiled, "You have a kind heart, my Fairy Princess. I must confess I am in awe of your father." Rosie stopped him from saying more. She jumped on him and barked. Charles understood best not to talk about her father; maybe the intruder was listening. He needed to check what secret passages existed in his home; and how the intruder knew about them.
Colonel Fitzwilliams was waking up. He was sore; though the bullet was out, he still needed to finish healing. They could die if their hearts were damaged, "Is the shot out? He asked, a bit dizzy.
"Yes, someone helped my cousin to take it out. But you need to stay put for a couple of days." Lizzie explained. Richard noticed his cousin was holding her hand pressed against his cheek. He raised his eyebrow and coughed, making Lizzie blush, "He is delirious," she said; she didn't say she minded it because she rather liked it. Mr. Darcy was very handsome; she imagined many women wanted Charles and him. She felt flattered.
Richard shrugged his shoulder, "Agh, it hurts. I need to go; I cannot be in bed because I need to find that wretch. The scoundrel doesn't deserve to be alive; how is William? I thought he'd died."
"My cousin will talk to you; it is urgent. He will get better, I hope." Lizzie looked at Charles, who was upset again.
Charles said, "You are right; I want to do it myself. I will hunt him down like the rabid beast he is if something happens to William."
Richard worried about his cousin; they all did since his fever was higher. Elmer, Charles valet, and healer came in and said his body was adapting to the change, meaning the missing heart. "I believe he will be well. I will come often; remember the potion they must take." He didn't say more because Richard wasn't fully informed about the two hearts or who they were.
Richard asked, "But will he be well? Where was the bullet?"
"Close to his heart; it is hard to tell what happened. He should get well, but everyone is not the same." Elmer answered. Rosie jumped on Darcy's bed and laid her head on his leg. She liked him a lot, and he needed comfort, and she could give him that. No, they were all wrong; she-would kill the nasty man if William died; she could be fierce and rather scary.
When he left, Charles ordered beef tea and a light lunch for Richard since William had not let go of Lizzie's hand. When he was back, Lizzie sat by William; he had let go of her hand. "I am worried," Charles said.
Lizzie didn't lie, "Me too. He has had a hard life." She noticed Richard following her conversation with great interest. "I believe you; his wife is not very nice." She didn't want to say much more. How would she explain to his cousin all she knew.
Charles asked Richard, "Colonel, do you know what arrangements were made for Miss Darcy's travel."
"She should be leaving today. I am concerned with Wickham; hopefully, he is no longer interested in her." The three worried about Georgiana, but Wickham was not the one to worry about.
Wickham's Forest
By the second evening, he was sure there was no way out. Food and water were plentiful; greens, ripe fruit, small peas, mushrooms, and fish. He made a fishing pole caught and had them on a low fire. During the day, it was quiet, but this place had two suns. He tried going this way and that, but he always came to a dead end. As it got dark, the forest came alive, once against chants, screams could be heard, and so on. He found a place to hide, but this time, he heard voices talking in a garbled language. His heart stopped. He was sweating cold; he prayed for a chance to escape.
He peeked when the voices were farther away. What he saw made him want to cry. The beings had horns. They were big, probably twice his height. Their hair was an unknown hue; they were carrying what looked like a person, hanging from a pole they carried between the two. What he believed to be a cape were wings. He saw them when they flew. He was crying, afraid they would find him. His father's warning kept repeating in his head, over and over. Many of his dastardly deeds were fresh in his mind.
He finally went to sleep amidst the night's terrible sounds.
At Netherfield
Lizzie excused herself to check on her father. He was acting very calm, but he didn't fool Lizzie; her father would leave as soon as they let their guard down. Louisa and Hurst were looking at the baby; Lizzie saw their expressions. It was easy to see, they loved little Lydia.
Jane saw them as well; and her shoulders slumped. Lizzie went to her, sitting by her and held her hand, "Dearest, don't be sad. They will love her, and she will have a father and a mother who will protect her. I would also like to raise her, but Lydia needs someone fierce to care for her; Hurst is that person; he is changed. They will live in his father's estate, far from the Ton. In the society you live in, being George Wickham's child would be a blemish. Let's be happy for her, a new life for our beloved Lydia." Both sisters held their hands. Mary and Kitty came to sit with them, saying goodbye to their niece already. Their hearts heavy with grief, they all knew the baby deserved a new start.
Jane nodded, "I want her, but my husband doesn't want Wickham around. I think you might be right about society; it is not fair, but is the truth."
"I will talk to Father. We need to keep an eye on him. Have you noticed our cousin's daughter? She seems to like him. But he is too intent on killing Wickham and the ones with him. I think he has an investigator; it is bad; he needs to let it go. I need to go back to keep Charles company." Lizzie wished her father would find peace.
Darcy stayed unconscious, with a fever. Charles only wanted comfort from Lizzie. Richard was up three days later. "I will go and meet Georgiana's carriage. Just to make sure she is safe."
No matter what they said, he was ready to go. Ernest, the lord, wasn't able to spy because the area around the rooms was sealed, including the secret passages. He had told Charles he would be leaving in a couple of days; he would do so. But he would be back.
Visit
Richard was going out the door when he saw a familiar carriage outside. His Aunt Catherine, dressed in drab colors, was coming out of the carriage. She went to him. "Thank God you are well. I thought you were shot."
"I am, but I am going to find the one who shot William; he is still not out the woods and doing poorly." Richard tried to sound hopeful.
"Please don't go, I don't want to lose my nephews." She didn't look well.
"He won't catch me unaware twice, the coward. But I will come in with you." He offered his arm and could feel her hand shaking. She had changed a lot since his cousin died.
"Who notified you. Did Bingley let you know?" He asked nearly knowing.
"Meredith Darcy, let me know. I don't like her much; there was a lot about her I didn't know. My brother wants the marriage to end. The things William trusted on him were shameful. I don't know what to think."
Richard didn't know if she could be trusted, but he hoped so.
A/n To answer a PM that needs clarification, only Charles and Darcy truly care for Lizzie. Meredith wants to hurt Darcy; I think she is probably unable to love; there are those like her. Lord B. only wants what she represents, power.