The Ashes of Longbourn (18 page)

             
“As I said, this is my family; I hold no secrets from any of them.  You may say your peace or leave.”  Mr Gardiner stood strong as he glared at the man who was party to the destruction of the Bennet family.

             
“I received an urgent message this very morning from my former benefactor, the esteemed Lady Catherine de Bourgh.  She informed me that your niece has committed a most grievous of mistakes, trapping Mr Darcy in a marriage when he is engaged to marry her daughter, one of England’s rare gems, Anne de Bourgh.  The last news I had heard was that Miss Elizabeth was near death and not expected to survive much longer.  From the looks of her, brazenly flaunting propriety by holding hands with Mr Darcy, I must have been deceived with the severity of her condition.  Perhaps it was a ruse to lure poor Mr Darcy to return, and, believing that her life would be of short nature, he married her out of compassion.  But now, it appears that Mr Darcy is trapped in a marriage that is against the wishes of his beloved aunt and his own dear mother, both of whom had planned the union between Miss de Bourgh and Mr Darcy.”

             
Darcy stood up, still holding Elizabeth’s hand, as he presented himself at his full height.  “Mr Collins, you are the biggest fool I have ever met.  First, as it is a matter in my family, it does not include you.  I do not see the need to confide in you any private situations in my life.  In the future, I will remind you to keep your opinions to yourself and do not repeat anything that Lady Catherine claims.  Secondly, my cherished mother did not wish for me to marry my cousin, Anne.  Lady Catherine made these claims long after my mother died.  My father informed me that my mother’s wish was just the opposite.  She did not wish for me to marry Anne.  I have never desired such a union, as my cousin’s behavior makes me ill.  She is a spoiled girl who has never had to lift a finger to help her own self, let alone do a kindness for someone else.”

             
“Thirdly, if you do not wish for me to call you out immediately, you will keep your wicked thoughts with regards to my wife to yourself.  My wife is one of the most precious people in the world.  What she has had to endure these past months is beyond what most people would have been able to survive.  Lizzy was nearly dead, and had given up hope.  It was after we were reunited that gave us the courage to begin anew.  I do not feel the need to provide proof to you, as you do not deserve such.  All I will tell you is that your accusation that she has bewitched me into some falsehood is completely untrue.  If you repeat those words to anyone, I will see to it that your tongue is removed from your mouth.”

             
“Mr Darcy, I can see that you have fallen under the spells of my cousin’s womanly ways.  You are not able to think clearly.  Your dear family will cast you out with shame for your behavior.”  Collins was quite disturbed.

             
Lord Matlock slowly stood from his seat and walked to stand beside his nephew.  “So, Mr Collins, that is your name, is it not? You are telling me that Mr Darcy’s family will cast him out, ashamed of his marrying Elizabeth?”

             
Mr Collins nodded nervously.  “I have it from Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr Darcy’s closest relative, that she has the support of their family in this matter.  She even wrote that she will be forced to remove Miss Darcy from the horrible influence that my cousin will have on her, to prevent Miss Darcy from being sullied by association.”

             
“ENOUGH!” Lord Matlock roared.  “I will have you know that my sister is a foolish old woman who has delusions.  You are an even bigger fool for coming here and speaking of things you do not know.  I suggest that you do as you were warned and keep your tongue silent from this moment on or you will pay the price for your vulgar speech.”

             
“And who, Sir, are you to speak to me as you have?”

             
“I, Mr Collins, am Henry Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock, and head of the Fitzwilliam family.  I am Mr Darcy’s uncle, and brother of Lady Catherine.  And, so you are aware, I attended the wedding of my nephew and his bride.  My wife and son are here as well.  I believe you know my son, Colonel Fitzwilliam.  He will be down from his study momentarily.  As for the care of my young niece, Catherine will never be allowed to remove Georgiana from her brother’s care.  My son is Georgiana’s other guardian, and I know that he will never allow Catherine to take Georgiana to Rosings.  Now, as you have disrupted and insulted my family more than enough, I will demand that you leave immediately.  Forgive me, Mr Bingley, I mean you no disrespect as my host.”

             
“You are welcome to speak as ill as you wish towards Mr Collins, for I have no use for the man, Lord Matlock.” Bingley said with a smile.  “Mr Collins, as the Master of Netherfield, I will tell you this.  Miss Bennet is to be my wife.  Her sister is under my protection and I will not allow you to come into my home and speak ill of her.  My friend and future brother in law, Mr Darcy, loves Elizabeth as dearly as she does him.  And if I hear you have spread your gossip to anyone, there will be a hefty price to be paid.”

             
Colonel Fitzwilliam had just returned to the room and was shocked in hearing Bingley speaking to anyone in such a manner.  Shocked, that is, until he saw that it was Collins who was being so dressed down.  “What is this, Mr Collins is spreading gossip concerning my family?  Sir, this will not be tolerated.” Richard turned to Collins and towered over the slimy toad of a man who was cowering.  “Shall we plan to meet tomorrow morning, at dawn?  Darcy, you will act as my second, will you not?”

             
“Of course, Richard.” Darcy said, enjoying the sight of Collins shaking in his boats.

             
“Thank you cousin, I knew I could count on you.  So, Collins, since I have called you out, what is your preferred weapon for dueling?”

             
“Weapon…Sir…I, I, I do not duel.  I was only attempting to assist your family from this temptress who has ruined your cousins by forcing Mr Darcy to marry her.  Even your cousin, Miss de Bourgh, is ruined by this marriage, and your Aunt, Lady Catherine, demands that Miss Darcy be brought to her to protect the poor girl from further taint.”

             
“You know not of what you speak, Mr Collins, and I will claim the right to avenge my family of your slander in a duel.  Now, answer me.  What is your preferred weapon to use in a duel?”

             
“I am a man of the cloth, I do not duel.” Mr Collins nearly screeched at the Colonel.  “Lord Matlock, I prevail upon your rational mind, I was only trying to protect your family.  You cannot allow your son to call me out.  It would be murder, as I do not handle weapons.”

             
“Then I suggest that you return to your home and put your affairs in order, then practice for the rest of the day, Mr Collins.” Lord Matlock stated.  “You have done nothing to protect my family.  My nephew warned you that you should watch your words or you would be called out by him.  But you did not heed his advice.  My son is well versed with a blade or pistol.  Please send word by this afternoon of whom your second will be and which weapon you choose.”

             
Mr Gardiner decided to add to the conversation. “If Mr Collins chooses pistols, my brother in law has a fine set that had been given to him in lieu of payment on a bill.  I am certain that Mr Phillips would allow us to borrow them for such an occasion as this.”             

             
“Cousin, do you have a spare sword, if one is needed?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.

             
Mr Bingley smiled.  Before Darcy could reply to the Colonel, he exclaimed. “The former owner left behind a fully stocked game room, including a wonderful selection of swords.  You are welcome to use any that are there, Colonel.”

             
“My thanks, Bingley.”  Seeing that Mr Collins was standing in the same spot, shaking severely from fear, Colonel Fitzwilliam continued.  “Mr Collins, you may not be alive much longer.  I suggest you return to your father in law’s home and put your affairs in order and tell your wife farewell.  If you are not on the piece of land next to the remains of Longbourn’s house at sunrise, I will come to Lucas Lodge to drag your cowardly body from their house and demand you show honor.  Am I understood?”

             
“But…but…I am…not…no duel…cannot…” Collins continued to sputter as he was dragged from the room and out of the house by the same two footmen who had escorted Miss Bingley from the house.  When Mr Collins could no longer be heard, Elizabeth turned to Bingley. 

             
“Sir, I believe your staff deserves a bonus in their salary.  As my husband has given me my pin money, I would gladly give it to the footmen for their ejecting the riff raff from the house.”

             
Each and every person at the table began to chuckle, followed by outright laughter.  “Oh, no, Lizzy, my staff deserves rewarding from me.” Bingley said.  “I have taken great pleasure in watching the fine work they have done in keeping the vermin removed.”

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
A message was sent to inform Sir William Lucas of the duel that Collins had been challenged to.  Nearly three hours later, a message returned that Collins had disappeared from Lucas Lodge.  A quiet search of Longbourn showed that the man had not gone to his estate.  The coward had vanished; fear of losing his life had overwhelmed him.  It was believed that he would have traveled directly to Rosings, hoping to garner protection from Lady Catherine.

             
This left Wickham and Jolly with no contact with Collins or the woman that hired them.

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
An express arrived from Brighton. Colonel Forster and the General had sent a dozen men, including Colonel Forster, to assist Colonel Fitzwilliam in capturing the deserter, George Wickham.  It was also learned that Benjamin Jolly was a fellow deserter who had met Wickham in London.  Jolly had worked in the office filing paperwork when Wickham had purchased his commission, and had deserted several months after Wickham had come to stay in Meryton with Colonel Forster’s militia unit.  Both men were to be taken into custody and returned to Brighton to stand trial.

             
It was also learned that several kegs of black powder had disappeared from the encampment near the same time as Wickham left Brighton.  This explained the explosion inside Longbourn the night of the fire.  But had they used all of the black powder that night, or did they still have kegs of it left? Once Colonel Forster and his men arrived, they would be able to assist in learning if there was still danger from more of the explosive powder.

             
                            ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

Chapter 15

             
A nurse arrived from London to assist in caring for Elizabeth.  The nurse, Mrs Bogs, had experience in rehabilitation of patients who had been bedridden for long periods of time with little to no exercise.

             
After being introduced to Elizabeth and Darcy, Mrs Bogs met with Mr Jones to learn of Elizabeth’s medical history.  Returning to Elizabeth and Darcy, she explained her plan of action.

             
“Mrs Darcy, we must begin with a complete course of action. Exercising your muscles will do no good if we do not build up your strength.  I will be speaking with your cook to determine what foods will be best to build up the strength in the entire body.  Your appetite has improved from what Mr Jones told me, and that is good.  Now we need to make certain that you eat the proper foods to heal.  We will need to move your legs and arms several times a day, having you lift items to build up your strength.  And I suggest that once a day we have you soak in hot water with an herbal mix that I have found useful in such cases.  While soaking, we will need to knead your muscles, assisting the warm water to relax any tension in them.  I would also ask that you are in bed by ten each evening and awake by seven each morning, to begin our work.”

             
Elizabeth was shocked by the lady’s regiment.  Though she did not think that any of this would make a difference in her being able to use her legs again, it was important to her husband that they do everything they could.  As Mrs Bogs finished her plans, Elizabeth nodded her head.

             
The woman softened her demeanor from that of a drill sergeant in his majesty’s service, to a motherly calm.  “I know that it is a lot to take in at once, I will write everything down so that you will be able to understand better.  Have no fear, Mrs Darcy.  I have studied with several physicians, as well as with an herbalist from the orient. To this day, I have tended to over thirty patients, making some improvement in each of their lives.  Do not mistake me, not all were able to walk again, but they were stronger and able to do more with the rest of their body.  One fear is that when your body is weak, fevers and such take hold of you easier and are more deadly. By making you stronger, it will make you healthier and, even if you cannot walk again, you will be able to do more and live longer.”