Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love-kindle (48 page)

“She is a foolish old woman who would not know a show of temper if she saw one. I am simply impatient with people who ignore my advice!” At this declaration, more people stopped to stare, and Alfreda’s eyes dropped to the ground. “Now, I will leave it to you to collect Miss Bennet. I wish to leave before the whole of Ramsgate learns what happened today.”

Timidly, Alfreda headed in the direction of Lord Landingham’s carriage, where Audrey Ashcroft stood at the open door talking to those inside. She remained unnoticed, standing silently behind Georgiana’s aunt, until Elizabeth called out from the carriage. “Alfreda, are you looking for me?”

Everyone’s attention focused on her and she flushed. “Yes. Brother wants to leave now and asked me to see if you are ready.” Her eyes pleaded for Elizabeth to agree.

Meeting the looks of the others in the carriage, Elizabeth knew that it would not do for Georgiana to be upset by another argument. Thus, she began to climb out of the carriage. “Of course. I was so shaken that I was not thinking clearly. I should return to Gatesbridge Manor with you.”

Lady Ashcroft reached out to touch Elizabeth’s arm as she stepped down to the sand. “In light of this disaster, I am sending a servant to London with an express for Fitzwilliam. I know my nephew well, and he shall demand that Georgiana and I return to London immediately. We shall set out in the morning, and you are welcome to accompany us.” She glanced to Alfreda, who was coming closer, and lowered her voice so that only Elizabeth could hear. “I do not think the Earl of Hampton will be pleased with your involvement in my niece’s rescue, though I assure you that my family and I shall be eternally grateful.” Elizabeth smiled and Audrey squeezed her hand before saying loud enough for Alfreda to hear, “We shall be leaving at first light from Hawthorne Hall.”

Being offered a way out of the predicament flooded Elizabeth with relief. “I would appreciate that very much. This ordeal has made me heartsick to see my family in London and to return to my home in Meryton.” She looked to Alfreda for assurance. “I am certain that Lady Wilkens will forgive me for wishing to return to London earlier and will provide me a carriage so that I can meet you in the morning.”

Alfreda could do nought but agree. “Of course, if that is your wish.”  By now John Wilkens was coming in their direction, and the look on his face made Elizabeth uneasy.

Forcing herself to focus on Lady Ashcroft, she hoped her eyes conveyed her message better than her words. “Thank you for thinking of me. I shall not
fail
to be there at first light.” Unsaid was that if she did not come, she had been detained against her will.

“I look forward to seeing you then,” Lady Ashcroft said aloud, leaning in again to whisper, “I shall not leave Ramsgate without you.”

Elizabeth calmed, the relief in her face visible. “You are too kind.”

There was another whispered secret. “No, I am a stubborn woman who does not suffer fools or bullies.”

As John Wilkens watched the women gathered around Landingham’s carriage, he pondered what Elizabeth Bennet and Audrey Ashcroft found amusing as they conversed so quietly. Though he strained to hear the conversation, he could not make out the words, and he knew enough not to ask. Darcy’s aunt had never liked him, and the feeling was mutual.

~~~*~~~

Hawthorne Hall
That Evening

As Lady Ashcroft made her way into the library, she did not expect to find Marshall Landingham there, fast asleep. She had assumed that after she tended his wound, he had retired to the bedroom that Lady Hawthorne had ordered prepared. But there he was, still sitting upright, his head resting on the back of a sofa near the fireplace, oblivious to the world. Lady Hawthorne sat across from him in one of two matching chairs, regarding him with great empathy. Upon seeing her confidant enter the room, Violet smiled and motioned for Audrey to take the matching chair.

“How long has he been asleep?” Lady Ashcroft whispered, sinking into the soft upholstery, her weary body relaxing for the first time in hours.

“He just now nodded off,” Violet Hawthorne replied, not taking her eyes from the handsome gentleman. “Just before he fell asleep, I suggested that he retire to the guest room, since I had no intentions of letting him stay at the hotel after suffering such an injury. But he insisted on waiting for you. He also wanted to enquire after Georgiana. I could not bear to wake him, as he mentioned having a headache right before he fell asleep.”

It was obvious that though Landingham slept, he found no peace, as his face still held a pained expression. Noting that the bandage she had fashioned when they arrived at Hawthorne Hall was still spotted with blood, she refrained from the urge to check the wound again.

“It has been exhausting for him, what with having to meet with the constable and the solicitor we hired to look into Wickham’s actions.”  Her face darkened with fury. “I could not believe my eyes when I recognised that blackguard! I can only wonder how he managed to get near my niece. Georgiana did not want to discuss the particulars yet, but I shall question her about it in the morning. I must leave details of her remembrances for the solicitor before we depart.”

Tilting her head towards the sleeping man, the Mistress of Hawthorne enquired, “Do you suppose he shall be fit to travel?”

“He is resolute that he will escort us to London. I pray he does not suffer from more than those headaches.  He refused to let me call for a physician.” She seemed to get more annoyed as she continued. “All this time I thought that he was upstairs in bed. I insisted he rest while I was occupied with Georgiana.”

“It has been my observation that real men—not those
namby-pambys
10
who parade as men— are stubborn as can be.” She winked conspiratorially. “But well worth the extra effort to allow them into your heart!”

Audrey’s lips lifted into a smile, and she turned to study the chiselled features of the one she loved. “He is most definitely a man.”

“The servant I sent after his trunk has returned, so your beau is ready to go with you in the morning.”

“My beau?”

Violet raised her hand. “Audrey, let us not argue the facts. I have lived too many years not to recognise that you and he are more than friends. Would that I had met such a man after my Horace died. But, alas, it was not to be.” Remembering her train of thought, she added, “Men like Marshall do not come along every day, and you, of all people, know how quickly happiness can be snatched from your grasp.”

Lady Ashcroft nodded solemnly, her gaze never leaving Landingham. “I shall let you in on a secret.”

Violet Hawthorne’s eyes lit up. “You know you can trust me not to say a word.”

“Marshall and I have come to an understanding.  As soon as Georgiana is settled in marriage, we will look to our own happiness. Only…”

“Only…” The older woman echoed.

“When I saw Marshall fall today after that blackguard attempted to kill him, I realised that I am unwilling to wait until Georgiana is married, though I am committed to her care, no matter my situation.”

“You wish to marry him sooner?”

For a moment Audrey Ashcroft considered the thought. “Yes, I wish to marry him as soon as possible.”

“Then marry him! Everything will work out, you shall see. And I am sure that Fitzwilliam will welcome your continued involvement with Georgiana.”

“I know that he will. Perhaps Georgiana could reside with us for a few weeks at a time, just as she has always spent a good bit of time travelling with me. It would essentially be no different. And we could hire a trusted companion for when she resides at Pemberley or Darcy House.”

“Just let me know when the happy event will take place.” Violet’s green eyes sparkled with delight and a bit of mischief. “I do not travel much anymore, but I shall make it a point to attend your wedding.”

Audrey reached across the divide to take her friend’s hand. “I cannot imagine being married without having you in attendance.”

“Now that that is settled, are you still determined to leave in the morning?”

“Yes. As soon as we got here, I sent Clark to Town with a letter explaining what happened. Knowing Fitzwilliam would send me a return express asking me to bring Georgiana to London, I elected to save the poor man another arduous trip. I explained to my nephew that we would start to London on the morrow, stopping at Ashcroft Park as we always do. I do not think it wise to tax everyone with a long trip, so we shall take two days.”

“Do you really think Fitzwilliam will wait for you to come to him?”

Audrey laughed. “You know him well. No, he will meet us at Ashcroft Park, I am certain.”

“Well, I cannot say that I fault him for being so protective of his sister. In fact, it is rather comforting to know that men like Fitzwilliam still exist. Look at the way my nephew treats Alfreda.”

“That is another of my concerns—John Wilkens. How could the man refuse to help Miss Bennet rescue Georgiana?”

“He is a coward.”

“That is certain, but I think he is most afraid of scandal. And if his expression at the gallery was indicative of his feelings, Miss Bennet is in for a stiff reprimand.”

“Do you fear for her safety?”

“You know him better than I. Should I be?”

“I confess that until I was informed of his dealings with Colonel Cochran over Alfreda, I did not think him capable of such cruelty. Now I do not trust him.”

“You heard my offer for Miss Bennet to accompany us to Town, did you not?”

“Yes, and I heard her reply. It seemed to me that she was trying to be sure that Alfreda would assist her in meeting you tomorrow morning.”

“That was my impression as well.”

“Then let us see if he allows her to leave. In the event that he does not, he will see first-hand my ire.”

Audrey smiled.  “It is comforting to know that you are well able to control your nephew.”

“It is not I, but what I possess, that controls John!”

~~~*~~~

Gatesbridge Manor
Wilkens’ study

Alfreda was trembling as she stood before her brother’s desk. From his dishevelled appearance and the smell of brandy on his breath, he had been drinking since they returned from the catastrophe at the gallery. Afraid to confront him and equally afraid not to, she had come as soon as she realised what he had instructed the servants to do to her friend.  He paid her no mind as she walked into the room, pouring the last of a bottle of brandy into an empty glass that sat before him. 

“Brother, you cannot lock Miss Elizabeth in her rooms. Lady Ashcroft is expecting her to be at Hawthorne Hall in the morning to return to London in their coach. If she is not there, they will likely come here to ask after her.”

“Let them come!” he blustered. “I am lord of this house!”

“But… but what will our aunt say?”

Wilkens stood quickly, his chair tilting back precariously as he picked up the empty bottle and threw it across the room. Striking the fireplace, it split into hundreds of shards of glass that flew over the floor. Alfreda cringed. He was even less rational when he drank, and she feared what he might do to her or Elizabeth. 

“Our dear, dear aunt,” he mused, swirling the liquor in the glass. “What will she say?”

Opening the drawer to his desk, Wilkens pulled out a small pistol and examined it from every angle, being sure his sister witnessed his inspection. Apparently pleased as her eyes widened in fear at the sight of the weapon, he laughed wickedly.

“What can that old woman do? She has one foot in the grave, and I would gladly give her a little shove if necessary.”

“Brother!” Alfreda sank down into a nearby chair as her knees buckled. “You cannot mean that!”

Wilkens aimed the pistol at her and made a sound as though he had fired a shot. “Oh no?”

Alfreda stood and ran rapidly towards the door.

“Where are you going?”

“I… I am going to bed.”

Wilkens was too drunk to argue and pleased that he had frightened her. “See that you do. And do not visit Miss Bennet, do you hear? She is to be left alone to consider her actions.”

Alfreda did not answer. She knew exactly what she must do, and her mind began to spin with the details of her plan even as her heart raced with the fear.

“Otherwise, I shall have to lock you away, just as I did when Cochran tried to challenge my authority last year. You remember how much you hated that.”

She swallowed hard. It would not do if she were locked in her rooms and could not help her friend. “I remember.”

Swiftly she exited the study and hurried back to her rooms, all the while praying that she would not encounter Mrs. Cuthbert, whom she had not trusted for some time. The housekeeper had feigned concern for her, even while helping to keep her imprisoned after her offer of marriage from Colonel Cochran.

Afterwards, it had taken all her strength to pretend that she still respected the woman. No, Mrs. Cuthbert was loyal to her brother, and Alfreda was not sure about most of the other servants. As she walked, she considered her options. Mr. Drummond was the only servant she still trusted implicitly. He was the oldest servant in the livery and was still fiercely loyal to her.

Other than Mr. Drummond, I shall be on my own.

Once in her bedroom, Alfreda hurriedly packed a small bag and pushed it under her bed. John was not going to be sensible about Miss Bennet’s leaving, so she was forced to take action. Elizabeth’s only chance was to escape the house as soon as possible and make her way to Hawthorne Hall. She would slip down the servant’s hall to her friend’s bedroom and lead her back to her own. From there they would slip out of the house and head to the stables and Mr. Drummond. Hopefully, John would be too drunk to check on them tonight.

Slowly she opened the door hidden in the wall and peered down the narrow, dark corridor. Then, entering it stealthily, she held her hand at the back of the candle to shade the light from anyone who might enter at the other end as she made her way to Elizabeth.

~~~*~~~