Murdering a Bennet Read online

  He recalled how her eyes sparkled with enjoyment whenever they spoke and how her shy smile greeted his every compliment.

  ‘Mr. Bingley, I find your company most pleasurable. I cannot remember a time when I have enjoyed a conversation more,’ she had once told him. He had beamed at her compliment.

  He never imagined, when he first leased Netherfield Park in Hertfordshire, he would find a lady he believed his perfect match. He could agree on one point with his friend Darcy and his sisters; he often declared himself in love but never before had he felt such a strong desire to marry any of the other ladies he labeled angels. Yes, he thought, all had been beautiful. They all had blond hair and blue eyes, but Miss Jane Bennet’s hair glistened and shone like sunshine, and its texture appeared softer and silkier than any others. Her gentle soul comforted me whenever we spoke. I have never felt like that around anyone else, especially a young lady. We conversed about serious matters and not the trivial topics spoken of by the other ladies of the ton. Those other conversations had remained shallow with no depth of feeling, but Miss Bennet shared more of her inner self, and I shared more of my true self as well.

  He could easily envision Miss Bennet as he thought about her; she was the angel of his eyes, the one woman he felt truly destined to be his wife. During their many hours of private conversation, he honestly believed he saw returned affection for him in her eyes. If he believed his sisters and friend then he had to admit he failed to understand her properly.

  Can I not believe my own eyes? Can I be so easily fooled? Have I not given up other young ladies because I realized they sought only my fortune and not me personally? Serious questions he felt needed considering.

  Yes, he did know a fortune hunter when he encountered one, and now his eyes had finally been opened to the fact his sister was a fortune hunter. In regards to Mrs. Bennet, he saw her as any other mother who wanted a good match for her daughter. Why did such a simple fact make her a fortune hunter, and why should her desires make her daughters fortune hunters? If Mrs. Bennet were a true fortune hunter, she would have tried to arrange for one of her daughters to marry Darcy.

  Maybe Mrs. Bennet would strongly suggest her daughter to accept a proposal from him, but he honestly believed Miss Bennet did return his affections. I spent a great deal of time in her company, and we talked extensively. Many times, when together, they looked deeply and longingly into each other’s eyes. Those marvelously blue eyes. Had he not once complimented her lovely eyes causing her to blush pleasingly? He saw more than just a simple friendly response even if Darcy had not.

  I should have shared with her my honest affections. He recalled a conversation about their hopes for the future.

  ‘I long for the day when I can begin a family,’ Bingley had declared as he gazed at her. He had wanted to hold her hand, but felt it inappropriate since they had only met a few weeks early.

  ‘I long for the same thing,’ she had replied. Then she had looked down at her hands not daring to look him in the eyes as she spoke. He had suspected shyness held her in check.

  ‘Before I settle down,’ he had decided to be open with her, ‘I want to find an estate to purchase. Do you think Netherfield is an estate I would enjoy remaining in?’ At the time, he had wondered if she would prefer to live near her family.

  ‘It is a pleasant house, and the land is good. Papa said the last owners did not see to its proper upkeep. Lizzy says it could produce more than five thousand a year if a good steward and master were in charge of the estate.’

  ‘Your sister has some knowledge about estate management?’ The information had surprised him. Darcy had often stressed the need for a reliable trustworthy steward.

  ‘Papa treated her more like a son than a daughter. Lizzy knows a great deal more than most young ladies.’ She had replied quietly. ‘Mama complains she will never find a husband because she is too knowledgeable.’

  ‘And are you as knowledgeable as your sister?’ He had wondered if Mr. Bennet had taught all his daughters about estate management.

  ‘No. I preferred to learn about the management of the house. Mama’s harshness toward Lizzy because of her intelligence always scared me. I did not want Mama to treat me in such a manner, so I did as she requested as far as my education was concerned.’

  He remembered learning quite a bit about the relationship between Mrs. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth during that particular conversation.

  ‘Is Miss Elizabeth the only daughter your mother treats in such a manner?’

  ‘No. Between Mary and Lizzy, Lizzy is the one she least likes, but she is harsh on Mary because of her desire to read religious works. Mama says no young lady should have an education beyond running a home and needlework.’ He had noticed she was twisting her handkerchief in her hands in a nervous or distressed manner. At the time, he could not decide which, but now wondered if she had felt distressed by her mother’s negative feelings about Miss Elizabeth.

  ‘Have you ever wanted more of an education?’ Her agitation had been evident as she continued to twist the handkerchief.

  ‘When I have children, I am hoping they can all achieve a good education. Lizzy is brighter than any young lady I have ever met. I want my children to be as knowledgeable as her. I do not think I will ever achieve the same level of education as her, but it does not mean I cannot hope my children will.’

  ‘How many children do you wish for?’ He always had imagined four or six as a good number with an equal number of each.

  ‘When I was much younger, I thought I only wanted two, but now I believe six is a more acceptable number. Three of each, if at all possible because having all females in the family has not produced harmony in the Bennet family.’

  ‘How so?’ His curiosity had peaked at her comment.

  ‘If Papa had a son, Mama’s nerves might not cause her to act as silly as she does. Her fears about being thrown out of her home after Papa’s death causes her great fear. Her only hope of establishing a secure future for herself and her daughters is to see one of us married to a gentleman who might provide for the security of her and any unmarried daughters. I think she places too much hope on such a situation. I fear the future might not work out for her in the manner she wishes.’

  As he remembered this particular conversation, he also remembered her next comment. He should have used it as a defense for Miss Bennet against Darcy and his sisters.

  ‘Even if one of her daughters marries, it does not mean the daughter will marry someone wealthy. Lizzy and I made a pact when we were young. We promised each other we would only marry for love.’

  ‘And do you still mean to keep your promise to your sister?’

  She looked him directly in the eyes, drew back her shoulders her to sit rigidly straight, and declared, ‘Yes. Unless I love the gentleman making me an offer, I will not marry him no matter how wealthy he is. Money cannot buy love, and security without love is not true security.’

  As she spoke, he had known she had uttered the truth of her beliefs, and now all the arguments against her proved less truthful after recalling that particular comment. In that moment, she had revealed her feelings to him, but he had failed to comprehend what she was telling him.

  “I am going to do it!” Bingley leapt out of the chair loudly declaring his intentions to his empty bedchamber after many hours of contemplation. “No one is going to persuade me otherwise.” He felt proud of himself, but then remembered how his sisters and Darcy would react to his decision. He added with determination, “Not this time. They will not persuade me to act otherwise.”

  With his decision made, Bingley felt confident and emboldened. He had made a decision based on his own thoughts and opinions; how could it not make him feel proud of his decision-making ability. He had leased a fine estate in Hertfordshire and now resolved to remain there for the duration of the lease learning how to manage it. He would no longer remain alone in London while his fine leased home stood empty – empty like his life felt at the moment. He did not enjoy feeling
empty or alone. Those feelings had caused him to begin questioning whether he had made the correct decision ever since being persuaded not to return to Hertfordshire. He felt like his life would finally become complete.

  I will not allow my sisters to change my decision. They might be older, but they do not rule my life. I am the head of this family as my father’s heir; it is time I assume the leadership role. It is time I achieve happiness in my life without interference even from my closest friend.

  “Miss Jane Bennet, the most beautiful, sweetest natured young lady I ever had the pleasure of encountering, will ensure my happiness,” he boldly declared to the empty room. “Yes! She could be my lady. All I need to do is make my own decision based on the evidence I have.”

  The resolve he made about whether to allow his sisters and Mr. Darcy to make his decision for him was life altering. It pleased him to finally make a decision based on his own opinion. He did not know when he would stop congratulating himself on finally relying on his opinions to make a serious decision.

  My first decision based on my own thoughts and opinions. He mentally crowed. I have a fine estate. It is time to go back and live in my estate. Bingley noticed his reflection in the full-length mirror standing in the corner and realized he appeared to stand taller and prouder. It pleased him, more than he could ever say, to be his own man. “You, Charles Bingley,” he boldly and proudly declared to his image, “will never again allow someone else to make decisions for you.” He watched as a huge smile spread across his lips.

  The question he now faced was still the same. Does she still retain any affection for me? I believe she does, if she can forgive me for deserting her, but I must confirm my belief.

  His return to Netherfield Park would reveal the truth. Remembering the conversation about her pact with her sister, he felt he did have his answer about whether she would allow her mother to persuade her to marry where she did not choose. If he had recalled the conversation earlier, he might not have needed to remain hidden from his sisters and friend so long while he made his own decision. He would have listened to them and then decided he knew better than them whether Miss Bennet would accept him if she did not love him.

  His seclusion behind locked doors was ending. He had thankfully avoided having his sisters cajoling him into ushering them around town; thereby, allowing him the needed time to think and plan. His final plan, which he stumbled upon, surprised him because of its simplicity. He would return to Hertfordshire and speak to Miss Bennet's sister.

  Miss Elizabeth, delightfully, spoke her mind. Miss Bennet had once said, ‘Lizzy often speaks the truth without considering if it truly is the appropriate reply to make at the time she is speaking. Her honest candor can often offend some people, but only because they do not want to face the truth of an issue under discussion.’

  He knew if he approached Miss Elizabeth with his questions, she would be pleased to answer them truthfully. He should have happened upon the solution sooner. Miss Bennet had confided, ‘Lizzy and I share all our thoughts with each other.’ Yes! Miss Elizabeth was just the person he would speak to, and the sooner the better, especially before Caroline discovered his plans.

  Caroline, as the most boisterous opponent to the Bennet family, might try to stop him from returning to Hertfordshire, but he would find a way to escape her deviousness. She wanted him to marry Miss Georgiana Darcy, Darcy’s extremely young sister. He saw the young girl as a sister rather than a prospective wife. Besides, he doubted Darcy would promote a match between them especially since the Bingley family had made their wealth in trade. The higher social level in Scarborough had never accepted Bingley’s father into their midst while he lived, and only a few of the upper-class families in London now accepted Bingley and his sisters. They had Mr. Darcy to thank for introductions to some members from his social level. They were not, however, invited into the homes of the peerage, which was where Caroline believed her future lay.

  Her constant pursuit of Darcy as a prospective husband exemplified her desire. Caroline only loved Darcy’s social connections, which would open the doors of the elite homes for her as his wife and, of course, Pemberley. Shamefully, she refused to see Darcy’s lack of regard for her. Bingley had tried to warn her Darcy would never make her an offer of marriage, but she refused to listen.

  How often had he warned her, ‘Caroline, Darcy will never marry you. You are not in his social class, and you never will be. You must accept his refusal of you as a wife and look elsewhere for a suitable husband.’

  And how often had she blindly replied. ‘Charles. Once Mr. Darcy sees what a wonderful hostess and mistress to his homes I will make, he will surely request my hand in marriage. I just need the time to show myself to advantage.’ She honestly believed her boast, and no matter how often he warned her otherwise, she failed to heed his warnings.

  “Yes,” he loudly declared again, actually proud of his observation skills, “Caroline is a consummate fortune hunter, and Darcy is her prey.” One day she would have to face the truth, but, in the meantime, Bingley would not allow her desires to override his, and he desired to make Miss Jane Bennet his wife, but only if Miss Bennet could find it in her to love him and forgive him for remaining away so long.

  With his decision resolutely made, Bingley began planning his return to Netherfield. He would leave late in the afternoon leaving his sisters a message claiming he had an urgent note from his uncle in the north. He knew Caroline would not wish to travel north in December or miss the holiday events she planned on attending. If he left late enough in the day, while his sisters were busy with other activities, then he would not be required to lie while in their presence. He would also send a note to Darcy excusing himself from attending their planned upcoming events using the same excuse of an emergency in the north.

  As planned, he ecstatically boarded his coach late in the afternoon. He told no one he would travel only as far north as Netherfield.

  Chapter Two

  (December 1st)

  On the first day of December, Bingley’s valet, Watkins, saw to the packing of his coach as soon as his sisters departed the house to do some late shopping. After an uneventful trip, Bingley arrived late in the evening along with his man. Mrs. Nicholls the housekeeper and Mr. Jenkins his butler – the only two members of his staff who had remained after his sisters closed up the house – happily welcomed him home. He commissioned Mrs. Nicholls to hire a few more staff to help look after his needs while he resided in the area and instructed her to replenish the pantry. He knew the neighborhood would hear of his return as soon as Mrs. Nicholls reached Meryton the following day to make the necessary purchases for the house.

  Early the next morning, a stable lad saddled his horse. From Miss Bennet, he had learned about Miss Elizabeth’s tendency to walk early every morning during fine weather; however, there was no sure way of knowing where she might be walking to as her sister had mentioned there were many paths she enjoyed following. This particular morning proved sunny and pleasant although a little chilly, but Bingley decided to ride out with the hope of finding Miss Elizabeth on her normal walk.

  He rode for what felt like hours but figured it had been about an hour. He had covered a large amount of area and feared he had already missed her. Only three miles might separate Longbourn from Netherfield, but Miss Elizabeth might have walked in any number of directions and not necessarily in the direction of Netherfield. He had covered a lot of ground during his search traveling nearly to Longbourn and then toward Meryton, but now he was beginning to feel the cold even though the weather had not changed and the sun was higher in the sky. He decided to make his way back to Netherfield. From his reckoning he believed he was only about a mile from his house. He had not gone far when he heard a woman scream, not once but two or three times. It took a moment before he could determine the direction of the screams. His horse traveled slowly because of the denseness of the woods, but he continued toward the sounds at a steady pace. He feared he might not arrive in time to offer ass
istance when he finally saw a splash of red through the trees.

  “What the devil . . .” Bingley yelled trying to attract the attention of the one wearing red. He recognized the coat of a militia officer, but with only the man’s back facing him, he saw no distinguishing features for identifying the man kneeling on the ground.

  As Bingley rode closer, he saw the man scramble awkwardly off the ground and run off.

  A shocking sight greeted him as he cleared the trees. In the middle of the small clearing lay two women; one was up against a tree, and her lifeless eyes instantly informed him of her condition. One look at the woman on the ground identified her as the victim of a severe beating. Bingley first noticed the visible bruises on her face, but as he drew closer, he saw bruises developing around her neck. Her dark-colored pelisse showed evidence of being ripped open for all the buttons were missing except for a silver one he spied on the ground about two feet from her prone body. The front of her light-colored gown was ripped exposing more flesh than appropriate. He averted his eyes as much as possible, quickly stripping off his overcoat and then draped it over her for modesty’s sake. He also hoped it would provide her with a little added warmth. The hem of her gown, which was dirty and decidedly rumpled, was gathered up to about her knees. He tried to avoid looking after spying her ankles, but in order to pull the hem down to cover her legs he had to finally take a quick look so he could grab the hem and pull it downward. The evidence of the dirt on her gown, pelisse, and face, plus the scratches and bruises on her exposed skin, showed she had put up a valiant struggle against her attacker. Having no medical knowledge, he could not determine what other injuries she might have other than what he had already seen.

  After properly covering the wounded lady, he then removed his jacket and gently laid it over the face of the lifeless body of Miss Catherine Bennet. Even with a severely bruised face, he easily identified the other young lady as Miss Elizabeth. He acknowledged the need to transport Miss Elizabeth to shelter but feared leaving the area in case the man who caused such harm to the Bennet ladies returned. Somehow, he must find help quickly.