Page 98 of Midnight at Pemberley

A smile claimed his lips. “Mrs. Darcy, you look fetching,” he teased.

Elizabeth had donned the breeches, shirt, and waistcoat Darcy had presented her to facilitate their fencing lessons, along with a loose-fitting overcoat. She turned in place and made a deep curtsy, as if dressed for a ball. “Thank you, Colonel, for noticing.”

A bit possessively, Darcy caught her around the waist and pulled her to him. “I was thinking, Cousin, all women should dress as such.”

“Heaven forbid, Darcy! Could you imagine our aunt Lady Catherine or my mother dressed so? Moreover, if we accept women wearing breeches, what else must we accept?”

His good-natured taunt did not offend Elizabeth, as she added her own thoughts. “The right to vote? Control of our money? An honorable occupation other than being a wife?”

Edward laughed at her disputation. “This is sacrilege, Madam!” he said, feigning a blow to his chest.

Darcy accepted his cousin’s efforts to treat Elizabeth with ease. They would continue as they always had.

“Is everything in place, Edward?” Darcy released his hold on his wife.

“Elizabeth and I will open graves until we defeat each of Wickham’s followers. The salt and the millet will affect their assaults. We have crucifixes and holy water strategically placed in containers among the headstones. We will work together. Wickham will possess no reinforcements tonight. It will be just you two. We will contain the others in this earth. By the way, the cleric left you several vials of holy water by the back door of the church. He said you asked for them.”

Darcy nodded his understanding. “Have we forgotten anything?”

Elizabeth instructed, “William, you must use your wits. Wickham hides something in that house.You must find his grave and destroy it, in the same manner the colonel and I will vanquish those within the cemetery. Without his grave and his coffin, Wickham cannot survive.”

“I understand.” Darcy seriously listened to her. Edward trusted her knowledge enough to place his life in her hands, so Darcy would also.

“Might we share a prayer?” the colonel asked.

“Excellent suggestion. We will require God’s interference in this matter.”

They joined hands and bowed their heads. The colonel prayed: “Dear Lord, protect us and guide us in this endeavor. As your humble servants, we pray to release these souls once more into your hands. Allow us to prevail and lead us to do the honorable thing. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

“Amen.” Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s voices echoed in the silence.

When Darcy raised his head, he turned to embrace his cousin. Privately, he whispered, “Edward, I know I need not say this, for you will understand even without my words, but I charge you to protect Elizabeth and Georgiana if something goes awry.”

“Naturally, Darcy.”

“Now, if you will excuse us for a moment, I must speak to Elizabeth.”

The colonel simply saluted cordially. “I should check the weapons one more time,” he called as he worked his way towards the back of the church.

Darcy took Elizabeth in his arms. “You are to act with caution, Elizabeth. I cannot live without you. Defeating Wickham would be a sour victory without you by my side.” He brushed Elizabeth’s hair from her face. “I love you, Elizabeth Bennet Darcy.”

“Then I charge you, Sir, to protect yourself. My happiness depends upon your being my husband. You are not to leave me at twenty years to find my way in this world alone.”

“Are those orders, my love?” he said with a sad smile.

Elizabeth traced his lips with her fingertips. “They are, Mr. Darcy, and you must address your bride’s wishes.”

“Might my bride wish to kiss me?” His voice sounded suddenly less certain.

“Wish to kiss you?” She shook her head in the negative. “Need to kiss you.” She rose on tiptoes as Darcy lowered his head. It was a kiss that bound them to each other, tender and giving. “Godspeed,” she whispered as they parted.

Almost instantly, the colonel returned. “It is time.” He handed Elizabeth a sword as Darcy took up one of his own. “Come, Elizabeth.” The colonel caught her hand. “We will see you on the other side, Darcy,” he called as he led her away. Darcy prayed his cousin’s words held no double entendre.

He watched them exit the side entrance to the church. “Protect her, God,” Darcy pleaded and then he turned to the back of the church. Grabbing the vials of holy water, he set his steps in the direction of Wickford Manor.

Still a few minutes before midnight, Darcy circled the graveyard on the outside of the hedgerow. Reaching the hill’s well-worn path, he glanced over his shoulder to where Edward lifted Elizabeth over the hedges, so as not to disturb the salt line. He waited for his cousin to place her safely on the ground. They turned to face where he stood. Edward gestured with the sword, but Elizabeth simply gazed at him. Through the dark, Darcy saw her every feature, the look of undying love clearly visible, and then he turned to make his descent. Tonight, no light came from Wickford Manor, but Darcy knew Wickham waited within. The nearly full moon illuminated the way as Darcy moved cautiously through the wooded field.

Reaching the house, he tried each of the doors and the windows, seeking an entrance, but each one remained bolted. He preferred not to break in, although he intuitively knew Wickham expected his arrival.