(There’s a new part of this story dropping tomorrow in the Broadsheet, so it’s time to give last month’s part it’s own post so it can be found more easily.)
For the next thirty minutes, Richard shared all that had happened in Hertfordshire – from his return from town to Netherfield with the first part of the money Wickham had demanded. To the following letters demanding more funds be delivered. To the hours spent watching various locations. To the final confrontation at Oxford Cottage – the one Elizabeth had demanded to be part of.
For all of that, he had sat next to Harriet, holding her hand and drawing support merely from her presence.
However, once he came to the portion of his report regarding the sorting out of details at Netherfield, he simply could not remain seated any longer.
Pacing a circle around the room, he relayed what he knew about the maid who had been ruined. He told Edmund and Harriet what Georgiana and Elizabeth had shared about the situations in which they had been placed. And then, he had spoken about how Elizabeth had summoned her courage to help Georgiana through the ordeal.
“Since I am thankfully still on speaking terms with Darcy,” Richard said as he concluded his tale, “and I wish to keep it that way, I will need to be in Hertfordshire in July for a wedding. I will not miss it.”
He leaned heavily on the back of the chair in which he had earlier been sitting. The weight of all that had transpired still hung on his shoulders. It was a weight he both felt he should bear, and yet knew it was only there by his own doing. Darcy, Elizabeth, Georgiana, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet – everyone had forgiven him. It was just he, himself, who was the hold out in that regard.
“By the by, thank you for your letter.” Whether it had eased Darcy’s mind or not was nearly immaterial, for it had been an exoneration of sorts in the court of Richard’s own mind — of sorts, because a removal of all guilt had still not been accomplished.
“It was the least I could do.” Edmund shifted uneasily in his chair. “This is not a position I relish to be honest.” He cast a wary look at his sister. “No matter what some may think.”
Richard bit back a smile. He knew exactly to whom his friend was referring. Perhaps such an admission would go a good distance in calming the recent disagreements between sister and brother.
“But he will still fulfill all its duties as if he does,” that very sister muttered quite unhappily.
Richard chuckled. “Would you truly have it any other way?”
She shrugged but admitted she would not.
“It is the best way to be to make sure the job is done as it should be,” Richard added so Edmund would not have to do it, and peace could remain in the room.
“There was no damage done to either of your relations?” Edmund asked.
“None to their persons beyond a few blisters and scratches from being moved from one place to another. However, time will tell what other effects linger.” Richard retook his seat and Harriet’s hand.
Edmund nodded. “And the maid is in good hands.”
There was a weightiness to the simple comment.
“I am just grateful she did not end up like Penny,” Harriet said softly. “But still… Her feelings of shame and fears about disease…” She shook her head. “The poor dear.”
Richard squeezed her hand. “She has a good home and the best mistress for which any maid could wish to serve.”
This earned him a small smile. His Harriet was a lady of great passion to see that right ruled the day, but that desire bubbled forth not from a need to be seen as great and noble as some might. Rather it proceeded naturally from a heart that overflowed with care for others. That was from where Elizabeth’s courage to see to Georgiana’s safety also flowed, he supposed. And from whence his burden of guilt sprang.
“On a happier note…” Harriet’s eyes dance with amusement and her lips wore a smirk as she cast a glance first, at her brother and then, Richard. “I do think I will like your soon-to-be cousin, Elizabeth. She does not sound at all dull and boring.”
“You will get on well,” Richard assured her with a laugh, while Edmund groaned. “She has always possessed quite the indomitable spirit. I am glad she was there for Georgiana.”
“If I am not already married and in my own home, we will have to have a dinner and invite the Darcys to it when they are returned to town, Edmund.”
“We will do that,” her brother agreed, though he looked rather uneasy at the thought. As well he should.
Richard would feel sorry for his unease, save for the fact that he was still somewhat put out with the fellow for his part in hiding Mrs. Younge’s connection to Wickham.
He blew out a breath. “Now, what is it that prevents me from marrying your sister straightaway?”
Harriet rose to pour the tea, which had been brought in somewhere in the midst of Richard’s report on the events in Hertfordshire. “Yes,” she said, “I would like to know that as well, for I am of the belief that I could be of greater service to the colonel and whatever you have for him to do as his wife.”
“Harriet,” the word rumbled from her brother. “I will not have you put yourself any further into this mess than you have already put yourself.”
She stopped moving with the teapot poised but not yet tipped to pour into a cup. “This mess? Do you mean the whole kidnapping maids to shuffle them from brothel to brothel?”
“Harriet!” This time Edmund’s tone was sharp. “Must you speak so plainly?”
“I am talking to you – my brother – and Richard, the man whom I am going to marry. I do not see the need to pretend as if I am too stupid to know about such things.” She gave Edmund a glare before she returned to pouring tea. “Now answer my question.”
Her brother pushed up from his chair and crossed to the door to his study.
“Leaving the room will not dissuade me from discovering the truth,” she called after him.
“Perhaps a trip to Gretna Green would not be such a bad thing,” Edmund spat back.
“No,” Richard inserted, “we will marry properly.”
“Of course, we will,” Harriet whispered to him. “But I am still irritated with him for waiting so long to allow you to offer for me. I most sincerely must make sure he does not forget that I am capable of dealing with hard things.”
Richard captured her hand after she had given him his cup of tea and placed a kiss in her palm. “I think you have done a good enough job of that, and I am now able to speak for you, too. Perhaps it is time to desist in riling him – at least, some?”
“Perhaps,” she said before leaning forward and pressing her lips to his just as her brother re-entered the library and grumbled her name yet again.
“That part of annoying him, you may keep doing,” Richard whispered, causing her to laugh.
“I am still awaiting your answer, my dear brother.” She went to the tea tray to retrieve his cup of tea.
He handed a paper to Richard. “The shop owner who sold Andrew’s watch to Harriet apparently stumbled into the Thames last night.” He paused and looked to his sister, who had gasped. “His body was found in nearly the same place where Penny was found.”
