Chapter 7

            Two days passed with Elizabeth still suffering from the pain of her injuries. The ladies had been taking turns with her, seeing that she took in as much broth and tea as she could, to keep her strength. Lucy came in twice each day, either reading from one of her favorite books or creating a tales of dragons and maidens.

            On the morning of the third day since Wickham had attempted to remove Georgiana from the post coach, Darcy was in his study, attempting to tend to his correspondence when there was a knock on the door.

            “Mr Darcy, there is a constable here demanding to speak with you immediately.” The butler announced as he stepped inside the gentleman’s study.

            A frown came over Darcy’s expression.  “Show him in.”

            The constable soon entered the study and the door was shut behind him.  Darcy motioned for the man to sit in a chair in front of the desk after introductions were made.

            “How might I be of service, Mr Morton?”

            “Mr Darcy, I have come to speak to your sister and a friend of hers. According to the complaint I received, your sister, Mrs Georgiana Wickham, and another lady attacked Mr George Wickham, leading to the man’s death. He was shot in the back and left to die on the side of the road. Fortunately, before his death, a Captain Denny of the militia stationed near Ware came across Mr Wickham. Mr Wickham told Captain Denny what had happened before he succumbed to his injuries. The captain then turned over Mr Wickham’s possessions to me. He stated that the body was taken to Ware, where it was buried in the cemetery.”

            “My sister is not wed to anyone, especially not to the likes of George Wickham.”

            “In the personal possession given to me, there was a marriage license for a Georgiana Darcy and a George Wickham. It stated they had married a sennight ago in Ramsgate. The witnesses were a Mrs Penelope Younge and Mr Frank Tinsell.” The constable stated as he pulled out the document from the interior pocket of his coat.

            “My sister is only six and ten, and would have required myself or her other guardian to sign the marriage contract. After knowing Wickham for most of my life, I can tell you that he would only marry for my sister’s dowry. Georgiana is well aware that if she was to marry someone who is unapproved of by myself and our cousin, her other guardian, her dowry would not be released.”

            “Where were you the morning of the attack against Mr Wickham?” Mr Morton eyed Darcy carefully.

            “I was here all that morning. You are welcome to speak to my staff, and my uncle, Lord Henry Fitzwilliam, earl of Matlock, who spent a few hours going over the books from a distant relations estate which recently came into his possession.”

            “Who was the young lady who was with your sister? Had they set Wickham up to be murdered?”

            “The young lady and my sister had never met before they took the post coach. Miss Bennet was injured when Mr Wickham attempted to remove my sister from the coach.”

            “Why were they on the coach? Your sister does not have a fancy carriage for herself?” the bitterness in the constable’s voice.

            “My sister is welcome to use my carriage, but she was in Ramsgate and I was in London. Being only six and ten years of age, she does not have a carriage of her own. As I expected to make the journey to Ramsgate to visit her next week, there was no need to leave a carriage. If required, she and her companion could easily hire a hackney.”

            “I insist on speaking to both ladies. Their statements are required for my investigation.”

            Darcy was concerned, as the constable seemed to be convinced of Georgiana and Elizabeth guilt. Neither of them had a weapon, except for Elizabeth’s foot when she kicked Wickham. It would be better for the constable to question the driver of the post carriage. Darcy had already sent a man to the post station to inquire of the driver, and learned the man’s name to be Fred Brooks.

            “Miss Elizabeth is in her bedchamber and unable to leave it for some time to come. Her arm was broken in more than one location, she has injuries to her ribs and her head. It would be better if you were to wait at least a sennight.”

            “Why would I grant her such a privilege? With the information I have been given, it is probable that the ladies are responsible for the murder of George Wickham. If I am not allowed to speak with Miss Bennet, my report to the magistrate is going to inform him of the lack of cooperation. Is that what you wish? If you insist, or if you keep me from speaking with your sister, the magistrate will not look happily on the ladies.”

            “I am protecting Miss Bennet as she is in her bed. It would not be proper for you to be in bed chambers.”

            “Mr Darcy, I understand that Miss Bennet has been injured. I must answer to the magistrate as soon as possible, and it would also be important for me to witness the injuries Miss Bennet sustained. The magistrate might not believe she was harmed if I cannot inform him to the truth.”

            “Who is the magistrate?” Darcy asked.

            “Mr Andrew Stuckley, of Fieldington, near Ware. Mr Wickham died a mile from Mr Stuckley’s estate.”

            “Perhaps it would be best if I send for my solicitor to come. I would prefer to have my sister and Miss Bennet represented, for their protection.”

            “If you are refusing to allow me to speak with the ladies, I will be forced to take both of them into custody.” Mr Morton drew himself up to his full height.

            Though he was tall, Mr Morton was no match for Darcy in height or fitness. Where Morton was on the thin size and far from muscular, Darcy was used to hard labor when needed. Darcy also spent time practicing his fencing when he was in London, not to mention his daily horse rides. He was not like many in his circle of society, Darcy was use to working hand in hand with his tenants, whether it be aiding in repairs of a building or in the fields. His father insisted on the son learning all aspects of being the master of an estate.

            Standing up behind his desk, Darcy used his size to call Morton’s bluff. “Mr Morton, I understand you are trying to solve a murder. I can imagine your concern. But it is not proper for you to enter the chambers of someone who was badly injured in the altercation. Neither of the ladies had a gun. The driver was the one who fired the bullet, but he did so in defense of Miss Bennet, who was kicked and stomped on. If not for the driver, I doubt that Mr Wickham would have stopped until he killed her. Miss Bennet was on the ground, fighting for her life, until she kicked Wickham mere seconds before the shot was fired.”

            “So they say. I want to hear it from them.” Morton had stepped back a step when Darcy stood up.

            “You will need to wait until I have our solicitor join us.” Darcy declared.

            “Very well, I will allow you one hour. If the solicitor has not arrived, I am arresting Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mrs Georgiana Wickham.”

            “My sister is not, and never shall be, Mrs Wickham. This marriage certificate is forged. That is NOT her handwriting. It says they married in Ramsgate, which would have been illegal, as my sister is no where near her majority and did not have permission from my cousin or myself, as we are her guardians. Even if there was a ceremony, a marriage between my sister and any man would not be valid.” The more the constable refused to believe Darcy, the more the master of the house became furious. How dare this man accuse the two ladies when they were the victims of Wickham’s wrath?

            Darcy sat down behind his desk, pulling out his writing supplies, and began a message. After he finished the one for the solicitor, he wrote another missive to his uncle. Once the letters were sanded and sealed, Darcy pulled the cord to summon a footman. With the letters on their way, Darcy decided to have Mr Gardiner come downstairs to represent his niece.

Chapter 8

            “This is preposterous.” Mr Gardiner declared as he listened to the constable’s tale. “My niece is the one who received Mr Wickham’s fury, yet you believe she and Miss Darcy have murdered him. You are ridiculous. The only harm my niece did to that scoundrel was to kick him between the legs. Have you spoken with the post driver? He was the one who fired the gun.”

            “I am waiting to learn what the ladies have to say before we make the attempt to locate the driver.”

            “You are trying to blame two young ladies who were harmed by an evil man. From what Mr Darcy and my own wife have said of this Wickham, he could not be trusted around any young ladies, especially if the ladies had money. He tried to marry Miss Darcy for her dowry of thirty thousand pounds. This is the man you wish to believe?”

            “It was his dying declaration, why would he lie?”

            “Because the man would not know the truth if it was bit him in the arse. This is beyond the pale.”

            Morton ignored the insults against him. He had a mission and would not be gainsaid by these men.

            Another knock came to the door, and Darcy called out for the person to enter. “Mr Darcy, Mr Merryweather has arrived.” His butler announced.

            “Show him in.”

            Mr Merryweather was an elderly man of average height, stout, with snow white hair. He had been the Darcy family solicitor since William’s grandfather was the master.

            “Ah, Darcy, you were fortunate that I had just finished with a client and the next one had sent word he would not be able to make his appointment. What has happened my friend?”

            “This constable is wishing to interview Georgiana and a young lady named Miss Elizabeth Bennet over an incident that happened four days ago. Do you remember my father’s godson, George Wickham?”

            “Who could forget that devil? What has he done this time? Do we have to make arrangements for another of his natural children? We have placed three or four with other families, if memory serves.”

            Mr Morton was displeased with the conversation. “Mr George Wickham has been murdered, and the evidence leads directly to the two ladies. I have here a marriage license for Mr Wickham and Miss Georgiana Darcy. After the wedding, they were making the journey north. Along the way, the new Mrs Wickham changed her mind and escaped from her husband. She purchased a ticket for the post coach. Miss Elizabeth Bennet joined the coach along the way. Of course, Mr Wickham went in search of his wife, and he did find her. When he attempted to recover his wife, she refused. Miss Bennet attempted to prevent Mr Wickham, who had every right to take his wife with him. We are not sure how Miss Bennet became injured, but she caused injury to Mr Wickham and then someone shot Mr Wickham in the back.”

             Merryweather was skeptical. “I would like to speak with Mr Wickham. Where is he?”

            “His body is in a cemetery at Ware. I am afraid he died soon after he was discovered. He was found by Captain Denny of the militia stationed near Ware. Mr Wickham was able to inform the captain before passing from this life.”