Chapter 17

Elizabeth and Charlotte stopped by the nursery on their way to Elizabeth's suite of rooms and took Diane with them so the party in the nursery would have a chance to rest and eat. Elizabeth promised to keep Diane for her nap time, and Beau followed them to Elizabeth's room. Charlotte filled a kettle from the small boiler in Elizabeth's dressing room, and prepared two cups of tea in the sitting room while Elizabeth laid Diane down for a nap in her bed with the spaniel close by.

Elizabeth came back to the sitting room and before the women sat they embraced and held each other for a moment. As they relaxed into their chairs, Elizabeth spoke, "Charlotte, are you truly well? We have not had even a moment to speak, but I have been worried for you ever since I received your letter! I am so sorry about my poor cousin. What a thing to happen while you are expecting."

"I feel well enough, Eliza, but I also feel like I have not taken it in. I do not know what any of this could mean for my future or my child's. What if the child is a girl? Suddenly I understand your stepmother so much better. My father says that I may come home. But none of it feels real yet. I know not what to do."

"I know what you should do. You should come and live with me," Elizabeth said.

"Eliza, I knew you would say that, but I cannot just throw myself upon your mercy," argued Charlotte.

"Certainly you can, and what could be more natural or appropriate? You are carrying my cousin's child, possibly the heir to our family estate! What could be more right than your husband's family offering you and your child a home as is only appropriate? There are a number of options you can choose from. I could provide you with a comfortable establishment of your own in Meryton, or Hunsford, or anywhere else you wish. Or you could live with me, and since we will be related widows with small children, no one would bat an eye or even question it. Why should you not live with your husband's family, since it is our responsibility to provide for you and your child?" Elizabeth reasoned.

"What If you want to marry? What if I never remarry? You should not have to support me my entire life, and you do not wish to drag me about like a millstone about your neck forever," said Charlotte weakly.

"Charlotte, I may or may not remarry someday, but I would never marry someone who did not welcome my family and whomever I decide I should like as part of my household. I shall never allow you to be treated like a poor relation, to be passed from one household to another. You will be provided for handsomely, as befits all of my family who live in my home. If at some point you prefer your own establishment, I shall be glad to provide you with one, for I know how much fulfilment you found in running your own home. But you must consider, at this point of my life I will be bringing out sisters and having them live with me potentially for years, and then my daughter will be of age to come out. If you were here to keep me sane helping all these girls find themselves, I would be in your debt. We shall bring out your sister Maria while we are at it. If she likes, she can begin lessons with Miss Long, Kitty, and Lydia immediately," Elizabeth insisted firmly.

"Miss Long! I knew you and your sisters had a secret! How clever! By the by, Mary seems to have found herself already, and someone else too, while she was at it," observed Charlotte slyly.

"Yes, the two of them are rather hopeless are they not, with all their blushing? Please do not mention it to your father. Mary is going to attempt to temper her reactions to the colonel this week while our father is here. He has made a few odd comments in recent months, and we fear he might try to interfere in some way if he thought Mary was being courted. Mary is determined not to officially be courted or accept any proposal until she reaches her majority, in order to make her choice without interference from either of her parents," Elizabeth answered.

"Charlotte, go home and retire quietly with your family for a short time if you must, but then you must agree to allow me to take responsibility for ensuring you have a home. If you had not insisted upon marrying my cousin, you could have got out of it, but now you are family and you'll never escape. I could never hold my head up if I did not provide for you," Elizabeth insisted.

"Very well, Eliza, I will go home for a month to my father's house, and then I will come and live with you for as long as you want me."

"I expect I shall be here for the next two or three months. Some of these victims of the fire will need a place to recover before they move on. Mr Roberts thinks some of them have a better chance here, due to the modern conveniences and plumbing of the house providing more sanitary conditions, so if I can offer them that then of course I must," Elizabeth reflected.

"You are too good, Eliza. This world does not deserve your kindness," said Charlotte.

"On the contrary, I find many worthy objects to bestow my kindness on. Who more worthy than you, my dear friend, or the family of a dear and valuable friend such as Colonel Fitzwilliam? I find myself quite satisfied in my search for worthy companions and friends," Elizabeth said.

"Now Charlotte, you must go now and rest. You are looking tired, and heaven knows when I was with child, I had to nap every afternoon, and I had not gone through anything unpleasant like you have. You must promise me you will lie down and rest after lunch each day," Elizabeth insisted.

"You will not hear me disagree with that. I am no longer ill in the mornings, but I cannot get through the day without a lie down." Charlotte yawned as she got to her feet.

Charlotte went to her room, and Elizabeth removed to her desk. She had been to Kent, and all manner of events were happening. She had yet to inform her Aunt Madeleine that her journey to Derbyshire would need to be delayed or perhaps cancelled entirely. She sat down and prepared to write letters to both her aunt and her sister. She explained what had happened, and asked about their trip to Derbyshire, and if they had seen any worthy sights. Then she began a letter to Mrs Bennet. She was aware that Mr Bennet would not give her an account of the situation when he returned, upsetting Mrs Bennet's nerves, and causing her to fret until she knew the particulars.

Windmere Manor,

Kent

Dear Mama,

I write to acquaint you with an account of the situation in Kent. As you must be aware, Rosings Park, the home of Cousin Collins' patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, has burned, and Mr Collins died in his successful effort to save his patroness and her daughter from the blaze. All reports point to his having achieved the impossible in his efforts, and the man is regarded a hero for his bravery and dedication to his patroness and her family.

All of the injured and displaced servants and tenants from the fire are staying at Windmere Manor and Mary is doing a wonderful job of serving as my hostess as we manage the situation. Lydia has taken charge of looking after Diane. The funeral service will be tomorrow and you should expect Papa home the following day. Lady Catherine's family have been invited to stay with us while they are here in Kent.

As you may have heard from Lady Lucas, Charlotte is with child and may be carrying the heir to Longbourn. She will visit her family in Meryton for a time, and then come and live with me for the foreseeable future. I know that like myself, you are very fond of Charlotte, and will extend to her every kindness as a member of our family. I quite consider her one of my very own sisters, and it is our Christian duty to extend kindness and support to our cousin in her grief. Like my sisters, she will always have a home with me.

I have written to Derbyshire, informing Aunt Madeleine that our journey will be delayed for a number of weeks. For now, with your permission, I shall keep Lydia with me at Windmere for a time. When the fuss dies down here, I shall return her to Meryton and her studies.

Lizzy

Elizabeth reviewed the business letters that had been delivered to the room by Sarah, and made notes for Mr Banks as to how they should be addressed. There were a number of personal letters from her friends in London, to which she would respond in a day or two. There was also a letter from Her Majesty, expressing her outrage at the news of Elizabeth's kidnapping attempt, which she had heard of from the general, and concern for Elizabeth's safety. Elizabeth penned a brief note in response, thanking The Monarch for her concern. She explained that while the matter was not yet resolved, she felt safer in the country, and assured Her Majesty that she would apprise her of any developments that arose.

With her correspondence finished, Elizabeth returned to her bedchamber and laid down upon the bed to cuddle with her daughter and the spaniel that was so sweet and loyal. She had missed the opportunity the last two days to spend time with them. It was clear that their Sundays alone would have to be suspended until the injured who were recovering at Windmere were at least mostly recovered. There was no way she could give the staff Sundays off with such a full house, no matter how she regretted it.

*****

She dozed off for half an hour and was roused when Diane and Beau awoke and began to cuddle. She rose and straightened her gown, re-pinned her hair, and then took Diane and Beau outside to the garden. They looked in on the nursery on the way down, and collected Lydia and Miss Carmichael, who had just returned. They brought two footmen into the garden with them, who stood watch as the child and her dog played in the grass. Lydia sat upon a bench near a tall hedge and began to study a book of French poetry. They had been employed with their activities for only a few moments when Lydia had a creeping feeling on the back of her neck.

Lydia turned slowly, and peered into the thick shrubbery behind her. Suddenly she was looking into a beautiful, yet all too familiar pair of blue eyes. Eyes which she felt as if she had stared into before. Suddenly she yelped and jumped backward from the hedge shrieking, "Lizzy! Lizzy, it's Wickham!" The hedge seemed to explode as Beau rushed into the hedge barking ferociously and the man jumped out the back of the shrubbery and retreated into the wood nearby with the dog hot on his heels. Andrew and Miss Carmichael shouted to the house and more footmen came, taking their place guarding Elizabeth and her family.

That was the policy of the house. Elizabeth and the family were never to be left alone in order for servants to chase an intruder or attacker. They must call for servants to come and replace them, so that they could follow the attacker by whatever means they had. This made it impossible for one attacker to lure her protection away, only for more attackers to follow once she was alone.

The gentlemen came bursting from the house, Colonel Fitzwilliam following the footmen into the wood. Lord Matlock and the other gentlemen looked confused and alarmed. Elizabeth and the ladies were frantically calling for the dog, Elizabeth nearly ready to enter the woods to search for the animal herself, torn between finding the beloved pet and staying to protect her child. The gentlemen attempted to calm Elizabeth, Diane and Lydia, now joined by Mary, all weeping in fear for the loveable animal they were all so attached to.

Lord Matlock was able to get an account from Elizabeth of the situation with Wickham as Mr Bennet and Sir William attempted to calm the other ladies. Matlock was already familiar with some of the information, having been apprised of the matter by his son before they left London. After about a quarter hour of agonised waiting, there was a shout from inside the house. Everyone made haste to enter and find out what the new development was. Colonel Brandon was in the hall with the dog in his arms.

"I was riding in the lane on my way back to Windmere when I heard a yelp in the woods. Suddenly the animal came out into the lane crying. He does not seem to be badly hurt, although he does appear to have an injured leg," The Colonel explained as Elizabeth and the ladies rushed to take the dog, who whined pitifully. The doctor was sent for, and Lord Matlock took Colonel Brandon out the front door and spoke with him regarding the newest events. Colonel Brandon immediately sent for Colonel Fitzwilliam's horse, for the man had gone on foot and would make more ground upon his horse, and went after the man, instructing the grooms to saddle horses and join the effort to locate Wickham on horseback.

Mr Roberts was amused to have been called downstairs for a dog, but Elizabeth's late husband had been his closest friend, and he stood godfather to her little girl. He was well acquainted with the dog, and hated to see the poor creature suffer. He felt the leg and examined the dog. He speculated that the spaniel had likely been kicked in his shoulder, but nothing appeared to be broken. It would be tender for a while, he expected. The dog should be carried gently as much as possible in a large basket with a soft cushion, no climbing the stairs, and should rest as much as possible until he ceased limping. He also recommended that the dog only go outside to do his business on a lead for the foreseeable future, so he could not run away again before he was recovered. Mary and Lydia, still crying in shock, bundled the dog and Diane back up to the nursery while Elizabeth paced the ground floor waiting for news. Lord Matlock joined her and Elizabeth apologised for her personal matters intruding upon his time when he was navigating a family crisis.

Lord Matlock was astounded. "Lady Astley, my son is correct, you are the most selfless woman of my acquaintance. My sister has treated you and your family abominably for years. It is our family's fault your cousin has lost her husband. Yet you have turned your home and your life upside down and incurred great expense to assist us. You certainly have nothing to apologise for, madam. Indeed, I have been acquainted with that boy Wickham since his infancy. I made several attempts to make Darcy's father see that he was a bad apple, but the man was excessively attached to the boy, much like Darcy is to Bingley. Darcy is much like his father, the same reserve and awkward manners. His massive responsibilities weigh on Darcy as they did his father, and did even when he was a boy. They are alike in clinging to their friendships with engaging, lively people to bring light into their lives. It was only sad that old Darcy was so misled by young Wickham, it has caused the family and many others much grief."

"Well I should hope Mr Bingley will be cut from better cloth, since he has lately married my sister, Jane," Elizabeth said.

"Oh certainly, certainly! The two men could not be less alike in that regard. Darcy and Bingley have both benefited greatly by their friendship, and he seems a sincere, wholesome sort of lad. Your sister must be an angel ," he jested.

"Ah yes! He has referred to Jane as an angel many times," Elizabeth smiled. "Mr Bingley seems true to character, sir. He must be the same wherever he goes."

They spoke of mundane subjects, and eventually he said, "Lady Astley, I beg your pardon for such an unpleasant question, but what is the manner of my sister's disapproval of you? I swear I cannot make it out."

Elizabeth smiled, "I could not say for certain, for she never chose to meet with me, nor inform me personally. From what I have heard about Kent, I believe it is because she disapproves of my late husband's elevation. I am not to be forgiven for quitting the sphere in which she seems to believe I was raised. I have been made to understand your sister's high regard for the preservation of rank."

Matlock looked at her in confusion. "But you are Hexham's niece, are you not? Your grandfather was an earl!"

Elizabeth laughed. "That is true, but I cannot tell you if she is aware of it. I am not in the habit of waving my pedigree about in an effort to be acknowledged by elderly country dowagers, or indeed anyone. There is also the fact that my mother was half Italian. In many eyes that erases any nobility I carry entirely, regardless of that lady's nobility."

"Tosh!" declared the gentleman. "What piffle!" He made as if to proceed but was interrupted by the two Colonels entering the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed to Elizabeth and spoke, "We have searched for over an hour and have found no sign of the man. We have sent grooms to search closer in the direction of Rosings, since that is the direction from which the dog was found. Is the creature badly hurt?"

Elizabeth assured him that the dog was bruised, but would recover. The colonels discussed having a number of outdoor servants check all of the hunting cabins and empty buildings on the properties of both Windmere and Rosings. Colonel Fitzwilliam sent an express to the general, requesting a number of enlisted men be sent to guard Windmere. It was appropriate for the army to step in, considering that Wickham was an army deserter, who met his target while posted in the militia, and had proven to be extremely dangerous. Elizabeth returned upstairs to add the new information to her letter to her Majesty and to have writing materials sent to Lydia so her letters to her mother could be added to Elizabeth's deliveries that would leave Windmere by express messenger later that day.

The rest of the day the residents of the house were on tenterhooks, with the exception of the two gentlemen from Hertfordshire. Elizabeth and Charlotte's fathers were both unfamiliar with the specific details of the situation, and Elizabeth did not wish to share the business with them and have the news all over Meryton when she returned. Both gentlemen were under the perception that the episode from the afternoon had something to do with the fire and the situation at Rosings.

*****

The next day dawned, and Elizabeth thought it unnatural for the sun to shine so brightly on a day when so many innocent people were to be mourned and buried. The curate sent an express to the Bishop of Kent, and in light of his bravery and heroic rescue, the Bishop personally performed the burial service for Mr Collins and the victims of the fire, which was attended by the men from Windmere and the men from the surrounding estates and village. The ladies remained at Windmere to sit with the wives of the local men who attended the service, and the families of the deceased who were grieving. It was a dreadfully long and unhappy day. Elizabeth was relieved when it was over, even knowing that it would have to be repeated in a week or so, when the rest of the patients who were not expected to recover had passed.

The rest of the week progressed quietly. Charlotte returned to Meryton with Mr Bennet and Sir William, with a load of black gowns from Elizabeth's dressing room,.Elizabeth insisted that Charlotte be well attired when she received condolence calls at her mother's home. She warned Charlotte to be prepared to be fitted for a new mourning wardrobe upon her return, for she would need new gowns as she was increasing. The ladies and Diane stayed indoors, and Beau was only allowed outside to do his business on his lead, preventing the animal from chasing any intruders into the woods, and putting himself in danger again. The ladies spent much time in the ballroom, where Diane could run and play energetically and safely.

Two days after the scare with Wickham, a cabin was located near Windmere's border, with evidence of someone recently having stayed there. The cabins had been locked up since their arrival in Kent. Two grooms were assigned to ride to the cabins daily and check to make sure no one had forced entry.

An express from Mr Darcy arrived the day after the funeral with gratitude to Lady Astley for her kindness and generosity. He accepted her offer to stay with his family at Windmere and advised her to expect his arrival within a week. Elizabeth welcomed him much as she had his uncle, with only the housekeeper and Mr Banks, as well as Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lord Matlock, giving Mr Darcy time to speak to his relatives for a few moments, and then go refresh himself before greeting the other occupants of the house.

Some days after the funeral, Elizabeth received a letter from Mr Montague regarding the boarding house in London. Elizabeth stared at the letter blankly for a moment. In all the confusion of the last days with the crisis of the fire, Elizabeth had forgotten all about Evie. As a matter of fact, Elizabeth was not at all certain if the girl had even journeyed with them to Kent at all, or if she had been left behind at Netherfield. She rang for Mr Banks. "Banks, where have we left Evie? With all the commotion of the fire, I have quite lost track of the girl," Elizabeth asked as the man entered the room.

"Miss Younge is upstairs with the sisters, your ladyship. She took right to the nuns; she and Meg have been assisting them as much as Mrs George will allow. She shows a right fair interest in everything the sisters do," replied Banks.

That was interesting, Elizabeth thought as she went upstairs to observe Evie nursing the patients for herself. True to Mr Banks' word, she was following Sister Augustine about with a basin, listening attentively to everything the nurse said, and assisting wherever she could. "She's a bright girl, your ladyship, and she has become quite attached to Sister Augustine. She hardly lets her out of her sight all day long," observed Sister Bethany as she went by Elizabeth on her way to the next room. Elizabeth was amused that Evie had chosen Sister Augustine to become attached to. The older nun had a reputation for a grumpy, prickly disposition, and a sharp tongue. She was a favourite of Elizabeth as well, because her irascible demeanour hid the heart of a true angel. She assisted Elizabeth at Diane's birth, and Elizabeth revered the woman.

Elizabeth invited Evie to sit at a quiet table with her for a cup of tea. "I have received a letter from my man of business, Evie. It is as I suspected. You inherited your parents house when they passed away. Your aunt was named your guardian, and the manager of the house until you reached your majority, but the house has always been yours, not hers."

Evie stared at her, dumbfounded. "Because your aunt has been transported, we can petition the court to assign you a new guardian. It can be myself, or perhaps another relative or adult that you know and trust?" Elizabeth asked. Evie continued to stare. "Well we do not have to decide that just now. You can think about it a bit before you decide."

"Do I have ta go back there?" blurted Evie, "Back there ta that house?"

"Not if you do not wish to. If you want my advice, I would recommend that you sell the place. It is in a dreadful part of London that I pray you will never have to encounter again. I think you should sell it, and allow me to assist you in buying a larger, nicer home in a better neighbourhood like Cheapside. Then you could lease it to a respectable family from trade, and put the funds aside for your future, while you learn a skill of your own, and decide how you will make your way in the world. One day, when you are ready to marry or retire from work, you could sell it. The sale of a quality house in Cheapside would buy something very nice and comfortable in the country, where you could reside when you are ready, if you chose. Do you have an idea of what sort of trade you might like to learn?" Elizabeth asked.

"Can I learn ta be like them?" Evie asked, nodding to Sister Augustine.

"A nun?" asked Elizabeth, surprised.

"A nurse. Could I go ta their school and learn ta be a nurse like them?" said Evie.

"I believe you could, if you were willing to apply yourself," Elizabeth said. She asked Sister Augustine to join them, and explained Evie's interest in attending the school.

"She's a bit young for nursing classes, and she needs the basic education that is compulsory for all students, although since she's an orphan, the order could take her into the convent and educate her. Usually the orphans go to the mother house in Sussex, but she is interested in the nursing school, and old enough that she might go right to the new school," said Sister Augustine. "She needs a great deal of learning before she's ready to learn to be a nurse. She must read and figure properly, know her history, and take diction classes, which is compulsory for all students. Upper and even middle class patients will not respect or obey a nurse who speaks cockney or a northern dialect, and our aim is to train the most educated and professional nurses in the kingdom. All the students will even take a class in genteel manners. Our nurses must earn the highest respect from the community and their patients."

Elizabeth finalised the plan with Evie. Elizabeth would seek to legally become Evie's guardian. The boarding house would be sold. They would purchase something much nicer in Cheapside, at Elizabeth's expense, to provide for Evie's future and retirement. That house would be let, and the funds deposited into an account for Evie. Elizabeth would pay tuition and board for Evie to live at the school in Derbyshire, where she would receive a basic education and lessons in diction until she was ready to begin nursing classes. Elizabeth would also assume the expense of a respectable wardrobe, and provide the girl with a small amount of pin money each quarter, so that she had a little something of her own, as befitted a ward of Elizabeth's.

After the conversation ended, Elizabeth took Sister Augustine aside and intimated that she was concerned that the girl had been victimised before she found her, and although there was not a likely possibility that she might be with child, but still, a possibility nonetheless existed.

"Miss Younge confided this to me, your ladyship. I have asked her some rather intimate and uncomfortable questions about her experience, and it is my belief that the abuse did not go as far as that. She is certainly not with child, which is the most important thing at this moment." Elizabeth was relieved to hear this news, and set to writing a letter to the Reverend Mother for her approval of the plan.

*****

Elizabeth stayed out of Mr Darcy's way during his first week in residence. He had much to do, and was too busy for her to be causing him distraction. She gave him the use of the second back office parlour for use as his study, and allowed him to get on with his business. It was a few days before he pulled himself from his absorption in Rosings Park enough to even notice that Windmere was positively crawling with soldiers. Colonel Fitzwilliam apprised him of the situation with Wickham, which enraged Darcy. He immediately sent an express to his man of business, arranging for the receipts for the debts of Wickham that he owned to be brought to Windmere post-haste. He would keep them with him, and when the miscreant was found, Darcy would see them used in any case against him.

A week after he arrived, he found Elizabeth pacing about the front hall of the manor. "Is something amiss, Lady Astley?"

Elizabeth sighed. "No, there is not. I am just stifled, and I miss my exercise. I have not ridden or walked out since the incident in London, and I am beginning to run a bit mad."

"I was about to ride to Rosings and attempt to access the strongboxes. It was just two years ago that I insisted that the older ones be replaced with the newer fire resistant invention. Lady Catherine made a fuss about the expense, but we will find out now if it paid off. Would you like to ride with me there and get some air?" inquired Darcy.

Elizabeth responded, "I thank you Mr Darcy, but I hesitate to leave the house while Diane is here with my sisters and Wickham could be anywhere."

Darcy excused himself for a moment and returned with his uncle and Colonel Brandon. "Lady Astley, if you would like to accompany Darcy to get some air and exercise, I would be glad to take responsibility for the safety of the house. Colonel Brandon and I would be very happy to join your sisters and Miss Astley in the ballroom to ensure their well-being until your return."

Elizabeth hesitated. She wished to go, but she was uncomfortable leaving her house and being exposed out of doors. Finally she shook her head. She could not be afraid to leave her house forever. "I thank you, Lord Matlock. I will accept your kind offer." She went upstairs and changed to her riding habit, and when she returned, Mr Darcy had Artemis saddled and waiting. They travelled with two of Elizabeth's footmen and six of Fitzwilliam's soldiers, spread out ahead and behind them so they could speak in privacy.

As they rode, Darcy turned to Elizabeth and said, "Lady Astley, I wish to convey the depths of my gratitude to you for leaving my past mistakes behind us, and allowing me another opportunity to earn your friendship again."

"Mr Darcy, you cannot know how it pained me to cause you anguish that day. Words were said on both sides that I am sure we both regret, and for both our sakes, cannot be too soon forgotten."

"You cannot know how it pained me to think that I had lost your regard completely. It is perhaps true that I am unworthy of your affections, but the thought that you were somewhere thinking ill of me was almost more than I could bear," replied Darcy.

"I could never call you unworthy, sir. Perhaps too hasty and tactless for your own good would be a better way to put it," Elizabeth said.

"I have ever been awkward in company of all kinds. I wish I had taken your advice before speaking and sought my sister's opinion. She is surely a better judge than I on how a lady might wish to be approached," said Darcy ruefully.

"That would have been a good idea. Have you had many opportunities to talk in a more mature manner with Miss Darcy since we spoke of it in Hertfordshire?" asked Elizabeth.

"I have, to some degree, as much as her illness has allowed, and I must say that it has given me some relief to unburden myself about some worries that I had no one to share with. I have ever been close to Richard, but he is rarely available with all of his obligations to his regiment. I have missed his counsel when I am not in town or he is on the continent. I never thought that I would seek my younger sister's opinion on many matters, but I find that often just unburdening myself to her helps me find clarity by talking certain matters out."

"That is good to hear, and she must be feeling very relieved by your trust in her," Elizabeth observed. "Has her health improved?"

"She began improving somewhat before I left. The physician you recommended, Mr Gibson, examined her and determined she was over-bled and underfed after a terrible bout of influenza that weakened her constitution. He encouraged me to never allow anyone in my care to be bled for any reason, and while his methods seem strange, I cannot deny that although she still occasionally becomes very ill after eating, her strength has significantly improved since we stopped the weekly bleeding. I would not have felt safe leaving her otherwise."

"Indeed, I can only imagine how weak she must be, being bled every week; she is lucky to be alive. I will go further than Mr Gibson's encouragement and insist that you vow to me, sir, that you will never allow any person to be bled in your presence for any reason," Elizabeth insisted.

"Certainly, if you deem it very important. I am aware that you have much modern medical knowledge. Indeed I have noticed that you have a great deal of knowledge regarding many things, including trade and industry. It is refreshing to know such a well educated lady," responded Mr Darcy.

"When I was growing up in my Uncle Gardiner's house" – she smiled at the memory – "I showed an interest in investment and industry, and my Uncle Hexham not only paid for my tutors, but he also gifted me with subscriptions to many magazines of all kinds, and about many industries and topics of study. I was fortunate for the indulgence and education that I received from both of my uncles." Elizabeth smiled. "He pays for the subscriptions still, and I still enjoy reading about new inventions, and learning."

They arrived at Rosings, to discover Colonel Fitzwilliam already waiting. "I have taken the liberty of scouting a path to each of the strongboxes that seem to be the safest."

"It would endanger us greatly to carry them out, so I have here some pouches and small crates which we can put the items in once we get them open," said Darcy.

Elizabeth waited outside with her footmen and the officers for nearly thirty minutes. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam finally emerged from the house with the two footmen that accompanied them, victorious. They each carried crates filled with papers and velvet pouches that Elizabeth assumed were filled with jewels, money, and other valuables.

"The fireproof strongboxes were successful. Everything here is unharmed," said Darcy. "We even found the staff records and wage box in the housekeeper's strongbox."

The items were loaded onto a cart to follow them to Windmere. Elizabeth, Darcy and Fitzwilliam made small talk as they rode back to Windmere. When they were halfway to their destination there was a loud crack in the air and Elizabeth's bonnet spun off her head. Elizabeth froze in fright to realise that she was being shot at. Colonel Fitzwilliam shouted to the officers on horseback, and they followed his horse off the lane and into the woods.Elizabeth wheeled her horse about and took off at a gallop with Darcy and her footmen close behind. Once she reached the house and Darcy assisted her down, she called into the hall. Colonel Brandon, followed by Lord Matlock ran out. Brandon called for his horse, then indicated to Darcy to join the search and that he would follow directly. Lord Matlock led Elizabeth to her study and poured her a large brandy.

Elizabeth sat quietly with Lord Matlock, the gentleman understanding that the lady was in shock, and allowing her time to regain her composure. Eventually Elizabeth spoke, "Lord Matlock, you have my apologies for the events of the last few days. I have invited your family into my home, and I feel that I am putting everyone in danger. If you wish to move your family to Lakewood and accept the hospitality of Sir Jasper, I will not blame you, sir."

"Lady Astley, you must stop blaming yourself for these events. It should not be so that a wealthy lady must be married or she places her whole acquaintance in jeopardy from the men willing to force her. After everything you have done for our family, the very least we can do is remain with you and lend you any protection that we are able," comforted Lord Matlock.

Elizabeth replied, "I would not have you endanger yourselves out of gratitude or friendship, my lord. I must, however, face that I am unfairly putting my sisters at risk by keeping them here with me. I may have to send them home to Hertfordshire. I cannot keep them here if I am putting them in danger."

"Perhaps, Lady Astley, but do not make any hasty decisions just now. Let us see what the young men have to say when they return," suggested Lord Matlock. "Besides, I think there would be two very unhappy people if you were to remove Miss Bennet from Windmere while my son is staying. This is not a mercenary question at all, Lady Astley, more of a question for my own future planning. Does the girl have any dowry, or should I see to it that Richard has a small estate? I have been waiting to see who his choice would be, before I took any steps to see to his future outside of the military."

"Mary's dowry would be sufficient enough to satisfy at the very least an earl or perhaps even a marquess, although I will not release it, nor will she entertain any offers before she reaches her majority. Although I am sure that whoever he ends up choosing as his bride, they would likely both be grateful for a small estate. Colonel Fitzwilliam speaks of breeding horses quite often. He would likely thrive with a modest estate and enough funds from a dowry to set himself up in breeding. If he ever has any time away from the army, I will invite him to visit my stables at Newmarket, he would enjoy that," answered Elizabeth.

"Well that is a relief. His mother has long worried that he will never choose a woman from the ton, with a dowry that will enable him to live as a gentleman. It was our hope that his lack of fortune would not make his choice impossible, as even with a small estate, he would still not be wealthy enough to marry without paying some attention to money if he wanted to be able to provide for daughters and second sons. We feared that he would give up finding a suitable bride and remain a bachelor soldier all of his days. He will not go near the society ladies or the debutantes that come out each season, and we feared he might fall in love with a girl he could not afford to support in the manner we know he would prefer to."

They waited in the study for two hours, and eventually Darcy and the two colonels returned. "We have searched high and low and have yet to see a single sign of Wickham or any other blackguard. I would dearly love to know how he keeps fading away without a trace," stated Colonel Fitzwilliam irritably.

The men looked over maps of the two estates, planning to send out riders to check the empty cabins again, when Mr Banks escorted one of the officers into the study. "Lieutenant Graham has something to say regarding the incident, Lady Astley, Colonel Fitzwilliam."

"Thank you, Banks. Lieutenant Graham, if you have uncovered some information that will assist us, we would be grateful to hear it," said Elizabeth.

"Thank you, your ladyship." The Lieutenant coughed, holding her bonnet in his hands, then he addressed Colonel Fitzwilliam. "Sir, something kept coming back to my mind when I considered the incident. Something about the way Lady Astley's bonnet came off of her head, sir. If Lady Astley was shot at by someone on the ground, the bonnet would have lifted up and away. Instead every time I think of it, I recall how instead, it spun away in a downward path, which does not seem right. In battle you and I have seen every sort of trajectory a bullet might take, and the resulting way a target might react to being struck by every sort of angle. It just did not seem right to me, sir. So I returned to the scene of the incident, and found Lady Astley's bonnet. As I examined it, you can see how close the entry and exit holes are up at the top edge of the bonnet. This hole is clearly the hole the bullet exited from. If Lady Astley was shot at from the ground or even from the same height as she was upon her horse, the bullet would have entered the bonnet differently and from the side, not from the top."

"So it would have, Lieutenant. This was good thinking on your part. Did you discover anything else?" asked the colonel.

"Indeed I did, sir. I scouted the area and found near the edge of the woods, a strong, tall oak with damage to the bark, as if it had recently been climbed with hard soled boots. I believe the assailant was up a tree at the time of the incident, sir. It appears we charged right beneath him and continued into the woods, leaving him to wait until we left the vicinity, then climbed down to escape," explained the officer.

"The devil take that blighter. Curse you, Darcy, for not allowing me to call him out last year," said Colonel Fitzwilliam irritably. "Thank you, Lieutenant, for your assistance. Your tactical mind is quite sharp. I will make a recommendation to your commanding officer. You ought to be a captain, with a mind like yours."

"I thank you, sir. I am honoured to be of assistance to the lady," responded Lieutenant Graham, with a bow to the latter as he left the room.

"Well that was all we needed, was to be shown how inept we are. Lady Astley, I would be shocked if I were you at how easily we missed that Devil," sighed Colonel Fitzwilliam.

"I certainly do not blame you for not catching him, Colonel. You have done everything you have been able since you arrived, and you are not even supposed to be here for my protection. You are supposed to be here as my guest, to assist your family," replied Elizabeth. "Colonel Fitzwilliam, when you speak to Lieutenant Graham's commanding officer, I should like to assume the expense of his promotion, should he receive one."

The group broke up as Fitzwilliam and Brandon left to examine the scene of the attack again with fresh eyes to look for more clues. Elizabeth went upstairs to look in on the nursery. Darcy returned to the study Elizabeth made available for his use, to go through the contents of the strongboxes with Lord Matlock.