Chapter 24

F or George Wickham, the time spent waiting was interminable. In the past, before he had to run for his life, he had never bothered to read the broadsheets. Since he had begun doing so at the Wild Stallion Inn, he had learnt what a good source of intelligence they were. He had taken to reading even The Tattler as that publication would often include pertinent information other more reputable newspapers would not report.

It was thanks to that particular gossip rag he had learnt all four of the Duchess of Hertfordshire’s sisters were in Brighton with her and would remain there for about another two months while she convalesced.

Before he had read the article, Wickham had been on the cusp of travelling into Hertfordshire with Miss Younge. He was grateful he need not arouse suspicion by asking around about Miss Lydia Bennet. He had already decided, when they did make their way into that county, it would be imprudent to take a room at the Red Lion Inn in Meryton. One slip and he would find himself in the Tower about to lose his head. He was rather attached to it so he preferred that not be the outcome of his endeavour to fleece the duchess.

Karen had accepted that there was nothing to be gained in exposing themselves earlier than needed. Once that flirt Lydia was back at Longbourn, it would be the work of minutes to convince her to elope with him.

The one thing he had resolved was that he would not be sharing the money with anyone. Without her brother to protect her interests, Karen would be powerless to stop him when he left with all of the money. One hundred thousand pounds would be an acceptable amount with which to begin his new life in the Americas.

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

Since his return from Kent, whenever he saw the lady he loved in her bath chair out of her bedchamber, Darcy took over the duty of pushing Lady Elizabeth to wherever her desired destination was. On this day, it was to the extensive gardens at the rear of the Pavilion. Thankfully there were gravel paths which wound their way through the flora and fauna. As far as the latter was concerned, there were numerous peacocks, deer, and rabbits.

The deer were used to being fed by the humans who wandered the area. It did not hurt that the Regent had an absolute ban on hunting anywhere within the confines of his property.

Biggs and Johns were not far behind the duchess as Mr Darcy pushed her along a path with beds of roses either side of them. The maid who was serving as the duchess’s lady’s maid, walked a few yards behind the couple, however, the two big men were not alone. Members of the Royal Guard were posted around the outside perimeter of the property, hence the chances of a miscreant gaining entry were very low.

“Mr Darcy, will you please push me over to the doe and her two fawns.” Elizabeth pointed as the doe lifted her head and looked at them with her big eyes. “I have a bag with some cut apples and carrots.”

Darcy was fascinated at the wonder Her Grace felt at something as simple as feeding an animal. It was then he remembered the then Miss Elizabeth from Hertfordshire. The way she took pleasure in the simplest things which had nothing to do with wealth, connections, or fashion. Since his return, it was obvious to Darcy that in essentials she was as she ever was and neither her wealth—which dwarfed his own— nor her title had caused her to put on any airs and graces.

“It will be my pleasure, milady,” Darcy teased. “Have you fed them before?”

“No, this will be the first time. Mary Anne and Emma told me they are usually here in the mornings, waiting for someone to walk by and treat them. Emma told me they are quite spoiled, and the fawns are twins born early this past spring,” Elizabeth replied. “They told me to place the fruit or carrot on my hand and to flatten my palm.”

He gently pushed the bath chair until it was only a foot or two away from where the doe and her fawns stood watching them. Like their mother, the fawns had long eyelashes. Darcy watched as Elizabeth opened the bag and retrieved some quartered apples. She spread them between her two hands leaving her palms flat like Emma had shown her. Only then, she extended her arms.

While her fawns watched intently, the doe approached and stopped a few inches from Elizabeth’s hands and sniffed the air. She must have not detected any danger, because she closed the distance to the nearest hand to herself and sniffed what was being offered.

Elizabeth had to fight to hold back her laughter as the animal’s lips tickled her hands as it took one piece of apple. As soon as the doe stepped back to chew her reward, the fawns approached, a little more tentatively than their mother, and soon were happily munching as well. Soon enough the supply of apples and carrots was exhausted.

“Where would you like to travel to now, Lady Elizabeth,” Darcy enquired.

After looking around a little. Elizabeth spied one of the numerous gazebos situated around the gardens. When there were residents out and about, the footmen were on duty ready to provide drinks, including wine, lemonade, and water, as well as biscuits or some such treat. “There please,” Elizabeth pointed.

They both enjoyed a glass of lemonade. The guards kept to the gardens close by, while the maid took a seat on a bench next to the footman who had served them.

“Some of the deer in Pemberley’s park will approach relatively close to the house, but I do not think they are willing to eat out of one’s hand like the ones here are,” Darcy related after the footman had collected their glasses and they had refused refills.

“Tell me about Pemberley,” Elizabeth requested. “I hear the reverence in Anna’s voice when she speaks of your estate. She seems to light up when Pemberley is the topic of discussion.”

Never being a garrulous man, the closest Darcy became to being so was when the subject was his beloved Pemberley. Speaking of his estate caused any trace of his reserve to flee and an ebullient Darcy to emerge. “What did Anna tell you?” Darcy asked. “I do not want to repeat what you already know.”

“Your sister did not tell me many specifics. She told me it is large, the park is about ten miles around, and she may have mentioned rather extensive woods, which I admit intrigued me.”

“I am sure Lady Gardiner has mentioned that Derbyshire is far wilder than Hertfordshire.” Elizabeth allowed it was so. Darcy was sure she was not asking about the fineness of the house or the furnishings within, like so many vapid women of the Ton would. She wanted to know about the land and the people. “Pemberley has some of that, but we are blessed to have a valley which runs east to west which is much flatter than most of the surrounding topography. Unlike many of the neighbouring estates, which are not as fortunate, we have much land for agriculture and do not have to rely primarily on the sheep and goats who thrive in the rocky and hilly areas. It is in this valley that the two and thirty tenant farms are located. Almost all are generational tenants, so they are highly valued and, when assistance is needed, it is forthcoming.”

“Anna did mention what a good landlord and master you are,” Elizabeth stated matter-of-factly. “It seems what you said corroborate her claims and I can see what she related to me was not just the words of a sister doting on an older brother.”

The tops of Darcy’s ears pinked at the compliment from the lady he loved. He would have to give Anna a special gift in thanks for her assisting in showing him in a better light than the impression he gave of himself in Hertfordshire. “It is nothing less than my duty as the steward of my land,” Darcy said to try and show what he did was not so extraordinary.

“Yet so many others are not so diligent in the exercise of their duties. Anne was telling me about how Lady Catherine took what she could while expending almost nothing to better the lives of her tenants. You and I both know that is more common than the way you, and I suspect your uncle and older cousin, are. Now that he has his own land, I am sure Richard (the Fitzwilliam brothers had asked all Bennet sisters to call them by their familiar names as soon as the courtships became official) will be of the same ilk. Do not try to downplay that the way you treat your tenants and your connection to your land is not exceptional, because it is,” Elizabeth insisted. “I should know, having grown up with Papa who was at best a lackadaisical landowner. It is not how he is now, thank goodness.”

“I thank you for the compliment and will accept it in the spirit it was given,” Darcy inclined his head.

“See that you do. I am a duchess after all,” Elizabeth teased.

How he loved being teased by this magnificent woman. “We are also fortunate to have more than enough sources of water,” Darcy continued his descriptions. “The River Derwent crosses the valley from north to south, and connected to it are many streams which wend their way over Pemberley’s land, one of them supplies the small lake across from the formal gardens and grassy area in front of the manor house. We are privileged to enjoy magnificent views of the Peaks to the west of the estate. Pemberley Valley, the valley I mentioned, ends at the foothills of the range.” He did not miss the way she beamed with pleasure when he spoke of the Peak District. “I know you love nature, and I assume Anne has told you how her mother loved well-ordered and falsely adorned gardens at Rosings Park?”

“Yes, she did mention that. I told her it is not to my taste; I much prefer when the beauty of nature is not spoilt with the awkward tastes of man. Anne told me she intends to make many changes at her estate, not the least of which will be the gardens, but the rose gardens for which her property is named, will be untouched.”

Darcy was looking at a very different beauty than that produced by nature. Even seated in her bath chair, the woman was perfection. He could not imagine a better specimen of the female form. He forced his mind back to the topic at hand. “The formal gardens are relatively small, and not nearly as ordered as my aunt demanded at Anne’s estate. My late mother loved roses, so there is an extensive garden containing them, much smaller than Anne’s rose garden, however. If I were to wager, I would say you would love the extensive forested area Anna mentioned to you.”

Elizabeth nodded emphatically.

“The woods begin on the southern shore of the lake and stretch back to the south almost three miles and about two miles to the west. The house is built on rising ground which is the base of a hill which marks the eastern end of the valley. Am I correct that you spend time on Oakham Mount near Longbourn?”

Again, Elizabeth nodded .

“The hill I am referring to is two to two-and one-half times higher than the hill near Meryton. If one rides up in the morning before sunrise, one is treated to the majesty of His creation. On a clear day, when the sun rises, which is behind us when we are looking to the west, it makes the Peaks glow in their majesty when the sun’s rays illuminate them.”

Elizabeth could clearly see the mental portrait Mr Darcy was painting. All she could do was pray she would see that view one day, and not in the too far distant future. She was not a horsewoman of any note, but she would improve her skills to be able to make the ride up the hill, which from the sounds of things, dwarfed Oakham Mount. “What vegetation is on the hill?” she asked.

“It is covered by trees and naturally growing shrubs and grasses. There is a smaller valley on its other side, the Lesser Pemberley Valley, which is rocky, unlevel, and rather craggy in places. It is where most of the estate’s sheep and goats are kept. Other than a dozen milk cows, we do not keep cattle.”

“Are Derbyshire Gritstone among the breeds of sheep you keep?” Elizabeth enquired.

To say he was surprised she knew of the hardy breeds which were compatible with the harsher climes of the north was an understatement, but then knowing how intelligent she was, Darcy told himself he should not have been greatly shocked by her knowledge. “Yes, along with Herdwick, Blackface, and Welsh Mountain. We have had good success cross breeding Gritstones and Herdwicks with Romneys which has increased the wool production considerably.”

It was very agreeable that he spoke to her as an intelligent being, regardless of her sex or rank. All her former opinions of the man had long been cast aside, and the more time she spent with him, the more Elizabeth came to believe he was the man, who in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would answer all her wishes. It was a union that would be to the advantage of both; by her ease and liveliness, his mind would be softened, his manners improved; from his judgement, information, and knowledge of the world, she would gain much. In fact, that their temperaments were not similar was a positive. They would balance one another. All she could pray was that he would not be intimidated by her title if she was, as she suspected, the woman he wanted as his partner of his future.

“I thank you for indulging my curiosity about Pemberley, it sounds like a place I would be lucky to see one day…if Anna invites me that is.” Elizabeth knew she was being rather forward in her not too subtle hinting, but hopefully it was one of the advantages of her new elevated rank. If his dimple revealing smile was anything to go by, Mr Darcy had understood and approved of her intimation.

“It would be a pleasure to show you my estate…with Anna of course,” Darcy responded.

“As pleasurable as this time has been, I think it is time for me to rest,” Elizabeth stated. “If you would not mind pushing me back towards my chambers, I would appreciate it.”

“It will be my pleasure,” Darcy insisted.

When he stood the maid did as well and he nodded to the two Sergeant-Majors to let them know they were to make for the house.

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

George Wickham was reading the Times of London when he saw a royal announcement. “Damn, some people have all the luck!” he exclaimed as he reread the notice.

New Earl of Henderson Named

It gives the Regent great pleasure to announce that royal historians have determined that Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam is the great-grandson of the late Lady Judith Granger, née Heppleman, and is the heir to the title and property associated with it.

Due to service to the Crown when the new earl was serving in the Royal Dragoons as a colonel, the Regent has elevated the title from baron to earl.

In addition, the Crown wants it to be made known that the late Mr Emery Weasley’s name, the man who was executed for treason, has been removed from the line of the Henderson title. As he murdered the last baron and his sons, the record of titles will never reflect the murderer and treasonous man’s name.

The Regent, the Queen, and the whole of the royal family offer their hearty congratulations to the new Earl of Henderson.

Wickham showed the notice to Miss Younge. “At least we know the Fitzwilliams and Darcys will be busy helping Fitzwilliam learn how to manage his estates and will not be anywhere near us to spoil our plans again,” he drawled.

Karen Younge did not say it, but she thought about the fact the Ramsgate escapade had been George’s plan, not hers, but with the potential of fifty thousand pounds for the taking, she would not say anything contrary at this point. Besides, there was always the option to earn ten thousand pounds by informing the Crown where George was, thereby allowing her to claim the reward. She was well aware she could not trust him even when he was right under her nose.

He was easy to watch for now given he dared not leave her house more than absolutely necessary, and always in heavy disguise. For now, he needed her, but once they received the ransom money, she would have to be extremely vigilant to make sure she received her share.

The thought struck her that George would take off with all of the money as soon as look at her. Hence, she needed to be the one who gained all of the money. Mayhap at the same time, she could see to his capture, and add another ten thousand pounds to her haul. Yes, it was time to pay George Wickham back for all of the times he had lied to, and cheated her.

She smiled to herself, as he did not respect her, he would never consider she might be the one to double cross him. “As soon as you have a plan, let me know and I will do whatever is needed to make sure we are successful. That way we will soon be leaving these shores to start a new, good life, with more than enough funds to our names.”

“That is exactly how it will be,” Wickham agreed with his most charming smile on display. ‘ That is how it will be for me! ’ he thought to himself.

As soon as he gave her the smile that he did, Karen Younge was sure Wickham meant to abscond with all of the ransom. She was familiar with all of the surviving men Clay used to employ for his capers, she would make sure the men would be ready to act as soon as the money was received.

It would be the last time George Wickham ever crossed her.