23. A Return to Longbourn

Chapter Twenty-Three - A Return to Longbourn

On the following morning the ladies of the Ton had worked themselves into a frenzy. They had expected the arrival of the new Duke of Carlisle and his questionable lady at the theater and had all attended accordingly. When they failed to appear, many guesses, aspersions, and outright attacks had been voiced. All were prepared for a round of visitation and spiteful gossip on the following morning, only to shriek in disbelief as they read the announcements in the morning paper.

Everyone everywhere in London and throughout the sphere of delivery for the various newspapers read and re-read both the royal decree and the revised announcement. They talked and talked, but nobody knew what to make of this most unprecedented action. One thing that all understood was that this former "country nobody" was now a countess in her own right and that her marriage to the Duke of Carlisle had Royal approval.

If the assault on Darcy House was heavy before, now it became a siege. Of course, nobody was home. The faithful staff of Darcy House were working to clean and modernize the other new town residences of both the Carlisle and the Stafford estates. Meanwhile, the Duke of Carlisle, Lady Elizabeth Bennet, and Georgiana were traveling in the Carlisle crested coach toward Meryton in slow stages to protect Darcy's recovery. The Archers and their young son were following behind by perhaps an hour

Elizabeth didn't know what to expect. She had been informed by Queen Charlotte that notice had been sent to her parents and by now the newspapers must have reached Meryton, so everybody knew. How will they react to this? Will they feel that I'm putting on airs? This is all too much!

Perhaps sensing Elizabeth's darker thoughts, Georgiana took her hand. Elizabeth smiled at her future sister and then looked into the loving gaze of her future husband. Then she knew that all would be well as long as they stood by her.

They rolled into Meryton first, unaware that one of the town boys had spotted them while making a delivery and had sped on ahead to play herald. By the time that their coach rolled into Meryton, the streets were crowded with townspeople hoping to catch a glimpse of the great nobles and their very own Lady. Elizabeth saw them and didn't know what to do, but Darcy did. Tapping on the roof to signal a halt, Darcy squeezed Elizabeth's hand and said, "Go see your friends. We're in no hurry, my love."

Feeling silly at first, Elizabeth quickly overcame her disquiet and focused on greeting her friends. She had only been gone for four weeks, but it seemed like a different lifetime. The people, her friends, also overcame their own discomfort and were soon acting as they always had towards Their Lady. For many years they had elevated her slightly in their minds, so the reality was not as daunting to them as it was to her. In their minds things had finally come out right and proper.

Georgiana watched in awe as the people greeted her sister. She whispered to her brother, "Is it always like this, Will?"

Darcy smiled in bemusement, "They were calling her 'Our Lady' when she was just another daughter of the gentry, Georgie. So I suppose that the answer is yes. Now she also has the title to accompany their perception. If she were a man, these people might try to make her king. I'll settle for making her my duchess.

They finally continued their journey to Longbourn, a quick journey by carriage. All of the Bennets, along with Doctor and Mary Jones were there to greet Elizabeth and her new family. The ladies rushed to greet her, all talking a mile a minute until Mr. Bennet stepped forward and began to bow. "Don't you dare, Papa!" Elizabeth scolded. He chuckled, stepped forward, and kissed her forehead as he always had.

Once introductions were made, Mrs. Bennet insisted that all remain for lunch. Having received advanced notice of their journey, she had Hill lay on feast which was greatly enjoyed by all, including the Archers, who arrived shortly into the celebration.

When Catherine finally had the chance, she pulled Elizabeth aside. "When Papa read the news to Mama, she fainted dead away for an hour. Then, when she got up, she started insisting that we call her 'Lady Bennet,' as if she was elevated. Papa had to explain again and again that she didn't have a title and that everything started with you. She was upset until Papa explained again that, with the entail broken, she would never have to live in the hedgerows."

When they heard Mrs. Bennet proclaiming that she expected her daughters to find nothing less than a prince for Lydia, they quickly returned to quiet their embarrassing mother. Catherine met Georgiana and the two quickly became friends. Elizabeth had let her new sister in on the true identity of Katerina, so they sequestered themselves in a corner to talk styles and fashion. Lydia became jealous about not being the center of attention, yet still joined in their discussions.

After lunch Elizabeth led the Darcys and Archers over to Netherfield, where Charles and Mrs. Nichols were waiting. Caroline had been sent north to relatives. The Hursts were on a new assignment from the crown, so Bingley had requested either Lady Archer or Georgiana to act as hostess when they arrived. He longed for the day that Catherine would be both his bride and his hostess, but that would be in the future. Until Caroline was settled far away he had no desire to subject Catherine to her antics.

"Darcy! Miss Darcy. Lord and Lady Archer... and little Benjamin. And finally, Lady Longbourn... it is with great pride that I welcome you to my... well, actually, your home."

Elizabeth shook her head at her friend and future brother-in-law, though the man still hadn't asked her sister, "This is your home for the duration of the lease, Mr. Bingley. After that we shall see." Regardless of her own words, however, she took great joy in taking Georgiana on a tour of her home and telling everyone the story of Lady Adele. After hearing her full story and seeing the joy in her eyes, Darcy determined that, in the future, the family would spend at least a part of each year in her beloved home... with improvements, of course.

The best part of her elevation for Elizabeth was that her mother simply didn't know how to treat her. In the past Elizabeth had been her least favorite daughter and often the recipient of her ire. Now Fanny felt constrained to behave towards her difficult daughter.

She was still Fanny, however, and was still seeking ways to wrest every advantage possible for herself out of Elizabeth's aggrandizement. She tried to get people to address her as 'my lady,' but they ignored her. She tried to reopen the accounts that her selfish daughter had frozen, but that also failed. She demanded that Elizabeth raise her own pin money and increase the dowrys of her two unmarried daughters, but the girl insisted that she would handle matters through her father. Thus far she saw little value in her daughter's elevation. She did manage to arrange for several grand dinners to show off her noble guests and family.

It was decided that there would be a ball at Netherfield on November the twenty-seventh and the ladies began planning. When Lady Matlock heard of the plan she asked and received welcome permission to include herself in the planning. With her involved it was assured that the guestlist would expand to other peers, so the Archers decided to lease Purvis Lodge so that there would be room for guests at all three estates.

While all of this was happening, Darcy recovered enough for another trip, this time to Elizabeth's Stafford estate. It turned out to be an older structure, possibly even Elizabethan, and greatly in need of repair. After perusing the estate high and low, they sat in the drawing room and discussed their conclusions, "Elizabeth, I recommend that we have a master builder come in to investigate, but I suspect that it might be better to tear the place down and begin again rather than pour funds into restoring this building. The location is grand, but the house has suffered from too many years of neglect."

"I agree," Elizabeth said, trying not to think that it had been Baron Stafford's intention to drag her back here and imprison her. "Before we spend any income on this, however, I want to improve the tenants' situations... and I believe that we need to install a trustworthy and forward-thinking steward here."

"Then we are agreed. I will begin looking for stewards for us to interview. We will require several, after all."

Elizabeth sighed, "It hardly seems worth it to keep this estate with all of the other we need to concern ourselves with."

Darcy grimaced, but then smiled at his beloved, "I might agree, but then we might desire to place a few of our younger sons someday..." He grinned at Elizabeth's blush and longed for the day of their wedding.

Charlotte returned to her parent's home on the following day. She, Mr. Collins, and her father had ridden to Kent to examine their new property. "Oh, Eliza, it is such a beautiful little piece of land! There are five tenant farms, a manageable home farm, and a large garden. Best of all, it is ours now! We can take up residence as soon as we marry."

"And what shall you name your estate, my friend?"

Charlotte grimaced, "Mr. Collins wanted to name it 'Rosings Minor' or something similar to honor 'my noble patroness', but I was able to persuade him that he would be landed gentry in his own right, so it must be something that reflects our land or family, not someone else's. Also, I pointed out that if the Queen heard that he was giving credit to someone else when it had been her gift, she might be upset. Then he wanted Queensland or Queen's Gift. I despaired. Thankfully, there are ancient willows growing all around a beautiful pond, so I suggested something like Willowpond. He said that didn't sound grand enough, but he eventually settled on Willow Lake. At that point I happily assented to that name. It doesn't matter though, because soon I'll finally be mistress of my own home."

Elizabeth mewed, "Just don't forget all your poor friends, dear Charlotte."

Charlotte laughed, "Poor, Countess Longbourn? Exactly how many estates and town homes will you and the Duke have between you now?"

With a nonchalant cast of her hand, Elizabeth replied, "I lose track. Such unimportant considerations. Once you run out of fingers and toes to help count, it just does not matter, you know." Both ladies giggled like the young girls they had once been. Then Charlotte returned to what was foremost on her own mind, "And the best part of Willow Lake is that it is a good five hours away from Rosings. I finally met Lady Catherine de Bourg, Eliza..." She blushed, remembering that the Lady in question would soon be related to Elizabeth.

"I understand, Charlotte. I met her as well. She makes me appreciate my mother." This elicited another round of giggles. Then it was time for each to return to their respective families.

oOoOOoOo

Over the next weeks leading up to the Netherfield Ball, Meryton seemed more like a booming metropolis with its comings and goings and the long line of distinguished carriages that rolled through. Thankfully, even Fanny Bennet was overawed enough by the visitors to behave with unusual restraint. Since Lady Matlock had injected herself into the wedding preparations, Fanny didn't feel safe in contradicting that great lady's plans.

Lady Matlock, for her own part, knew enough about Fanny from Jane's honest appraisal to know what to expect... and to have a plan for handling her. First, by setting her own example of how a Lady behaves, she created a pattern for Fanny to follow. Then, by over-exaggerating the dangers of a social misstep for the whole Bennet family, she made Fanny worry enough to behave. And finally, by carefully spoken hints here and there on decorum and dignity, she became Fanny's mentor. Four out of five of her daughters were highly grateful; Lydia was less impressed.

It was Colonel Fitzwilliam who finally got through to Lydia. Lydia, in a fit of boredom and peak, had stormed out of Netherfield, tired of hearing about wedding plans. Forbidden to go to town at the moment, she began stomping around the garden, looking far younger than she was and far less mature than she should be. She stopped when she heard a deep voice almost casually saying, "It's a shame really."

Lydia spun to find the colonel sitting on a bench set against a hedge and smoking a pipe. He wasn't the handsomest man she'd ever seen, but he was a colonel, was dressed in well-cut regimentals, and cut quite a manly figure. "What is a shame, Colonel?"

"Well, your eldest sister is is a countess, married to a commodore in the navy. Your second-eldest sister is a countess, soon to be a duchess, and will soon be related to a very highly placed army officer. As such, and with the dowry you have now been gifted, you could meet the best of the best in either branch... true heroes... men who either have a title or may earn one on the battlefield... such a shame..."

Lydia grew frustrated and stomped her foot again, "What is 'a shame?!'"

He pulled the pipe from his mouth and used the stem to point at her, waving up and down to encompass her from bonnet to slippers, "You're a beautiful young woman, Miss Lydia, and now highly connected. So I thought, since you seem to be attracted to a man in uniform, that I might introduce you to some of my officer friends... men with money, and honors, and even titles. The only problem is, you are your own worst enemy."

Intrigued and insulted, Lydia schooled her expression and prompted, "Why do you say that?"

The powerfully built man scooted over and motioned for Lydia to sit beside him. When she complied, sitting more demurely than usual, he took a puff of his pipe, blew out a smoke ring, and then answered, "When an officer is young and just starting, his greatest assets are his horse, his sword, and his pistol. Those will serve him, save his life if he uses them properly, and win him glory if he is lucky. But as an officer gains rank and power, his greatest asset becomes his wife. A good, wise, and accomplished woman can manage the homefront, to be sure, but in the battlefield of the Ton she is the one who will make his reputation, introduce him to the right people, and influence how others see him.

"She is also the one who helps to guide his young officers. She sets the tone when the men are in station. She is the natural leader for the junior officer's wives. She is his softer side... the light that brings him home.

"A good officer's wife can help him reach the rank of general. A bad officer's wife can destroy him and his career. It's a shame, really." He took another puff and shook his head, letting Lydia's ire grow to just the right level before continuing, "You see, Miss Lydia, I believe that you are just as intelligent as your sisters. You are certainly as beautiful. You could be a shining star on the arm of one of those officers I mentioned... you could marry an officer of consequence and follow him on adventures around the world... if you would only choose to listen to my mother and your sisters." He tamped out his pipe on his boot heel, stood, and bowed slightly too her.

Then he quirked his mouth in just such a way, regarded Lydia with sad eyes, and walked away, shaking his head.

Lydia remained sitting, her expression pensive and her mind active.

It was another hour before she sought out Elizabeth and requested a private conference.

OooOOoOo

George Wickham shuffled forward at the none-too-gentle prodding of his jailor and faced the bewigged judge. His nose was broken, several teeth missing, and most of his body bruised from the brutal interrogation he had endured. All defiance had long since fled and now he could no longer conceal the cowering wretch that he had always been inside.

The hard-faced judge nodded at the prosecutor on the King's bench to proceed. "Your Honor*, the bench has completed all inquiries and presented all evidence: the prisoner, George Wickham, has been indicted for the attempted murder of the His Grace, Lord Darcy, the Duke of Carlisle. He has himself confessed under interrogation that his actions were a part of a larger conspiracy in concert with Lord Andrew Barlow, Baron Stafford, who had himself been proven to be not only a criminal, but also a traitor to Crown and country.

Wickham flinched at this and wanted to protest his own innocence, but he was too numb to work up the energy. The Bench continued, "Further, the prisoner assaulted, with malicious intent, Lady Elizabeth Bennet, the Countess of Longbourn*. His Majesty, with the concurrence of His Highness, requests the full measure of the law be exercises in this case.

The judge glared down at the prisoner for a long moment before finally making his pronouncement, "It is the judgment of this court that George Wickham is guilty of all charges. On this very day he will be taken out of this courtroom and marched to Newgate Street, where, at precisely noon, he will be put to the gallows."

George felt his arms seized and his body turned, but he was unable to make his legs work. Instead his feet dragged along the stone floor as he shook his head, trying to dispel this terrible nightmare.

oOoOOoOo

Elizabeth slowed her horse as she crested the rise at the top of Oakham Mount on the following morning. She knew when she read the news that it would hurt her beloved. She said nothing as she dismounted, only walked over and sat beside the tall, silent man. They remained that way for a long time, until finally Darcy said, "We explored every rock, stream, and dell in Pemberley's as boys. We did everything together..."

Elizabeth remained silent, taking his large hand in her own tiny and delicate one. After a bit, she said, "We all make our choices, William. With the backing of your father and then you, he could have become a great man and created a new history for his family line. Instead he chose debauchery. You gave him more chances than he deserved." Her own eyes drifted down to the spot where she had heard the gunfire... and the spot where he had fallen. "He doesn't deserve your pity."

The pair walked their horses down the path until it split. Then Darcy kissed his beloved with passion. When he released her, he growled, "I don't know that I can let any other man dance with you at tomorrow's ball, my love. I want you all to myself."

Elizabeth smiled up at him with sparkling eyes, "And do you think I want you to dance with other ladies? We will do what we should and must... and in another week..."

Darcy looked down at her with hungry, dark eyes, "Yes... in another week. We should part now, while I can still trust myself in your presence."

oOoOOoOo

In a rundown boarding house in the seedier side of London, another woman paced, her eyes filled with tears and her jaw clenched with hatred. They killed my George! That little tart and her pompous brother... and that interference tramp from nowhere... and I will make them pay! They will ALL pay!