Disclaimer: It belongs to Jane Austen and most definitely not me.
A/N: Another chapter and we're very close to the end. If you've been with me for this journey throughout the entire story, thank you. I really appreciate it. Gosh, it feels like goodbye, but its not. Not yet anyway, this isn't the last chapter but I am getting a little sentimental but it has been going on for a few years now and I love it because it's a huge piece of my life.
ON WITH THE SHOW!
Fitzwilliam Darcy had not seen his sister in such distress since Wickham abandoned her. The moment that thought occurred to him, he tensed his arms around her and calmly convinced himself that Wickham was in Newcastle and far enough from Hertfordshire to be powerless to harm those he loved.
Suddenly, Darcy felt Georgiana collapse in his arms.
"Georgiana…what has happened? Why are you here?"
Darcy's eyes flit downwards and immediately spotted the blood seeping through her dress. His eyes widened in alarm and fear. Had Elizabeth's mysterious attacker stricken again? It seemed as if the person has a personal vendetta against him.
Quickly scooping Georgiana up in his arms he called for help.
Mrs. Hill immediately answered the request and led Darcy up towards Lydia's empty bedroom, calling for the stable boy to go fetch the doctor immediately.
Georgiana could not stop struggling with her brother's grip. He wasn't listening, he wasn't listening. Why would he not listen? Her panic increased with each moment as William ignored her cries and ramblings insisting she conserve her strength until the doctor could come.
William placed her gently on the bed and shushed her protests. From downstairs, Georgiana heard a mild gasp of surprise and Mrs. Hill utter a greeting.
"Miss Bingley…what a surprise…Miss Darcy…"
Georgiana heard no more. She refused to be subdued this time. Without ceremony, she tugged her brother by his jacket until he was mere inches from her. She knew she seemed hysterical but there was no time to calm herself.
Her eyes were fogged with pain and her hair was wild from the ride, she looked like a mad woman but she knew her brother would believe her no matter her state.
"William. It was Caroline. You must…"
Darcy seemed puzzled. "Yes Miss Bingley just arrived…"
"No William. It was Caroline. She…she attacked Elizabeth…"
"Georgiana you must calm down! These are serious accusations…"
Georgiana refused to give in, not now when Caroline was in Longbourn. She pulled her brother down to eye level and steeled her tone.
"William! Listen to me and listen to me well! When I returned to Netherfield, Caroline was acting odd…she grabbed me, told me everything! She did this…she did everything. She tried to ruin Miss Elizabeth in your eyes so you would marry her instead…she imprisoned the Hursts…"
Darcy still seemed a little doubtful.
"William. She is in the house, here, with Elizabeth…she could hurt her, she could hurt you. There's something wrong William, something terrible."
Then suddenly as she spoke the last words, she spotted the Darcy signet ring sitting upon her brother's finger and it occurred to her.
"William! I have proof! When she attacked Elizabeth…she…she took the family ring. She was wearing it tonight! I swear it William, just look…"
William Darcy eyed his sister and nodded.
"But what if she…"
Georgiana read his mind and pushed him away.
"I'll be fine William. I'm still conscious. If I scream, there is a house full of people to help, but Elizabeth, she's…she's…"
Darcy understood immediately. He pecked her quickly on the forehead and rushed through the door.
Darcy was rushing towards Elizabeth's bedroom when he heard it.
A scream.
No. It was a piercing laugh.
Most definitely Caroline.
He broke into a sprint and slammed the door open. Somehow what he saw surprised him.
The window was open to the cool night air and the curtains billowed in the light breeze. Caroline was perched on the edge of Elizabeth's bed, fondly stroking her hair. Elizabeth was wide eyed with terror but she for some reason she did not scream. Then Darcy realized why, Caroline had bound and gagged her with what seemed to be a torn pillowcase.
Caroline looked up suddenly and an ecstatic smile spread over her features.
"William, how pleasant of you to drop in. And what perfect timing too!"
Darcy frowned lightly but nodded his head in acknowledgement as not to anger her then walked slowly into the room, careful not to move too quickly. Quickly glancing towards her hand, he instantly saw it.
The Darcy family ring, resting oh so innocently on Caroline's wedding finger. So Georgiana was right. Suddenly, another flash caught his eye. A letter opener, stained with what he presumed was Georgie's blood.
Caroline brought the sharp point so that it rested just on the smooth skin of Elizabeth's soft neck. Elizabeth breathed in sharply and froze at the feel of cold metal on her skin. Her eyes darted to Darcy and met his eyes, tears softly streaming down her cheeks.
Caroline smiled calmly.
"No need to weep Miss Bennet, Mr. Darcy will be very happy with me. That is all you want is it not? For him to be happy? He will be happy. Won't you William?"
Darcy breathed in sharply. "Caroline, what are you…"
Caroline gave a nostalgic sigh.
"That is the first time you have ever addressed me by my Christian name William…it sounds so wonderful when you say it. But, now is not the time for indulgences. Tell Elizabeth here that you choose me over her. Tell her so that she may rest her witty little mind and give you up like she should."
Darcy's eyes flashed with fury, ready to refuse, but then, as if sensing his reluctance, Caroline pressed the point a little deeper into Elizabeth's skin.
Elizabeth whimpered faintly as she felt the blade pierce the delicate flesh of her neck and a drop of warm blood slip down the expanse of her skin.
Darcy dared not step any further.
"Caroline…let her go."
Caroline shook her head and smiled.
"One condition, William."
"What? What condition?"
With agonizing slowness, Caroline stroked the brunette's wild curls.
"Tell Miss Elizabeth here that you do not love her…"
"Caroline! I will do no such thing. You must…"
Miss Bingley let out a shrill laugh.
"Very well my love, I will give you a choice. Me…or her?"
Darcy responded without fault.
"Eliz…"
The point sunk deeper and Lizzy's blood began to pool on the bed cloths.
"Think carefully now my love…"
Darcy had never felt such fear as he did that moment. His eyes briefly flickered to his surroundings but he knew it was hopeless. Swallowing the bile that had suddenly risen within his throat, he attempted to force out the word Caroline wanted so much to hear.
He never got the chance. There was a loud ripping sound, like cloth tearing and Elizabeth had lifted her freed hands and gripped Caroline's bony wrists. Caroline was taken completely by surprise and felt her hand and the letter opener being forced away from her victim.
Elizabeth was driven solely by adrenaline, she squeezed Caroline's wrists tightly and she screamed with pain. The letter opener dropped from her hand and clattered to the floor.
Miss Bingley was furious. Screaming with rage, she pulled Elizabeth from the bed and forced her towards the open window. Pushing with all her strength, she forced Elizabeth to the edge.
Lizzy felt the window frame dig into her hip and she bit her lip in exertion.
Suddenly, Caroline was wrenched off her. The woman screamed in fury for being ripped from her prey and struggled wildly against her captor but Darcy was having none of it. He clamped her arms firmly to her side and held firm. Quickly, his eyes flickered towards the window and saw…nothing.
Fear gripped him with a chilling hand. Had Elizabeth fallen from the window? Was she hurt? Surly she…Darcy's thoughts stilled as he spotted her form slumped tiredly on the floor. Her bright eyes locked on his and she smiled a light, ironic smile.
Mr. Bennet and Mr. Bingley chose that moment to burst through the door, hearing the screams of Miss Bingley; they had expected something a little different than the scene, which greeted them.
Charles was the first to gather his wits to ask the obvious.
"What the deuce is happening…"
Caroline neither heard nor saw the new presence in the room. She was beyond angry now.
"Let me go! Let me go! UNHAND ME! I must kill her! SHE WILL RUIN EVERYTHING! I MUST! I MUST! I MUST! UNHAND ME NOW! I MUST!"
Charles eyes widened in horror but before he could say a word, Darcy thrust Caroline into his arms.
"Hold her Charles, do not let her go."
"Darcy, what on earth…"
Darcy ignored him. Within moments he had knelt by Elizabeth's side and brushed her curls away from the wound on her neck.
The blood was beginning to dry and the wound did not seem as deep as expected and Darcy sighed in relief. Untying his cravat with a single tug, he pulled it from his neck and pressed it to the wound, lightly pulling Elizabeth into his embrace.
Gently he lifted her from the floor and laid her on the bed. Behind him, he could hear Caroline's retreating screams and Mr. Bennet's sigh of apathy.
"Why do you young people have such a penchant for dramatics?"
Despite the darkness of his mood, Darcy chuckled.
"When you discover the answer, perhaps you could share the concept with me…"
Charles Bingley was mortified and furious.
"Caroline! Calm yourself. Have you lost your mind? What on earth were you thinking?"
"Charles! Charles…you do not understand…she is destroying everything…William and I…we were meant…we were meant to be…we are engaged…"
Something snapped in Charles Bingley at that moment.
"Caroline! Give up! Stop these fantasies and delusions! You never stood a chance with Darcy! He never took any interest in you. He only tolerated your ill concealed hints and flirtations because I am his friend!"
Caroline instantly quieted, shocked at the sudden violent demeanor of her usually passive brother. Charles continued, his expression severe.
"You are a laughing stock Caroline. Every gentlemen and lady of the ton knows of your reckless pursuit of Darcy and of your pecuniary reasons behind it. Do you enjoy the embarrassment? Because I certainly do not! I am so sick of having to walk into my club and stomach jests of your behavior from my acquaintances!"
Caroline could feel a shiver of desperateness creep upon her awareness.
"But Charles…William loves…"
"Elizabeth! Darcy loves her, not you! Good God, you truly have lost your senses…"
Charles shook his head.
"I simply cannot believe you would do such a thing…"
Darcy descended the stairs, his eyes wearily trained on Caroline.
"That is not all."
Bingley looked unsurprised.
"What else?"
Darcy's mouth was set in a grim line.
"Miss Bingley has attacked my sister. In her haste to warn me, Georgiana ran from Caroline and galloped across the countryside from Netherfield bleeding from a cut Miss Bingley inflicted. She was the one who attacked Elizabeth this morning and made another attempt at her life just moments ago."
Charles looked shocked at this news. He turned to stare at his sister.
"Caroline…is this…"
Miss Bingley shook her head wildly.
"No! Charles! It is not true…do not believe him…"
Darcy interrupted her, anger building in his tone.
"Check her left hand."
Without wasting a moment, Charles snatched up his sister's hand and stared intently at her ring finger. In that moment, Charles Bingley felt the first flash of dislike he had ever felt for anyone. Prying Caroline's fingers loose from her fist, he wrenched the ring off her finger and tossed the object to Darcy who caught it without hesitation.
Clenching his teeth, Charles Bingley asked: "What else?"
Darcy rubbed a tired hand over his eyes.
"According to Georgiana, she has also attacked the Hursts and locked them somewhere in Netherfield."
"Good God Caroline! What has possessed you? NO! Don't answer! First thing on the morrow, you are to travel to aunt Beatrice in Yorkshire! You will not return until I permit it, I am cutting off your allowance and you are not permitted any society other than that of aunt Beatrice. You need not take your belongings, aunt Beatrice has always advised that you dress more modestly, I am quite sure she would be more than happy to order a few gowns for you."
Caroline screamed and threw herself at her brother's feet.
"Please Charles…no…no…how…how will I marry? How…how…"
"You are a danger to yourself and everyone around you! Do you expect me to subject some poor gentleman to you when you are capable of such atrocities? You are fortunate I have not sent you to a convent…"
Charles paused.
"In fact, that is not such a bad idea. Perhaps the Lord may help you find you way…"
Miss Bingley gasped in horror.
"No Charles! You cannot mean it! You could not do such a thing to me…"
Bingley was having none of her pleas.
"Stop it Caroline. It is the convent or Bedlam. Whichever your choose."
Caroline shut her mouth with a snap and lowered her head to her hands, sobbing brokenly.
"Oh and Caroline?"
She looked up, hoping desperately for a reprieve.
"Yes…?"
"I want mother's pearl necklace. She always did wish for my wife to possess it."
Caroline felt the familiar surge of anger and clenched her jaw. Reaching towards her neck, she roughly wrenched the item from her neck and threw it viciously at her brother. Charles did not bat an eyelash and simply tucked the string of pearls into his pocket.
Taking her by the arm, he pulled her to her feet and towards the front door. Looking backwards. He addressed Darcy.
"Darcy. Please accept my apologies…"
"There is no need Charles. You could hardly be faulted to the actions of your sister."
Charles Bingley nodded and turned, grateful for the pardon.
As brother and sister made their way back to Netherfield, the sun rose and shed bright morning light on the chilly landscape. Charles was thankful he had little more time he had to spend with his sister.
Ascending the steps of Netherfield, Charles put Caroline in the charge of a burly manservant and went in search for the Hursts.
After moments of frantic search, Charles heard a muffled shriek emitting from the connecting chamber of the Hursts' bedroom.
Wrenching open the door, he instantly spotted two figures crouched on the marble floor. Rushing forward, he pulled the gags from Louisa's then Hurst's mouths.
Louisa collapsed against her brother, tears streaming freely down her face.
"Charles, it was Caroline. She has lost her mind…she…"
Bingley gently quieted his elder sister.
"I know Louisa…I know."
Grimly, he watched as Caroline's carriage pulled away from Netherfield Park. She was on her way to a secluded convent far in the highlands equipped with a letter of explanation and a very stern maid to keep watch. Charles could not be more thankful that she was to be gone far from the London ton, where undoubtedly she would become the fodder for this month's gossip and far from Hertfordshire, the Bennets and the Darcys.
Darcy had returned from Longbourn without Georgiana, whom, under the sound advice of the doctor, decided to rest and stay with her soon-to-be sisters at Longbourn while she recuperated.
Meanwhile, Lord and lady Matlock had arrived at Netherfield to keep a careful eye on their fretful nephew. All the Matlock siblings had arrived too and lightened the dark mood which hung over both men since the fateful accident and even Miss Anne de Bourg had arrived in surprisingly good health and disposition to offer her heartfelt congratulations to both Bingley and Darcy.
The wedding was to occur in a fortnight and neither man could complain as they waited for their fiancés to recover from the shock of the ordeal. Though Elizabeth seemed to suffer the brunt of the incident, she was rather resilient and was already making light of the situation much to Darcy's delight. And of course Jane, dear Jane recovered quite well as Elizabeth's well being improved.
As for the Hertfordshire neighborhood, all manners of tales had reached their ears and visitors to Longbourn and Netherfield had increased tenfold. All eager to find out the real story behind the rumors, though most of them remembered to offer their well wishes to the young lovers before the purpose of their visits became too palpable.
Both Darcy and Bingley now had one single task in their minds now: Pray desperately that these next two weeks would be the most uneventful of their lives. Period.
A/N: Tada! Another chapter up and done! What did you think? LOVE IT OR HATE IT?
Either way. Give me a buzz and review as there isn't much left of the story. I think I'll do one more chapter with a twist. (A sweet romantic twist or surprise so there is no need to worry, I'm not that cruel…) then I'll do a totally unconventional epilogue and we shall call it quits! Thanks so much for reading.
REVIEW PLEASE!!!!!
Love C.
P.S: My reviewers have been great. I appreciate every comment and input. You guys rock! Thanks heaps for the support; it really has been the driving force behind this story. Love you all.