The Ashes of Longbourn (29 page)

             
Jane and Georgiana had seen sketches in one of the latest fashion magazines that they wished to garner Mrs Lark’s opinion, and Elizabeth wished to order several more morning gowns as the ones she had been wearing had finally been let out as far as possible without alterations.  Elizabeth wished one gown made, for Christmas Eve, and she insisted on speaking privately with Mrs Lark.  The two were in the private room of the shop with Mrs Lark going over the changes in measurements, when Mrs Gardiner knocked to enter.  When Elizabeth called for her to enter, Helen Gardiner could see that her niece was blushing deeply.

             
“Are you well, Lizzy?” She asked.

             
“I am very well, Aunt Helen.  I am so very well, indeed.”

             
Curious, Mrs Gardiner continued watching her niece closely. “Jane and Georgiana have decided to meet us at the tea shop, as they wished to make some purchases without our being present.”

             
“That is perfect, as I wish to take you into my confidence.” Elizabeth smiled.  Carefully, Elizabeth moved the lap coverlet and lifted the hem of her dress.  Slowly, Elizabeth lifted her right leg slightly, her foot rising from the foot rest of the wheeled chair and wiggled.

             
“LIZZY!” Helen Gardiner could not help but be thrilled.  “How long have you been able to do this?”

             
“A little over a week.  I have been able to feel some things, some tingling and then some of the massage that Mrs Boggs has done.  Please, I do not want to tell anyone else.  William does not know yet, I have been careful when he is with me.  Will this not make the most wonderful Christmas gift ever for my husband?”

             
“Oh, my, William will be thrilled.  This is amazing.  I am so pleased that Edwin is in Town, I know I would not be able to keep the news from him if he were here.”

             
“If you do share our secret with him, make certain he knows that no one else is to be told until Christmas Eve.  Mrs Boggs feels that by then, with support, I may be able to stand for a moment or two. We are working very diligently on strengthening my muscles.”

             
“I must ask your uncle to purchase a gift for Mrs Boggs while he is in Town.  Oh, that woman is a miracle worker.  Lizzy, dearest girl, I cannot be happier for you.”

             
“Now, this is the gown I wish to have made for Christmas Eve.  I think it will be so pretty on me when I am assisted to my feet.”

             
“It is very pretty, Lizzy.  And know that I will be on one side of you, assisting as you give this gift to everyone.”

             
Elizabeth wiped tears of joy from her cheeks. “Thank you, Aunt Helen.  This means so very much to me.”

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
Colonel Fitzwilliam was in a dilemma of what he should do. More than anything, he wished to remain at Netherfield for the near future.  But he was informed that he would be a key witness in the trial against Mr Storm.  As he had been present for the confessions of both Mr Jolly and Mr Storm, it was important for the Colonel to testify against the murderer. 

             
And while he was in London, he would be celebrating the holidays with his parents and his older brother, who had brought his wife and their children to Town.  Lady Matlock’s sister would also be with the Fitzwilliam family, and Richard had always enjoyed spending time with his Aunt Pauline.

             
There was a reason for his dilemma, and that is the time that he had been spending at Lucas Lodge.  He had decided that the Lucas family deserved kindness from someone in his family, after all the damage that came from another member.  Richard had come to like the members of the Lucas household, especially one member.  He had ridden to Lucas Lodge daily, telling everyone that he wished to be of assistance to the family.  In truth, Richard was finding his heart opening in a way he had never known before.

             
Each day, as weather permitted, Richard took a walk with Charlotte, discussing the neighborhood, her plans for the future, her hopes and dreams.  And each day, his heart became more and more aware of what had been missing in his life.  But how could he marry when Charlotte lacked any sort of dowry?  Richard had some money saved from his career, but it was not enough to support a wife.  And he did not think it was fair to a wife to be at home, waiting to see if he returned from war.  No, when he married, Richard knew that he needed to resign his commission and settle into a new life.                           

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
The trial date arrived just five days before Christmas.  Having no choice, Richard traveled to Town with Mr Phillips, Sir William and John Lucas. Lord Matlock and Mr Gardiner would meet the men at the courthouse.

             
The trial took two days, as testimony was given and the truth was unfolded.  Mr Storm continued to claim Mr Collins had died from no harm from him, though, with everything else that had happened, it was difficult to believe he would have been squeamish of taking Collins’ life.

             
Trying desperately to protect the Fitzwilliam family as well as the Lucas’s, the fact that Mr Storm was found in bed with Anne de Bourgh was left out of the testimony.  Charlotte’s marriage was discussed in the fact that it was being annulled and the Lucas family had been deceived. John had been in the room when Storm admitted to his refusal to consummate the marriage, and that he was not William Collins, as he had claimed when marrying.  This gave Charlotte the freedom to begin again.

             
The verdict was given, and Storm was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, murder times eight, attempted murder times two, and fraud. He was sentenced to die in two days’ time.  Lord Matlock was pleased at the outcome, stating that the court wished to have the entire incident wrapped up before breaking for the holidays.  As this case had been called so quickly as a favor to him; with him being a member of the House of Lords.

             
Sir William decided to journey back to his home, as he did not wish to stand witness to the hanging of Mr Frederick Storm.  John and Colonel Fitzwilliam both had a need to see the man dead and know, for certain, that he would never be able to harm their families again.  Mr Gardiner traveled with Sir William; John was to return to Lucas Lodge along with Colonel Fitzwilliam.   Lord Matlock was disappointed in the news that his son was not to be with their family for Christmas, but it was obvious that his son was going through some changes.

             
The morning of the hanging, John and Colonel Fitzwilliam stood amongst the crowd that had gathered near the gallows.  There were a total of three convicts to be hung, and Mr Storm was the first brought up the steps.  When asked if he had any final words, the man looked at the crowd until he spotted the two men he knew.  “I take the knowledge of where I hid the money to the grave. Tell my beloved I await her on the other side.”

             
A hood was then placed over his head, with the noose fit properly around his neck.  A clergyman stood nearby, reading from his Bible, in an attempt to save the condemned from an eternity in purgatory.  And then, the trapdoor swung open and Mr Storm, a man of great evil, dropped.  Moments later, his evilness was purged from the world.             

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
The ride to Hertfordshire was taken at a brisk pace.  Both of the men wished to be with the ones they loved and enjoy the holidays.  Colonel Fitzwilliam accompanied John to Lucas Lodge, as he wished to see Charlotte.  He was having a difficult time understanding why his heart had been in such pain these past days, the days that he spent without being able to spend time with Charlotte.  It was plain to see that she had missed him as well.

             
After dining with the Lucas family, Colonel Fitzwilliam finally arrived at Netherfield.  Though it had been a day filled with ups and downs, knowing that Charlotte was near made the war hardened man calm.

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
Christmas Eve had arrived and the family at Netherfield Park had decided to share a pleasant dinner before gathering in the drawing room.  The Darcys and the Bingleys were excited with the gift that they had decided to give Richard Fitzwilliam.

             
Elizabeth took the lead in presenting the gift.  “Richard, Jane and I have made a decision, and our husbands agree with us.  We wish to give Longbourn to you.”

             
“Elizabeth, this is far too much.  Longbourn is your family’s heritage.” Richard was shocked with the news.

             
“Our heritage is our strength and love in our family.  The estate was a way for our family to have roots.  As we are the last two of the Bennet family, and we are married to men who have no need of the estate, we were at a crossroads of what to do.  We wish to keep it in the family, which falls to you.  You have done so much for us, and we care deeply for your safety.  With this gift, there are three demands that we make of you. The first is that we are always welcome at Longbourn.”

             
Richard nodded his head. “I would never keep you from your family’s lands.”

             
“The second stipulation is that you must resign your commission immediately.  We do not wish to see you sent into a war zone again. And the third, and most important, stipulation upon this gift, you must marry before this time next year.”

             
A smile grew on Richard’s lips.  He knew what his cousins and the Bingleys were giving him, the freedom to marry as his heart desired.  Though he had only known her for a short time, Richard had seen a great deal of the world and knew that Charlotte Lucas was the woman who could make him very happy.  Having an estate, though small and only valued at three thousand a year income, was more than enough with his savings. 

             
“How can I ever thank you?” He asked Elizabeth and Darcy.  Turning his head, he looked at Jane and Bingley. “And you, you have given me the most miraculous gift.  Far more than the estate, you have given me choice.  I do not require a woman with a large dowry, or any real dowry.  My heart may choose a bride without worry of being unable to support her.  I am sure that you all have guessed where my heart has turned.”

             
All nodded their heads.  Darcy walked to his cousin and held out his hand. Seeing this, Richard shook his head.  He reached out and pulled his favorite cousin into his embrace.  “Thank you, William. I know that you are behind this gift, and I thank you, more than you will ever know.”

             
“I will no longer live with fear of your returning to battle, only to be wounded again. Or worse, receive word that you have been killed in battle.  You are a good man, Richard.  It is not your fault that you were born the second son.  You have always been honorable, working hard for your rank rather than purchasing your commission.  Now it is time that you are rewarded.”

             
As the two men stepped apart, tears were apparent in the eyes of each.  Richard smiled as he embraced Elizabeth, Jane, Georgiana, and even Mrs Gardiner.  “If you would all be so kind as to forgive me, I believe I should make an urgent call at Lucas Lodge.”

             
“If you wish, Colonel, invite Charlotte to join us for dinner tomorrow night.” Jane offered. “Or better yet, inform Lady Lucas that an invitation for all of the family to join us tomorrow for dinner will be sent over shortly.”

             
“You are a generous hostess, Mrs Bingley.  And I cannot thank you enough.  Now, I best be off.  Say a few prayers for my success.”

             
“Good luck, Richard.” Georgiana said as her cousin made his way towards the door.

             
“Thank you, all of you.”  And he was off to capture his future.

             
                            ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

Chapter 23

             
Charlotte Lucas had just kissed her mother’s cheek as she bid her parents goodnight, when the maid announced a visitor wishing to speak with her.

             
“At this time of night, who could be calling?” Sir William ask. 

             
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, Sir.”

             
“Very well, ask him to join us.” Sir William stated, looking curiously at his wife and daughter.  It was clear, from his expression, that neither of the ladies had expected this.  As Richard entered the room, Sir William rose from his seat.  “Ah, Colonel, though it is always a pleasure to see you, what could bring you here at this time of night?”

             
“Sir William, Lady Lucas, I wish to speak with your daughter, Miss Lucas, if you would allow it.” Richard had not thought of speaking to her parents on his ride to Lucas Lodge, his only thought was to see Charlotte. Now, he was somewhat flustered in his attempts to gather his thoughts and his ability to speak.”