Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and The Scarlet Pimpernel Page 9

  Charles answered, “We want to host several families who have children around Harry and Wendy’s age. They can stay here at Bethany House for a week. We will have picnics, games, horse rides, treats and, of course, a lot of playtime in Butterfly Orchard.”

  “That does sound wonderful!” replied Jane. “Which families did you have in mind?”

  Charles and Darcy exchanged glances before Charles answered, “We thought the Collins would be a good choice. They have two children near the same age as ours, and we know how much you would like to spend time with their mother.”

  The surprised look on Lizzy’s face showed. “Yes, we would like that. It is the willingly spending a week under the same roof with their father that causes the situation.”

  Jane says, “But you know, Lizzy, our cousin was much occupied with his children when we last saw them in Meryton. Perhaps it would not be so bad. It would surely be better than formerly, and what we would gain from the visit would be well worth it.”

  “Of course, you are correct. I would dearly love to spend a week with Charlotte. And her children are very well behaved and pleasant. Who else did you have in mind?” she asked the gentlemen.

  “The Gardiners. As it is, they have four children between the ages of three and fourteen, so that would bring the number to nine children altogether. Add in the Hursts’ four children, and we have thirteen. Darcy and I will plan on a few days of taking them all, and their fathers, on outings such as fishing, so that you two can spend some time with Charlotte and Madeline.”

  When Harry and Wendy were told of the plans, Harry began jumping up and down, and even Wendy’s eyes lit up at the prospect.

  Later, when they were upstairs in the playroom together, Harry said, “You know, Wendy, I get so excited to have someone new here. That is why I am always happy to see you. But I must say, I do wish you were not so scared of every little creature you encounter!”

  “Harry Bingley, you take that back!” she said with her hands on her hips. “You know very well that I love horses, dogs, and cats! I even like cows and ducks, like we have at Pemberley!”

  “Well I should hope so! Everyone should at least like those, or else their companionship would hardly be tolerable! If you did not like Midnight, I would be ashamed to call you my cousin!”

  “You know I love your horse, Harry!” she said with tears beginning to form in her eyes.

  “I know you do, Wendy!” he was quick to reply, not wanting her tears to begin in earnest. “I was not referring to larger animals. Mama says it is just that you are so prim and proper. You must admit that you do not like to get your hands dirty, and you always want to wear your fancy dresses instead of proper play clothes! Well, what do you say to that?”

  “A lady should be prim and proper, that is what I say!”

  “Mama is the primmest and proper lady there ever was, and she does not scream at the sight of a frog or garter snake! But you will not even step foot into Wisteria Lane anymore unless your Papa accompanies us. I wish there was some way of getting you over your fears. Then it would not matter so much what you wore, as long as you could go to Butterfly Orchard and enjoy it like everyone else does. Uncle Will shall need to be there every moment during our special week, so that the others do not know what a…”

  “I might be a lady,” Wendy interrupted, “but if you call me a baby, you will see that I am my mother’s daughter!”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “It means I may be quiet most of the time like Aunt Georgianna, but there are times when I show I have a temper like Mama. Papa says I bring it out when it is needed, and if you call me a baby then I assure you it will be needed, Harry Bingley!”

  “Well, I can already see that you have one. I was not going to call you a baby anyway! I was going to say everyone will know what a scared girl you are. Amelia Gardiner will be here and, believe me, she is not scared of anything. I am just trying to help you figure out how to get over your fears, so that the others do not find out. I am sure it will be embarrassing for you.”

  “You just worry about yourself, Harry, and try not to cut off anyone’s hair this time!” she retaliated.

  The memory of when the Gardiner children had last been to Bethany House and the incident of Amelia Gardiner’s hair being cut off in Butterfly Orchard was enough to make Harry change the conversation.

  But his words worried his cousin. As much as she used to like playing in the beautiful area, Butterfly Orchard had become a place she would never enter now without her father. It was too wild for her. A green snake had once slithered right in front of her, across the path as she had walked down Wisteria Lane. Wendy Darcy desperately wanted to go in but try as she might, she could not make herself do it.

  The very thought of being at Bethany House for a week with all the other children wanting to play in the very spot she tried to avoid was enough to paralyze her with fear. But then again, she did not need to worry after all. Her Papa would be with her, and she could do anything if he was there to protect her.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The invitations were sent out, and all responded in the affirmative. The guests began to arrive at Bethany House during the first week of June. The Darcys were the first to arrive, bringing Kitty with them. The Gardiners and the Collins arrived two days later. Harry was beyond excited at seeing his good friends again. He was also glad to see that Amelia Gardiner’s hair had grown out nicely after last year’s incident. Everyone had settled in at Bethany House over the course of the week, except for the Hursts, who lived on the adjoining property at Orchid Brook. While the fathers enjoyed taking the children fishing, swimming, and horseback riding, the ladies were excited to be together and talked of wedding plans for Kitty.

  “I well remember when we first met the colonel at Rosings,” Charlotte reminisced. “It was during that visit that my suspicions of Mr. Darcy’s partiality towards our Lizzy were confirmed.”

  “I never did suspect any partiality on his part before that visit. Little did I know then that he could capture my heart as he did. And to think that the colonel would become my brother by marrying Kitty! Life certainly is full of surprises.”

  Jane smiled at her sister and nodded in agreement. “Speaking of which, when is your wedding gown to be ready, Kitty?”

  “It was delivered to Pemberley this very week. I brought it with me to show you all. Would you like to see it now?” she asked eagerly.

  “Oh, yes! Please do try it on for us!”

  Kitty quickly and happily obliged. She declined the offer of help from either of her sisters, wishing for them to see her when she made her grand entrance with the dress on. A half hour later she returned, and the response did not disappoint.

  For the bodice she had chosen an ivory silk, while the skirt was overlaid with a lovely, intricate lace. It complimented her fair complexion perfectly. A large sash from the ivory silk was tied around her slender waist, enhancing her womanly figure. Her sisters and aunt all had tears in their eyes when she walked into the drawing room.

  Jane was the first to speak. “Kitty, you look quite the vision, my dear!”

  “You will be the loveliest bride there ever was,” Elizabeth said as she kissed her younger sister’s cheek.

  Kitty dared not stay in the dress for long, lest some mishap would occur and ruin the beautiful garment. As she was turning to leave the room to change back into her day dress, they heard the sound of a rider approaching the house.

  Mrs. Gardiner, being seated closest to the window, soon recognized their newly arrived guest. “Why, it is none other than Colonel Fitzwilliam himself!” she exclaimed.

  “What is he doing here, Kitty?” Elizabeth asked with alarm.

  “I have no idea! Do not let him see me in my dress!”

  “Do not fret, you have time,” Jane calmly interjected. “Lizzy, please escort Kitty to her room to change. The colonel will not come into the house until he has given the stable instructions on the care of his horse.”

>   Jane was correct. Fitzwilliam was not one to leave the care of his trusted companion to others. He had ridden hard for several hours to reach Bethany House, and his first concern was to water and rest his horse. Kitty’s return to the drawing room was only five minutes after the colonel’s entrance. He obviously had something important on his mind, though he tried to make light of it in front of the ladies.

  “Fitzwilliam, you should have let us know you were coming,” Elizabeth chided him.

  “Perhaps he could not bear to be apart from his betrothed for a moment longer, and that is really why he is here,” Mrs. Gardiner teased.

  “Of course, you have found me out! And I must admit, she is looking particularly well today.”

  After a few minutes of talking about wedding preparations and how their special week of activities was going, Jane asked, “Are you sure you do not want me to ring for refreshments, Colonel?”

  “I thank you for the offer, but I believe I will stretch my legs and walk to where the men are. You say they are fishing with the children?”

  On his leaving the house, Charlotte looked at Kitty and smiled. “He seems the eager bridegroom.” The ladies laughed, but Kitty and Elizabeth exchanged concerned looks, both knowing Fitzwilliam too well to think he was there on a whim.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “What brings you here, Fitzwilliam?” Darcy asked. “I would have no trouble believing it to be my sister-in-law, except there is a certain look in your eyes that has me worried.”

  “I need your advice and opinion, Cousin. After leaving the army, you know I was working with a secret organization of men. The leader’s name I did not tell you, but I will now. It is none other than Louis Bayard.”

  “Louis Bayard?” Darcy repeated with incredulity. “I have never crossed paths with him, but he is known to all by reputation as a dandy and a fool!”

  “Take my word for it; he is nothing of the sort. His playing the fool has supported the belief that he is one, leading to no one’s suspecting him for what he really is,” Fitzwilliam explained, and then hesitated. “He contacted me yesterday. Bayard and a few of his men were seriously injured on their last mission, getting some members of the royal house out of France. Mr. Bayard-The Scarlet Pimpernel himself-has been shot, as well as the two cleverest associates who work under him. Their wounds will heal but not in time for their next mission. He has asked if I would be willing to take the lead on this one, under his supervision, of course.”

  “You must be joking, Fitzwilliam! Bayard is the Scarlet Pimpernel? He must be as good as they say if he is able to keep up the façade of being a fool while masterminding these extraordinary rescues! But you are to be married soon, and you said you had put the days of dangerous missions behind you once and for all! And without Bayard and his top two men to accompany you, how can you even be considering such a thing?”

  “When I said those days were behind me, I sincerely meant it, I assure you. Under other circumstances, I would not consider taking such a risk. But I find I have friends, to be honest, they are now relations, who find themselves in danger of being unjustly executed. An attempt to rescue them cannot be delayed until Bayard can take the lead.”

  “What do you mean relations of yours? Who are they and how are they connected to you?”

  “I wish it were not so, but they are in fact relations of yours as well, Darcy. It is the du Pont family that is to be executed. Alex’s parents, his younger brother, his sister and her husband are all slated for the guillotine.”

  “But why? I understood the du Ponts are not an aristocratic family. On the contrary, they are peasants by society’s standards! They live in a small farming town and lead a simple life. Is that not so?”

  “Every word you speak is correct. It seems that when the family was here for Alex and Georgiana’s wedding, Alex arranged for a local carpenter to add a room on to his parents’ small house, a guest bedroom. He planned to stop there on his way back from Italy and wanted to stay with his parents. When the family returned home from the wedding, the carpenter was near the end of the project, but he was soon caught stealing from du Pont, who then summoned a constable. The carpenter turned the tables and denounced the du Ponts as traitors, saying they were secretly in possession of a fortune and was spending lavishly, while others starved. He further claimed they had aristocratic blood, and that was their true source of income.”

  “That is preposterous! Surely, that can easily be proved false. Have you contacted Alex? He could write a letter explaining that he was the true source of the money, and it was earned by good old fashioned hard work! I will write a letter as well, with the records showing how much he was paid as an employee of mine.”

  “I did send an express to Alex through our allies as soon as Bayard first heard of the situation. I informed him that his family would be in England when he and Georgiana returned. I instructed him not to go to France under any circumstances. We will leave them word at the dock on where they should go, depending on the circumstances when they arrive, which should be soon, by the way. I was given to understand they left Italy immediately on getting my message. You see, letters to anyone else would be pointless. They would be burned as fodder for the fire to keep the people warm as they watched the executions, Cousin. The situation is dire. Whole families are denounced without proof, and I have not heard of any who have had their quickly imposed verdicts overturned. Bayard has been tormented with this family’s fate and has used all his connections to try to have them released but to no avail. Nothing short of their imminent rescue will save them. Do you see why I feel compelled to help? I have known the family for many years and can vouch for their excellent characters. I do not know if I could live with their deaths on my conscience, Darcy. I have to at least try to help them!”

  "I completely understand you, Fitzwilliam. I have a conscience as well. I must confess that it was I who first suggested to Alex the idea of adding a room onto his parents’ home. I encouraged him to go ahead with the plan while his family was away. It seemed like a good option, so that he and Georgiana could stay there when they visited his family. So you see, I will carry the responsibility with me for the rest of my life if anything happens to the du Ponts as a consequence. I could not bear to see Georgiana devastated by such a horrific tragedy so early in her marriage. I will speak with Elizabeth directly."

  “Speak to Elizabeth? Yes, if you and Elizabeth were to help Kitty to understand, that would be most helpful.”

  “I will speak to Elizabeth because I am going with you.”

  “Darcy, no! You have a family, whereas I do not, as of yet. It would be painful for Kitty if anything were to happen to me, but we have not lived as husband and wife and share no children together as you and Elizabeth do.”

  “I am going with you, Fitzwilliam.”

  Bingley and Mr. Collins walked into the cousins’ view from directly behind where the men were standing. "Excuse us, gentlemen, but we were just fishing right over there and could not help but hearing your conversation. I do not fully understand what is required or how it is to be accomplished, but if you are lacking men who can yield a sword, I will join you as well. Darcy and I met when taking fencing lessons at school. I have matched him more often than not."

  "Thank you for your offer, Bingley, but I cannot be responsible for the lives of all the Bennet sisters’ husbands. This will be dangerous."

  "I understand the three of your group were injured. Please consider me as a replacement for the third. Many hands make the load light, you know."

  "And I too shall offer myself as well," said Mr. Collins. “I do not yield a sword, but if I can be used in any way that would be of benefit to your mission, I am your humble servant to direct!"

  "Thank you all for your bravery. Would you allow my cousin and me privacy to consider the matter?" asked the colonel.

  "Of course. We shall join the others and await your instructions," replied Bingley.

  After making sure that no one else was within hearing, Fitz
william asked his cousin, “Well, what is your opinion of Bingley joining us?”

  “From what I know of him, if he trusts you, he will follow directions without question. Bingley is not the one you need to worry about. Mr. Collins is a foppish fool of a man. I admit, he has shown himself to be an excellent father. His children seem to adore him. But how will he react under pressure of this kind? We do not need a sniveling, cowardly man to take care of during this situation.”

  “Darcy, I see things differently. My take on the man is that he would give his life for those he deems above him. And next to his patroness herself, a relative of Lady Catherine's fits the bill,” Fitzwilliam said. “As a relation of Elizabeth Darcy, Mr. Collins claims a connection to the du Ponts. As a related clergyman, he might gain access where others could not. Yes, another could disguise himself, but Mr. Collins is very convincing as a clergyman and might just be useful to the mission. I think he will show himself to be up to the task. His foppish manner, as you put it, cannot easily be duplicated by anyone but the best of actors, such as Bayard. Collins will be quite believable. “