Chapter 19

E lizabeth and Mary chose to share a room and forwent the offer of separate bedchambers. They had not shared for very long at Longbourn, but it had become comfortable for both of them in a short span of time. They had arrived in time to have the midday meal, which they consumed before they went upstairs to wash and change.

As much as she loved being at Gracechurch Street with the Gardiners, for Elizabeth there was one major drawback: it was a city and other than the small park across from her aunt and uncle's house, there was nowhere close by to take her morning constitutional. In addition, unlike at Longbourn where she was permitted to enjoy solitary rambles, in Town she had to walk with a maid and footman escorting her. This meant Elizabeth had to walk slower than was her wont, but she supposed it was not so very consequential seeing that in the park opposite the house all she could do was walk on the path which circumnavigated the pond.

If she wanted to walk even one mile, a short walk for her under normal circumstances, she would have to make between twenty and thirty circuits around the pond. She disliked walking the same path for so long, ignoring the fact she jested with herself that she would eventually become dizzy. She knew that was not true as it was in no way comparable to spinning around like a top, but that did not stop her telling herself it could happen.

Every now and again, they would make a foray into Hyde Park. There Elizabeth would be able to walk for some miles without making circuits. Knowing the maid would not be able to keep up with their niece in the large park, the Gardiners allowed her to walk with only the footman as long as he was close to her at all times.

While she and Mary unpacked, Elizabeth was thinking about when they would go to Hyde Park. She was well aware it was not ideal weather for a picnic—which happened quite often in spring and summer—but she prayed for some good days before the snow fell and made a slushy mess.

In their master suite, the Gardiner parents had just washed and changed. "Before we join Lizzy, Mary, and our children, what think you of my idea, Edward?" Madeline asked.

"Did I not tell you before we departed Hertfordshire I thought it was a capital idea, as long as your brother and sister-in-law are willing to host them," Gardiner reminded his wife. "Like you, I am fully aware our nieces are used to the country and will be far happier at Lambert Hills."

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Madeline Gardiner née Lambert's father had been the vicar of All Saints church in Lambton. He had been a second son, and he had grown up on the estate of Lambert Hills, a little more than half way between Lambton and the border of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. It was due east of the town where the church was located. The older Lambert brother had inherited the family estate, as was his right. The younger brother had gone to Oxford's Divinity School, and eventually been awarded the living in Lambton by the current Mr Darcy's grandfather .

Both brothers, who always kept a warm and close relationship, married. Unfortunately the older Lambert and his wife were not blessed with any children, in fact she had never fallen in the family way, while the younger brother's wife gave him Timothy and then three years later Madeline. Reverend Lambert had always planned for Timothy to follow him into the church, but due to him being the only heir after his own father, after university Tim moved to Lambert Hills and learnt how to manage his future estate .

When Madeline married Gardiner and moved to London, she was two and twenty. Some months after the wedding, Tim travelled to London to visit his sister and new brother. During that time, their parents had gone to visit their aunt and uncle on the estate when there had been an outbreak of cholera accompanied by one of dysentery. Both Lambert couples had lost their lives to the illnesses. It had cost many lives on that estate, and a few others surrounding it. Thankfully it did not reach the nearby market town of Metting. After waiting until it was sure the twin illnesses had burnt themselves out, Timothy returned to his estate.

Two years later, he met Miss Gweneth Paulson. Her father was the master of a neighbouring estate—Green Hill, one which had been spared the diseases. Tim and Gwen were married and to date they had a daughter and two sons. As Gwen had been the only child and her father's estate was not entailed, the younger Lambert son would one day inherit his grandfather's estate.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

"I forgot to write to them to tell them about Jane's passing. It chagrins me because as you know, the times Gwen, Tim, and the children met Jane and Lizzy, the two had become favourites of our niece and nephews in Derbyshire, and Gwen and Tim liked them very well," Madeline stated. "I will write to my brother and inform him of the terrible news regarding Jane and ask if Lizzy and Mary may come reside with him."

"I am sure there will be no opposition from our sister and brother," Gardiner opined. "Also, given everything which has occurred, it is no wonder you did not think to write to our brother and sister before now."

Madeline went downstairs to her husband's office and wrote the letter to her family in Derbyshire.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~ ~

"Master, ‘e is askin' fir yer," a footman told Bingley.

"How is it he is awake?" Bingley asked. When news of Wickham's actions and injuries reached Colonel Forster, the latter discharged the former dishonourably. The Colonel had related if it were not for the serious lacerations on the face and the loss of sight in one eye, Wickham would have received forty lashes before being cashiered out of the regiment.

"Cause ‘e refuse ta take more laudanum if ‘e aint spoken ta yer," the man responded.

Bingley nodded and stood. He collected Darcy from the library on the way to the sickroom. The room was very warm. Wickham was propped up on some pillows with much of his face swathed in bandages. There was a hole on the right side for his one working eye, permitting him to see.

"The only person you are harming is yourself when you refuse to take the drug. It is not us who are in pain," Bingley stated derisively.

As he had not seen his brother-in-law enter the room, Wickham turned his head towards the sound so he could see where the man was with his good eye. Regardless of the pain he felt, anger burned when he saw Darcy standing next to Bingley. "Come to gloat have you, Darcy? You always wanted to see me brought low, how happy this must make you."

"For all of your cunning, you never were very intelligent, Wicky," Darcy responded.

"Do not call me that," Wickham hissed.

"Or what, Wicky? What will you do? As far as I can see you would be rather inept," Darcy taunted the man. He would normally not kick a dog when he was down, but after all of those hurt by this bastard, not the least of whom was Giana, the last vestiges of sympathy Darcy would have felt for him were gone. "Like all of your other ills which you try blaming on others, this one is all of your own making. Of all of the lies you have told, the one you told your wife is the biggest of them all. What did you expect she would do when it was revealed she was married to the indolent son of a steward, and not the heir to all she desires?"

Just then there was a noise outside of the sickroom. The door was pushed open, and in full regimentals, sabre hanging on his left side, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam sauntered into the room.

As he was approaching from behind Bingley and Darcy, Wickham saw the man he feared above all others, as he strode towards his cousin. He began to quake with fear. "Surely you will not have Fitzwilliam kill me now that I am so seriously injured," Wickham squeaked. All anger at seeing Darcy was long gone.

Darcy turned towards his cousin, and out of sight of the miscreant, he winked. "You know, Wicky, that is not a half bad idea. After the way he hurt Giana, did you not say you wanted to end Wicky's life, Richard? He has just threatened my life for using the appellation ‘Wicky,' which we prefer. I am sure you can make him disappear in a way his carcass will never be found."

"I knew if I came to see you I would have some enjoyment. What do you prefer, Wicky? Sabre or pistol?" the Colonel drawled.

Wickham looked like he was close to expiring from fear. Bingley approached and said, "Mr Jones told me what you said to him. Although I have no warm feelings for my younger sister, even she does not deserve to be tied to one like you. You were not trying to blackmail me for your silence, were you? If you were, I would not have paid you a penny, and I would request Fitzwilliam here to take you somewhere, from which you will never return."

"N-n-no I-I-I s-s-swear, I w-was n-not d-d-doing that," Wickham stammered. He had visions of what Fitzwilliam would do to him, and none of them were close to pleasant.

"In that case, the next time you are lucid, I am sure you will not object to signing a statement before the magistrate swearing you know not who attacked you," Bingley said nonchalantly.

"Anything, as long as you do not leave me with Fitzwilliam," Wickham rasped.

"That is Colonel Fitzwilliam to you, Wicky," the Colonel barked. "You do not object if we call you Wicky, do you?" Wickham shook his head emphatically, ignoring the pain the movement cost him.

Bingley called the footman back into the sickroom. "He is ready for his laudanum now," he instructed. The footman nodded and the three men exited the chamber.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Once the other men told him the tale of how Wickham tricked his wife into marrying him, Richard Fitzwilliam whistled. "You know there is still a chance an infection will take him. It may be more humane for him as he will look rather hideous if he survives."

"Once you have that document protecting your sister, what will you do with her?" Hurst enquired.

"She must be committed somewhere for the mentally insane," Bingley replied. "Now that Bedlam no longer allows the patients to be viewed like animals in the menagerie, it is the only place her dowry would allow. It may sound harsh, but I refuse to spend any more money on her."

Darcy and Bingley saw the questioning look on the Colonel's countenance. They realised he was not aware of what had led to the former Miss Bingley being cut out of her brother's life. Between them they told him all.

"Bingley you have my sympathies for losing the woman you love in that way. It is little wonder you will do no more than what you enumerated for your sister. In fact, you are willing to do more than I would have in the same situation." He turned to his cousin. "And you William, you finally find a woman you fall in love with, and she will be in mourning for a year. What a coincidence she is Gardiner's niece. At least you have the excuse you need to call on him from time to time. Next time you go, you must bring me along so I can meet this paragon." The Colonel paused as he thought of something. "You know, Mother serves on more than one charitable board with Mrs Gardiner." He faced Hurst. "At least Mrs Hurst understood her inaction was an action."

"What if anything is to be done with Wickham?" Darcy enquired. "When I sent you the note he was in the militia, you had authority over him, but that is no longer true." Darcy told his cousin of Colonel Forster's decision.

" If he survives, he will suffer for it the rest of his life," the Colonel observed. "His looks were what he relied on to charm his victims. He will be lucky to charm a blind man now. He has been rendered impotent. In fact, I believe the worst punishment for him will be living with his disfigurement. In a way it will be poetic justice. Do not forget, there are many who would love to get their hands on Wicky; his miserable life could end in that fashion." None of the other men disagreed with the Colonel.

"What of an annulment?" Hurst wondered.

"It is not necessary," Bingley asserted. "The document I will have Mr Phillips draw up will not only attest to him not knowing who his assailant was, but his ceding all authority for my sister to me. I will be generous and give him twenty pounds to see him on his way when he leaves here, if he recovers, that is."

It greatly impressed Darcy how much Bingley had matured in the last month. Before he would not have had the backbone to do what needed to be done with regard to either his sister or Wicky. "In that case, let us hope he recovers so he will finally receive his due about which he is always talking." Darcy looked to his cousin. "How long will you be here now that there is nothing for you to do with Wicky?"

"I have a sennight before I must return," the Colonel averred. "Will you remain here or make for London?"

"I must remain for somewhat longer, so I can help Bingley here learn about estate management," Darcy informed his cousin. "With everything which has occurred there has not been much time for that up until now."

"You are welcome to reside here at the estate," Bingley invited. He rang the bell and instructed the butler to tell his wife, the housekeeper, to show the Colonel to the other bedchamber in Mr Darcy's suite.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Towards the end of the first full week of November, a letter arrived at the Gardiners' house from Lambert Hills. Madeline opened it and began to read.

6 November 1810

Lambert Hills, Derbyshire

Maddie and Edward,

Before anything else allow Gwen, the children, and me to express our deep sorrow and condolences on the passing of Jane.

She was one of the kindest and most gentle souls we have ever met. The first time Addie, Henry, and Rory met her they fell in love with her gentleness and compassion. We all grieve deeply that she is no longer in the mortal world.

Our love extends to Lizzy as well. The children wanted us to come and collect her immediately as they love her stories just as much as your four do. I do not think we have met Mary, but that being said, both of your nieces are more than welcome to come to us for as long as they choose.

Gwen and I trust your plans to spend the summer with us have not changed. We are aware Gardiner will remain for as long as his business allows it, and you can tell him the trout stream is fully stocked and calling out for him to come fish.

We await to hear when Lizzy and Mary will arrive.

With brotherly love,

Tim