Willow Hall Romance: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Series Page 5

  Philip nodded and following Darcy’s lead, also turned his horse. “Since her father trusted him completely, Lucy saw no need for the management to change hands as long as the funds remained to pay him for his service.”

  “A wise choice.” Darcy studied the house before him. It was situated well with a circular drive. The gardens on either side of the house were not large but were sufficient. The stables, which could just be seen from this vantage point, were large enough to keep several horses. “It is a fine estate.”

  “Philip! Philip!” Mary Ellen Dobney urged her horse to go faster as she called to her brother.

  Philip turned toward his sister, waved, and waited for her to join him. “If you are coming to call on Miss Tolson, you shall be disappointed,” he said as she approached. “She is not at home.”

  Mary Ellen’s face scrunched in displeasure for a moment. “I had hoped to find her.” She nodded to Darcy. “A pleasure to see you, Mr. Darcy. Were you as disappointed as I am about Lucy’s not being home?” She cocked her head to the side, a teasing smile on her lips. “Missing a social call can be quite disconcerting, can it not?”

  Darcy rolled his eyes. Were this his friend Bingley’s sister, he would be concerned that she was flirting with him, but he knew that Miss Dobney’s interests lay elsewhere and she regarded him as a brother. “I was just looking at the estate, Miss Dobney. I fear my disappointment does not match yours as I have already had the pleasure of seeing Miss Tolson today.” He chuckled as her eyes narrowed.

  “Do either of you know where I might find her? Did she mention where she might be calling?”

  Philip glanced at Darcy, who gave him a small nod. “She and her aunt are at Pemberley and shall not return until the morrow.”

  Mary Ellen’s brows rose high in surprise. “She is to stay at Pemberley?” She drew her horse close to her brother. “There must be a reason,” she whispered.

  “Not one that you need to know,” Philip whispered back.

  Mary Ellen gave him a look of displeasure. “I heard some gossip.” She stroked the neck of her horse and refrained from looking at her brother. “I know Lucy does not indulge in such things, and neither do I on most occasions.” Philip snorted, earning another glare from his sister. “But this concerns her…and you.” She smiled as both men gave her their attention. “Ah, now you are interested, but I know how you frown on the sharing of gossip, so ─.”

  “Speak.” Philip interrupted.

  The sternness of his voice startled Mary Ellen. “Her uncle has arrived.”

  “I know.”

  “You do?” Surprise suffused her face. “Do you also know that he is here to put a stop to her ─ your wedding?”

  Philip shook his head. “I did not know that, but I do know that were Mr. Tolson goes, trouble follows.”

  “Trouble, it seems, is named Wickham, for he is following Mr. Tolson.” A faint blush crept onto her cheeks. “There is a rumor that her uncle has promised Lucy to Mr. Wickham.” She peeked at Darcy. “There is also a rumor that you have used your friendship with Mr. Darcy to secure the living at Kympton, leaving Mr. Wickham destitute and, therefore, hindering the match.”

  Darcy snorted. “It is Wickham who has left himself destitute, not I.”

  “Oh, I do not doubt that, Mr. Darcy. I am merely repeating what I have heard.” She gave him a reassuring smile.

  “Is this all you have heard?” asked Philip. He had noted how his sister continued to avoid looking at him.

  She bit her lip and turned worried eyes to him. “No,” she whispered, “there is more. Some are questioning Miss Tolson’s reputation.”

  “Why?”

  “They say that she has played Mr. Wickham false and that she seems in a rush to marry. They insinuate that she has need of a quick marriage.” Her cheeks glowed rosy.

  Philip stared at his sister in disbelief. He knew Lucy had mentioned Wickham’s implication of just such a thing, but to hear the rumor had already started circulating was rather unnerving.

  “I told them it was not so,” she said softly, “but you know how gossip goes. The truth is not nearly so interesting a tale as a falsehood.” She pulled a small package from her pocket. “I also came to give Lucy this. I found it.” She untied the corners of the handkerchief, allowing them to drop open and reveal the necklace inside. “It was her mothers. She will be devastated if she cannot find it.”

  Philip lifted the necklace with great care. “Where did you find this?”

  “Beside her mother’s grave.” Mary Ellen smoothed and folded the handkerchief. “I suspect she must have left it behind when last she visited, though for the life of me, I cannot figure out why it was wrapped in her handkerchief. Nor can I figure why she was not wearing it. The clasp is not broken.”

  Philip wrapped his hand around the necklace. “I can.” He tipped his head toward his sister as he gave Darcy a questioning look.

  Darcy nodded his agreement, and so Philip tucked the necklace into his pocket and pulled out the letter. “We found this.” He handed the letter to his sister. “It seems Tolson was here.”

  Mary Ellen raised a questioning brow as she unfolded the letter. Her eyes grew wide as she scanned the letter. “Oh, my. Oh, poor Lucy! ” She handed the letter back to her brother. “Oh, I have muddled things, have I not?”

  “Not knowingly,” murmured Philip as he tucked the letter back into his pocket. His fingers paused for a moment on the necklace before he withdrew his hand. Knowing she had parted with her mother’s necklace as her uncle had instructed did nothing to calm Philip’s nerves. Instead, it increased his agitation as he realized just how terrified Lucy must have been to receive that letter. It was no wonder she looked ill.

  “We have a bit of a plan,” said Darcy. “Not much of one really, but enough, I hope. I thought to purchase Willow Hall. It would give her uncle the money he so obviously desires.”

  Mary Ellen bit her lip and considered the thought for a moment. “But what of the friend mentioned in the letter?”

  “Wickham,” said Philip.

  Mary Ellen’s eyes grew wide and her mouth dropped open. “Wickham?” She shook her head. “Of course, his friend is Mr. Wickham. Oh, and I suppose he is also the lover that is mentioned who has an article of Lucy’s clothing?” She shook her head again at the scheming. “With the rumors that are already circulating…” She blew out a breath. “It will lend them credibility, and if Mr. Wickham so chooses, Lucy’s reputation will be destroyed.”

  “I assume the article of clothing in question is a chemise.” Darcy attempted to not feel the discomfort speaking of such an article of clothing with a lady, but his ears turned slightly red, and he found it difficult not to look away. “Is not one very much like another? It would be difficult to prove that the item belonged to Miss Tolson.”

  Mary Ellen smoothed the handkerchief on her open palm. “Do you see this?” she asked as she pointed to the design in the corner. “I should not tell you this, as I am sure it is most improper for me to speak of it, but every article of Lucy’s intimate apparel bears this design.” She ran her finger over it. “It is a beautiful pattern and unique.” She shrugged sadly. “It is why she chose to part with her mother’s necklace.” She closed her eyes and clutched the handkerchief firmly in her hand. “Oh, I have muddled things!”

  “I shall buy it.” Philip was studying the ground in front of him. “He wants money. I cannot purchase an estate, but I can buy an item of clothing.”

  “It will likely cost you far more than any garment should,” cautioned Darcy.

  Philip turned to look back at the house. “I do not require her dowry. I am not saying that it would not be missed, but its removal will not leave me without means to provide for Lucy or our children.”

  “It’s too much,” said Darcy softly.

  Philip shook his head and turned to Darcy. “I would give every farthing I owned to protect her. It is not too much.”

  ~*~*~

  Lucy pulled the blankets
up and tucked them under her chin. It was a cool night and the fire was burning low. She shivered a bit. She wished that she could close her eyes and sleep, but her mind would not allow it. She had yet to think of a solution to her uncle’s demands regarding the living. She sighed, turned onto her side, and squeezed her eyes closed in an attempt to sleep. And there she lay, eyes firmly shut and mind spinning fast for some moments until she heard the door to her room open softly. Though she knew she was safe here, her heart refused to listen and began beating rapidly, and the tears that had been locked away all day started to flow.

  “Oh, my dear girl,” said her aunt when she placed a hand on Lucy’s face and felt the tears that were silently falling. “What is the matter?” She climbed under the covers next to her niece and pulled her close, wrapping her tightly in her arms.

  “I miss Papa,” whispered Lucy. She wiped at her cheeks with the edge of the blanket. “If he were here, things would not be as they are.”

  Aunt Tess silently held her and rubbed her back until the sobbing slowed. “Not wanting to leave your home is only natural, and the prospect of marriage can be daunting even to the bravest of ladies.”

  Lucy shook her head. “It is not that.” She wiped her face again with the blanket. “I do not fear marrying Philip. I know he does not love me as I do him, but he will be good to me. I have no doubt of that.” She drew a deep shuddering breath. “And I knew I would not live at Willow Hall all my life. Eventually, I would marry.”

  “Then what is not right?” Aunt Tess continued to rub Lucy’s back.

  “I should have told you, but I was afraid. He may have heard, and I could not risk it. And then, I thought perhaps I could come to a solution if I just thought enough, but I cannot.”

  “He?” Her aunt’s voice carried much of the same trepidation that Lucy felt as she nodded. “When?”

  “Today, just before we left Willow Hall. He came to my room.”

  “Your uncle was there?” Her aunt pulled back to look at Lucy’s face. “He did not touch you, did he?”

  Lucy shook her head. “He took mother’s book from my bag and a chemise. Oh, Aunt, what will I do? He has threatened to ruin my reputation and my chances of marrying Philip if I do not find a way for the living to be given to Mr. Wickham.”

  Aunt Tess sat up and propped the pillows behind her. “I am at a bit of a loss, Lucy. Perhaps you should tell me all that transpired during your uncle’s visit, and then, we might be able to come to a solution together.”

  Lucy pulled herself up next her aunt and told her all that happened.

  Aunt Tess blew out a breath as Lucy finished her tale. “That is not an easy problem to solve. You know that Mr. Darcy will not give the living to Mr. Wickham even if Philip were to take another position.”

  Lucy had known it to be true. “But if Philip gives up the position, Uncle will not ruin me.”

  Aunt Tess shook her head. “He has no scruples, my dear. His word means very little. If he is not satisfied, he will need someone to bear his displeasure, and I do not think him stupid enough to attempt to harm Mr. Darcy. A woman is a much easier victim.”

  “Then what do we do?” Lucy twisted the blanket in her hand.

  Her aunt sat quietly for a moment. “The constable could be informed of the theft.”

  “Theft?”

  “Your mother’s book and your chemise.”

  Lucy’s eyes grew wide. “I could not tell Mr. Williams about my chemise, Aunt.”

  “Your uncle also has your necklace, does he not?”

  “But only because I gave it to him. He did not steal it.”

  “Then the book.” Aunt Tess tapped her lip. “It would not be the first time Mr. Williams has been made aware of a delicate matter concerning your uncle. He is a trustworthy man, Lucy. Not a word would leave his lips that would harm your reputation ─ of that, I am sure.” A smile spread slowly across her face. “I believe we might be able to convince your uncle to forget his plans without involving the constable too much.” She patted Lucy’s leg reassuringly. “It should be enough for your uncle to see Mr. Williams and think that you have reported him. Your uncle escaped before without penalty, but he knows he would not be so fortunate a second time.” She climbed out of the bed and waited for Lucy to settle back on her pillow. “You have naught to fear, my dear niece. I shall see that all is put right.” She tucked the blankets around Lucy and kissed her on the forehead. “I promised your mother and father that I would care for you, and so I shall until Mr. Dobney relieves me of the position.”

  Chapter 8

  “All will be well,” said Aunt Tess as she came to stand near her niece, who was watching the drive to Willow Hall. “Mr. Dobney, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Williams will all be joining us for tea. We will not be left alone with that man.”

  Lucy nodded and swallowed. “I am trying to believe you, Aunt, but he is so devious that I fear that even the whole of the king’s army would not be enough protection.”

  Aunt Tess chuckled. “He is not smart enough to out scheme them all. I have always said that his greed will be the end of him.”

  “Greed is blinding,” Mr. Harker huffed and added, “as is the desire to see the good in everyone. A lesson I’ve not forgotten since the last time I saw your uncle, Miss Tolson.”

  Lucy turned from the window and looked at Mr. Harker in surprise.

  “Have you not heard the story?” He tilted his head to one side and peered at her as if his eyesight were not dim but fully seeing. “He left the first time under a cloud of rumor.”

  Lucy came to take a seat near Mr. Harker. “Mother said that he left to avoid being accused of stealing something.”

  Aunt Tess began the explanation as she took a seat as well. “Two days before he left, there was a theft of some monies from the parsonage.”

  Mr. Harker nodded. “Your uncle’s gloves were found in my study the day the money was taken.” He drew a deep breath and released it loudly. “I should have given them to the constable, but I did not. I believed it best to confront your uncle with what I knew, so that is what I did.” He shook his head. “He is cunning. His powers of deception are great, for I believed his repentance was real and that like Zacchaeus, he would repay his debt with interest as he promised. I kept his gloves telling him that they would be returned when he had fulfilled his obligation. I still have his gloves, and he has long ago spent my money.” He chuckled softly. “I dare say he will not be pleased to see me today.” He pulled a glove from his pocket and placed it on the table beside him. “The other is safely stored, but that one should be reminder enough of his past transgressions.” He leaned toward Lucy, a solemn expression on his face. “I shall exchange it for the things he has taken from you if you will allow it.”

  Tears sprang to Lucy’s eyes, and though she was certain he did not see the tears, he patted her hand as if he had. “The Lord has provided for me through the years.” He gave a small shrug. “Perhaps He allowed the theft and my deception for such a time such as this.” He grasped her hand. “Will you allow it?”

  Her head bobbed up and down as she tried to contain her emotions. “If he will accept it,” she finally said.

  “Good.” Mr. Harker leaned back in his chair again but held her hand for a bit longer. “I am a silly old man, I know, but I find I like the idea of having a son and daughter to care for me in my old age.” He chuckled. “I know neither of you is actually my child, but I like the idea.”

  Lucy lifted the hand that held hers and kissed it as she had often kissed her father’s hand. “I like the idea as well,” she said softly.

  “Ah, this is a cozy scene,” said Mary Ellen as she entered the room ahead of her brother and Mr. Darcy. “Please, stay seated, Mr. Harker.” She placed a kiss first on Aunt Tess’s cheek and then gave Lucy a hug and a kiss. “I am afraid I have made things worse for you.” She looked at her brother as she took a seat. “I found your necklace and brought it here to return it yesterday.”

  Lucy’s eyes grew wide wit
h fear and her hands knotted in her lap.

  “I am sorry, Lucy. I thought you had lost it.”

  Lucy shook her head. “It is not your fault. How were you to know my uncle had demanded it of me?”

  “How were any of us to know?” asked Philip, his voice barely above a whisper. “If Darcy and I had not found the letter, we would still be unaware of your uncle’s demands.”

  Lucy’s eyebrows drew together. “You found it?”

  “In your room near the fireplace,” said Philip, who took a seat next to her on the couch. “We were making sure that all the windows were secure for the evening.”

  Lucy pulled a folded piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to Mary Ellen, who unfolded it.

  “This is from your book of poems, is it not?” Mary Ellen asked.

  Lucy nodded. “It was left to me by my mother.” She took the page back from her friend. “He has it and has been tearing pages from it every hour as he waits for my reply to his demands.” She shook her head and sought her handkerchief. “And he told me that if I told anyone of his visit, he would consign the whole book to the fire.” She dabbed in frustration at the few tears which had escaped her eyes. It was not like her to be constantly in tears, but her uncle unnerved her so. “It is why I sent the necklace. I did not want the book destroyed, and I thought it would give me time to figure out what to do.” She drew in a breath and forced a smile to her lips. “I have come to no conclusion save that a problem such as this cannot be solved in my own strength.”

  “Lucy told me of it last night, and Mr. Harker, this morning,” said Aunt Tess. “She planned to tell you of it before the constable arrives.”

  “Mr. Williams?” Darcy asked.

  “A bit of strategy,” said Aunt Tess. “Lucy’s uncle left amid swirling rumors of wrong doing. Mr. Harker has the evidence needed to prove some of those rumors true. I thought perhaps the presence of the constable may make him uneasy and less likely to cause as large a scene as I expect he might.”

  Just then, the butler announced the arrival of Mr. Williams, a stately gentleman with full cheeks, somber eyes, and dark hair that was speckled with grey.