Two days later, the Pemberley family and trusted guests sat together in the same blue drawing room they had shared for the preceding fortnight. Of the havoc George Wickham had wreaked, Lydia suffered the most serious injuries—the bullet from the colonel’s gun going completely through her left shoulder, leaving a gaping wound in her back. However, in Elizabeth’s opinion, Lydia’s most difficult injury to heal would be her sister’s emotional state. Months of dealing with Wickham’s mental decline had left Lydia vulnerable.
Georgiana needed only a few well-placed stitches. Mrs. Reynolds’s diagnosis of Colonel Fitzwilliam proved correct. Doctor Miller removed the fragments of the bullet and of one of the colonel’s many medals and casted the colonel’s broken wrist. Elizabeth suffered only a grazing wound close to her temple, while Darcy had some muscle damage across his shoulder blade and along his spine.An elaborate bandage crisscrossed his back and chest, restricting his movement, which totally frustrated a man known to take pride in the actual running of his estate.
“Sir Phillip returns today?”Worth asked as he sipped a cup of tea.
Darcy replied, “The baronet will take Mrs. Harwood to Derby first, but he and I have decided to send her to a friend in Antigua with the stipulation that the lady never returns to England.There is a facility nearby, where she will be expected to serve her sentence helping some of the island’s many orphans.”
Worth’s contempt for the idea showed. “For the heinous crime she committed, it is more than the lady deserves.”
“We have been through this several times, Worth,” Edward warded off the solicitor’s objections. “It is the only way we can reduce the scandal.”
“I understand,”Worth grumbled, “but I do not have to like it.”
Elizabeth reached out and patted Worth’s arm. “We appreciate your and Miss de Bourgh’s approval of this plan. We comprehend the depth of your disdain for this alternative, but we need to protect Mrs.Wickham.”
“Of course, Mrs. Darcy. I did not mean to criticize. Miss de Bourgh simply loved her long-time companion dearly.”
“As I love my sister,” Elizabeth said quietly.
Worth verbalized no further objections on the subject. Everyone assumed he would soon declare himself for Anne de Bourgh, and when she accepted him, he would become head of that branch of the family. His counsel had become valuable to them as they decided how to handle the outrage associated with Wickham’s intrusion.
“It still galls me that Mr. Steventon knew of the passages and never disclosed the information to me, especially as we searched for an unknown intruder,” Darcy grumbled.
Edward inquired, “What did the man say when you questioned him on it?”
“He thought me to be aware of the ruins. Said because Mr. Wickham’s father served my own for so long that he assumed me familiar with the layout. It seems my great-great grandfather saw a need for escape if the estate was attacked. In the 1600s, it would make sense. I must take the blame, I suppose, for not familiarizing myself with the house’s history. I thought I knew it, however.”
“Wickham must have known of the passageways because of his father?” Stafford thought aloud.
“One can only guess.” Darcy still showed signs of irritation. “His secrets died with him.”
“And what of your sister, Elizabeth?” Edward changed the subject. He sat beside Georgiana on a nearby settee—their fingers barely touching on the cushion between them.
Elizabeth watched with some amusement as Darcy eyed his cousin’s forwardness and his sister’s acceptance. It had taken her several hours the previous evening after Edward presented himself to Darcy to even consider a union of the two.
“Georgiana is not ready,” he insisted.
Elizabeth laughed softly.“Of course, our sister is ready. Women are born ready to marry.”
“You were not,” he accused.
Elizabeth snuggled into his right side. “I was born to marry the most honorable man to grace this earth. It was not my fault he came to me disguised as a pompous prig.” She stroked along his chin line as she spoke.
Darcy chuckled. “He was testing you, my Dear.” He lightly kissed her fingers. “Trying to see if you would recognize Love when it called upon you.”
“I was quite blind to what he offered, and I regret the time we wasted coming to an understanding.” She turned his palm over and kissed it.
“Do you really believe this is what Georgiana wishes?”
Elizabeth kissed his cheek. “Your sister has spoken of no one else for months. Have you not seen it? Have you not heard it? At Christmas, Georgiana bought Edward a gold-tipped walking stick with his initials engraved on the handle—quite a personal and expensive gift for a man she sees only every couple of months. Besides, would you wish someone less respectable for Georgiana?”
“I would wish her a Season in London as my parents planned.”
Elizabeth sat up straight, where she might meet his eyes. “I love Georgiana, but a Season would be a daunting experience for her. She is too unassuming, and despite her handsome appearance and her generous dowry, can you honestly believe that Georgiana could find a more suitable match in disposition? Edward would protect her and love her. It that not what you wish for our sister?”
“He is nearly fourteen years her senior,” he objected.
“You are eight years older than I.”
He sighed in exasperation. “What shall I tell them?”
Elizabeth knew Darcy would put Georgiana’s happiness above his own misgivings. “I suggest a compromise of sorts. Accept an understanding between our sister and Edward, but deny them an official announcement until her next birthday, at the end of the summer. In the meantime, we expose Georgiana to other young people in the neighborhood to see if any other young men pique her interest. If not, then you will know her constancy and can accept their union with a glad heart.”
“How did you become so wise?”
“Remember…I married that honorable man. I have learned empathy and compassion from him.” She settled back into his embrace.
Darcy closed his eyes and thought of the exquisite happiness he held and how he had come so close to losing her.“And you have taught me about loving completely. Compared with you, I am a mere novice.”
Darcy’s voice brought Elizabeth from her musings. “There is no way to hide Mr. Wickham’s attacks on this house, for too many people have knowledge of it.Yet, Sir Phillip has graciously allowed the Darcy family to put its own twist on the events. As the baronet said, it would serve no purpose to ruin the good names of everyone involved. So, for the record, Mr. Wickham invaded my home with the purpose of ridding himself of his wife.There is truth in the tale. Besides finding the letter I wrote to Mr. Laurie regarding Harwood and Wickham, we discovered a journal of sorts in the antechamber, which was kept by the one known as Peter Whittington.” Darcy still could not reconcile how one man could actually be four. “It chronicles his attack on Lucinda Dodd, Gregor MacIves’s fight with Lieutenant Harwood, and James Withey’s discovery by young Lawson. It also describes in some detail George Wickham’s contempt for Mrs. Wickham’s spending habits, his growing gambling debts, their lack of financial soundness, and his plan to free himself of his wife and blame it on Pemberley. It appears that Mr.Wickham used the letter to imitate my handwriting—planned to use the forgery somehow to better his scheme.”
“We have not discussed Mr. Wickham’s treachery with my sister,” Elizabeth barely whispered. “It will break Lyddie’s heart when she knows the truth.”
Darcy squeezed her hand, telling Elizabeth they would see this through together. “I have written to Mr. Bennet,” he continued the tale. “I have told him the truth, but have asked him to conceal it from the rest of the family. He will propose a trip to Pemberley under the guise of celebrating Elizabeth’s upcoming confinement. When the Bennets arrive, we will explain the events to everyone. Mrs. Wickham will benefit from her mother’s ministrations, and it will allow the news to trickle into Meryton and not be bemoaned loudly by Mrs. Bennet’s nervous nature. As Mr.Wickham has a less-than-stellar reputation among Meryton’s residents, few in Hertfordshire will find our explanation lacking. In fact, many will expect some such perfidy. I have no fear of the locals learning of the whole truth by their usual methods of Mr. and Mrs. Collins and the Lucases. Lady Catherine will repeat what I tell her because Anne’s reputation is intrinsically entangled in Wickham’s story.”
“How do we explain Harwood?” Worth asked. “Can we leave Miss de Bourgh’s ruination out of the story?”
Darcy recognized the man’s concern: Worth would make Anne his wife, and a man protects his family. “It will be quite an exaggeration, but we shall say that both Lawson and Lucinda discovered Wickham disguised in the Pemberley livery, and he killed them so that he would not be found out. Unfortunately, with Harwood, a complete prevarication will be necessary. We have stated that, as a friend of my cousin, Harwood saw Anne and Mrs. Jenkinson to Pemberley when he realized that the storm delayed Mr. Worth. Like the others, Harwood discovered Wickham in the house, and he lost his life defending our home against an unknown intruder.”
“You are making the man into a glorified hero!” Stafford remarked.
“It was part of our agreement with the lieutenant’s wife. Mrs. Harwood will go to the West Indies if her husband’s name is not defamed by his involvement in this matter. Plus, it will save Anne’s reputation, making my aunt more willing to repeat our version of the truth.”
“Mr. Darcy has made arrangements to send Lydia to his cousin Wilhelmina outside Edinburgh to spend her time in mourning. It is very kind of Fitzwilliam to shield Lydia from the brouhaha surrounding her husband’s duplicity.” Elizabeth looked lovingly at Darcy. Despite being in company, she caressed his cheek.
Darcy continued,“I have sent for my friend Charles Bingley. He and Mrs. Bingley can accompany Mrs. Wickham north. I hate to ask them to travel in winter, but I will not hear of Elizabeth journeying so far in her condition.”
“As Mr. Bingley is one of the most amiable men I know, I doubt he will refuse your request, Fitzwilliam,” Georgiana offered.
“And my sister Jane can attend to Lydia upon the journey,” Elizabeth added. “If Lydia is far away from the gossipmongers, she can return to England a grieving widow of a man who did not deserve her. Maybe if we are fortunate, Lydia will become more aware of her obligations to her family.”
Darcy thought Elizabeth wished for the world. In reality, he hoped his wife’s youngest sister would choose to stay in Scotland and would find herself a man to keep her in line and out of his sight for a very long time. “I have to ask, Stafford, if we can count on Miss Donnel to keep our confidences?” Darcy hated to broach the subject, but as the lady prepared to leave Pemberley the next day, he needed to know. Miss Donnel had no vested interest in the situation. Neither did Stafford, for that matter, but he had proved himself a true friend.
Cathleen’s leaving still bothered Adam profoundly, although he fundamentally knew that she was not the woman for him.With the Darcys, he had observed perfection in a marriage, and he did not think he could settle for simply a physical attraction. He desired Cathleen, but they had little in common beyond that: She did not challenge him intellectually, nor did she demand that he be a better person. Cathleen accepted his foibles, and that was not what he required in a wife. He needed a woman more in Mrs. Darcy’s mode—a woman who would, through determination and her own independence, make their dreams come true. “Miss Donnel is very discreet. Not a word of this will escape her lips.” He turned to Worth. “I have asked Nigel to squire Cathleen to her uncle’s home and to oversee her welfare for the next couple of months—until she is settled.”
“We will leave tomorrow after Mrs. Jenkinson’s service. Mr. Darcy has graciously offered us the use of his small coach and a competent driver. I cannot neglect my practice any longer, and I have other legal matters I need to address.”They all assumed Worth meant his own fortune. Having it defined exactly would make his request of Lady Catherine for Anne’s hand more likely to be received positively by Her Ladyship.
Edward stood to end the conversation. “I, too, must return home and offer my parents an explanation of what has happened here. It might be best, Darcy, if I see Her Ladyship and Anne to Matlock while the Bennets are at Pemberley. It will give Lady Catherine time to perfect her story before she returns to Kent and the very nosy Mr. Collins.”
“Send word if Anne wishes to spend the spring at Pemberley, and I shall have one of my maids travel with her,” Darcy said.
“I am sure the earl can manage a carriage and a chaperone when my cousin is ready to return.” Edward straightened his jacket. “Would you care to spend a few days with us, Lord Stafford? I imagine my brother Charles would enjoy your company.”
Stafford laughed lightly. “And I can corroborate your story.”
“Exactly.” Edward bowed to the room. “Georgiana, might you join me in the music room. It has been too long since I have heard you play.” He reached out his hand to her.
Darcy winced when his sister placed her hand in his, but he said nothing, silently accepting what he could not change.
“I have matters to settle with Cathleen.” Stafford no longer concealed their relationship.
Elizabeth nodded her understanding.“It has been an honor to have Miss Donnel among us,Your Lordship.You will tell her so for me.”
“Cathleen will be pleased to hear it. Now, if you will excuse me, Mrs. Darcy.” He stood and offered a bow.“I will see you at supper.”
Nigel Worth followed suit. “I suppose that is my cue as well. I wish to spend some time with Miss de Bourgh. She is upset with the prospect of saying her farewells to Mrs. Jenkinson on the morrow.”
Darcy accepted Worth’s excuse with graciousness. “Of course, Worth.”
Within moments, only he and Elizabeth remained in the room. A long sigh escaped as soon as the silence hit them. “We survived,” he said softly.
“More than survived, my Husband. We prevailed.” Elizabeth placed her head on his shoulder and rested against his warmth. “Fitzwilliam,” she whispered. “I am so sorry to have brought such devastation to Pemberley. If you wish me to leave with my parents, I will understand.”
Darcy placed his good arm about her shoulder. “Elizabeth, if you ever leave me, I would finance an army and come after you.”
She smiled secretly. “You would have no need of an army, Fitzwilliam. Simply tell me I am forgiven.”
“You have no need of my absolution, my Dear. It was my association with Mr. Wickham which provoked his descent. And it was my interference which aligned your family with him. I should seek your forgiveness.”
“Then we are bound to each other by necessity,” she teased.
“By love,” he corrected. Darcy lifted her chin with his fingertips and kissed her intimately.
Elizabeth turned into his embrace, losing herself in his kiss. She lingered only inches from his lips. “And Doctor Miller said what about your recovery?” she murmured breathily.
“Not a word about that.” He smiled. “Of course, I did not specifically ask.” His own voice took on husky overtones. “Miller might have forbidden us, and I would not have it.”
“Should we retire to our rooms for a rest?” Elizabeth boldly offered.
Darcy kissed the tip of her upturned nose.“I can think of nothing I need more.”
They rose together and headed for the main staircase, arms shamelessly wrapped around each other’s waists.
“Fitzwilliam,” she asked as they climbed the steps together, “would you mind if I asked Kitty to stay with us when my parents return to Hertfordshire? I find I miss my family dearly, and Jane and I agree that in society superior to what she has generally known we can assure Kitty’s improvement. She is not of so ungovernable a temper as Lydia, and with proper attention and management, Kitty might thrive. I could use her help during my confinement, and she might be company for Georgiana’s forays into local society.”
“All are legitimate reasons for bringing your sister to stay with us,” he teased, “but would you like to tell me what other contrivances you have in mind? I really despise being omitted from your machinations.”
“Fitzwilliam Darcy,” she tried to sound offended, but Elizabeth’s mischievous smile spoke volumes. “You judge me harshly, sir.”
A feigned look of chastisement crossed his face. “Do I now?”
She paused on the steps, trying to look in his eyes without bursting into laughter, but her control suffered when he waggled his eyebrows in a purposeful tease. “Oh, you win.” Elizabeth sighed in exasperation.“I noted how you sent the new vicar at Kympton a generous, although anonymous, donation to cover the recent damages to his church.” She caught his arm to continue their climb. “And I was thinking that Mr. Spencer is a promising member of the Pemberley family and—.”
“And Mr. Spencer is unmarried.” Darcy finished the sentence for her.
Elizabeth presented him with a brilliant smile. “And Mr. Spencer is unmarried. Do you not think Kitty might suit him?”
Darcy laughed—a deep baritone rumbling. “We will introduce your sister to Mr. Spencer and see what happens, but we will put no pressure on the man. I would not wish for him to think his wooing your sister was part of the agreement resulting in the living I recently bestowed upon the man.”
“Of course not.” Elizabeth opened the door and pulled on Darcy’s hand to follow. “I would never put Mr. Spencer or Kitty in such a position.”
“Mrs. Darcy,” he let her lead him to the bed, “I would place a bet at White’s that you have already planned your sister’s wedding right down to the dress and flowers.”
Elizabeth began to unbutton Darcy’s jacket and waistcoat. “You know me too well, my Husband.” She giggled as she released the knot of his cravat. “In fact, I planned everyone’s wedding but my own.”
“Yet, yours was the most important, my Love.”
She slipped her fingers under his shirt and stroked his chest. “It was, for it gave me pure happiness. I am truly the happiest creature in the world.” She went on tiptoes to kiss him enticingly. “Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles. I laugh.”
Within moments they were in the throes of intimacy, wrapped in the pleasures of love. “Will they?” Elizabeth asked as she settled in his arms. “Will people believe our version of what happened at Pemberley?”
Darcy adjusted his arm around her, trying not to make any move that would tear open the stitches across his back.“I hope any doubts others might have will go away in time,” he said, trying to sound confident.
“And if they do not? What if the rumors linger?”
“Then I suppose we will go down in local lore: Bungay has its Black Shuck; Cornwall, the Well of St. Keyne; Somerset, the Witch of Wookey; and Cheshire,The Red Rider of Bramhall Hall.We will be known for the house populated by shadow people—the home of the Phantom of Pemberley.”