by Sue Barr
Darcy looked at Elizabeth, who had wrapped her arms around her midsection, her face etched with worry. The both said together, “Gretna Green.”
Darcy dismissed the servants and got dressed while his valet packed a small valise. Lizzy, unable to sleep, watched from a chair beside the fireplace.
“How far do you think he’ll get before he has to stop for a rest?”
“I don’t−”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam is in foyer, sir.” Hutchins called through the door.
“Richard!” Darcy hurried out of the room, valise in hand and Lizzy followed.
They found Colonel Fitzwilliam pacing the front entryway, slapping his riding gloves against his thigh with each step.
“Richard, when did you arrive home?”
“Earlier in the day, after everyone had left the house. I wasn’t prepared to attend a ball and so I spent a quiet evening at home. Now, enough of this trivial nonsense, tell me what has happened.”
Darcy proceeded to fill Richard in on everything he knew, finishing with, “We have no time to waste. We have reason to believe Slade took her and will head for Gretna Green. He obviously didn’t expect us to realize Georgiana was gone until morning, maybe even early afternoon.”
“That is to our advantage, but at the same time we’re going to have to stop at every inn along the way to make sure she isn’t there.”
Although Richard spoke in a deadly tone, Darcy sensed the same anguish in his cousin that clutched at his belly and squeezed. He feared what would happen to his sweet sister when Slade had her alone, in a room with no where to go.
“Sir Reginald will want to put as much distance between him and London.” Lizzy mused out loud, her tone thoughtful. “All the inns closer to Town have too many people who could recognize them both. No, I believe he’ll travel a few hours before stopping.”
“She’s right, Darce. We have the advantage as we will be on horseback.”
“What if you take the wrong route.” Lizzy cried out. “What if Sir Reginald takes a less traveled road?”
“Then he runs the risk of wasting too much time and I’ll be waiting for him at the border.” Darcy said with determination. “No, my love, I believe Slade will take the route that is fast and easy. Don’t forget. He thinks he has a ten-hour or more advantage on us.”
“I pray you are right, Fitz. I truly do.”
Soon, Lizzy bade them farewell as they mounted their horses and set off with grim determination toward Scotland, assuming Slade would make haste to Gretna Green, hoping no one would miss Georgiana until the next day.
They rode hard the first hour and then eased up for the next few so their horses would stay reasonably fresh and began checking the stables of all the inns situated near the main road. Neither of them gave voice to the despair that clutched their hearts.
After being in the saddle for almost three hours, they came upon the Waddling Duck and within the stable was a large gray carriage, with a mismatched wheel. Without saying a word, they handed their horses off to the sleepy stable hand and almost ran to the inn. Upon their entrance, loud voices and the sound of a scuffle filtered down from the second level.
Richard began to scout around the main floor while Darcy impatiently waited for the owner of the inn to appear. About to search the inn without permission from anyone, a portly man, wielding a club, rushed past him and headed toward the kitchen.
“I say, sir…” Darcy called out to no avail. He leaned over the counter and tried to peer into the kitchen, determined to catch the attention of the man when, if, he returned.
“Nothing down here,” Richard said as he returned to wait with Darcy. “Where is everyone?”
“That is what I am trying to determine−” The man with the club exited the kitchen area, his face a bright cherry red. Darcy didn’t know if it was from anger, ascertained by the death grip he had on the club, or from all the running about he’d been doing. Given the state of his body shape, Darcy was quite sure the man didn’t give over to too much exercise other than a good belly laugh.
“We are not accepting guests.” The man panted out.
“I do not require a room. I’m searching for a young woman. A lady. Tall, light colored hair−”
The man hefted the club and made like he was about to strike Darcy. “Are you in on this as well? My inn is not a bordello, where women are bought and sold!”
“What!” Richard blurted out. “What are you saying man? We’re here to rescue her!”
“Who are you?” The man didn’t budge an inch, glaring at each of them in turn. Behind him, a young girl who looked very much like the inn keeper, slid by. She carried a bucket of hot water and an armful of cloths. Darcy’s heart plummeted to his feet.
“We are family. Where is she?” Darcy managed to grind out.
The man assessed the Colonel and Darcy. He gave a quick nod, then said, “Follow me.”
They trailed him up the narrow stairs, nearly running into his back when he stopped at a room where the door had been kicked in.
“You get your smarmy arse back into that room, or I’ll make sure you stay down for a few days,” the man snarled.
“I shall call the magistrate!”
Darcy recognized Sir Reginald’s voice immediately. He stepped behind the innkeeper and glanced into the room. What he saw sickened him. Slade’s face lost all its color when he spied who towered behind the portly man.
“Where is my sister?” The icy tone in Darcy’s voice shocked even himself. He never thought of himself as a violent man, but given time and no witnesses, God Himself only knew what he would do to the man standing amongst strewn bedding.
The innkeeper gave him a surprised look before turning his attention back to Sir Reginald. Slade slid to the floor, next to the bed which was clearly ruined and lowered his head into his hands. The very thought of Slade attacking his sister in such a forceful manner as to break the bed made him want to cast up his accounts. With dread resolve, he determined if that were the case, Slade would not see the light of another day.
“She’s on the next floor, second door on the left,” the innkeeper said, maintaining his vigil of Slade. “The Duke of Adborough took her to his room. One of his men is supposed to guard this vile blackguard.”
“Adborough!”
Richard and Darcy exchanged glances.
“You go, Darce. I’ll stay and keep good old Reggie company until reinforcements arrive.”
Richard advanced into the room and Sir Reginald scuttled on his backside into a corner and cringed. Without so much as a backward glance at the coward who may have ruined his sister forever, Darcy sped up the stairs and charged into Max’s room. In one sweeping glance he saw the young girl from downstairs gently applying salve to a large cut on his beloved sister’s leg. Georgiana, a blanket draped about her shoulders, clung to Max, weeping into his shoulder.
Chapter Eight
The return to Darcy house remained a bit of a blur to Georgiana. Richard insisted on lacing her tea with small amounts of laudanum to help ease the pain incurred from the injury her leg along with the bruising on them and her back. For the next few days she stayed either in her rooms, or joined Lizzy in the family’s private drawing room on the second floor. Although her memory was murky, before leaving the inn she recalled a conversation between her brother and cousin and knew they were deeply indebted to the innkeeper’s daughter for her skillful ministrations.
“Georgie hasn’t sustained life altering injuries, Darce.” Richard had said. “The wound, though deep, will heal given time. Mr. Barrow’s daughter certainly has the hands of a healer. I doubt your physician could do any better. Besides, the fewer who know of this debacle, the better.”
“Yes, I know,” Fitz had acquiesced. “Would that I could take this from her.”
Her poor brother. How many times must he rescue her from men with nothing but darkness in their hearts? Deep in thought, seated next to Lizzy, Georgiana gazed out the window. Thank goodness for Maxwell. If he h
adn’t come along when he did… She shuddered.
“Are you well, Georgiana?”
Lizzy’s gentle query shook her out of her morose thoughts.
“I was but thinking of His Grace and how thankful I am he was there to… there to…”
Lizzy reached out and covered Georgiana’s hand with hers. “He saved you and for that we are eternally grateful.” She picked up her piece of embroidery. “Fitz told me the Duke has requested a meeting today.”
“Oh…” Georgiana smoothed the blanket covering the lower part of her body with trembling hands. She hadn’t spoken with Max since that dreadful night. How much of her body had been revealed in the struggle with Sir Reginald? Almost as soon as Sir Reginald carried her into the room at the inn, he’d dumped her on the bed and ripped her nightgown in an attempt to grab her breast while removing his breeches. In her desperation to evade, she hadn’t cared about her state of undress. She’d twisted and squirmed to no avail, and then, remembering something Richard told her after the incident with Wickham, she’d kicked Sir Reginald between the legs. Her only thought had been to stop the attack, never once thinking he’d retaliate with such fury. She remembered each stinging blow and how helpless she’d felt as she kicked against the maniacal grip on her ankle.
Fitz and Richard both assured her Sir Reginald would never bother her again. Although they’d not told her what transpired, she believed strongly Sir Reginald had been given no option other than deportation. She need not live in fear anymore.
She raised her gaze to Lizzy’s and smiled. “I do hope the Duke stays for tea.”
“Darling Georgiana, if he were able, I believe he would, but you are not receiving visitors until tomorrow. I’m sure we can expect him to stop by again.”
“Oh,” she whispered, not daring to let her heart hope. “I wish to thank him. For everything.”
“Then let us make sure you follow doctor Lizzy’s orders so those dressings may come off.” Lizzy moved a small footstool closer to Georgiana’s legs. “Legs up, my dear. Doctor’s orders.”
“If I didn’t adore you so much, dear sister-by-love, I’d throw my favorite pillow at you.” She dutifully lifted her legs and stretched them over the cushioned stool. Lizzy fussed with the blanket and then settled back into her own chair.
“Much better. Would you like me to continue reading Cowper?”
“Yes, please, favorite sister-in-law.”
“You minx. I’m your only sister-in-law.”
“Then it’s a good thing you’re my favorite.”
Lizzy laughed and leaned closer to lay her hand over Georgiana’s.
“I am so glad you were returned to us relatively unscathed. I’d miss your shy smile and teasing. I’m quite in love with you, alongside your brother.”
“I am glad too, Lizzy.”
The ladies spent the next hour conversing and reading and Georgiana dreamed of tomorrow.
~~~~~
“His Grace, the Duke of Adborough.” Hutchins intoned at the door of Darcy’s study.
“Thank you, Hutchins. Have cook send up some tea.”
“Very well, Mr. Darcy.”
Hutchins backed away and gave Max a polite nod as he entered the study. Darcy was seated at his desk, but upon him entering the room he leaped to his feet and came around the desk.
“Have you just returned from Yorkshire?”
“I did, only this morning.” Max advanced into the room. “How is Miss Darcy faring?”
“Much better, thank you for asking. She is moving around although the doctor has forbidden her from leaving the house. The physical wounds are healing−.” Darcy stopped when his voice cracked with emotion. “If you hadn’t intervened…”
“I thank God daily that I was there and think back with horror of what might have been.” Max sat in the chair Darcy offered. “What happened to Slade?”
“My cousin offered him two options.” Darcy sat in the chair opposite Max. “Either accept the offer of deportation or take his chances with Richard. Alone.”
“Ah… I hazard to guess he is being quietly deported?”
“Yes.” For the first time since he’d arrived, Darcy smiled. “Although, Richard did have some quality time with him before your men arrived to guard Sir Reginald.”
“Can’t say I disagree with your cousin’s methods.” Max couldn’t stop the wince from crossing his face.
“Richard’s reputation in the army is well earned. Slade picked the wrong heiress to abscond with.”
“He did indeed.”
“Enough dredging up of that night, let us look to a bright future where the sun shines continuously and nary a cloud in the sky.”
“Darcy, I’ve never known you to wax poetic. Your wife’s influence is beginning to peek through.”
“No influence, Adborough. I have always been a romantic, it’s just that the ladies of the ton expected so much I dared not show any emotion. A quirk of an eyebrow was almost synonymous to a proposal.”
“How true.” Max laughed softly. “Mother told me once how Clarissa Featherington was absolutely heartbroken when I did not pay my respects after smiling in her direction at Lady Addlesworth’s ball.”
“Had you smiled in her direction?”
“I honestly don’t know because I did not even know what Miss Featherington looked like. Nathan had to point her out at the next soiree we both attended.”
“I suppose you do understand what my experiences were like.” Darcy stroked his chin in a thoughtful manner. “I presume that is why I adored Lizzy from the start. She didn’t give two farthings what I had by way of land and money. She was far more interested in how I treated people. We had some interesting conversations of my attitude.”
“By conversations, I assume you meant arguments?”
“Absolutely. The best one was the first time I proposed to her.”
“You proposed more than once?” Max stared at his friend, shocked at his admission. “That means she refused you?”
“Yes, she did,” Darcy said with a secretive smile crossing his face. “And rightly so. I was an absolute prig.”
“I find that hard to believe. You are the epitome of politeness and social etiquette.”
“There is an inherent problem of looking down from the lofty heights of social standing.”
“And what would that be?”
“While I was busy looking at all the faces of those beneath me, all they saw was the hind end of a gentleman.”
“Darcy!” Max started to laugh and couldn’t stop. He’d never heard the master of Pemberley speak so plainly before. “Where in the world did you come up with that?” he finally managed to choke out.
“In one of our more private arguments, my wife succinctly pointed this out.” Darcy grinned. “And, she was right. My Lizzy is always honest with me and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I believe your marriage has balanced you in ways you’re only beginning to understand.”
“Now that is a true statement.” Darcy settled back in his chair and assessed Max. “This conversation has been pleasant, but I’d like to know the real reason you have come by today. I know you continued on to Adborough Hall after the incident at the inn, but to return in under five days is quite remarkable, even for you.”
“Most of the groundwork had been taken care of by my steward. I convened a meeting between the two tenants. Fortunately, we worked things out I was able to leave a few days earlier than expected. I was most anxious to return and find out how Miss Darcy fared.”
“As I reported, she is well, all things considered.” Darcy still watched him carefully, his next words measured. “And that is the only reason for your visit today?”
Max swallowed hard. The one thing he’d dreamed of was about to come to fruition.
“I’ve come to request your sister’s hand in marriage.”
“There’s no need, Adborough. Richard offered to step into the breach if…” Darcy stood and ran a hand around the back of his neck.
A sure sign he was embarrassed.
“If nothing better comes along?”
“Well… yes.” Darcy stopped harassing his cravat and walked a few steps toward the fireplace.
“And you believe you can do better than a Duke?” Max teased with a slight smile. “You do know the next step above me is Royalty?”
“It’s not that,” Darcy said. “I don’t want you to feel obligated because you were the one who rescued her.”
Max joined him by the fireplace and stared into the flickering flames. Was it safe to reveal how deep his feelings were? He finally lifted his eyes to Darcy and decided on a more cautious approach.
“I can assure you my intentions are honorable and I hold your sister in the highest regard. Even without this debacle, she is someone I have considered as a wife.”
Darcy held his attention with a steady gaze for a few long minutes and Max returned it with calm regard. Finally, he nodded. “I accept your proposal on behalf of Georgiana. I shall contact my solicitors to begin drawing up the marriage settlements.”
Relief swept through Max’s body at those words, and he couldn’t help but tease his normally stoic friend. “Do you not think I should ask your sister if this is something she wishes?”
“Georgiana has no other option. Marriage is the only way to save her reputation and I cannot think of another man more capable than you to make her happy.”
“Even though I’m not her cousin?”
“Especially since you are not her cousin,” Darcy said with a grin. “I’ll shall send direction straightway to Klemper & Bedway, my solicitors.”
Darcy crossed over to his desk and sat down. He pulled out a few sheets of paper, an inkwell and quill. Within minutes he’d had most of the letter written.
“I’d forgotten how exceptionally fast you write.” Max said, thinking back to their University days and wondered at the whimsical smile that crossed Darcy’s face. “Did I say something funny?”
“Not really, it was more of a remembrance from the time when I first met Elizabeth and we were both at Netherfield Park.”