Netherfield Park Quarantined (19 page)

“Some toast, please.”

Darcy held the slice of toast as he smeared it with the jam. He then
brought it to his wife’s lips. After she took a small bite, she licked her lips.
“Tastes so good.”

“I am sure it does. From what we have learned, it has been quite a few
days since you last had a good meal. That did nothing to aid your body in
recovering from the cut you received. You took an infection and then fever
from the ill care you received.”

Elizabeth’s eyes darted around the room. “Where?”

“Mrs Younge is in custody, and will be handed over to the constable as
soon as he arrives. You will have no fear of Mr Collins and Wickham causing
you or anyone else harm from now on. They are both dead.”

“Where are we?”

“The estate to which you and Georgiana were brought is one my uncle,
Sir Lewis de Bourgh owned when he was alive. Lady Catherine had sent Mr
Collins here, to meet Wickham and his captives. The servants here helped to
rescue you and Georgiana, and they have been so kind to all of us.”

“How is Georgiana?”

 

Darcy smiled at her concern for his sister. “She is well. She cannot wait
to meet you. When you are stronger, I will send for her.”

Elizabeth nodded her head. She ate a couple more bites of toast, and
then took some broth from an invalid feeder. Finally, after some tea, she was
full and sleepy. Though her fever appeared to be lower than it had been, it
was still battling with her. He knew she needed to sleep to recover her
strength.

“Close your eyes and rest, my love. I will be here when you wake again.
Rest, so you may grow strong.” Darcy said as he settled his wife back down on
the bed, placing the pillows to the side. “And dream of happy things, such as
our going home to Pemberley.”

Closing her eyes, Elizabeth had a sweet smile on her lips. “I cannot wait.”

“Neither can I, my love. Neither can I.” He kissed her lips gently, and
then, after eating some of the food on the tray himself, he returned to the
chaise to rest mores himself. For the first time in weeks, contentment found
its way into Darcy’s heart.

~~ ** ~~

Lady Matlock arrived at Elizabeth’s room near midday to find Darcy and
Elizabeth still sleeping, Darcy’s arm lying on the bed so he could hold his
wife’s hand.

She walked over to the side of the bed, placing a hand tenderly on
Elizabeth’s forehead and cheeks. There was still a slight fever, though nothing
in comparison to the night before. When she had gone down to the dining
room for some repast, Lady Matlock was informed that Elizabeth had
awakened, and both Elizabeth and Darcy had eaten from a tray which had
been sent up. This news encouraged Lady Matlock, and seeing the
improvement in her new niece, she decided to allow the couple to sleep more.

Leaving the other Darcys to rest, Lady Matlock made her way to the
youngest member of the Darcy family. Georgiana was fatigued, as she had not
slept in days and had little to eat or drink. Otherwise, the girl appeared to be
recovering physically. Lady Matlock was concerned for the shy girl’s mental
wellness after such a horrifying event.

“Aunt Rebecca, I am so pleased to see you.” Georgiana said as she ran to
her aunt’s embrace.

 

“Georgiana, I am grateful to have you returned to us. How are you
faring today? Have you eaten much? Did you sleep at all?”

Georgiana smiled. “I slept very well, which surprised me. I believe it is
due to the maid, Lucy, who stayed in the servant’s room nearby. She said she
would be able to hear me if I needed her assistance. Just knowing someone
was nearby and would be able to come to my aid made it comfortable enough
to be able to sleep. I had Lucy bring a tray up earlier. It amazed me at how
hungry I was, I ate more than Richard would have.”

A laugh escaped Lady Matlock. “That is indeed a great deal of food, as
Richard can out eat all of us.”

“Well, as a soldier, Mother, I am never sure from where my next meal
will be coming.” Richard said from the door, which Lady Matlock had not shut
all the way. “May I join you ladies?”

“Of course, Richard.” Georgiana replied. “Has anyone seen William and
Elizabeth? Is she improving?”

“I was just at their room, and both were sleeping. Elizabeth’s fever has
decreased tremendously, which is a blessing. And she was able to take some
food this morning, so that will give her strength as well.”

“I cannot wait to meet her. When I learned she was here, I wished so
much to be taken to her room. I even asked Mrs Younge if I could be taken to
my sister. But she refused.”

“Elizabeth will be recovered soon, and then we can return to England.”
Lady Matlock stated. “We still have one more culprit to deal with, and,
unfortunately, she will be the most difficult one.”

Georgiana was confused. “Did Mrs Younge escape?”

 

“No, dearest.” Richard said. “The other person involved in your
kidnapping and Elizabeth’s was Lady Catherine.”

A gasp was heard from Georgiana. Lady Matlock drew her niece close to
her. “Do not fret, my sweet girl. Lady Catherine de Bourgh will never harm
you again. Your uncle Henry is planning what he will do with his sister.”

“And whatever he decides, he will have my backing.” Richard stated. “It
is high time Anne was to take control of her own life. She became the Mistress
of Rosings two years ago.”

This news shocked Georgiana. “Truly, Anne is the mistress, not Lady
Catherine?”

Lady Matlock nodded her head. “My sister in law has abused her
daughter by refusing to relinquish the title and authority. Anne has been kept
under her mother’s thumb for far too long.”

“What will become of Lady Catherine?” Georgiana asked.

“We do not know for sure, much will depend upon what she does when
confronted with what she has done.” Lady Matlock responded. “I have a
feeling she will be her own undoing, no matter what.”

~~ * * ~~

Sitting in his study, Mr Bennet was going over his books with his
steward. A knock on the door announced Mr Bingley’s arrival to the room, as
he wished to garner advice from the two men on estate matters at Netherfield.

“Mr Bingley, come in. Are you ready to discuss estate affairs?”
“Yes, Mr Bennet, but first, a letter just arrived for you.” Bingley stated as
he handed the elder man the missive.

“Ah, it appears to be from my son in law.” Mr Bennet quickly opened the
letter and began to read. The letter had been sent from Dublin, and explained
that they were closing in on finding Elizabeth and Miss Darcy. “How I wish the
mail traveled more quickly, as I wish to know if they found the girls.”

“Are they closer to knowing where they are?” Bingley asked.

“According to William, they have tracked them to an estate some twenty
miles from Dublin. It is my fervent wish that at this very moment, William is
holding Lizzy safely in his arms.” Mr Bennet could feel tears welling up in his
eyes.

“It is my wish as well. I pray they are correct as to where Miss Darcy
and Miss Elizabeth are and the ladies are well.” Bingley stated. “I know Jane
will not rest easy until we know her sister is safe and secure.”

“Jane and Lizzy have always been close. Speaking of my eldest daughter,
where is she at the moment?”

The mere thought of Jane brought a smile that brightened Bingley’s face.
“She is reading with Miss Lydia, in the garden. With the weather being as
pleasant as it is, Jane thought her youngest sister could do with some fresh
air.”

“I am pleased. Lydia has been inside far too much since the fever. She
needs to move forward, find what she will be able to do for herself. There are
many things she will be able to learn to do for herself, though she must wish
to learn or it will do her no good.”

The steward, Mr Mercer, stated what he had learned. “The school I told
you about has a lady who can be hired to come here to Longbourn to instruct
Miss Lydia. The price for her services is reasonable. Also, from what I have
heard, the withdrawal from the world is normal, though it is best to begin
training her as soon as possible. If allowed to continue to withdraw from life,
bitterness and self-pity will erode away at her desire to do better.”

“After we finish here, I will speak with Jane to ascertain her opinion.” Mr
Bennet stated.

As the men became involved with the books and what changes needed
to be done for the estate, sounds of shouting could be heard from outside,
coming nearer.

Mr Denny rushed into the study. “Mr Bennet, the far north tenant house
is on fire. It is quite a blaze.”

 

“How many men can we send there, without leaving the main house
vulnerable?” Mr Bennet asked as he stood up.

“We can send a dozen men, the other tenants as well. And, if need be,
we can send word to Sir William Lucas. His estate is close enough, and I am
sure he would be willing to lend us aid.” Mr Mercer replied. “That will leave a
dozen men to stay around the main house to protect it.”

“Very good.” Mr Bennet was already heading for the door of his study to
accompany his steward and the other men to the tenant house. Turning, Mr
Bennet called to Bingley. “Can you keep watch over the main house? If there
is any trouble, send word to us immediately.”

“Of course, Mr Bennet.” Bingley replied. “I will keep the guards close to
the house, and have Jane and Miss Lydia come inside.”

Mr Bennet nodded, racing out of the house with the other men. Bingley
went directly to the garden, bringing the young ladies into the house. Denny
decided it was wisest to stay at the main house, as he had a sinking feeling
that there was more to come.

An hour passed by when a rider came towards the house. Denny went
outside to see who it was. Finding it to be a footman from Netherfield, Denny
escorted the young man inside to speak with Bingley.

“Sir, there is a fire at Netherfield. It is in the barns, and threatening to
move towards the main house.”

 

Bingley was shocked. “What happened? Is anyone harmed?”

“We cannot find two of the hands who work in the barns, and a beam
fell upon Old Jim, but he only has some cracked ribs. But, as I said, the house
is in danger as well. The wind is blowing the flames towards the kitchen and
servant quarters.”

“Call on all the men to aid you, including the tenants. Do all that you can
to contain the blaze, and save the house from burning. I have to remain here,
as there is a fire at one of the tenant farms here. Mr Bennet went with the
men to deal with it. I must remain with the ladies here at the house.”

The footman nodded his head. “Someone has deliberately started these
fires, have they not?”

Denny was standing close enough to have heard the conversation. “One
fire is a coincidence, two at the same time is deliberate. Take extreme care.
Whoever it is, they wish to draw all the men from this house. We believe they
are the same men who killed Mr Phillips.”

The footman gasped. “Very good, Sir. We will keep you updated as to
the progress. With the fire here, there will be no aid coming from the men
here.”

“Do the best that you can. If it comes down to it, the safety of the people
of the estate are important. The buildings can be replaced, lives cannot.”
Bingley stressed to the footman.

“Of course, Mr Bingley. And, might I say, thank you. Some great men
would hold the servants to blame if they could not control the flames and
protect the grand house.”

“I would never do such a thing. I wish to make sure all of you are safe.
Now, off with you. Tell everyone to take care of themselves.”

Two more hours passed and someone from Lucas Lodge came to the
house. A blaze had been started there, this time a bad one. The house at
Lucas Lodge was burning, and, it was only by the grace of God that the family
and servants escaped without harm.

Mr Bingley was pacing about the house, furious at the damage and
threat to life that was being caused. He felt helpless, unable to go to any of the
locations to be of assistance. All he could do was pray no one would be killed
and the fires would stop.

Denny sent out one of the guards to inform Mr Bennet of the
developments. The guard returned with news the tenant house fire was
under control, and most of the men would head to Lucas Lodge to assist their
neighbors. Mr Bennet would be returning to the house as soon as he had the
tenants relocated for the time being.

As they waited for Mr Bennet to return, Mrs Hill cried out for Mr Bingley
to hurry upstairs. Bingley ran quickly, taking the stairs two at a time to reach
the ladies, who had been kept above. There, standing in the hallway, was a
man, with one arm wrapped around Lydia Bennet’s waist and the other held a
knife to her neck. Another man was nearby, holding on to Jane’s arm while
pointing a pistol at her.

“What is going on here?” Bingley cried out.

“We are looking for some legal papers, and we will not be leaving
without them. Where is Mr Bennet? We need him to open his safe.” Laub said
as he held tight to Jane’s arm.

“Mr Bennet is taking care of the tenants who were displaced by your
fire. He might have even gone to Lucas Lodge to make sure his neighbors are
safe and have somewhere to stay. You have been busy in your destruction,
and Mr Bennet is quite important in the neighborhood. He will do what he can
for his neighbors. You have no one to blame but yourselves that he is not at
home.” Bingley tried desperately to think of how he could save his beloved
and her sister from these men.

“We need to get the safe open. As I said, we will not leave here without
the papers we need.”

Denny had been outside, checking on the guards, when he found one of
the men unconscious, on the ground, near the rear of the house. In checking
on one of the other men who would have been close by, he found him tied up
and gagged, a gash cut into his cheek. He pulled the gag from the man’s mouth
and untied him, asking him what had happened.

Listening to the details, Denny learned there were two men, armed, and
they had climbed up the trellis and entered the house through one of the
upstairs windows. Denny carefully climbed the trellis, entering the
bedchamber which belonged to Lydia Bennet. The window had been left
open, as had the door to the hallway.