If Only In His Dreams (21 page)

“Mother knows that you collapsed.  She was not aware
of
the strength of your fear of riding horses.  When she learned of why from Alex, Mother was beside herself for forcing you to ride.  She just could not think of another way to remove you from the location and send you for help.”

“I wish that my fear was not so great.  I feel I am foolish for the way I behaved.”

“Lizzy, after all that you experienced when you were young, it is natural that you would have such a fear.  I am so grateful that you were not harmed by Wickham.  Mother and Aunt Catherine were pleased to know that you were saved from his plans.”

“Aunt Catherine, how is she?” Elizabeth inquired.

“We have sent for a surgeon, though the wound does not seem as severe as it did earlier.  I b
elieve that she will recover, so
long as she does not take a fever.”

“They were so brave, standing against Wickham to protect me.  They did not allow him to bring further harm.  The entire incident could have been so much worse if they had not stood up to him.”  Elizabeth held on to her husband’s chest tightly. 

“I am so grateful that all of you survived.  When I first took hold of the horse and you collapsed in my arms, I feared the worst, especially since you were alone.  I feared that Wickham had killed Mother and Aunt Catherine and that you were severely wounded as well.  I am so grateful that the only death was that of Wickham’s.  It is over now; Wickham will never be able to harm anyone again.”

“Thank the heavens for that.  Where is my brother?” Elizabeth asked, wishing to change the subject.

“He went over to Lucas Lodge.  Sir William Lucas is the magistrate in this area, I am told.”

“Yes.  He has never really been required to do more than small disputes, so this will be something quite different for him.  And Lady Lucas will enjoy being the source of gossip for this juicy tale.  There has not been anything this
important in years.
”  Elizabeth sighed as she pulled her head back from her husband.

“I believe Alex was planning to bring Miss Lucas back with
him to assist in caring for
my ladies.  We did not wish for Jane to be overworked, and Mrs Hill is doing her best to keep on top of all the needs.”

“Now that I am awake, I will be able to assist as well.” Elizabeth stated.

“No, not for at least a day or two; Mr Jones told us that your collapse was from extreme fright and it would be important for you to completely rest until he tells us otherwise.  I will not take any risk of you taking ill from all of the stress.  Alex was certain that Miss Lucas would come to assist, and I have sent to Netherfield to have Mother’s and Aunt Catherine’s maids brought here.  Bingley went to fetch them, as well as Georgiana.”

A knock came to the door just before Jane opened it and leaned inside the room.  “William, the surgeon has arrived and is with Lady Catherine.  Mr Bingley has brought your sister and the maids to be of assistance.  And Alex just returned with Charlotte, as well as her father.  If you are able, Alex and Sir William wish for you to meet them in Alex’s study.”

“Thank you, Jane; I will be there momentarily.  And while I am with the men, would you mind keeping watch over your sister?”  Darcy caught the rise of Elizabeth’s eyebrow when she heard this request.  “Dearest, as I have told you, Mr Jones stated clearly for you to rest.  Perhaps a bath and something to eat would aid in your recovery.”

Laughing lightly, Jane nodded her head.  “I will see to your requests, William.  Now, Lizzy, as I am charged with your welfare, we best step across the hall to your old rooms and see to your needs.”

Darcy entered the study and found the two men writing down the details of the day’s events.  “Ah, Mr Darcy, though it is always a pleasure to see you and your family, I wish today that it was under better circumstances.” Sir William Lucas exclaimed.  “Such to do here today, I dare say that we have not seen such calamity in years.
”

“I am only grateful that it was not one of the ladies who died today.” Darcy stated, attempting to emphasize the critical nature of the event.  “The fact that they were injured at all is distressing to me.”

“Oh, well, of course, such terrible event for them to endure.  I pray that they will all recover quickly and this whole sordid affair be over with.”

Alex nodded his head.  “Sir William has all the pertinent facts of the incident, Darcy. I only wished to make sure that he had everything he needed so that we can deal with the more important matter of caring for the ladies.”

“Please ask your questions, Sir William.  I have nothing to hide from you.” Darcy stated as he took the chair closer to the window.

Sir William attempted to be as official as possible.  “I understand that you knew Mr Wickham prior to meeting him here.  May I inquire as to the nature of your acquaintance with him?”

“His father was steward for my father at our estate of Pemberley, in Derbyshire.  Mr Wickham’s father was a trusted and loyal servant and my father had the greatest respect for him.  When the elder Mr Wickham died whil
e Wickham was still a young boy;
my father decided to honor his steward by
keeping an eye as to Wickham’s upbringing and also sent Wickham to school with me, giving him a gentleman’s education.  A waste of money, as Wickham was never one to do any work to earn his way in life.  I have been paying the many debts that Wickham has left in his wake wherever he goes.  I have finally refused to cover his mistakes any further.  My father left Wickham a inheritance, which I added to.  It would have been ample enough for a man to survive on for many years if he had been wise.  But it was gone in a heart’s beat.”

“So this man has given your family a great deal of misery?”

Nodding his head, Darcy went on.  “The man was not to be trusted.  I know for certain that he has fathered several bastard children with his many dalliances.  I would not be shocked to learn of a maid or two that has been ill used by Wickham coming forth.”

“Bennet, here, and I, rode into Meryton to ascertain any debts that
Wickham may have accrued during his time here.  Remarkably, there are no debts.  Several of the merchants were surprised that last week, Wickham had a great many coins in his pocket and had paid off his debts.  Good thing, as most were ready to go to Colonel Forster to complain.”

“Do you see any further difficulties in this issue then?” Darcy asked.  “I would like to return upstairs to check on the ladies.  The surgeon has arrived from Town and is with my aunt at the moment.”

“Very good, Mr Darcy,
I see no further need for us to discuss the issue.”  As Darcy stood to leave, Sir William remembered one more issue.  “Does Wickham have any kin that we should notify of his demise?  Will there be anyone to claim his body or will a plot in the town cemetery be needed?”

“There is no one to claim him, his parents are both deceased.  I will pay the cost of burying him in the town plot.” Darcy stated as he walked to the door.  “Thank you Sir William, if there is any other need of me or my family, please, send word to me.”

“Indeed, Sir, I will do so.  And if you would, please give my regards to the ladies.”

Darcy was already out the door of the study and heading to the stairs as Sir William spoke.  Alex decided to speak for his brother.  “We will make certain they know of your regard, as well as Lady Lucas’s.  May I show you out?”

Chapter 22

Lord Matlock was pacing in his study in his London townhouse.  So many thoughts were dancing about in his mind.  Why had Wickham not contacted him, as the man had plenty of time to deal with the issue?  Had he taken Lord Matlock as a fool and stolen all the money that Lord Matlock had given him?  Lord Matlock knew that his available funds were low, and he was not sure he could send much more to the blackguard.

Hearing a commotion in the hallway, Lord Matlock turned just as his eldest son entered the room.  “Matthew, I thought you were in Kent.” He stated.

“I left there as soon as the news arrived from Darcy.  He sent word to Richard and Anne at Rosings that there was a brutal attack at the Bennet estate of Longbourn.  Aunt Catherine, Aunt Anne and Elizabeth were all attacked by some man.  My brother and his wife were off to Longbourn immediately and I came here to inform you, as I am certain that you will wish to accompany me, seeing as your sisters were injured.”

Lord Matlock worked hard at controlling his excitement.  Not only the chit that Darcy had married, but also his meddling sisters were harmed.  It was only fitting, he thought.  “How severely were they injured?” He inquired.

“I am not certain, though I know that at least one person is dead.
  Shall I have the carriage prepared immediately for us to travel?”

After thinking a moment, Lord Matlock shook his head.  “No, have my horse saddled and ready.  I will go upstairs and change my clothes. Once we know exactly what has happened, if need be, I can send word to my valet to bring more clothing and any other needs to me.”

“Very well, Father.  I will have the horses prepared immediately.
”  Matthew quickly left the room.  Lord Matlock was thrilled with this news.  He prayed that all three of the ladies were mortally wounded.  To his way of thinking, it served not only his meddlesome sisters and his stubborn nephew right for their behavior, but also the young lady who had destroyed Lord Matlock’s future as well.

The horses were ready and the two men were off to Longbourn.  Lord Matlock had to work hard on concealing his smile; it would not be fitting for him to show his joy in the thought of the three ladies being killed by Wickham.  He needed to portray the mourning brother when the news was given to him of Catherine and Anne demise.

Three hours later, Lord Matlock and his eldest son arrived at Longbourn.  They were shown into the drawing room to await Darcy coming to speak with them.  Lord Matlock took a seat in the finest looking chair in the room.  Though he thought it to be beneath the quality he was used to, he would claim the finest available.

Darcy entered the room followed shortly by Richard and Anne.  Alex entered after the others had taken their seats.  Having never met Alex, Lord Matlock was curious as to who the man was.

“Henry, you must know that we are aware of your conspiracy to have my wife murdered
.” Darcy stated.  “You hired George Wickham to do your dirty work and in the process, your sisters were also drawn into the attack, as they were with my wife when it occurred.”

“I know nothing of what you speak of, Darcy.  I have hired no one.  Why would I deal with the likes of Wickham?  Now tell me, what has happened to my sisters?  Are they well?  Matthew stated that someone was mortally wounded.  Please tell me that my sisters are alive and unharmed.”

Richard stepped forward to his father.  “I wash my hands of you, as you will never be claimed as my father again.  You hired Wickham, he stated you had.  And because you did, he
harmed not only Elizabeth, who
was his target, but also my mother in law and my aunt.  I never would have believed you capable of such an act until now.”

“And this is all the respect I am to expect?  I do not deserve any consideration in regards to
truth of Wickham’s words? You all accept the word of a known blackguard over mine?  Where is the loyalty that I am owed as head of the family?”

“Where it belongs, Henry.” Richard shouted at his father.  “My loyalty is with my wife, and my aunts and cousins.  My loyalty is with those who are caring and decent, not those who hire assassins to murder innocent ladies who are without protection.”

“Bring Wickham out here and have him accuse me to my face.”  Lord Matlock cried out.  “I demand to have my accuser brought before me.”

“We cannot do so, as he is dead.  Before he died, he told the truth of why he attacked my wife, my mo
ther and my aunt.” Darcy stated;
his eyes cold and dark with fury.  “And you had best be grateful that it was Wickham who died rather than any of the ladies.
  If it had been otherwise, I would have torn you to pieces before hearing a word from your pathetic lips.”