The fire at Purvis Lodge burned for hours, and the neighbours were exhausted from their efforts to put it out by the time it began to rain. Thankfully, no one was seriously harmed by the flames, although some had minor burns. The Kings' belongings were gone, though, and the process of replacing them all would take a great deal of effort and money. That was for another day, however, as for now the family brought to Longbourn and settled into guest rooms.
The family was filled with joy when the express rider came and informed them that Mr. Phillips, Mr. Darcy, and Lizzy were all safe. They had been worried about their relations and friend, but until word arrived, none had wished to voice their concerns. Lydia felt a weight lifted from her chest when she realized that no one had been harmed due to her actions. She did not think she could have forgiven herself if the worst had happened.
Colonel Forster had taken Denny and Sanderson back to the militia encampment when he arrived. He had been ten miles away on business, so he had not heard immediately of what had happened. Both men gave a full confession in exchange for their lives. They had been Mr. Wickham's superiors who had vouched for his being in town and given him the alibi that had left him out of consideration for a time. Wickham had blackmailed them into it, as he had information that could ruin female relations of both men. They had known it was wrong, but they had not known how else to keep their family from harm.
Both men, at first, had refused to set the fire. Even the threat of the ruin of their respective sister and cousins was not enough incentive. Yet, when they were promised a share of the profits, the men were consumed by their own avarice. They found a house that had few people at home and watched to ensure that everyone made it out of the building before they attempted to flee. Their actions led to their being seen and thence captured.
Colonel Forster decided they would face transportation. He felt wholly ashamed that it had been three of his men that had caused the majority of this havoc. He fervently prayed that Mr. Witting was in good health, for he wasn't sure if he could continue to serve if his judgement had been so clouded that he had failed to notice one of his men was a murderer.
Darcy returned to Darcy House to find Elizabeth and her uncle ensconced in the library. Mr. Phillips was sitting in a deep leatherback chair and reading, but Elizabeth paced back and forth. When she caught sight of Darcy, she looked as if she wished to fling herself into his arms, but much to his disappointment, she held herself back.
"You are back so soon?" she asked with surprise.
"It was not necessary to go further than Melbridge House, for the most unlikely of people — Mr. Bingley — brought the reprobates to us. They were foolish enough to go to Hurst House, where Bingley awaited them." Darcy sank into the chair next to Mr. Phillips, exhausted from all that had happened. "It is a long tale that varies a great deal based on who tells it, but Wickham, Miss Bingley, and Jenson are to stand trial. Mr. Witting is at Melbridge House and is quite ill with infection from his lost hand."
"Will the inquest proceed immediately, or shall they wait until they see if Mr. Witting shall recover?" asked Mr. Phillips, ever the lawyer.
"I did not ask or even think to ask such a thing. I cared not for anything but Mr. Witting's health."
"But why did they do it?" asked Elizabeth with agitation.
"It depends which of the scoundrels you ask. If you ask Miss Bingley, it was all Mr. Wickham. They meant to ruin you, but Mr. Witting foiled the plan and Mr. Wickham took him as captive instead. They knew of my fondness for you and therefore presumed that I would pay to keep any scandal quiet. They needed the money, she says, as she is carrying Wickham's child and they were to marry and buy an estate. If you speak to Wickham, he says it was all Miss Bingley's idea, and they always meant to take Witting, but agreed they were to marry. Jenson claims to only have been brought into the scheme after I took him on as my valet. They needed a better way to get messages to me, and they paid him handsomely with a promise of more money later, after the ransom was paid."
"They meant to ruin me?" Elizabeth's face showed her surprise. "I knew Miss Bingley did not like me, but this is beyond all reason."
A maid arrived with tea that Mr. Darcy had asked to be brought up, interrupting their conversation. Her gaze lingered on Elizabeth longer than what was strictly appropriate, curious about the young lady who had been put in the finest guest chamber and that Mrs. Colley was treating as if she was a countess. There was nothing exceptional about the young lady, except her sudden arrival and the preferred treatment ordered.
"Is Mr. Witting very ill?" asked Elizabeth after Darcy had taken his first cup of tea and had eaten a biscuit.
"He is. His arm is infected, and it is likely that his whole arm will need to be removed if there is not rapid improvement. He appears very weak, and he has a fever. I know not how much he was fed or given drink, for we did not wish to question him too much. He needed to rest." Darcy thought back on the pale face of Mr. Witting. He was relieved that his valet was alive, but it was possible he would not remain so for long. He realised that he ought to send for Dinah and Mrs. Nichols. It would do Mr. Witting good to see his love. If Darcy were in his place, he would wish to see Elizabeth.
Excusing himself to the writing desk, Darcy scribbled a note to Mrs. Nichols and called for a servant to have the note sent with a rider to Netherfield. Elizabeth watched, wondering just how much money Mr. Darcy had spent on express riders in recent days. Her family could rarely afford such things, even in cases of urgency, often having to rely on the post if one of their servants could not be spared to take the note.
The rest of the evening was spent in a deceptively calm manner, with the three occupants of Darcy House dining casually together on simple fare and relaxing in the drawing-room and the library. Although they were comfortable, none of them was truly at ease, always waiting for bad news to arrive from Melbridge House or for something else terrible to occur. Elizabeth was greatly concerned for Darcy, as his face was creased with anxiety that refused to go away, even when he was attempting to be diverted by books or conversation.
The discourse was only between Elizabeth and Darcy, since Mr Phillips would often take every opportunity to occupy himself on the other side of the room or would appear to be completely absorbed in his book. He was by no means subtle in his attempts to give them some privacy, but his efforts were appreciated.
"What did you mean, that they knew of your fondness for me? Jenson, surely could have known, but Miss Bingley and Mr. Wickham? I do not know how they thought you admired me as far back as to plan a compromise." Elizabeth wondered what Miss Bingley had seen or heard that led her to think that or if Darcy truly did admire her that far back into their acquaintance.
"I told Miss Bingley when at Lucas Lodge that I liked your eyes — no, I believe I remember — I said that I was pondering the appeal of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman. It was right after you rejected my offer to dance. When I told her your name in response to her question of whose eyes I referred to, her face was furious. I believe she thought I referred to her eyes. She had not, as evidenced during her stay at Netherfield, yet given up hope of my offering for her." Darcy's face lightened a little, remembering Elizabeth's gentle way of refusing his offer to dance, even though he now knew that she likely had wanted to refuse him most rudely. Unlike Miss Bingley, Elizabeth was always kind when ire was undeserved.
"She felt your admiring my eyes was a sufficient reason to compromise me?" Elizabeth was amazed. How rapidly Miss Bingley's thoughts went from admiration of her eyes to admiration of her whole person to love to marriage.
"I do not believe that was her only hint of my admiration," Darcy looked at his hands as he spoke, uncertain how to explain to Elizabeth that he had been often staring at her and thinking most unwholesome thoughts. "I believe my admiration was evident while you nursed your sister at Netherfield."
Elizabeth was certain her face was scarlet. "I thought you were looking to find fault with me."
"Never," whispered Darcy. "I was utterly charmed by you." Darcy was about to take her hand in his when the sound of Mr Phillips coughing brought him back to reality, reminding him that they were not alone. Both Darcy and Elizabeth looked away. Elizabeth admired a large globe, her fingertips tracing its contours while Darcy traced the floral pattern of the carpet with his shoe.
Mr. Phillips suggested that reading aloud might be a pleasant way to pass a portion of the evening. Darcy agreed and found a book by Jane West to divert them for a time.