Page 25 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“Oh, you dear, sweet man.” Elizabeth cupped his right cheek, pressing a kiss to the left. “I see you are deeply shaken, but I will have none misinterpret this moment.”
“I care not. I could never repine being married to you, for you are everything lovely.”
“I suggest we all go inside,” said Mr. Bingley.
When she saw Mr. Bingley tap Mr. Darcy’s shoulder, Charlotte assessed her friend and Mr. Darcy. Miss Darcy might well get her wish, given that her brother still embraced Elizabeth. But a forced marriage was the one thing Elizabeth would fear, presuming he would regret her.
“Yes, my father will arrive in short order. Neither the apothecary nor my father will want the body moved. You canplace him out of sight after, Mr. Bingley, but not yet,” Charlotte said, taking Miss Darcy’s arm and, with Elizabeth taking her other, led the way into the manor.
After their guiding Miss Darcy to her room, and, telling Elizabeth she needed to wash her hands, Charlotte moved down the corridor. When she was certain she was alone, she took in great gulps of air, pressing a hand to her stomach.Will I hang for my actions?She braced herself against the wall with her other hand.
I have said love is unnecessary, but the sight of him riding his steed makes me sympathetic to Mrs. Bennet’s nervous flutterings. I have never known such a powerful emotion. I now know what it is to be driven into action by such passion that others have died and lived for.
Charlotte worked to keep tears at bay. She knew she had just forfeited her freedom, perhaps even her life. She had pulled the trigger in defense of a young woman she barely knew and a man she had never met.
What little hope she had of having a home of her own, a future with children to nurture, of a husband who would love her seemed beyond her now. Charlotte forced herself to regain some measure of poise, given that her course was set.
“I killed a man,” Charlotte whispered, swallowing around the lump in her throat. “And there is naught to be done but to accept what comes.”
I acted impulsively for the first time in near two decades.
I have killed a man.
And would do the same again to see them unharmed.
Having come to this conclusion, Charlotte smoothed the front of her gown with both hands, making her way back to Miss Darcy’s room in time to help Elizabeth brush the youngerlady’s hair. Dressed in a new gown, they watched her place the reloaded weapon in a small pocket they would not have known was there.
For herself, Charlotte had been offered a maid’s Sunday dress that might fit. Though it was not particularly fine, she suspected it would do for the gallows.
Less than two hours had passed when the ladies entered the drawing room, yet they found a great many more people present. Miss Darcy rushed toward the newcomers.
“Darcy,” the eldest gentleman stated in an abrupt tone that interrupted all others in the room.
“Uncle, Aunt, Anne? May I introduce you to two ladies with whom we are fortunate to claim a friendship? Miss Charlotte Lucas aids Ana in her hostess duties and is a trusted friend. She, along with Richard, protected Ana when Wickham raised the gun. And this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, an invaluable friend to us both. Ladies, I introduce to you the Earl and Countess of Matlock. And our beloved cousin, Miss Anne de Bourgh, from Kent.”
“I would speak to Miss Darcy,” Sir William said with due respect.
“You will do so in my presence, as she is not of age. I will not allow you to confuse my niece,” the earl announced with all authority.
“I had no such intentions, my lord. By the accounts I have thus far received, I must take my daughter into custody, which is corroborated by all,” Sir William said in dejection.
“Miss Lucas? She cannot be blamed,” Miss Darcy said, moving to stand between Elizabeth and Charlotte.
“I care not what a footman said. Yes, she took his gun, but there are three wounds. The one that killed him ismine,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said so fiercely that none refuted him.
“Richard, no, they cannot take you from me,” Miss Darcy said, her fear and upset pitching toward panic.
“Shh, dear girl. The man attempted to take you against your will. And he raised your gun towards your cousin. His shot was one of defense, the same as yours,” Charlotte said, soothing the girl she held close while locking eyes with her father over Georgiana’s head. “Shh, your future will not be marred by scandal.”
“Thank you, Miss Lucas.” Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped to them, his voice thick with gratitude. “But it is in defense, there is no question of that. There will be no blame. I do not serve a country that hangs women who defend those who are defenseless against those who intend harm.”
“Mr. Bingley, would you send for Colonel Forster? He must be informed of the death of a soldier under his command,” Sir William said, his shoulders slumping at his daughter’s confession.
“I will inform him myself, sir,” Colonel Fitzwilliam announced. “Darcy, Ana said in her express, the dastard hoped to run off with a Miss King.”
Darcy looked at his sister, confused, not knowing that his sister had seen Wickham in town, then he understood. “His was the distressing conversation you wrote of? Of course, it was upsetting. That makes five daughters of gentlemen with no dowry that he has ruined, and now two attempts to elope with heiresses to gain control of theirs.”
“Darcy,” Her Ladyship admonished her nephew for speaking about such unseemly acts while glancing at Georgiana.
