Page 65 of Intrigue and Inheritance (Crime and Consequences #3)

“We must consider Lord Joseph’s death in this new light,” he said, forcing his mind back to the analytical task at hand. “Mrs. Jenkinson was present, hovering near Anne as always.”

“And Lord Joseph showed symptoms not long after consuming his tea,” Elizabeth continued, the pattern becoming clearer. “Just as Lady Catherine did last night.”

Darcy stared at Elizabeth, the full implications of their theory striking him with the force of physical blow.

Mrs. Jenkinson, who had lived under their roof for months, who attended Anne with such apparent devotion, had most likely murdered one man deliberately and another by terrible mistake.

The carefully constructed veneer of civilization that Darcy had always valued suddenly seemed terrifyingly fragile.

If a woman who passed for respectable in every outward aspect could harbour such deadly intentions, could execute them with such calculation, then what safeguards remained against the darker impulses of human nature?

“It fits,” Elizabeth said softly. “God help us, Fitzwilliam, it all fits together.”

He felt a cold sweat break out across his brow as he realized the danger had not passed. Mrs. Jenkinson remained in their home, perhaps already planning her next move.

“My God, Elizabeth,” he whispered, unconsciously reaching for her hand. “If we are correct, she has been living among us, taking meals at our table, all while plotting murder.”

Elizabeth’s fingers tightened around his, her face pale but composed.

“And she may not be finished,” she added, giving voice to his unspoken fear.

“Mr. Hislop remains her primary target, and now she has additional reason to wish him harm, having accidentally killed Lady Catherine while attempting to eliminate him.”

“Not only Hislop,” Darcy said grimly. “We must consider who else she might perceive as a threat to her position.” He began counting off on his fingers. “Anyone who encourages Anne’s independence, anyone who supports her connection with suitors, anyone who undermines Mrs. Jenkinson’s authority...”

“Which includes us,” Elizabeth finished quietly. “Particularly myself, as I have actively encouraged Anne to make her own decisions regarding suitors and activities.”

The thought of Elizabeth being in danger from this woman sent a surge of protective fury through Darcy’s body. He had faced many challenges in his life, confronted numerous unpleasant truths, but never before had he encountered evil lurking so close to his family, disguised as dutiful service.

“We must act immediately,” he declared, his voice low but vibrating with intensity. “Anne cannot remain under Mrs. Jenkinson’s care for another hour.”

“I agree,” Elizabeth said, “but we must proceed with caution. If Mrs. Jenkinson suspects we have discovered her guilt, she might act rashly, endangering Anne or herself. We have suspicions but no proof that would satisfy a magistrate.”

Darcy acknowledged this strategic consideration with a reluctant nod. “What do you suggest?”

Elizabeth considered for a moment. “First, we must separate Anne from Mrs. Jenkinson without raising suspicion. Perhaps we could suggest that Anne rest in Georgiana’s room rather than her own, citing her need for companionship after such a shock.

Mrs. Jenkinson could hardly object to this arrangement without seeming unreasonable. ”

“Yes,” Darcy agreed. “And I shall send for Mr. Hargreaves. We cannot wait until morning to present our theory to him.”

Elizabeth rose, smoothing her skirts with hands that betrayed only the slightest tremor. “We should proceed immediately, then. Every moment Mrs. Jenkinson remains uninvestigated is a moment of potential danger.”

As they prepared to leave the drawing room, a new, terrible thought occurred to Darcy. “If Mrs. Jenkinson is our murderer, she has demonstrated both patience and calculation. She may have prepared for the possibility of discovery.”

“What do you mean?” Elizabeth asked, pausing at the door.

“Simply that we should be prepared for her to deny everything, to have constructed some form of alibi or explanation,” Darcy clarified.

“She has lived in great houses for many years, observing the habits and behaviours of the gentry. She would know what to say, how to present herself to deflect suspicion.”

“True,” Elizabeth acknowledged. “But she has also revealed cracks in her composure. Her inappropriate comments to Anne after Lady Catherine’s death suggest a woman not in control of her emotions, despite her careful planning.”

This observation gave Darcy a measure of hope. Calculated as Mrs. Jenkinson’s actions appeared to be, she was not infallible. Her devotion to Anne, twisted as it might be, represented both her motivation and potentially her weakness.

“We might use that emotional attachment in our questioning,” he suggested. “Approach her first with concerns about Anne’s welfare rather than accusations of murder. Her guard might lower if she believes we share her fixation on Anne’s ‘protection.’”

Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, that could be effective. Begin by expressing gratitude for her devotion to Anne, perhaps even suggest that we share her concerns about certain suitors... it might lead her to reveal more than she intends.”

Darcy appreciated his wife’s quick grasp of the approach. “We must be careful not to show our hand too early, but if we can lead her toward some admission or contradiction, it would strengthen our case with the magistrate.”

As they stepped into the corridor, Darcy was acutely aware of the quiet house around them.

Somewhere within these walls, a woman who had already taken two lives continued her everyday activities, perhaps already planning to dispose of her next victim.

The thought sent a chill through him despite the warmth of the summer evening.

“I shall speak with Anne, and separate her from Mrs. Jenkinson,” Elizabeth decided. “You should write to Mr. Hargreaves immediately, requesting his urgent return. The sooner he is informed of our suspicions, the sooner proper action can be taken.”

“Yes,” Darcy agreed, though reluctant to separate from Elizabeth even for this necessary task. “But promise me you will not be alone with Mrs. Jenkinson under any circumstances. And ensure Anne is never left without either yourself or Georgiana present.”

“I promise,” Elizabeth assured him, recognizing the fear behind his directive. “And you must take similar precautions. Mrs. Jenkinson may not consider you her primary target, but if she believes you suspect her, that could change quickly.”

Darcy nodded grimly, acknowledging the wisdom in her warning.

They had entered territory far removed from the ordinary concerns of their lives, a dark landscape where normal rules of social interaction no longer applied.

If Mrs. Jenkinson was capable of calculated murder, then conventional expectations of behaviour offered no protection.

“We shall reconvene in the library in half an hour,” he decided. “I will have sent my letter to Mr. Hargreaves by then, and you will have had time to speak privately with Anne. From there, we can determine our next steps based on her reaction and the magistrate’s response.”

Elizabeth squeezed his hand briefly before turning toward the stairs that led to Anne’s chambers.

Darcy watched her go, fighting the urge to follow, to protect her physically from the danger they had identified.

But he knew that the most effective protection now came from swift, strategic action, not hovering presence.

As he made his way to his study to compose the urgent letter to Mr. Hargreaves, Darcy found his mind returning to Mrs. Jenkinson’s strange behaviour after Lady Catherine’s death.

Her comments about Anne being “free now” took on an even more sinister aspect in light of their suspicions.

Had she mourned Lady Catherine, despite accidentally causing her death?

Or had she quickly adapted to this unexpected development, seeing in it new opportunities to strengthen her position with Anne?

The complexity of the human mind, its capacity for self-deception and justification, had never seemed more terrifying to Darcy than in this moment.

A woman who presented herself as devoted to Anne’s welfare had likely murdered one man who showed interest in her charge and accidentally killed Lady Catherine while attempting to eliminate a second suitor.

What twisted logic justified such actions in her mind?

What perverse devotion transformed protection into destruction?

Reaching his study, Darcy closed the door firmly behind him and moved to his writing desk.

The letter to Mr. Hargreaves would require careful composition, presenting their theory with sufficient detail to warrant immediate action while avoiding any appearance of hysteria or unfounded accusation.

He must be precise, logical, compelling, even as his heart raced with the knowledge that a murderer moved freely through his home.

As he dipped his pen in ink and began to write, Darcy felt the weight of responsibility pressing down upon him with unprecedented force.

Two people had already died under his roof.

He was determined that there would not be a third, whatever measures might be required to prevent it.

The sanctuary of Darcy House had been violated, its peace shattered by violence and deception.

Restoring that sanctuary, ensuring the safety of all who dwelled within its walls, now depended on his ability to bring a murderess to justice without sparking further tragedy.