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At least the rumours Miss Bingley started have been squashed and replaced by more complimentary ones!

Since she had been instrumental in creating those rumours, she could not help but smile as she proceeded to make her round of the ballroom.

Heiress indeed!

~~~*~~~

As Lady Matlock continued her turn around the room, she was slowed by those wanting to congratulate her on her son’s engagement or compliment her on the splendour of the ball. However, nearing the end of it, she was met by Mr. Rutgers, the butler.

“Madam, there is a man at the door who says he is a servant of Mr. Darcy. He insists that he be allowed to speak to him right this minute, but he is wet and filthy. I barely convinced him to wait downstairs and have appointed two footmen to watch him.”

Lady Matlock’s eyebrows rose as she turned to find William in the crowd, and their eyes met. He had just finished dancing with Amelia, and was standing behind Elizabeth, who was sitting in the chair he insisted she occupy between dances. Elizabeth was sipping a glass of punch and watching as Georgiana and Evan danced, completely unaware of the drama about to play out downstairs.

Seeing his aunt’s expression, William leaned down and spoke to Elizabeth, who nodded. It was obvious that she was not privy to his concern. He then said something to Amelia who quickly took his place next to his wife as he moved towards Lady Matlock. Richard, having witnessed everything and seeing the determination in William’s face, instantly sent Jenny to join the ladies while he followed. As both men converged on the countess in the front hallway, she passed along Rutgers’ message.

“Do you want Edward to come with you?” Evelyn Fitzwilliam asked, her eyes darting anxiously towards the ballroom, secretly hoping her husband could be kept unaware as he had not felt well that day, and she did not want anything to upset him.

William shook his head. “No, I believe I know what this is about, and I would rather not alarm the others, especially not Elizabeth. Just carry on as though nothing is amiss. I am hopeful that no one will notice that we are not in the ballroom, particularly my wife.”

“Well, I am certainly going with you!” Richard declared, causing William to smile.

“I was counting on it,” he replied, slapping his cousin on the back. Thus, with grim faces, the two descended the grand staircase towards the mud-encrusted man sitting on a bench in the foyer. Footmen on either side were still regarding him questionably, and when he saw William and leaped to his feet, each grabbed him by an arm.

“All is well; turn him loose,” William stated, nodding towards a room to the right. “Let us go in here.”

As the three filed into a small parlour, the man noticed Richard’s stern appraisal and began talking nervously. “Excuse me, sir, for coming here dressed so poorly, but you charged me with keeping you informed as soon as I had any news! And once I heard you were here, I hurried right over.”

“Yes, I certainly did. Now tell me why you are back so soon and looking as though you have rolled in the mud.”

“I did as you instructed and followed that woman. She boarded a post coach, with one other passenger already aboard, that was headed to Hertfordshire, just as she swore she would, only ...”

“Only?” William’s brow knit, and he wondered at why the man suddenly began to study his shoes.

“Only she never made it to Meryton. Ten miles outside London it began storming, the rain coming down with such fury that the sky turned black as pitch! Even my horse had trouble keeping to the road as we followed the coach. Then suddenly it happened!”

“What happened?” William’s curt reply reflected his growing impatience.

“The accident!” The man took a shuddering breath, which caused his entire body to quiver. “The coach was going too fast for the muddy road. It rounded a curve, and pitched sideways and began to fall. Being next to a ravine, it tumbled over the edge and slowly began rolling to the bottom. I stopped to help, but there was nothing I could do. The driver was thrown to the ground and survived, but the passengers—the man that I spoke of and that woman—were killed.”

“Mrs. Bennet is dead? Are you sure?” William’s voice was toneless. Was it true that the woman who had abused his wife so cruelly was a victim of her own greed—coming to London to ask about Jane, and having seen Elizabeth, attempting to extort money from her?

“Positive! I checked her pulse myself before I went to the nearest village for help. The local physician pronounced them dead when he arrived!”

William stood mute, obviously pondering what effect this would have on Elizabeth. Thus, the servant glanced to Richard, unsure of what to do next.

Seeing William’s discomposure, Richard addressed the man, “You have done well. Go back to Darcy House and have a bath, something to eat and a good rest. I am sure my cousin will reward you for your service as soon as he has had time to consider everything that has occurred.”

The footman began to leave, but stopped as William finally found his voice. “Thank you, Bradley! You have done well and will be rightly compensated!”

The man turned to smile, cracking the dried mud on his face. “Just doing my job, Master!” But it was with a much livelier step that he exited the room. William closed his eyes then ran his hands over his face and through his hair as Richard had often seen him do when he was distressed.

A low whistle broke the silence. “I know that I have been occupied with my engagement, but when you find the time we need to talk.” William nodded blankly. “Will you tell Elizabeth what you have learned tonight?”

“No!” William straightened, coming back to himself. “I shall pick a time when I believe she is capable of accepting it—not tonight.” He went towards the door.

“Maybe you should take a minute to compose yourself. Would you like a brandy?”

“I have left Elizabeth alone far too long as it is. I must go to her.”