Page 26 of The Bennet Heir
Chapter Twenty-Five
W hen the men left the stables, the Runners once again split up. One followed Wickham while the other went to Longbourn to speak to Darcy and the colonel, having been told to come at any hour should the news be worth delivering.
To say that both gentlemen were irate upon learning of Wickham’s plans was an understatement. They had been in the drawing room with the Bennet women, enjoying a pleasant conversation, when Giles Cunliffe arrived.
Cunliffe had served with the Bow Street Runners for several years, but before that, he had been an army officer. He and Colonel Fitzwilliam had served together when Fitzwilliam was still a captain, and although Cunliffe had retired after his father’s death to care for his mother, Fitzwilliam had always held him in high regard. Learning that his former major was available to assist in this matter had been a relief. Fitzwilliam trusted him implicitly—and in this moment, he was especially grateful for the man’s experience and discretion.
Mr. Hill, having been instructed to admit him immediately whenever he came, wasted no time in showing him to the small sitting room where Elizabeth and Jane had sat that afternoon.
When the man’s arrival had been announced, Elizabeth suggested he be shown directly into the sitting room. However, the colonel had indicated that it would be better for him and Darcy to speak with the man privately.
Elizabeth complained initially at being excluded, but Charlotte quietly reminded her that her presence might make the gentlemen uncomfortable. Still, as the door closed behind Darcy and the colonel, Elizabeth could not resist muttering, “It is most unjust. I have every right to be part of the conversation, as it concerns me directly.”
Charlotte gave her a pointed look. “What would you have them do? Allow a lady to sit among men as they discuss how to deal with a criminal? Perhaps they heard things you ought not to know, and it would make the gentlemen uneasy to speak of them in your presence.”
Elizabeth crossed her arms. “This particular lady ought to have been included, yes,” she huffed.
Charlotte stifled a smile. “Be patient, Lizzy; you will have your say soon enough. Your Mr. Darcy admires you for your wit and wisdom—neither of which you are displaying at this moment. When they return, they will likely tell you what they can.”
Since returning from visiting her husband in the dower cottage, Charlotte had been in a much pleasanter mood while Elizabeth was beginning to chafe under the restrictions imposed upon her. It had not been long, truly, but the mere fact that she could not do as she pleased was enough to frustrate her when she was used to considerably more independence.
Sighing heavily, Elizabeth admitted defeat. “Very well, Charlotte. I suppose I am merely being petulant, but I feel so…disheartened by all that has been said and done in the last few days. I hate that we must wait for something to happen and, quite frankly, knowing that these people wish me harm is frightening. Of those plotting against me, only one has known me for very long, and they all simply seek to use me for their own gain. It is all so very vexing.”
Charlotte’s expression softened. “Of course, it is frightening. Anyone would feel the same. But you are not alone in this, Lizzy. You have a number of people who are seeking to help you while those who wish to cause you harm are doing so because, as you said, they want what you represent. You are loved and cared for by so many, and they cannot understand that. You have your brother and me, your other sisters, including Jane now, the Gardiners and the Philips, and—” she hesitated before adding, “Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth sighed again, rubbing her arms as though to dispel a sudden chill. “Yes, I know that. It is simply difficult to sit here and do absolutely nothing when I am the one they wish to harm.” She glanced towards the closed door, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I do not wish to be a burden, nor do I wish to hide away like some helpless creature. I want to do something.”
Charlotte reached for Elizabeth’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I know. When the time is right, you will. But for now, you must trust those who care for you to act on your behalf.”
Jane glanced at Charlotte before returning her gaze to Elizabeth. “I know it is difficult, but it is also temporary. Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam will see to it that you are safe.”
Elizabeth nodded in agreement though clearly she remained unsatisfied.
Before either could speak again, the sound of footsteps in the hall caught their attention. A moment later, Mr. Darcy and the colonel entered. Darcy’s brow furrowed with concern, seeing the look on her face when they came in and misinterpreted it as fear. “Elizabeth, are you well, my dear?”
Elizabeth forced a smile. “I am well, Fitzwilliam, only restless and wishing I could do something to put an end to this whole situation.”
Darcy sat next to her and gathered her hands in his. He slowly let out his breath, hesitant to speak, but after a few moments of idly playing with her fingers while the others watched him, he finally spoke.
“There may be something you can do,” he finally said, speaking quietly and with obvious reluctance. “Wickham has heard that you frequently walk and ride with only your dog for company. Obviously, that has not been the case since the militia arrived, but he does not know that. His plan is to take you unawares and fly to Scotland with you, forcing you to marry him so he can gain Longbourn. He likely does not know what has happened to your brother, but may be hopeful that he somehow escaped from where they were holding him only to die somewhere along the way from the injuries he sustained.”
The colonel interrupted then. “The men with Wickham were supposed to have beaten your brother before leaving him in the cottage. They have been manipulated into helping him, and none of them wished to inflict harm upon a man they did not know, so they merely left him in the cottage instead of giving him a beating. Your brother said that Wickham alluded to this expectation when he left him, but the man with him only apologised for leaving him there alone, but that he would not cause him more harm than he had already done.”
Elizabeth and Charlotte both looked up, startled by this. “How ever did you learn of this?” Charlotte asked. “I am grateful, but I hate to think that anyone would have done as you describe and then left my husband to fare on his own.”
“Oh, I had an enlightening conversation with your husband earlier today,” Fitzwilliam said to Charlotte. “While they might not have said as much directly, it is apparent that none of the conspirators thought Bennet would come through these events alive. Collins may not have realised it, for a stupider man I have rarely encountered, but neither Mrs. Bennet, Miss Bingley, nor Wickham intended for the distribution of Longbourn to be left to chance. Even before Miss Bingley directed Wickham to ruin Miss Elizabeth, he had plans to do just as he is doing now. However, with Miss Bingley’s new resolution, Wickham hopes to gain far more than a few thousand pounds.”
The colonel and Darcy explained what had been overheard that evening at the tavern, and finally, Darcy explained what had been suggested by Cunliffe earlier.
“After granting Miss Bingley a day or two to secure the funds she promised Wickham,” Darcy began, his unwillingness to continue evident, “Cunliffe proposed using you as… well, as bait to lure Wickham into making his move. Once he attempts to take you, Colonel Forster will have cause to arrest him. I expect he will then be all too eager to betray his accomplices and cry craven.”
“So, you expect Wickham to accuse his accomplices in exchange for a lesser punishment?” Elizabeth said. “How much danger would I be in if I agreed?”
“Very little,” the colonel said immediately. “We would ensure there are plenty of men in wait for him and that he cannot actually touch you.”
“What will happen to the other conspirators?” Elizabeth asked.
“Cunliffe and his associate will be nearby when Miss Bingley gives Wickham the payment,” Darcy stated. “They will be able to testify to what they have heard. We suspect some of Wickham’s men will tell about the kidnapping in exchange for a lesser punishment, and they may actually get what they bargain for. Their testimony should also implicate Mr. Collins, which should be enough to get him removed from his position at Hunsford. If I have my way, he will be sent off to Van Diemen’s Land for his part in all of this.”
“And Mrs. Bennet?” Charlotte asked.
“Miss Bingley will ensure Mrs. Bennet is taken down with herself,” the colonel stated. “With the exception of Collins, I have little doubt that each of these conspirators will think only of saving their own skins and will gladly cast each other to the wolves.”
“Will you suggest they be sent to Van Diemen’s Land as well?” Jane asked.
Elizabeth turned to look at her stepsister. “Jane, while I cannot say that I wish any of these people dead, none of them would hesitate at causing harm to me or Jon. At the very least, they need to be sent to Newgate for their crimes. I can condone some leniency for Mr. Collins if he is as stupid as Fitzwilliam and the colonel believe him to be, but the others—no, Jane, they have acted maliciously and with cruel intentions.”
Jane nodded, and Charlotte reached to take her hands in hers. “It is difficult, Jane. Your mother set these plans in motion due to her avarice and greed, and her desire to return to Longbourn and act as its mistress. Perhaps she has not physically harmed anyone, but she is just as responsible as if she did because she conspired to cause harm to Jon and Elizabeth. She would not have been at all upset at seeing my husband dead and Eliza miserable married to Mr. Collins. She cares for no one but herself. Can you see why I would not wish for her to go unpunished for this?”
Tears gathered in Jane’s eyes at this. “I do understand your reasoning. Is there anything I might do to assist?”
“Yes, Miss Pattison, there actually is,” the colonel said before explaining his addition to the plans.
Two mornings later, Elizabeth and Jane walked into Meryton, accompanied by Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Since the colonel’s presence was no longer a secret, he saw little point in concealing himself. Instead, he chose to make himself visible, keen to see whether Wickham would remain hidden or show himself.
Elizabeth was obviously agitated, and they first visited the militia headquarters to speak to Colonel Forster about the search. A note had been dispatched to him that morning so he knew to expect them.
It was obvious to all those watching that Darcy did not wish Elizabeth to visit the militia headquarters and was heard protesting that it was no place for a lady. Elizabeth shrugged off the hand that attempted to hold her back and continued, her head held high as she stalked into the anteroom outside the colonel’s office. The two gentlemen stood back watching her, not immediately following her, while Jane put her head down and followed behind her sister.
“I wish to speak to Colonel Forster,” Elizabeth declared. “My sister is too unwell to come, and I want to speak to the colonel directly about what is being done to find my brother. He has been missing for two days now.”
The ensign whose job it was to guard the colonel’s door was shocked at being spoken to in this way by a lady. “The…the colonel, he is busy, miss. He expressly said he did not wish to be disturbed this morning,” he stammered
“He will see me,” she said. “I will wait outside his office all day if I must, but I insist that he speak to me directly.”
Not knowing how to deal with a lady speaking so forcefully, the ensign hesitated. A moment later, Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam rushed in behind her. “Elizabeth,” Darcy said, “I told you I would speak to the colonel. You did not need to come here.”
“Mr. Darcy, we are not yet wed, and you cannot order me about,” she stated tartly. “I wish to know what is happening with the search.” Her voice was clearly exasperated, and it was obvious to anyone listening that this was not the first time this comment had been made.
Before another word could be said, the door to the office opened. “What is all this racket?” came the booming voice of Colonel Forster. “Ensign Livesay, did I not tell you that I was to be undisturbed this morning? I have military matters to see to.”
“Y…yes, sir,” came the stammering reply. “But…but this lady, sir, she…she came bursting in here, demanding to see you, and…and these gentlemen, well, they came in after her.”
The colonel turned to fix his eyes on his visitors. “Miss Bennet, I told you that I would send word to Longbourn when there was something to share,” he stated with exaggerated patience. “At the moment, we have men out combing the countryside, militiamen, tenants, and anyone else who can be spared from the area searching, and so far, they have discovered nothing. We did find some ropes in a cottage near Netherfield, but nothing else that indicated your brother might have been there. The carriage has not been found nor the horses. Listen to your intended and return home to wait for word.”
“I will not,” Elizabeth said, her voice rising in anger. “I will not sit at home and wait for word that my brother has died. You do not know this area like I do. I have walked these hills and woods for years and likely know them better than most of the men in this area.”
“It is not proper for you to be a part of the search, Elizabeth,” Darcy pleaded with her. “I know you think that you can find him, but it is a task best left to the men of the area.”
“You could ride out with me,” she asked, her eyes pleading with him. “We can cover more ground on horseback, and you and the colonel could accompany me for a long ride. In which cottage did you find the ropes, Colonel Forster?”
Colonel Forster glanced between the men who had accompanied the lady, as if expecting them to rein her in. Up to this point, Colonel Fitzwilliam had remained silent, but upon noticing his counterpart’s expression, he let out a laugh.
“Colonel, I have rarely met a woman so independent or determined. My cousin will have quite the challenge keeping her in check—not that he seems to mind,” he said with amusement. Then, with a playful wink at Jane, he added, “Personally, I much prefer a woman who hangs on my every word, utterly mesmerised by me.”
Jane flushed bright pink at this, while Colonel Forster looked on approvingly. Elizabeth, however, made no effort to hide her scoff.
Darcy, attempting to lighten the mood, said wryly, “I cannot imagine marrying a woman who agrees with my every word—though I would appreciate it, Elizabeth, if you would agree with me on occasion.”
Elizabeth’s eyes flashed as she retorted, “We might see eye to eye if not for your insistence on protecting me in my brother’s absence. Both of you have already participated in the search, yet I am not permitted to do the same? I know the area far better than either of you—or the militia men who have been here mere weeks or days.”
“Elizabeth,” Darcy said, and the obvious pleading note in his voice made the other men laugh. “I will accompany you on a long ride this afternoon, will that do? Colonel, do you object to us going to the cottage where the rope was found?”
Grudgingly, Colonel Forster agreed and gave them a general idea of the cottage’s location. As Elizabeth listened, she nodded, knowing exactly where it was. She looked mollified as she listened, but it was obvious she was not satisfied with the outcome.
As if suddenly aware that this entire exchange had been held in front of the ensign, Colonel Forster quickly ushered his guests into his office. There they spoke for several minutes longer, and the three militiamen standing about in the office exchanged speaking looks before hurrying off to their business.