And now, some more from my next book

I thought to share the next couple of chapters of my newest book. Enjoy.

Chapter 3

Arriving at Longbourn, the men alighted from the carriage and stepped to the front door of the manor house. Darcy handed the housekeeper his card and requested to meet Mr Bennet.

            “We are aware of the situation and are attempting to bring the man responsible to justice.”

            Mrs Hill, the Longbourn housekeeper, disappeared inside the house and returned to escort the men inside. Mr Bennet was found in a drawing room, with two young ladies on a sofa. Seeing the bandaging around the head of the dark haired lady, Darcy assumed she was the elder sister, Miss Elizabeth.

            “Mr Bennet, might we have a word with you?” Darcy spoke.

            “You are Mr Darcy? Have we met before?”

            “No, sir, my cousin and I have been searching for man who…is responsible for harming your daughters. Has Miss Elizabeth spoken of what happened?”

            The master of Pemberley turned his eye to take in the sight of the lady, noting that her eyes were open, though there was no appearance of her seeing or hearing them. The other young lady had been attempting to speak soothingly.

            “We are preparing to have my daughter taken to London. She appears awake but does not respond to us. She has not spoken to any of us. The apothecary says it would be best to take her to town so she can be treated by a physician. We are in the process of finding a carriage, as ours is being repaired.”

            There was something about the dark haired beauty which tugged at Darcy’s heart. He could see in her much the same as his sister after Wickham had injured her.

            A sudden movement of Lieutenant Anderson caught the attention of the ladies. Miss Elizabeth began rocking back and forth, then she began to be agitated to the point she was screaming.

            The men looked at one another. Mr Bennet knelt before his daughter, taking her hands in his.

            “Lizzy, my dear girl, you are safe. Have no fear, the man is gone. You are safe, my Lizzy.”

            Miss Elizabeth continued to be agitated. Darcy noticed the way the lady was seated on the sofa, Anderson was within Elizabeth’s vision. He then realized what was bringing such behavior in the tortured lady.

            “Lieutenant, would you step from the room. I believe it is your uniform which is causing Miss Elizabeth to react as she is. Was Wickham wearing his red coat when he attacked the sisters.”

Richard nodded his head and stepped into the hall, removing his uniform coat. Darcy loaned his cousin his top coat to wear over his shirt sleeves.

            The other soldier stepped out of the room with the colonel. Once the pair moved to the hall, Elizabeth calmed.

            “Mr Bennet, perhaps we can be of assistance. Our carriage is outside and we could transport your daughter and her sister to London. My personal physician could treat her.”

            Richard looked at his cousin, surprised at Darcy’s declaration.

            Mr Bennet was also shocked. “Why would you take such responsibility for someone who is unrelated to yourself?”

            “We had come here to take the vile blackguard to justice for other crimes he has committed. In a way, if we had come earlier, perhaps we could have prevented his attack against your daughters. Please allow me to make amends to your family.”

            “My wife’s brother lives in London, on Gracechurch Street, near Cheapside. But I am not certain his family is home, as they were preparing to take a holiday to Dorset. I cannot remember when their trip was to take place.” Bennet looked at his beloved daughter. “I cannot go with Lizzy, as there is much I must do here. My wife is taken to her bed in such grief, and I must see to the… arrangements… for my youngest daughter. Jane is Lizzy’s dearest sister. She could make the journey with Lizzy. Perhaps, if my brother is not in town, his servants will allow my girls to remain at the townhouse.”

            Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam knew what his cousin would say, so he was not surprised at Darcy’s next words.

            “Mr Bennet, I would be put at ease if we could be of service to you. You have my card with my townhouse in London. I am Fitzwilliam Darcy, the master of Pemberley, located in Derbyshire, near the village of Lambton.”

            This information sparked a memory in the father. “Darcys from Pemberley, I believe I have heard of you, by my brother’s wife. She comes from Lambton and has told the girls stories of her childhood in the county. According to Helen, you have a library that is the largest private library in England. My Lizzy is always reading and Helen told Lizzy she would find your library to be of great delight.”

            “What is your sister in law’s family name?” Darcy was surprised.

            “Denton… She is the former Helen Denton.”

            Darcy knew the family. “Her father aided in building the collection of books, from his book shop.  It has always my favorite place to visit when I am in Lambton.”

            Though Mr Bennet was reluctant to send his beloved daughters with the men. He knew it was vital to have Elizabeth tended by a physician, and it broke the gentleman’s heart to not be with her. Finally, he decided to do what was best for his girl.

            “Very well, Mr Darcy. I will allow you to take my two daughters. Not only do I have to aid my wife and plan for Lydia’s funeral, but there will also be many who would condemn our family for our girls being ruined according to society. Our family is facing great difficulties. If Lizzy is removed from the area, and receives treatments from the physician, it should be easier to face what our neighbors will likely say.”

            Mr Bennet went to the corner of the room, where a small desk was available for him to use. The gentleman did one of the most difficult things he had ever done in his life. He wrote a letter stating he gave authority for Darcy to make decisions for his cherished daughter. On a separate sheet of parchment, Mr Bennet wrote the directions to the Edward and Helen Gardiner’s home

            “If you would allow, I will have my girls’ trunks packed. To make it easier for Lizzy, I will have those treasures she has in her bedchamber, as they will bring comfort to her.”

            “That would be best for her to have familiar items around her. It will make her more comfortable.” Darcy was thinking of his own sister. She had been living at Matlock House with their aunt and uncle. Georgiana was comforted to have her knick-knacks and her personal items such as her clothing, brush and combs, and more.

            When the gentleman went to the hall, Mrs Hill was already there. “Mr Bennet, as you spoke of Miss Lizzy going to London, we packed her trunks. I knew you would wish for Miss Jane join her, so we have started packing her trunks as well.”

            Mr Bennet felt the warmth of love his housekeeper felt for his family. “Mrs Hill, you are a blessing in this terrible trial. How is my wife?”

            “Sleeping. Mr Jones gave her a draught to calm her. Poor dear, she is distraught with the loss of her cherished daughter and what has happened to Miss Lizzy.”

Chapter 4

            Placing his daughter inside the carriage with the men he had never met before, after all that had happened that day, was one of the hardest things Thomas Bennet had ever done. Having Mr Jones, the apothecary, explain what he could about Elizabeth’s condition, the gentleman felt the warmth of tears rolling down his cheeks. His heart was torn into pieces as he watched Jane take the seat beside her sister, wrapping Lizzy in a blanket. Taking Elizabeth’s hands in his own, Mr Bennet spoke softly to his favorite daughter.

            “You will be better soon, Lizzy. This gentleman is the master of the grand estate that your Aunt Helen has spoken about. The one that is near Lambton, where she grew up. If your aunt and uncle were home in London, I would have you go to them. But if they are on a holiday, Mr Darcy has promised to have a physician tend to you. I love you, dear girl. Jane will be with you. Do as you are told and take care.”

            There was no response from Elizabeth. She stared out at nothing, no response from her. Once the men had taken their seat, Darcy and Richard on the bench across from the sisters, while Mr Kingsbury joined the driver on top of the carriage.

            Elizabeth continued to look out the window, seeing nothing, as she was trapped inside her mind. Her father watched the carriage leaving their estate, enroute to London. He prayed that he was not making the worst mistake of his life.

             When the carriage was out of sight, Mr Bennet returned inside his home. There was much to do, starting with sending word to the local magistrate, Sir William Lucas, and Colonel Forester. A message was sent to Mr Poulson, the parson of the village of Longbourn. The undertaker was notified to bring a casket to Longbourn. It was a day which the gentleman would never forget, and he prayed his wife would recover from her shock and loss.

Another issue he would have to contend with was the reputation of the family. It was not Lydia’s or Lizzy’s fault, but society would never agree. Lydia being violated and strangled would be the fodder of all the gossips in the county. As far as they knew, Lizzy had not been abused in the same way, but her being at the scene and her own injuries would make her a target of disdain from the busy bodies who loved tittle tattle. His other daughters, Mary and Kitty, and even Jane, would suffer the barbs from society. Elizabeth would be completely compromise, and her life would never be the same.

The best Mr Bennet could hope for was for Lizzy to marry quickly and move to another area of England. If she returned to Hertfordshire, she would be shunned.

            The thought his favorite daughter being so tortured by what happened gave his heart pain. Her expression felt so empty, so void of the vivacious Elizabeth that they all knew and loved. What had she witnessed? Had she seen what Wickham did to Lydia? Would her head wound be something the physician could aid his daughter and return her to their family?

            When entering the manor house, Mr Bennet walked towards his study. He saw Mr Hill, the butler, standing near the door of the office. The master motioned to the man, who had been with the family for decades, to join him.

            “We will need to send a message to Sir William. As he is the magistrate, he will require all the information we have learned. I sent to Meryton for the undertaker to bring a casket. It might be necessary for us to ask Miss Lucas to come as well. Mary and Kitty will be unable to see to their sister’s body being prepared. Jane is with Lizzy, and of all the girls, Lizzy would have been the one to prepare Lydia, but that is far from possible.”

            “You have the deepest sympathies, Mr Bennet. My wife and I feel as if we are family, so the girls being harmed and Miss Lydia being murdered, it cuts deep into our hearts. Mrs Hill has decided to spend as much time as necessary to tend to Mrs Bennet. Our daughter, Prudence, stated that, if need be, she could come to tend to Miss Lydia. I would be surprised if my Prudence is not already on her way here.”

            Mr Bennet choked at the devotion he found from his butler and his family. The Bennet family had treated the Hills as family, which was as it should be. One of the grooms who worked with the Bennet’s horses, was Theodore Hill, the butler and housekeeper’s eldest son. Prudence was their eldest daughter, who worked at Netherfield Park, the nearest neighbor’s manor house. The youngest of the Hill’s children was Alfred, who owned the bookshop in Meryton, which was one of the favorite shops for Mr Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.

            “Mr Hill, you and your family have been an important part of our lives. Longbourn would not be the same without all of you. Having said that, I would be derelict if I did not inform you of what our future holds. With my youngest daughter being… violated as well as murdered, and we do not know what was done to Elizabeth, we must prepare for the worst. The gossips will be ripe with speculation. Our family will suffer from what happened, not only for our daughters harm, but I am certain we will be shunned and our other girls will be seen as ruined.”

            “Mr Bennet, please allow me to speak, from all our family members. My dear wife has stated she will never leave you and your ladies. No matter what happens, as long as there is a Bennet living at Longbourn, we will be here.”

            The gentleman took a handkerchief from his coat pocket and used it to wipe his eyes. “We thank you Mr Hill. Your entire family are truly blessings, and we are grateful for having you in our lives. Now, could you give me a few moments to write a message to be taken to Sir William. I will need to update him with what has happened with Elizabeth and Jane leaving for London. It is my wish that Mr Darcy’s physician will be able to assist my dear daughter. She is empty inside, her eyes were so dull, as if there was nothing left inside her.”

            “Miss Lizzy will be in our prayers. She is well loved by all who know her.”

            “Thank you, Mr Hill. Please tell the rest of the staff, if there is any concerns about the neighbors speaking against our family, they are welcome to come to me and we will tackle the challenges together. I will do all I can to protect anyone who feels they can no longer be in our employ, and they will receive whatever we can give them.”

            “Very good sir. My wife’s sister, Mrs Norris, sent word to say if you require, she is willing to visit the tenants. Mrs Bennet is in no condition to make the rounds to the tenants, and I would be surprised if they are not concerned.”

            “We would be grateful if Mrs Norris would do such. If any of the tenants or staff are treated inappropriately, I wish to know immediately.”

            “I will do so.”

            The messages were written and sent on their way. Mr Phillips, the family solicitor, who was also married to Fanny Bennet’s sister, Bessie, was sent for as well. Thomas Bennet had no doubt that Phillips would bring his wife with him. Bessie and Fanny had been close, much as Jane and Elizabeth were. While Mr Bennet waited for the men to arrive, Mr Bennet wrote a letter which he sent by express, to the London home of Mrs Bennet’s brother and his wife, Edward and Helen Gardiner. It was difficult for news such as the gentleman had to impart. Mr Gardiner had recently written to inform Bennet of Helen having miscarried recently, and she had been in a melancholic state since. How was one to bring more difficulties to their door in such a delicate time?

            In the letter, he gave directions to Mr Darcy’s townhouse.  Once again, Bennet wondered if he had done the right thing. He had easily handed over his most cherished daughters to a stranger, but he felt confident that he did the best for them. Had it been anyone else, the master of Longbourn was certain he would have acted differently. If not for the fact that Helen had known the Darcy family, and praised them, Bennet would have likely refrained from allowing the men.

            Mr Thomas Bennet poured himself some port, then returned to sitting behind his desk. There he remained until those who had been sent for had arrived.