Authors Note: Thank you for your reviews. You do not know how much you have encouraged me to keep going.

I hope that you enjoy this next chapter in which the motive is revealed. Before I was willing to begin posting this story, I wrestled with coming up with a plausible motivation for Bingley's actions. Then, last fall, I watched (not for the first time) the old black and white version of the Alfred Hitchcock thriller, "Shadow of a Doubt". It fit perfectly with this story, portraying how a sweet, affable boy becomes a serial killer. His sister (Louisa, in my story) is his last surviving relative and is the one to unknowingly reveal what brought about the change in the movie's villain. However, in the movie, there is no character that fits Caroline. Her part is unique to this story.

Thanks for reading. This is unbeta'd. All the mistakes are my own. Please review.

Chapter 11

Chilton Cottage, March 17, 1812

Elizabeth, Mary, and her father stood in the front parlor to receive the two gentlemen. Mr. Darcy gave her a formal bow but wore his habitual impenetrable mask, although Elizabeth detected a touch of sadness and anxiety in his eyes. Colonel Fitzwilliam was his normally effusive and friendly self, expressing his delight that Elizabeth seemed so well recovered, for only the worst of the bruising was still visible.

While the gentlemen retired to their rooms to refresh themselves, Elizabeth and the Bennets waited anxiously in the back sitting room. Mrs. Morris retreated to the kitchen to hurry Cook along with the light mid-day meal.

The Conversation over the simple luncheon was kept to general topics. However, once the dessert had been served, Mr. Bennet stood. "Mr. Darcy, I believe that you and Lizzie have much to discuss. The rest of us can wait until later to hear the latest in this sorry debacle."

Elizabeth's trepidation rose as she watched the Colonel, Mary, and her father leave the room. Darcy stood and addressed her tentatively, "Mrs. Darcy, perhaps you would accompany me on a walk. The weather is fine, and I would appreciate a chance to stretch my legs. Is that acceptable to you?"

She readily agreed and hurriedly collected her gloves, bonnet, and pelisse. He offered her his arm and they made their way along one of Elizabeth's favorite paths. She could sense that he was struggling to find a way to begin the conversation.

They had come some distance from the house when Darcy spied a bench under a great oak tree looking over a peaceful meadow on the Chilton grounds. Darcy led her over and requested that she be seated. He nervously sat beside her and cleared his throat before speaking, "I know that you have been impatient to learn what we have discovered about Bingley's motivation." He tapped nervously on his boot with his stick while he paused to gather his thoughts. "Hurst was able to piece together a very plausible explanation for his behavior. It turns out that Mrs. Hurst was a well-spring of information about her brother. I found a few aspects of it to be reassuring, but most of what we learned is extremely disturbing. You see, Bingley has been my friend since our university days. So, I have felt confused by his betrayal. Considering myself a fairly good judge of character, I have been at a loss to understand how someone that I thought to be so amiable, such an open book, could hide the deep depravity that we have seen in him of late."

He reluctantly met her eyes for a brief moment noting her compassion and understanding for the pain of his loss, the loss of one that he had considered a friend. Then, he pushed on with his recital of Hurst's explanation. "In our correspondence, I told you that Bingley declared that we had never been friends. You cannot imagine how devastating those words were to me. Well, based on what we have learned, his statement was false. We were the friends that I remembered from our school days. He was just as I thought he was, affable, loyal, and kind. I know that sounds confusing and contradictory, but I will explain how it all fits together. But it has been a balm to my soul to find that, when we first met, he valued our friendship as much as I did. He was a man who loved society and made all those around him feel at ease and happy. You cannot imagine how much it has meant to me to have it confirmed that at one time there was a true friendship on both our parts and to know that I can trust in my memories of those early days when he truly was the most amiable man of my acquaintance." He paused for a brief second and then, sadly added, "and so, he was until two years ago."

He rose from the bench and began to pace, "I was only vaguely aware of what transpired at that time being away at my property in Scotland for the summer. Hurst wrote to me that Bingley had been thrown from his horse and had suffered a severe head injury. He was unconscious for a number of days, and they had despaired of his life. But he had finally regained consciousness, and they expected a full recovery. What Hurst did not tell me was that, for weeks afterwards, Bingley suffered from debilitating headaches, seizures, memory loss, and bouts of rage. The family was determined to keep any rumors from spreading in hopes that he would have no long-lasting effects, and thus, told no one of the severity of his condition. By the time I encountered him later that fall, he appeared much as he had ever been except for occasional headaches. I had no idea how far-reaching the damage from the accident truly was."

He paused as they watched a pair of doves fly across the meadow, then he continued, "In light of the events of the last six months, Mrs. Hurst has admitted that she had been uneasy for some time about her brother's state of mind. However, she said nothing since, the majority of the time, he appeared to be the cheerful gentleman that he had always been. In hindsight, Hurst, too, has come to realize that there were subtle warning signs in Bingley's behavior that he had missed or ignored. In society, he seemed quite normal. However, when it was only the family, he would become sullen and petulant or focus on petty slights that he had received from some of the more status-conscious members of society. On occasion, he would go off on an angry rant about the injustices of life as a tradesman's son. In those early days, his physician had told them to expect some such symptoms, but had reassured them that they would subside over time."

"However, Miss Bingley began to selfishly use his mood swings and memory loss to her advantage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hurst attested to the fact that their younger sister had always been highly manipulative. Mrs. Hurst tried to intervene but could not counter her more dominant sister's will." Darcy's mouth twisted in disgust. "Thus, Miss Bingley began to encourage his paranoia. She twisted his memories to suit her own narrative and steadily filled those gaps in his past with her evil fiction. This served to make him become more reliant on her and suspicious of everyone else. She sought to rewrite the early days of my friendship with her brother in order to transfer his loyalty from me to her. She must have decided that by villainizing me, she could convince him to help her ensnare me into marriage and that my desires concerning the matter were of no importance. Before his accident, Bingley would have never tried to force me into marriage with Miss Bingley or anyone else."

"Another alarming change that no one noticed at the time was his sudden recklessness with his fortune. Caroline Bingley had always been a spendthrift. But Charles had ever been very responsible with his money. He never spent it frivolously or invested it unwisely. However, after his accident, he, at Miss Bingley's instigation, began to spend money lavishly while depending on risky investments to make up the shortfall. Needless to say, his fortune is not what it was."

Wearily he retook his seat. Lost in his tale, he unconsciously took her hand in his, and she, without thought allowed it. He stared into her eyes and the pain therein was unmistakable to her. Her throat tightened at the tragedy that had befallen them all because of the cunning of one woman and her ill brother.

Broodingly, he then continued the narrative. "For the last year, Mrs. Hurst said that her sister was constantly at her brother's side, filling his head with a false history, replete with tales meant to incite Bingley's bitterness towards myself and all of society. She made sure to strip away any of his inhibitions and scruples, emphasizing that people, in general, deserved their disdain and that any actions they took against those that they considered their adversary were completely justified. Louisa Hurst tried to intervene again and again but could not overcome the damage that her sister was inflicting on Charles. Thus, she resigned herself to simply trying to mitigate the harm. By the time of the compromise, Caroline Bingley had her brother completely in her thrall. She had convinced him that he could only recover his wealth by helping her to secure me as her husband so that the coffers of Pemberley would be available to them. Their secondary goal was to allow him to court my sister in order to gain her dowry when she came out in two years. Therefore, Bingley leased Netherfield and lured me there so that Miss Bingley could entice me into matrimony."

His grim countenance shifted to something softer as he caught and held her eyes. "However, they did not count on you, Elizabeth. You were the wild card that threatened to foil their carefully laid plans."

She was startled at his words and began to deny that she had done anything to draw their ire, but he smiled ruefully and forestalled her rebuttal. "I know that I started our acquaintance poorly, but it was not long before I found myself drawn to your very, very, tolerable appearance and your lively wit. At the Lucas's house, where we danced, I became completely enchanted with you. I made the mistake of informing Miss Bingley that I thought you pretty, with very fine eyes. And then when we danced, it became apparent to her that their schemes were in peril."

"That was the point that they decided to enact a compromise between myself and Miss Bingley. Again, they did not count on how events would truly unfold. Charles's sisters invited your sister to Netherfield to warn her away from their brother. Louisa claims that she did so for Miss Bennet's sake since she knew how unstable her brother was. Of course, Miss Bingley did so because she felt that Charles was destined for my sister. However, they did not count on your sister taking ill, nor did they count on you arriving the next day. As you already know, the night before you arrived, I had already delivered my set-down of Caroline Bingley, putting paid to their scheme to compromise me with her."

"From there, the situation went from simply scheming to diabolical. Understanding that I would never willingly marry her and that a compromise would place her in a very undesirable situation, she quickly adjusted her plans. And I, being the arrogant idiot that I am, let down my guard and considered that the set-down had successfully warned her off. Therefore, I allowed my valet to return to his room in the servant's quarters and relaxed my vigilance. When they saw the attention that I showed you over those next two days, her hatred for you grew and their plan became fully formed. Thus, they easily conducted the compromise between you and me."

"Their purpose was three-fold. First, they sought to discredit and punish the two of us for not falling in with their original plan. Second, they intended to ensure that I did not father an heir of my body due to the acrimony of our marriage. And lastly, they meant to, eventually, permanently remove us from the picture so that Georgiana would inherit Pemberley. Throughout, Charles would maintain an appearance as my steadfast friend until such a time that I could be utterly discredited and charged with your murder. All the while, he would be quietly wooing Georgiana. Then after my hanging, he would step in as my sister's comforter and win her hand in marriage."

Elizabeth sat in stunned silence. Never had she heard of anything so insidiously evil in her life. No Gothic novel could surpass the dark plot that had ensnared their lives.

Darcy said quietly, "In light of their reprehensible actions, I find it hard to forgive either one of them. Yet, my friend was ruthlessly victimized by his own sister. She cared nothing of his well-being. She used his weaknesses against him and without pity. She twisted him into a man willing to commit heinous crimes for her perverse ends."

Inexplicably, Elizabeth's eyes were wet with tears for the poor, tortured man even though he had sought to ruin her life and had even sought to murder her. She said a bit tearfully, "I see that despite his despicable actions, Mr. Bingley is the greatest object of pity in this whole sordid business. I have heard of instances where a blow to the head caused an extreme change in personality, but never to this extent. And to have his instability used as a weapon by his sister is dreadful. How terribly, terribly sad."

Darcy swallowed painfully and tugged distractedly at his cravat, "Well, yes. Yes, it is that." They both sat in silence for a few moments. Darcy unashamedly retained her hand in his, giving and deriving great comfort from the physical contact. For the first time since their marriage, neither felt any rancor towards the other.

Darcy spoke quietly, "I wish I had known. Perhaps measures could have been taken to help him. I just do not know. I wish to God that it had not come to this."

She squeezed his hand and said softly, "Sir, you are not at fault. How could you have known the condition of the man or how wickedly Miss Bingley would act."

He then narrowed his eyes and said menacingly, "Miss Bingley is the most despicable lady of my acquaintance. She deserves to be punished and will receive no mercy from me." Then he added with grim satisfaction, "What Miss Bingley did not take into consideration was the extent of Charles's volatility or his ineptitude at carrying out her instructions. Otherwise, we might not have become aware of their schemes until too late."

Finally, she found her voice and asked tremulously, "What of the night of the compromise? You know that this question has haunted me for months. How did they execute the actual incident?"

He reluctantly released her hand and reached into his waistcoat pocket drawing out a letter. "We compelled Charles and Miss Bingley to give a detailed, signed statement of their crimes. But I will not subject you to their disjointed, insulting, and questionable accounts. However, Mrs. Hurst has penned you a letter with the answers that you seek. It is both an apology and her description of the evening's events. She cannot be excused for her part in the compromise, but I am confident now that she was not aware of her siblings' long-term plan or their subsequent, horrendous activities." He placed the letter in her hand but did not relinquish his hold on it before adding, "I have read it, at her urging, and feel that I must warn you that some of the revelations will cause you pain. Therefore, will you allow me to sit with you while you read it in case you should need my comfort? Or, if you wish, I could summon Miss Mary or your father."

She took the letter from his hand eyeing it as one would eye a venomous snake and stammered, "N-No, no. Please stay."

Slowly she unfolded the letter and steeled herself for the disclosures that it contained.

Mrs. Darcy,

There are no words that can express the deep remorse that I feel for the wrongs that have been committed against you by myself and my family. I would have you know that since last autumn, I have most heartily regretted my part in the scandalous harm that was done to you. I would seek your forgiveness but know how little I deserve to receive it. My fear for my family's reputation and my ineffectiveness at curtailing the worst excesses of my siblings are no excuse for my sins against you. However, if you should grant me some measure of grace and mercy, I know it would be wholly due to your own goodness.

Mr. Darcy stated his intention of relating the details of Charles's accident two years ago as well as the change in personality that he underwent, so I will strictly address the events of the evening in question.

After Mr. Darcy discouraged Charles and Caroline from their original planned compromise, into which I had been unwillingly drawn, I was blissfully unaware that they were plotting something much worse.

That afternoon, you and Mr. Darcy had gone out for a walk in the garden while I sat with your sister. Caroline entered the bedchamber, saw that Miss Bennet was sleeping, and began to apprise me of their latest scheme. Although my sister spoke softly, your sister, who had only been lightly dozing, awoke and, unwittingly, heard all. I had just begun to remonstrate with Caroline about the indecency and offensiveness of the plan when your sister interrupted. She declared that she would not allow such a crime to be carried out upon her sister and that she would inform Charles of our plot, little knowing that he was involved.

Caroline tried to lie her way out of the situation but, finally, sent a maid to find our brother. When he knocked at the door, my sister ushered him inside, whispered something in his ear, and proceeded to relate Jane's concerns. Then she pulled me into the hallway leaving Charles alone with your sister. We had left the door ajar and could hear all that was said, so I can assure you that he took no liberties with your sister other than to hold her hand and thoroughly charm her with his words. And he did just that. With many pretty words and hints at their future together, he convinced her that the compromise was for the benefit of you and Mr. Darcy. He told her that Mr. Darcy was smitten with you and simply needed to be brought to the point. He declared that you, too, were equally smitten, but they were afraid that you might still harbor a lingering resentment towards the stern, proud gentleman for his earlier rude behavior. They were anxious to hurry things along, and they knew that both of you would be grateful for their intervention. Charles painted a rosy picture of their future life with the Darcys as in-laws. I am sorry to say that he convinced her. She was completely under his spell and had no notion of the fury that would be meted out on you by Mr. Darcy.

Caroline, in her usual overbearing manner, bullied me into silence. At this point, I was simply hoping to keep the damage to a minimum and be the voice of reason. I truly regret my poor choices and ineffectiveness in putting a stop to the plan.

Since Mr. Darcy had lowered his guard against compromise, Charles was easily able to add laudanum to his brandy decanter, while Caroline had laudanum-laced hot chocolate sent to your room. In addition, she ensured that our lady's maids knew nothing of the plot so that they would not alert Mr. Darcy's valet. Once you were both unconscious, Charles carried you to Mr. Darcy's room. However, permit me to reassure you that Miss Bennet and I were diligent in protecting your modesty, and my brother was never alone with you and promptly left the room to allow us to set the stage. I believe that it was at this point that your sister began to regret her involvement. She insisted on being the one to change your nightgown not wanting either Caroline or I to see you so exposed. Your sister was openly weeping as we positioned you in the gentleman's bed. I hope that my testimony helps to mitigate some of your disappointment in Miss Bennet. She, like myself, was incapable of withstanding Caroline's forceful nature or Charles's charming manipulation.

However, she very quickly came to realize just how thoroughly she had been duped. Once the stage was set, Charles and Caroline disabused her of the notion that Charles had ever intended to offer for her. My sister had already painted her as a fortune hunter who would seek to rob him of the chance to claim Miss Darcy's thirty-thousand-pound dowry. Therefore, he felt no qualms in breaking Miss Bennet's heart. Although he was not exactly cruel, his disinterest was apparent. Afterwords, she was quite overcome, and I had to help her back to her room. She was both a conspirator and a victim, and I hope that you can pity her.

It is a blessing that Charles's and Caroline's schemes did not continue unchecked. I know that my apologies and regrets sound hollow in light of the devastation that was wrought by my family. My failure as an older sister will haunt me for the rest of my life. My family is in shambles because I could not stand up to Caroline and see that my brother received the care that he needed

My earnest prayer is that you will be able to build the kind of life that you deserve. God Bless you.

Your servant,

Louisa Hurst

By the time she read the closing words, Elizabeth was weeping. Her emotions were intense and varied. Searing fury and intense pain being foremost. Once the storm of tears slowed, she realized that Mr. Darcy was holding her in his arms and that she had soaked his coat and cravat with her tears. Sitting back from him, she apologized and did her best to wipe her tears and straighten her appearance.

She could only murmur one word, "Jane."

"Yes, your sister was involved in the compromise but to her downfall."

Elizabeth clenched and unclenched her hand around the handkerchief that she held, periodically using it to dash away errant tears that continued to leak from her eyes. Finally, she spoke, her confusion and disillusionment evident. "Yet, after the compromise, she behaved as if she was angry at me, as if my actions had robbed her of Bingley's regard. How could she do that? She knew all along. Why, she even aided them. I know Mr. Bingley took advantage of her, but they did not force her to act against me, against us. She chose to do so. She went against everything we have ever been taught about what is right and good and lovely. She had to know that she had wronged me, not I her. I do not understand."

Darcy shook his head sadly, "Guilt is a strange emotion. She probably does not understand her own feelings and actions. I warrant, that if she does not confess her wrongs and ask forgiveness now that all has been revealed, the guilt will probably eat her alive. She must face what she has done."

"How could she do this? She has always been my model of what is sweet and kind. Mama remonstrated with me countless times to be more like her. She was perfection. I adored her. I do not understand."

They both descended into a miserable but companionable silence as they contemplated the meadow before them.

Then a less emotional Elizabeth asked, "Will you tell Papa? I want him to read Mrs. Hurst's letter." She shook her head at the thought of her father's disappointment in his eldest daughter. "But, oh, he will be so devastated to learn of Jane's perfidy."

"Yes, he needs to read the letter. I think it would help him to get a clear view of what occurred."

"I will speak to Mary and allow her to read it, too," stated a resigned Elizabeth. "Thank you for being so understanding and allowing me to weep on your fine coat," she mumbled sheepishly. Then as another thought occurred to her, she asked, "You spoke in your letter that you had changed your plans for the Bingleys. What is their fate?"

"Well, after taking into consideration his mental state, Hurst and I have changed our plans regarding Charles's punishment. Instead of sending him to Australia as was originally intended, we will be sending him to a sanitorium on the Isles of Scilly. There, he will be far enough away so that you and I will feel safe from his irrationality, but close enough so that I and Hurst can monitor his care. He will be comfortable and well looked after, but under strict supervision. With his instability, we could not, in good conscience, send him off adrift into the new world. It would not be fair to him or to the unsuspecting populous of Australia. For the moment, he is being examined by a group of London physicians who have a great deal of expertise in head injuries and their aftermath. Next week, there will be a hearing before a judge where he will be declared unfit to manage his affairs. Hurst and I will be awarded co-guardianship. I insisted that it be so, for I could not sleep well at night without knowing that he was securely supervised and well looked after."

"William, you are a good and kind man. You have handled this situation admirably. We can but pray that he will obtain the help that he needs and regain his peace away from the influence of his sister."

Then she queried, "And what is to become of her? She must be made to feel some sort of punishment."

He pursed his mouth in distaste. "Hurst will be appointed as her guardian until she reaches the age of twenty-five. However, even then, he will retain control of her dowry. For the rest of her life, she will receive a quarterly allowance but will be unable to access the principal. Naturally, her suitor withdrew from the engagement once he realized that the funds would never be released to them. Her aunt and uncle, eager for the opportunities to be found abroad, have agreed to accompany her to Australia and supervise her life there. Her ship leaves next Monday. She is currently under guard by the aunt and uncle as well as the Hursts who have guaranteed that she will not miss her voyage."

"I know that it is not Christian to feel this way, but I sincerely hope that she rues the day that she conspired against us," said Elizabeth a bit waspishly.

The upturn of Darcy's lips at her words resembled more of a grimace than a smile. He said feelingly, "I am sorry that you have had to learn of the betrayal of your sister. I hope that, with time, there can be some restoration in your relationship. The loss of my friendship with Bingley has been painful. But I am relieved to know that he was ill, not inherently evil, and that he had been cruelly worked on by his sister. Nonetheless, even had he not carried out his vicious plan against us, our easy comradery would have probably altered considerably due to the brain damage that he suffered."

Again, without thought, she slid her hand into his and gave him a comforting squeeze. He earnestly stared at their joined hands recognizing how right it felt. As she gazed across the meadow, her countenance showed no artifice or uneasiness at the gesture. Yet, he knew that her trusting touch was nothing that he merited. Nay, he had been a vengeful beast who deserved a tongue-lashing, not this kind, unaffected contact. Rather it was wholly due to her natural giving and affectionate nature. He had often observed her spontaneously embracing her sisters. He was unused to such displays. Only with Georgiana did he display that type of affection. And now it felt like a gift. It felt like grace.

The realization suddenly broke through his mind that she truly must have forgiven him for the many transgressions that he had committed against her, for she was treating him as someone that she wanted to comfort and to receive comfort from in return. Humbly, he realized that this lovely, courageous woman who was incapable of dwelling on past recriminations and unforgiveness had reached out to him in friendship.

However, even if she might have allowed him into her circle of friends, he had seen the wary way that she looked at him, eyeing him as if he were an untamed creature who was likely to lash out at little or no provocation. So, no, he would not fool himself into believing that she could possibly care for him as she did her family, but her actions during his painful recitation indicated that perhaps she considered him a friend. That idea made him smile light-heartedly for the first time in many weeks. Friendship was a foundation that, perhaps, he could build a happy marriage on.

He glanced at her face, now calm and contemplative. Over the past two weeks, he had gone from furiously despising her, to grudgingly admiring her. And now, he realized that he needed her in his life, that he wanted a happy marriage, but not with just any woman. He wanted a happy marriage with this woman. Having seen her go through the searing trials that she had experienced these past months, he was convinced that she was a gem like no other. A true diamond of the first water, forged in heat and pressure and dire circumstances, shining with depth and clarity. She was a genuine nonpareil.

The evening before their return to Chilton, Richard had given him a few short words of advice. "Darce, if you want to have a real marriage with your wife, you must woo her. This will be unchartered waters for you since you have always been the one pursued not the pursuer. But at this time, Elizabeth does not trust you. You will have to win her trust and her heart."

Now, sitting with her by this peaceful meadow, he resolved in his heart to do just that.