Author's Note: Another chapter for you.
As always, thank you, thank you, thank you for your feedback. Please continue to message me or comment about questions, issues, or anything else you see. I am enjoying this story, and I hope you are as well.
Chapter 26
George took a small sip from the glass he held, and everyone standing there took a breath, almost as if they were waiting to see what would happen. As planned, George did not react to the drink but merely continued as if nothing was unusual. The others did the same. "We have not been introduced," he said to Jane. "From what I have overheard, I assume you are Miss Bennet, Elizabeth's elder sister?"
"I am," Jane replied with a soft, demure smile directed at the gentlemen, fluttering her eyelashes in what she hoped was an appealing manner.
With a subtle eye-roll directed at her husband, Elizabeth took the initiative to introduce her sister to her new family. "Oh, I apologize, Jane. Yes, this is my husband's brother, Mr George Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire. And this is his mother, Lady Anne Darcy," Elizabeth added, belatedly offering the proper introductions.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr Darcy," Jane cooed, attempting to ingratiate herself with the wealthy gentleman she had just handed a glass containing a potentially lethal amount of poison.
"Would you care to dance, Miss Bennet?" he asked, handing the drink to his brother as he bowed to the lady. At her nod, he reached and took her hand to escort her to the dance floor. Jane smiled beatifically at being asked to dance by the Master of Pemberley, knowing that he was wealthier than Elizabeth's husband and believing this meant he favoured her.
As they glided across the dance floor, Jane and George Darcy engaged in light conversation.
"Miss Bennet," George began, "you appear to be in splendid spirits this evening."
Jane's simpering smile broadened, and her eyes sparkled with delight as she responded, "Indeed, Mr. Darcy, I am. It is such an honour to dance with a gentleman of your extraordinary stature. Your dancing skills are unparalleled, and your presence here tonight has brought immense joy to the entire assembly."
George Darcy acknowledged her flattery with a gracious smile. "Thank you, Miss Bennet. I must admit that dancing with you has been the highlight of my evening."
As the dance continued, Jane maintained her simpering demeanour, basking in the belief that the Master of Pemberley held her in the highest regard, much like all gentlemen of worth in her eyes. While gracefully moving to the music, she cast several discreet glances towards her sister and the members of the local society who had previously snubbed her following her conflict with her sister.
While George danced with Miss Bennet, Fitzwilliam made his way to his cousin, hidden in the shadows, and handed off the glass. "George did not drink enough to do anything more than to make him a little sleepy," Richard whispered.
"I noticed that," Fitzwilliam replied, frowning as he considered what had happened. "Elizabeth said she suddenly felt ill from some sort of smell just as Miss Bennet handed her the glass, and George used that as an excuse to take the drink. What will happen next?"
"My men already have Wickham in custody, having observed him pouring the contents of this vial into George's drink. We also saw him nod at your sister-in-law to approve the alteration of the recipient, and it was clear that Miss Bennet was unsure. I think she was unsettled about the switch since her intended target was your wife, and he had assured her no one else would be harmed. It would not benefit Miss Bennet if the poison were to kill George, and she appears to be unaware of how much it would take to cause injury. Your wife would have been affected by far less, but George, well, George can tolerate a much larger dose."
Fitzwilliam grimaced at the thought. "George barely wet his lips with what was in the glass. We are certain Wickham had it all in his possession?"
Richard nodded. "He did, and we now have it in our custody. We used a small dose on him to ensure he sleeps for some time."
"When will George put on his performance for Miss Bennet?" Fitzwilliam asked but was interrupted when a noise caused them to turn to look toward the dancing couples. George had begun to stumble, and Fitzwilliam and Richard watched as other dancers got out of his way. Jane, in particular, was staring at him aghast while Elizabeth and Lady Anne played their parts.
"George," Lady Anne cried as she rushed to her son. "What is wrong?"
"I am uncertain," he replied, his words stumbling forth. "I suddenly felt ill. Is there, do you still have that wine Miss Bennet gave me?"
"I did not give you wine," Miss Bennet hastily claimed. "That was my sister's glass."
"Regardless, you were the one who brought it," Fitzwilliam stated. "Come with us as we get my brother settled. Perhaps you can tell us something about the wine."
Elizabeth and Lady Anne were on either side of Jane and assisted her as they moved her from the room with George. Several people turned to look, and while they were surprised to see the sisters together, they thought little of it.
Once they found themselves in a small room adjacent to the assembly hall, Elizabeth turned to face her sister squarely. Her voice was composed but tinged with a hint of anger as she inquired, "Tell me, sister, what exactly did you put into the wine you attempted to offer me? What consequences do you anticipate for my brother George, who consumed it instead of me? And what, pray tell, did you intend to occur to me?"
"Whatever do you mean?" Jane asked innocently.
"Miss Bennet, at the moment, George Wickham is in custody for attempted murder. Would you prefer to rely solely on his capacity to tell the truth, which, I must caution you, is not particularly reliable, or would you like to present your own account?" Richard asked.
"Who … who are you?" Jane asked uncertainly.
"Major Richard Fitzwilliam, cousin to the Darcys, at your service," he replied with a bow.
"Why do you have Mr Wickham in custody?" Jane asked, attempting to change the topic.
"Because I witnessed him pouring a tincture of belladonna into a drink intended for Mrs Darcy, and I overheard the two of you plotting to ensure she consumed it," Richard replied with unwavering certainty. "If my recollection serves me right, once your sister had met her demise, you planned to insinuate yourself into my cousin's life under the delusion that you could supplant his dearly beloved wife. Let me assure you, you would have found yourself sorely disappointed. My cousin would go to the ends of the earth to exact retribution upon anyone who dared to harm his wife."
Jane seemed to finally recognize the trouble she was in, and she blanched. Her knees weakened, and she did not fall only because George, standing behind her, caught her by the shoulders. Mrs Bennet came in just in time to see him grab her daughter by the shoulders, and she attempted to proclaim a compromise.
"There will be no compromise, madam," George Darcy declared before a word could leave her opened mouth. "Your daughter is accused of plotting to murder my sister and of attempting to murder me, the nephew of an earl, by giving me a glass of wine laced with poison. A considerable amount of poison, as had I actually drank the beverage, I would likely be deathly ill at this moment. Fortunately, both she and her accomplice are fools who are oblivious to others around them and their words were overheard."
Mrs Bennet followed her daughter's example and paled as her knees weakened. She and Jane were aided to sit as their options were shared.
"I will arrive at Longbourn tomorrow to speak to your husband about the events of this evening," Richard said. "For the time being, we would prefer to avoid involving the magistrate as we seek to avoid the publicity of a public trial. However, should you choose not to cooperate, rest assured we possess the means to ensure that you and your entire family face utter ruin due to your actions. I would like to remind your husband that, by law, he is accountable for the conduct of the females within his household. This could very well result in all three of you being incarcerated in Newgate due to your actions.
"Madam," he addressed Mrs. Bennet, "I consider you an accomplice in this matter. Your injudicious words convinced your daughter she was entitled to any gentleman she fancied. You instilled in your eldest daughter the belief that she was extraordinary without providing her with any meaningful accomplishments or qualities that might render her appealing to a man. It was your words that led her to believe she was superior to her sister, who diligently cultivated her talents and blossomed into a beautiful, vivacious, and witty woman. Elizabeth is the daughter you should be proud of, not one whose only purpose in life is to be an ornament on some man's arm. She possesses no qualities to captivate a gentleman and has only demonstrated herself to be a vengeful shrew willing to plot her sister's demise in pursuit of her own selfish aims."
Mrs Bennet, who did not understand half of what was said, focused on the last statement. "My Jane is worth so much more than 'Elizabeth.' I have said it before, and despite what he says now, Mr Darcy will regret marrying that hoyden and will set her aside. I will not welcome her back to Longbourn, I assure you," she nearly yelled in her anger.
"Richard, there is no point in continuing," Fitzwilliam interrupted her tirade. "Mrs Bennet obviously cannot see past the nose on her face, and Miss Bennet is a murderess. For now, we should ensure they arrive home and use some of our guards to keep them there until we can discuss with Mr Bennet what has happened tonight. Perhaps he can do something about these termagants, but I sincerely doubt it. Newgate may be the best option."
"Or perhaps some time in residence at Bedlam might be in order," George retorted. "It appears that one or both of these ladies subscribe to the notion that repetition can shape reality. Persisting in ignorance despite correction is often considered a sign of insanity, is it not?"
Richard smiled wryly at his elder cousin. "It does appear so," he replied. "It is something I will discuss with Mr Bennet on the morrow. For now, we should get these ladies home. There is nothing for them here."
"But my daughter was compromised by that man," Mrs Bennet said, pointing at George Darcy. "He must marry her."
"I will not," George replied. "I did nothing but prevent her from falling, and trust me, it is not my reputation that will be ruined if you mention your beliefs to anyone out there. I believe I would be applauded by those in attendance here tonight were I to refuse to marry your daughter on your suggestion of a compromise."
Mrs Bennet could not reply to that, and Richard took advantage of her silence to escort her and Miss Bennet to the waiting carriage. The two were escorted home, accompanied by Richard and several guards.
The Darcys remained at the assembly for a while longer, but before the dance was over, both Elizabeth and Lady Anne declared themselves too tired to remain. After making their excuses, they returned to Netherfield, leaving Mr Livesay behind, as he wished to dance again with his intended.
"Dearest, are you well?" Fitzwilliam asked once he and his wife were settled together in their bed. "You were ill tonight, and you are never ill, and I am shocked you agreed with Mother about departing early."
"I am weary, my love," she replied. "But I am in good health, or at least I will be. Your mother mentioned something to me earlier that made me think back—I have only had my monthly courses once since we married. It is possible that I am with child, although I cannot confirm it yet. Mother requested I speak with her tomorrow—I believe she harbours similar suspicions as mine."
Fitzwilliam stared at his wife. When he did not speak, Elizabeth began to worry that he was displeased. "Fitzwilliam?" she inquired, and it seemed her words brought him back to the present.
"A child, my dearest Elizabeth," he whispered reverently.
"It is not certain yet, Fitzwilliam," she replied. "I cannot know for sure until I feel the quickening. I know a little, but Mother will be able to tell me about what to expect more tomorrow."
Before she could complete her sentence, her husband drew her close, enfolding her in a tight embrace. He pressed kisses to her forehead, her eyes, her cheeks, and her nose, each affectionate gesture a testament to his love for her. Finally, his lips met hers, and they shared a lingering kiss, during which he poured out his affection. Afterwards, he gently threw off the covers and, lifting her nightgown, peppered kisses on her belly, where their unborn child was quietly growing, even though still invisible and imperceptible to the touch.
Elizabeth laughed. "You are pleased, dear husband?"
"Yes, inordinately pleased, dear wife," he replied as he moved back up her body and kissed her lips once again. "So very pleased, Elizabeth."
Author's Note: As I understand it, belladonna can be used as a sedative but can be lethal in large quantities. GD did not drink enough to be lethal, only sleepy. GW was given a measured dose to make him sleep.
So, what do you think? What should happen to Jane and Mrs Bennet? A public trial? Resulting in possible ruin for the Bennet family and with lingering effects for the Darcys? Or Impressment for George Wickham? Should Jane and Mrs B be sent away? Should Mr B suffer consequences? Let me know what you think.