"Mr. Darcy and Col. Richard Fitzwilliam, Sir." The butler Mr. Robinson announced.
Madeline and Edward Gardiner didn't want to accept calls at the moment, but it was too late to inform the servants. The gentlemen were already announced. Mr. Darcy noticed the letter on the floor. The familiar stationery and the look on their host's face told him that it was a letter from Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner hastily wiped their faces before facing the callers. Mr. Gardiner swooped down to pick up the letter and tried to discreetly pocket it.
"Hello Mr. Darcy! It's a pleasure to see you again. Miss Darcy is doing well, I hope. Would you care to introduce us to your companion?" said Mr. Gardiner.
"Yes. My sister is well and busy with her music lessons. This is my cousin Col. Richard Fitzwilliam. Richard this is Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner Miss Elizabeth Bennet's aunt and uncle."
"Pleased to meet you both. I heard from Mr. Bingley that Miss Elizabeth is in town. We were acquainted with your charming niece during our stay in Rosings Park. I was hoping that she would grace us with her presence, but we understand if it's not possible at this time. I just want to express my condolences for the loss of her father."
Mrs. Gardiner was barely holding it together and replied, "I wish with all my heart that it would be possible however…." She broke down and sat on the settee unable to continue on. Her husband knew not how to break the news to their niece's friends. His eyes filled with unshed tears but steeled himself and went on.
"I trust that this information will go no further than this room. This morning our maid found a note left by Elizabeth stating her intent to leave this world." He reached into his coat pocket for the letter and handed it to Mr. Darcy. He took it, but accidentally dropped it as if it burned his hand. Richard picked it up and unfolded it. The cousins stood close together to read the missive. Their hearts sank, but Mr. Darcy's has hit rock bottom. He turned away from everyone trying desperately to compose himself. He shed some tears, but quickly wiped it away and turned back to face his host and listened for any more information regarding Elizabeth.
Then Mr. Gardiner went on, "She was devastated when her father died as a result of shock brought on by the youngest. Lydia Bennet's indiscretion with one George Wickham. This series of events threw the remaining Bennet family into upheaval and a scandal that I'm afraid the family will be unable to recover from. We, by the way, want to thank you for your assistance in getting her married off. I don't know how our family can ever repay you."
"I can assure you sir that is not necessary. It was a pleasure to be of service to friends." Mr. Darcy replied.
"Nevertheless, we are greatly in your debt." said Mr. Gardiner
Mr. Darcy flinched at the last sentence. The irony opened his eyes. While he saved one sister from being ruined. He ruined the one he supposedly loved, and he did it all under the guise of his generosity. Of course, he also knew Elizabeth's nature, that she will do anything for those she loved, and Darcy took advantage of her character. It just didn't occur to him that Elizabeth would actually accept being his mistress. A few silent tears escaped his eyes as he watched the pain the Gardiners are going through. Then he asked them what seemed like an insensitive question. "How do you know that she would actually go through with it?"
"We don't know, but what we do know is that our niece has always been a very determined child. That trait has never wavered. We were about to search for her right before you arrived. Perhaps you can lend us a hand. She used to like going to the park or walking across the London Bridge. Since her father died. She lost the desire for all those things. We were thankful that you and Miss Darcy invited her to your home a few times. I don't know that it helped much, but at least it got her out of the house for a little bit. You both have been such a good friend to her."
Mr. Darcy couldn't take any more undeserved gratitude, because he knew very well the reason for Elizabeth's presence in his home. He swallowed the bile of guilt in his throat and insisted on helping them search for her. "I'm so sorry for what your family is going through. I believe that time is of the essence if we have even the smallest chance of saving her. We must begin the search immediately. The park is closer to you. Perhaps your servants could begin their search there. Col. Richard Fitzwilliam and I will go to the bridge and to the magistrate. We will reconvene here again to report our findings. The gentlemen bowed and left.
The two rode their horses through the streets of Cheapside. As they made their way through the hubbub Mr. Darcy spotted a girl of about ten and two carrying a reticule that looked similar to Elizabeth's. He told Richard his observation since he is more adept at conversing. Richard dismounted and spoke to the little lady about her reticule.
"I'm Col. Richard Fitzwilliam. I couldn't help but notice your lovely reticule and wish to buy one similar to yours for my cousin. Could you tell me where I might find one?"
The girl shook her head. "I didn't buy this, nor was it given to me. I found it on my walk on the bridge. Am I in trouble sir?"
"You are absolutely not in any way in trouble. I wonder if you would be willing to sell it to me for two guineas?"
The girl's eyes grew wide and nodded in agreement. She also granted
Col. Fitzwilliam's request to accompany them to the area where the said reticule was found. Then the girl skipped happily as she made for her home. He opened the reticule to search the content. Nothing, but a small vial. He unstopped it and sniffed its content. The slight sweet scent and bitter taste told him it was Laudanum. He knew how small Elizabeth was and it wouldn't take much to put her in complete sedation with said liquid. She probably drank it to escape from grief and to ensure she doesn't back out of her plan.
The two gentlemen dismounted and examined the area. Mr. Darcy leaned over the railing and imagined how it all played out. As he did so, he saw a piece of black cloth flapping in the wind. He braced himself and leaned even further to catch the material. He waited for the wind to blow it his way and captured it. After a couple of minutes, the wind finally cooperated. He was able to wrench it free from the stonework. He studied the pattern of the lace ribbon, and it was just like the one in his possession. Only this one has been dyed black. He now knows for sure that it was Elizabeth.
Mr. Darcy's hand shook as he gripped the cloth to his chest. His fear has been confirmed and his guilt is brought to the surface. He sniffed the cloth, and it still had a faint whiff of Elizabeth's Lavender oil. He slid on his back until his bottom hit the pavement. His shoulder shook and tears flowed unrestrained. Decorum barely kept him from screaming. He hid his face on his knee and kept uttering, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.". Richard finally came to understand his cousin's feelings towards the lady. He couldn't blame him for he himself is in love with Elizabeth. He gave his cousin a few minutes to mourn, but they will have to get going and continue that in the privacy of their home. They have one more stop.
Richard coaxed his cousin to get up and see if the visit to the magistrate will bring closure to their quest. The possibility of finding Elizabeth's body in the morgue is something Mr. Darcy did not want to face, because it would finalize everything for him. They rode in silence as they made their way to the coroners. They will be inquiring about deaths in the area.
They arrived at the magistrate's office and tied their horse at the back of the building and used the back entrance. A man parked his wagon right near the entrance and pulled out a covered body. He picked it up and water dripped everywhere. He nodded at Richard and Mr. Darcy, as if asking the gentlemen to open the door for him. A lock of dark curly tresses hung out from under the covering, still dripping, dangling, and bouncing with each step the man made. He thanked the gentlemen and went. To Mr. Darcy, the small detail of the woman's hair did not go unnoticed. He stood frozen in place. He had to know the identity of the deceased. Richard shook him out of his thoughts and led him to the magistrate's office.
His Honorable Magistrate Arthur Milton was on duty. The gentlemen inquired about any person that is currently being held in custody or perhaps have been brought into the morgue. They don't wish to divulge Elizabeth's identity to protect her reputation and that of her sisters. Mr. Milton gave his consent to have the gentlemen lead to the area where women in custody are being held. Their findings yielded nothing. Their last resort however distasteful it would be is to see the corpses in the morgue. He warned them of possible gruesome sights, but Col. Richard Fitzwilliam is accustomed to such.
It wasn't difficult to find their way. One only has to follow the smell of death. The gentlemen covered their noses with handkerchiefs, but it didn't seem to be sufficient to block the pervading odor. Three female bodies were brought in. One was from last night. Another was in the wee hours of the morning, and last was about an hour ago. All three women have one thing in common. It looked as if they'd been physically abused and violated. The bruises told their story.
Mr. Darcy felt physically ill and ran outside to spill his breakfast. Both men were relieved that none of them were Elizabeth. The last body took Mr. Darcy off guard on account of her hair, but when her face was uncovered. He felt relieved.
There really is nothing to be done, but to reconvene at the Gardiner's home. The men rode in silence, each thinking of the same woman. Col. Richard Fitzwilliam felt her loss. He thought back to his lost opportunity of marriage. He wanted to propose to her but lacked the income to support her and any children they might have. He had never met anyone like her. If he had the income Darcy had, he would not have hesitated. Mr. Darcy on the other hand is drowning in guilt and sorrow. If he had risked, his heart one more time and proposed. He and his damn pride. She might have even agreed to forced marriage rather than being degraded to a mistress. At the very least she would be alive and safe. She wouldn't be happy, but he would make every effort to make her so.
They reached the Gardiners. Mr. Gardiner invited the gentlemen in his study where his wife is already sitting. He poked his head out the door to see if anybody else was around and shut it. He told the gentlemen that his servants came home empty handed and inquired about their search. Mr. Darcy pulled out Elizabeth's reticule and out of it an empty Laudanum vial. The look on Mrs. Gardiner's face confirmed his suspicion. She took it and held it to her chest, while her tears silently fell on it. Col. Richard Fitzwilliam explained the possibility that Elizabeth drank the vial content before jumping to her death. Richard looked at Mr. Darcy and his coat pocket, but his cousin would not relinquish the remnant of Elizabeth's dress. He gave Richard a pleading look and that was the end of it. They did explain to the Gardiners how the reticule made it to their hands. Mr. Gardiner refused this evidence as a confirmation of their niece's death. It was then that Mr. Darcy reluctantly took out the remnant from his coat pocket. Mrs. Gardiner stared at the cloth in disbelief and kept repeating, "No! No! No! It can't be!" It was she who helped Elizabeth dye that dress and the ribbons to put on it. After some explanations, the couple's last thread of hope snapped, and the floodgate of emotions broke wide open. Mrs. Gardiner went into hysterics.
The gentlemen got up to leave the couple in their private grief, but Mr. Gardiner followed them out of the office. He thanked them for their assistance and admitted to not knowing how he will break this news to the Bennet ladies. He also didn't know whether he should inform Lydia Wickham. He is still quite angry with his niece for being the catalyst to these tragic events. He did tell the gentlemen that he would wait a little bit longer before informing his family in case by some miracle someone saved her. Mr. Darcy left his card and gave an open invitation should the Gardiner find themselves in need of assistance. The gentlemen bowed and took their leave.
The cousins rode in silence. Mr. Darcy is barely holding it together, but decorum demands it. All he wants to do is go home, grab a bottle of port and lock himself in his room. He deserves every horrible thing to happen to him and more. He is no gentleman. He was no better than Wickham, actually worse! Self-loathing is his only worthy companion. Col. Richard Fitzwilliam on the other hand is filled with questions all of which point towards his cousins. His behavior is most peculiar, and his guilt is written all over his face. His army intelligence instinct is on high alert. Could it be that Darcy has something to do with Elizabeth's demise, and how? He will find out.