Page 11 of Through the Eyes of Love

One monthearlier

George Wickham had stationed himself at a safe distance so he could view Pemberley as it burnt. He rubbed his hands together in his glee. The conflagration he ignited was more severe than he expected. No doubt Darcy, Georgiana, and alltheir servants were now dead. He had carefully planned the fire so no one could escape from the inferno he started. Yes, this was the work of a genius.

Spying on old Mr. Darcy had paid off handsomely. His son was stupid enough to keep the key to the safe in the same place as his father!

Wickham arrived in London and wasted no time spending the money he stole from Darcy’s safe. This would allow him to live as he deserved—he even stood taller now that he had the blunt to be a gentleman. His first undertaking was to secure lodgings in a fashionable area of London, then to hire a valet. His next visit was to the tailor who made all of Darcy’s clothes, and Wickham was fitted for a completely new wardrobe. He would live the elegant life he always felt was due him! He would!

Now dressed as a wealthy gentleman, he sought to reap the rewards of his ill-gotten gains and set out to sell the Darcy gems. Visits to various jewellers in the less fashionable parts of the city enabled him to sell a few items at a time. Damn their eyes, but the offers were not fair, yet he was in no position to argue. One morning, he was particularly avaricious, so he arrived at one of Mayfair’s finest jewellers. The shop worker remained impassive as he examined the exquisite diamond and ruby necklace and hair combs that had belonged to Lady Anne Darcy.

“I can see these pieces are rather extraordinary, but I regretIcannot help you, sir. I am but an assistant, and my job is limited to cleaning jewellery and making deliveries. The proprietor is out of town visiting his family. If you leave these items with me, Mr. Carter can appraise them when he returns. I shall be happy to give you a receipt. Will that be satisfactory, sir?”

He would get more in Mayfair than at the other shops he visited; he was certain of that fact. His hunger for money led him to reluctantly agree. “Yes, I shall call back next week.”

Wickham had even less luck with Darcy’s attorney. When he explained his business to the clerk, he was immediately shown into Mr. Hartford’s office, which was as should be expected for one so astute as him. Wickham showed the deeds to Pemberley to the man seated behind the desk.

“How quickly will I be able to sell my properties? I am anxious to move abroad as quickly as possible.” Everything Darcy owned should be his, even though the manor house was now a burnt-out ruin. All he wanted was the cash value.

“It will take many months to transfer so many assets and properties. To my knowledge, Mr. Darcy is not presently in London. We must first seek his approval of the sale contracts before we can transfer ownership, then you can do with the properties as you please. I met with him shortly before he left for Derbyshire and he said nothing about his plans to sell any of his assets.”

Of course, Darcy and Georgiana were dead and could not influence any sale agreements. But who would inherit the estate? How long would the transactions take? He had no idea, and in his frustration, dropped all the papers on the solicitor’s desk. “You can keep them. What was once a great estate is not worth a farthing.” Hunched over, he sighed deeply after he left the solicitor’s office. A visit to a nearby establishment for a glass of ale might sooth his dissatisfaction with the situation.

* * *

After a few drinks,all was in perspective. The fact was that he would not make any money from Darcy’s numerous holdings. Pemberley was always the prize; however, he chose to give it no more thought. After all, the manor house was worthless owing to his own scheming. Instead, he chose to set his sights on what was left of the fortune he had stolen: he would get top dollar forthe jewels, and they would give him the funds to start a new life anywhere he chose. He rubbed his hand over his face. It would have to be enough.

Should he remain in town after he sold all the jewels? London was so exciting. Invitations to parties and balls abounded, as well as untold occasions to seduce young heiresses and the added opportunity to steal their valuable baubles. Yet the many merchants to whom he owed a great deal of money from his days as a poor rake remained problematic. The many angry fathers of the girls he had ruined further dissuaded him from remaining in town. Perhaps he ought to settle down somewhere no one knew of his past misdeeds, where he could start over with his rather large nest egg.

* * *

Lambton

One week after Elizabeth’s arrival, Mrs. Hopkins returned from her marketing and greeted her guest with a big smile. “I have the best news. On my way home, I stopped to call on my neighbour, Mrs. Murray. She was incapacitated after a carriage accident several months ago. She has no children and has been a widow for several years. Her regular helper is going away to visit her family, and Mrs. Murray needs a temporary companion in her stead. Is that not perfect? You can work for Mrs. Murray for a month or two, establish yourself as a trustworthy, competent aide, and easily get another situation when this one ends. That is, if you wish to pursue the opportunity.”

Elizabeth did not know what to say. After leaving the Gardiners’ home, her plan had been to go into service, but the reality of accepting a position gave her pause. She hesitated. She had not been raised with the idea of ever having to find work. “Ofcourse, Mrs. Hopkins, that sounds like just the thing. Shall I go and see Mrs. Murray today?”

“My dear girl, I can hear the uncertainty in your voice. You are a gentleman’s daughter and were brought up to be a lady. You never imagined you would be forced into service, but sadly, that is now the reality of your life. You can think about it tonight, so you need not see her until tomorrow. Her companion, Betsy Richards, does not plan to leave for Cornwall for several more days. She can introduce you to Mrs. Murray and, if you are hired, show you around the house and instruct you as to Mrs. Murray’s daily routine. There are two maids and a cook, so your only responsibilities are helping her eat, reading to her, and so on. Her home is nearby, and I hope you know you are welcome to stay with me while you work there. I have come to enjoy your company.”

“Mrs. Hopkins, I would be delighted to stay, and I cannot thank you enough for your generous hospitality. I would not have been able to find a position so soon on my own.”

That night, the ache in her heart precluded Elizabeth from getting any sleep. She tossed and turned and sobbed. While she had no choice but to work, the plan upset her. How did she end up here? As sunlight began to peek through her window, she succumbed to her fatigue and slept fitfully for a few hours.

The following day found Elizabeth in the home of Mrs. Clarice Murray. Her potential employer as well as Betsy Richards enlightened her about what would be expected of her during her time there. The interview went well, and the wages she was offered seemed fair even though she had no idea what Longbourn’s servants were paid. They decided she would begin working five days hence.

Mrs. Murray went for a rest, and Betsy took Elizabeth aside. “She cannot yet manage the stairs and has converted a small parlour on this floor into a bedchamber. Her maid helps herdress, and when cook brings her breakfast, I cut everything into small pieces and feed her. She rests after eating, and in the early afternoon, we do her exercises, and then she reads. We have dinner, and then she retires for the night.” Thank goodness her duties would not include the need for her to perform any tasks that would make her new life even more undignified than her position as a companion!

* * *

Again,she could not sleep knowing her life would never be the same after she started her life in service the following morning. Elizabeth never imagined herself as a companion other than for her sisters’ children.Papa, you loved your books more than your family and have done us all a dreadful disservice.

* * *

The first morningof her new job, Elizabeth observed Mrs. Murray’s weakness when she tried to move on her own. The older woman spoke with intelligence and enjoyed her conversation with Elizabeth. Recalling what Mrs. Hopkins said about her friend’s condition, she asked, “Did the apothecary suggest you do anything specific to help you regain your strength?”

“Oh yes, dear, now that I think about it, I believe Mr. Barton told me that moving my weak muscles would help my recovery. You see, after the accident, I was confined to bed for many months. My arms and legs were broken, and when Iwasallowed to stand, I found myself too weak to walk or even feed myself.”

“Are the exercises from the apothecary written down anywhere?”

“Betsy keeps the papers in that drawer over there in the desk.”