days later, she was raped and beaten to death. We could
never prove it, but I know it was Wickham who attacked her. He leered at her
when he met her, nearly salivating. After Miss Meadows was discovered,
Wickham had scratches on his neck and cuts on his hands. He claimed he had
been with a barmaid, and we could never prove differently. William and Mr
Meadows kept me from killing Wickham with my bare hands. I will not be
stopped this time though, especially if he harms Georgiana.”
“What is this man asking for the return of your sister?” Mr Bennet asked.
“He asks for my sister’s dowry, thirty thousand pounds. I would pay
that amount and more to bring Georgiana home safely, my only concern is
what he will do to her. I do not trust the man.”
“When will we leave for London?” Elizabeth asked.
“Lizzy, perhaps it would be better if you were to remain here, with your
family, until we return with Georgiana.” Darcy attempted to persuade his wife.
“No, William, I will be there with you. You need me there, even if it is
only to reassure you and give you comfort. Do not leave me behind. I wish to
do what I can to bring your sister home safely.” Elizabeth moved to Darcy’s
side, placing a hand gently on his arm. “Please, William, do not shut me from
your life. Allow me to be with you.”
Darcy nodded his head. “We had best return to Netherfield and pack
our belongings. We will leave for Town this afternoon.”
“If there is anything you need of me, William, you need only send word.”
Mr Bennet said and he shook his son in law’s hand in farewell. “Keep safe, and
watch over my daughter while you are retrieving your sister.”
“I will do everything to keep Elizabeth safe.”
“I trust you, William. Lizzy, you do what your husband tells you, for he
will do whatever he can to keep you from harm. Do not give him any
problems.” Mr Bennet embraced his daughter.
“Yes, Papa. I love you. We will send word as soon as we know what is
happening.” Elizabeth said as she placed a kiss on her father’s cheek.
“I love you, my Lizzy. Be safe.”
~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~
Chapter 9
Darcy, Elizabeth and Richard were packed and their carriage was ready
to leave within an hour of their return to Netherfield. Bingley promised to
keep a close watch over Longbourn and the Bennets, as he planned to spend
as much time there as possible. He had acquired permission from Mr Bennet
to officially court Jane Bennet, and he intended to win her heart.
The carriage was off and Darcy sat beside his wife, his arm wrapped
around her, pulling her slender body to his. “Have no fear, my love. We will
find Georgiana and bring her home safely. Wickham will never again harm
our family.”
“I am worried. Not only because of Georgiana’s situation, but also your
aunt and her brother wishing to dissolve our marriage. It seems like everyone
is attempting to destroy our happiness.”
“Elizabeth, listen to your husband.” Richard chimed into the
conversation. “There is nothing to fear from my father and aunt, as there is
nothing legally they can do, and my father is very staunch about what others
think of him. He will not wish to do anything which will make the family look
bad in society. Lord Matlock does not wish to have any scandal touch the
family, and, with your marriage being publically announced in the papers, to
annul the marriage against your wishes, would cause a huge scandal.”
“And Lord Matlock has power over his sister, as he is the head of the
Fitzwilliam family. He will keep Lady Catherine from making a public scene.”
Darcy agreed with his cousin. “Once we have Georgiana with us, we will leave
Town and make our way to Pemberley. I want to go home with my two
favorite ladies and ignore the outside world as much as possible.”
“I would dearly love to hide away at Pemberley with you, William. From
everything you have told me of your estate, I can see myself living there,
never prove it, but I know it was Wickham who attacked her. He leered at her
when he met her, nearly salivating. After Miss Meadows was discovered,
Wickham had scratches on his neck and cuts on his hands. He claimed he had
been with a barmaid, and we could never prove differently. William and Mr
Meadows kept me from killing Wickham with my bare hands. I will not be
stopped this time though, especially if he harms Georgiana.”
“What is this man asking for the return of your sister?” Mr Bennet asked.
“He asks for my sister’s dowry, thirty thousand pounds. I would pay
that amount and more to bring Georgiana home safely, my only concern is
what he will do to her. I do not trust the man.”
“When will we leave for London?” Elizabeth asked.
“Lizzy, perhaps it would be better if you were to remain here, with your
family, until we return with Georgiana.” Darcy attempted to persuade his wife.
“No, William, I will be there with you. You need me there, even if it is
only to reassure you and give you comfort. Do not leave me behind. I wish to
do what I can to bring your sister home safely.” Elizabeth moved to Darcy’s
side, placing a hand gently on his arm. “Please, William, do not shut me from
your life. Allow me to be with you.”
Darcy nodded his head. “We had best return to Netherfield and pack
our belongings. We will leave for Town this afternoon.”
“If there is anything you need of me, William, you need only send word.”
Mr Bennet said and he shook his son in law’s hand in farewell. “Keep safe, and
watch over my daughter while you are retrieving your sister.”
“I will do everything to keep Elizabeth safe.”
“I trust you, William. Lizzy, you do what your husband tells you, for he
will do whatever he can to keep you from harm. Do not give him any
problems.” Mr Bennet embraced his daughter.
“Yes, Papa. I love you. We will send word as soon as we know what is
happening.” Elizabeth said as she placed a kiss on her father’s cheek.
“I love you, my Lizzy. Be safe.”
~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~
Chapter 9
Darcy, Elizabeth and Richard were packed and their carriage was ready
to leave within an hour of their return to Netherfield. Bingley promised to
keep a close watch over Longbourn and the Bennets, as he planned to spend
as much time there as possible. He had acquired permission from Mr Bennet
to officially court Jane Bennet, and he intended to win her heart.
The carriage was off and Darcy sat beside his wife, his arm wrapped
around her, pulling her slender body to his. “Have no fear, my love. We will
find Georgiana and bring her home safely. Wickham will never again harm
our family.”
“I am worried. Not only because of Georgiana’s situation, but also your
aunt and her brother wishing to dissolve our marriage. It seems like everyone
is attempting to destroy our happiness.”
“Elizabeth, listen to your husband.” Richard chimed into the
conversation. “There is nothing to fear from my father and aunt, as there is
nothing legally they can do, and my father is very staunch about what others
think of him. He will not wish to do anything which will make the family look
bad in society. Lord Matlock does not wish to have any scandal touch the
family, and, with your marriage being publically announced in the papers, to
annul the marriage against your wishes, would cause a huge scandal.”
“And Lord Matlock has power over his sister, as he is the head of the
Fitzwilliam family. He will keep Lady Catherine from making a public scene.”
Darcy agreed with his cousin. “Once we have Georgiana with us, we will leave
Town and make our way to Pemberley. I want to go home with my two
favorite ladies and ignore the outside world as much as possible.”
“I would dearly love to hide away at Pemberley with you, William. From
everything you have told me of your estate, I can see myself living there,
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