When dawn broke over Longbourn, Major George Wickham was marched out of the cottage, bruised and bloodied from his fight with Mr. Darcy.
The major had awakened to a pistol in his face and an old foe eager to exact vengeance. By the time the magistrate arrived with Mr. Bennet, a full confession was made.
The major would be taken to his regiment in London with all charges laid against him by Mr. Darcy and the Earl of Matlock recorded by the magistrate.
Mr. Bennet had gone home to his bed shortly after all was settled. Now, as the major was hauled off in a wagon, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy mounted their horses and turned toward Netherfield.
“Thank heaven for Miss Davies. I cannot bear to think of Richard with that Wickham for another moment. Poor Harley, too. If the major had been a decent shot we would have had a dead man on our hands.”
“And a young child forever scarred from having witnessed such thing. I cannot imagine what he thought of Mr. Harley’s condition after Wickham ran off with him. Richard is a special lad, strong and kind. I’ll see to it that he suffers no permanent harm.”
Mr. Bingley wondered at his friend’s oath where Richard was concerned. It seemed Mr. Darcy meant to be more to the boy than a mere cousin.
When they had given their horses to the stable boy, the men entered Netherfield and met with another type of altercation. Lady Matlock’s voice echoed from the parlor.
“We might have at least been allowed to sit for breakfast first,” Bingley said and patted Darcy on the back.
“We shall in but a moment, Bingley. I will not tolerate her anger today of all days. We have much to be thankful for and I will not have Elizabeth nor Richard torn apart again.”
Mr. Darcy ran a hand down his face and straightened his cravat before making his way to the parlor. Mr. Bingley followed to offer whatever support might be needed. Judging by the angry voices in his parlor, that could be quite a lot.
Elizabeth was standing behind the piano forte, her hands flat upon the instrument’s surface. “You cannot mean to take him from me. It is not right. Richard would never have wanted you to do such a thing. Can you not see that? I am his mother, you are not!”
Lady Matlock circled around the piano forte but the earl caught her before she could advance on Elizabeth. “Margaret, stop this instant or I shall have us in our carriage and on the road back to London within the hour. Now is not the time. The boy has been through such a fright.”
Mr. Darcy went to Elizabeth’s side. “Not now nor ever shall you take the boy Aunt Margaret.”
He turned to Elizabeth and took hold of her hands. They were cold and they shook so that he thought she might have caught a cold. “I told you once in Hyde Park how ardently I admired you, Elizabeth Fitzwilliam. Now you must know how ardently I love you. My affections and wishes are unchanged. Would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
Lady Matlock screeched her anger and vowed to have her grandson. “This will solve nothing Darcy! He is the heir, you cannot change it.”
Darcy turned to his aunt, still holding Elizabeth’s hands. He pulled her into the shelter of his arms. “I do not wish to change a thing about Richard Thomas Bennet Fitzwilliam other than to provide him a home and a father. Those he deserves most assuredly. To Mrs. Fitzwilliam,” he paused and looked at his Elizabeth, “I offer my undying love and the protection of Pemberley.”
Elizabeth could not speak for the day had brought so much anguish, shock, and now astonishment. Lady Matlock had begun to threaten her again but she kept her eyes on Mr. Darcy.
She did love him! When it had begun, she did not know but certainly she did. Laying her head against his chest, she whispered her hopes for their future. “William, do not marry me to offer protection. Marry me because you cannot think of a life without me.”
Mr. Darcy released her hands and lifted her chin so that she might see him declare the truth. “I cannot live a life without you and that boy. I never should have left Netherfield after the party at Lucas Lodge. My heart was yours even then.”
Elizabeth fought the tears that gathered at this admission. She would not change a thing about her life, for if she did there would be no memories of the colonel and no child born from their union. That time in her life had been precious. Richard was her first love and Mr. Darcy would be her last.
Young Richard was sitting with Mr. Harley on the terrace that overlooked the gardens of Netherfield when Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy found him. He jumped up from the seat beside his friend and ran to Mr. Darcy.
“Look, cousin, Mr. Harley is well. Major Highwayman was a terrible shot.”
Elizabeth and Mr. Harley laughed but Mr. Darcy remained serious. “We are so pleased Mr. Harley is well. He must come to Pemberley with us if he will. I think he would be most lonesome without you.”
Mr. Harley slapped his leg and laughed again. “Does this mean Mrs. Fitzwilliam is to become Mrs. Darcy? I knew it all the time! I cannot imagine Lady Matlock is pleased. But I bet the colonel is, bless his soul.”
Mr. Darcy smiled as the heavy weight of grief over the death of his cousin changed to a warmth that filled his being. Richard would approve of his love for Elizabeth. He would have wanted Darcy to love and protect his little family if the chance were taken from him as it had been in war.
The End
In Book Three of this series, we’ll see Darcy and Elizabeth as they marry and Lady Matlock as she schemes to see exactly what goes on inside Pemberley with her grandson. Georgiana and her viscount will move towards setting a wedding date as well.