Chapter 41: Dorothy
Her childhood had been all but misery. All she knew of her childhood days was her mother struggling to make ends meet by work odd jobs now and then. Her father had abandoned them after she was born. Without siblings to play with or talk to, Dorothy had always been lonely. She grew up scared of the world and could not trust anyone. Her mother fell sick when she was around sixteen. Since then, Dorothy had worked as a maid in town.
She was scared of the men in every household she worked. In the past year of working at Mr Bingley's house, she felt safe. Her mistress was rude and condescending, but Dorothy did not mind. The Bingley house was the safest place she had worked as a maid.
Dorothy had travelled to Netherfield without the slightest idea of how things would turn. She had borrowed a lot of money from her mistress to support her mother. Miss Bingley treated her like a slave, day by day. Dorothy did not have a choice but to stay in her current position because she needed the money.
At Netherfield, Miss Bingley forced her to enact the compromise, which she had accepted half-heartedly. All her life, she never remembered doing anything immoral, but she had no other choice. Dorothy had followed Miss Bingley's instructions, hoping to please her mistress. The moment she realised things had gone wrong, she had fled Netherfield out of fear. That particular day, many servants had left to town. She hoped nobody would pinpoint her absence to Mr Bingley.
She had stayed at her mother's place for a few days and found employment at a humble household. She did not venture outside, dreading being discovered by Miss Bingley. She arranged to meet her mother at the park fortnightly to give her money. During one such visit, she had seen Elizabeth help her mother. Dorothy was rarely used to kindness. The act itself touched her heart. She hated how she had played with the life of Elizabeth and Darcy.
A few weeks later, she had met Wickham. He saved her from harm. She was captivated by his charming nature. Finally, she revealed her secret to him. In a short time, she fell in love with him. He was her future. He was her hope. He assured her that he would protect her from Miss Bingley. He made her quit her employment, and she stayed with his cousin. He forbid her from visiting her mother. But Dorothy could not oblige to that request. She was guilty of neglecting the only relation she had in the world.
One day she sneaked out of the house after both Mrs Younge and Wickham left home.
Her mother was surprised to see her.
"Dorothy, What has become of you? I was most worried when you did not come to see me."
"I am sorry, mother. I have been busy."
"My child, I know you. Are you in some sort of trouble? Is there a problem in the house you work?"
"No, it is nothing. I just could not find time to come here." She said guilty about lying. She had not revealed the incident in Netherfield to her mother. She did not want to scare her.
She wanted her to meet Wickham. But Wickham had convinced her not to reveal anything about their relationship to anyone.
Your mother would never approve of you staying with us here. But it is for your safety. I cannot risk you getting harmed by Miss Bingley. The care and affection he showered on her made her trust him blindly.
"How have you been, mother? I know it is a long time since I gave you money. I have been most guilty of neglecting your needs. I have some money now."
"Money has not been a problem."
"What do you mean?" She asked, surprised.
"Mrs Darcy has been most kind to me."
"Mrs Darcy?"
"Oh! Yes! Don't you remember she was the one who helped me at the park? She has left town and gone to Derbyshire. But she has ensured that I get a supply of provisions and money. A footman arrives promptly every week and delivers these. I refused at first but accepted later as I did not want to upset her by refusing her kindness. I cannot believe the world still has such kind people, Dorothy. Even though she has left town, she has ensured that I am taken care of."
Dorothy was ashamed and guilty. How kind of her. She could not imagine the shame the compromise would have costed her. If only she knew whom she was helping.
"Dorothy, dear, I have raised you to be an honest woman, but you are naïve. I know something is troubling you. Do not trust anyone. I may be sick and old, but I am there for you. Please remember that."
Maybe I can tell George, and we can take this matter to Mr Darcy. She went back to Mrs Younge's house before Wickham was back. That night during supper, Dorothy witnessed something that made her doubt Wickham for the first time. She was clearing the dishes from the table and saw a reflection of Wickham and Mrs Younge in the kitchen on the mirror. It was just a fraction of a second, but she saw them kiss and move away quickly. Dorothy could not believe it. Her heart sank.
It cannot be true. This cannot be true. My eyes are playing tricks on me.
She wanted to asked Wickham about it. But she was scared that it may upset him. Maybe it was all my imagination.
She kept mum. It was a routine for them to sit and drink wine after dinner.
"Dorothy dear. You look troubled. What is the matter?" Wickham asked, smiling at her charmingly.
"It is nothing, George." She replied in a low voice.
"Do not worry about Miss Bingley. She cannot harm you. I assure you I will take care of it."
"I do not understand why we are waiting here. Can we not leave town and go to Derbyshire and get married? Are you scared that your parents will not approve of me?"
"Of course not. As I told you, we can get married once I get some money to settle. I do not have any now. If we get married, we cannot support ourselves. Trust me, my dear. You are safe here and comfortable. Few more weeks and everything will get solved." He poured her more and more wine.
For the first time, Dorothy observed that neither Wickham nor his cousin had more than one glass. She fell asleep that night, confused about everything. In the next few days, Dorothy seemed to notice many things she was oblivious to before. There was an intimacy between Wickham and his cousin that made her uncomfortable. She realised what she witnessed the other day in the mirror was a kiss shared between the two. Her mind was in turmoil. The one person she had chosen to trust seemed to have a sinister secret. When both of them were away from the house, she entered Wickham's room and opened the drawers. She did not find anything suspicious. She noticed an odd shape in the mattress and lifted it. She was shocked to find bundles of money hidden there.
Oh! God! He has been telling me that he does not have money. But this is a fortune. How did he get this? He doesn't have employment. Something is wrong.
"Do not trust anyone." Her mother's words echoed in her mind.
What have I done? How did I allow myself to get into this situation? I trusted him blindly. He says he has spoken to Miss Bingley but did he speak with her? If he shares a relationship with Mrs Younge, then why does he say he is going to marry me? And what about this money? Everything confused her.
But I love him. I look forward to a future with him. What about all my dreams? She sat down, confused. I must either confront him or leave him. What am I to do?
That night, she realised that almost every day, he had gotten her drunk. She always woke up late the following day. Maybe they discuss something when I am asleep.
After two glasses of wine, she pretended to fall asleep on the small couch.
After ten minutes, she heard the conversation between Mrs Younge and Wickham drift away from mundane topics.
"The chit seems to be out with just a couple of glasses today." Mrs Younge observed.
"It is a new bottle of wine. Maybe it is more effective."
"George, what is your plan? It has been two weeks since you brought her here. I have noticed her look suspiciously at us."
"What do you mean?"
"You simply cannot keep your hands off me."
"How can I?" He asked and kissed her passionately.
Mrs Younge pushed him away.
"Stop it! I am tired of your attentions. I want a solid married life, not an affair with you. "
"I will marry you. You know I have a place in my heart for only you all these years."
Mrs Younge looked at him doubtfully.
"I am tired of waiting, George."
"I am meeting her tomorrow. I will know what her plan is. Once I have the money, I will finish the task, and we can plan our future."
"What about this chit?"
"She is the last thing we need to worry about. She has no one to support her. I can easily scare her away. Do not worry about her. I missed my revenge on Darcy last time, this time I will not." He said and took her into the bedroom.
Dorothy tried her best to control her tears. She heard the bedroom door close and covered her mouth, and cried.
He is a cheat. Oh! God! Why am I so stupid? I have allowed myself to be tricked. They have been having an affair right in front of me. Mother is right, I am naïve. She wanted to leave the house immediately. But she remembered Wickham's words. He wants to take revenge on the Darcy family.
I cannot allow it. Whom is he meeting with tomorrow? What does he plan to do?
Dorothy contemplated running to the Darcy house and talking to the housekeeper. But what am I to tell them? I don't know anything. I must find out what he is planning exactly. I must.
She hardly slept that night. She saw Mrs Younge leave the house in the early hours for her employment. Wickham got up, and she pretended to be asleep.
Around 9 am she saw him leave the house. Without a second thought, she followed him. Dorothy had no idea how she dared to do that, but she wanted to. For the first time in her life, she took control of things. She followed him and mingled into the crowd. By the time they reached Hyde Park, she was trembling. She saw Wickham stand near a fountain, and she hid behind a bush. She could not go any closer to him, with the risk of being discovered.
In a few minutes, he saw a woman walk towards him. Dorothy could not mistake the woman, just from her air and style of walk. Miss Bingley!
She watched them converse. Though she could not hear them, she knew that they were discussing something serious. He is very friendly with her. She doesn't seem intimidated by him. She saw Miss Bingley hand over a small bag. She was sure it was money. I am sure Miss Bingley wants to harm Mrs Darcy because of her failed plans, and Wickham has become her accomplice.
She saw them leave and did not know what to do.
I am free now. I can escape. I can go to Mr Darcy's house. But I still do not know what exactly his plan is. He may come after me if he knows I escaped. I have made many mistakes. I have one chance of redemption now. Whatever it takes, I must foil their plans.
She decided to go back to the house. She hurried back, and thankfully Wickham had not arrived yet.
He came after a few hours, and Dorothy tried to act normal.
"My dear, you were asleep. So, I had to leave without seeing you. My friend has promised me some money. I plan to leave town tonight. I shall come back and take you to meet my family."
Dorothy did not want to sound suspicious and ask too many questions. She agreed submissively. She was sure that he would divulge his plan to Mrs Younge. That night, Dorothy pretended to be asleep after having a few glasses of wine.
Wickham was waiting for Mrs Younge. Where is she? I need to leave soon. He kept mumbling to himself. He was ready to leave when she walked in.
"Where have you been?" He cried, annoyed.
"They had a supper party at the house. I had a lot more work to do. What is the matter? Where are you leaving?" She asked, eyeing his bags.
"Look here, I have no time to answer all your questions. I have some money for you. Miss Bingley has told me her plan. I need to leave for Derbyshire now. I have a task to accomplish."
"I am not allowing you to leave without answering my questions. I am not an idiot like her. I need to know your plan. I need to know what to expect of it."
"My dear, please trust me. You won't get you into trouble."
"Tell me what it is you plan to do."
Wickham was getting more and more restless.
"Miss Bingley wants me to ruin the reputation of Darcy's wife."
"Is she offering so much money only for this?"
"All right, she wants me to take her far away from Derbyshire and kill her."
"What? George, this is insane. You will be arrested for this. I cannot believe you are going to this extent for money." She said, shocked.
"Please do not fret. I am not willing to murder for that lunatic, Miss Bingley. But I will ruin her and flee. With her reputation ruined, Darcy's will be in disgrace. If at all Miss Bingley marries him, then I will blackmail her and get money all my life."
"What exactly is your plan?"
"I am leaving to Derbyshire now. I will abduct her at the right moment, but I won't take her far away. Whatever I do to ruin her reputation will be done, and I plan to get away safely. I will come back in a few weeks."
"But where can you take her? You do not have any goodwill in Derbyshire."
"I may not have goodwill, but I have the keys to a place close to Pemberley. No one will suspect me there. Enough of questions. This money will be sufficient for you."
"But what am I to do with her?"
"Only if she is safe, we are safe. Don't let her go out of the house. I know I will succeed in my plans. I will have Miss Bingley in my hands for life. Ramsgate might not have been successful, but this time I am going to succeed."
Dorothy heard the whole conversation, hoping that they would not discover her act.
He is s scoundrel. I need to warn somebody at the Darcy household.
She waited for Mrs Younge to sleep. By 2 am, she thought it was safe to leave. She ran into the dark and reached her mother's house. She found out the address of Darcy's house and left her mother, assuring that everything was all right.
By the time she reached Darcy's house, it was 5 am. She was met at the door by perplexed servants.
"Please, sir. I need to speak with the housekeeper. I am the daughter of Mrs Rawlings. The mistress of this house helped her in the park a few months ago. There is an urgent matter of importance. Please let me in."
She met with the housekeeper, who immediately sensed the truth in her words. She was grateful that Richard had come to stay there the previous day. He came down annoyed at being woken up at such an early hour.
"Whom am I to thank for such a disturbance to my sleep?"
He was confused to see a young woman with the housekeeper.
"Sir, this young lady is here with some alarming information. I did not know what to make of her story. I am glad you are here. Please hear her out."
Dorothy hoped she could relate the events from her side sensibly. She started by mentioning her past employment as Miss Bingley's maid. The planned compromise in Netherfield and finally related how she had been ticked by Wickham.
Richard listened to her story in astonishment. Oh! God! That woman planed the compromise, and Darcy has been accusing his wife all along.
He was enraged when he understood Miss Bingley's plan to use Wickham to harm Elizabeth.
Within ten minutes, he was on his way to Pemberley along with Dorothy.
Wickham! I will kill you this time. I should have done that when you tried your tricks with Georgiana. I will not spare you. He thought as the carriage sped away towards Derbyshire.
Dorothy sat opposite to him, unable to fathom how everything would end. Her worst fear was facing the Darcys and telling them the part she played in tangling their lives together.
The journey was long, and they never stopped anywhere.
Richard asked her a few questions now and then about Wickham. Apart from that, there was no conversation.
Richard was worried about Elizabeth's safety. He hoped they were not too late.
When they entered the grounds of Pemberley, Dorothy was spellbound.
No wonder Miss Bingley wanted to become the mistress of this estate.
She was scared to face Darcy and trembled with fear. When she finally came face to face with him in the study, she understood that he recognised her.
Somehow, she mustered the courage to speak.
"Sir…your wife is in danger." Dorothy said, hoping against hope that she was not too late.