Without waiting for a response, the Gardiners left Fanny’s bedchamber.
Chapter 18
Mr Jones entered the study after he had seen to the injured man in the sickroom. He had not thought he would be back at Netherfield Park to attend to another so soon after his former patient’s passing.
“Will Mr Wickham survive?” Bingley asked.
“Unless an uncontrollable infection sets in, he should, but he will never have the use of his left eye again,” Jones replied. “He is sedated and is sleeping.”
“Did you examine his wife?” Bingley enquired.
“As much as she would allow me. It is just as well she is restrained, even after Mrs Hurst ordered her nails to be cut. The way they were before, they were lethal weapons, as Lieutenant Wickham discovered to his detriment.” Jones paused as he considered his next words carefully.
“What is it?” Bingley queried.
“Before he was administered laudanum, Mr Wickham was demanding you come see him, or the magistrate was to be called. Unless you intercede, he intends to have his wife arrested and tried for attempted murder. I will leave the next steps up to you as her brother,” Jones revealed.
“Is there anything else?” Bingley wondered as he showed no emotion regarding what he had been told.
“No, the maids caring for the Lieutenant have instructions about his care, and if I am needed, you only need to send a note to me,” Jones responded. “They have laudanum to administer, and I have explained how many drops to use each time. It will be, in my estimation, about a sennight beforethe pain will be at a bearable level which will not necessitate his being sedated.”
“I need to ask you something, and I need as honest an answer as you are able to provide. If my sister is not tried and sentenced to hang for attempting to end the life of her miscreant of a husband, is she, in your medical opinion, insane?”
“Her sister mentioned the delusions which have ruled Miss Bingley’s life, and the way she snapped when she was able to see that none of her desires would be gratified. Based on my own observations, added to what I have been told, yes, Mr Bingley, I believe your sister belongs in a sanatorium for the mentally insane.”
“Thank you, Mr Jones.” Bingley stood, extended his hand and then paid the man’s fee, adding a hefty gratuity. Mr Jones left the study and Bingley had the butler ask Mr Darcy and both Hursts to join him.
Once the three were seated, Bingley related all that had been discussed with Mr Jones. “I am not surprised that Mr Jones is questioning Caroline’s sanity,” Mrs Hurst shook her head sadly. “If only I had seen it sooner. Well, I suppose I did, but decided to do what I did far too often in the past. I kept my thoughts to myself to maintain the status quo with our sister.”
“I think Caroline’s descent into madness began when she went to that seminary where Father agreed to send her. I do not believe she was ready for the nasty and cruel treatment she was subjected to by daughters of theTon. That being said, she is an adult, and when either of us attempted to redirect her over the years, she rebuffed every single effort,” Bingley articulated. He turned to face Darcy. “Regarding what Mr Jones related about the libertine wanting to see me, or he will summon the magistrate, is that just an attempt by him to extort money from me?”
“In my opinion, it can be nothing else,” Darcy averred. “Even as he is, injured and blind in one eye, all he can think about is how he will acquire wealth without expending his own sweat to reach his aim.”
“What will you do, Bingley?” Hurst enquired.
“He will receive nothing from me. Not even the fifty pounds per annum Caroline is due. The way the document governing her dowry is written, the money will only be paid to Caroline, married or not,” Bingley declared.
“And if he has her arrested?” Mrs Hurst questioned.
“That is his right,” Bingley responded succinctly. “However, it will be made very clear to him that we will make sure the judge and jury are aware of the mitigating circumstances of his lies which were the only reason she agreed to marry him.”
“I think you are correct, Bingley,” Darcy opined, “That profligate wastrel will not want it spread far and wide how he lies to seduce women and girls. Once he understands he will receive nothing from you, he will back off.”
“And, if he does go ahead and have Caroline arrested, other than offering testimony regarding his perfidy, I will not assist. She will have to live with the consequences of her actions,” Bingley decided. “As far as I know, a doctor thinking one insane is not an accepted defence in court.”
“Actually Bingley, I remember hearing of a trial where the man who attempted to assassinate King George III was found not guilty thanks to the Criminal Lunatics act of 1800,” Darcy mused. “I am not sure if it would apply to your sister.”
“As angry as I am with her, I will ask Mr Phillips to make some enquiries regarding its application if, in fact, Caroline is tried,” Bingley relented. “She is my flesh and blood after all. But I will do no more than that.”
There was a knock on the door and when bade to, the butler entered bearing a silver salver with a note on it. Bingley did not recognise the writing, but he nevertheless opened it.
29 October 1810
23 Gracechurch Street
London
Mr Bingley,
