by Lilian Swift
“If she has, then no one has heard of her beau,” Lizzy said carefully, not wanting to cause Miss Darcy any distress. Mr. Darcy’s admission in his letter to her that his sister had almost eloped with Wickham was foremost in her mind.
“I do not think eloping is the right thing to do,” Miss Darcy murmured. “It is better if the lady introduces her beau to her family and sees if they approve of him. Do you not think so, Miss Brown?”
“Indeed I do,” Lizzy replied, glad that Darcy’s sister seemed sensible in her romantic outlook, after the near disaster of last year.
“Come. I wish to show you the forest.” Miss Darcy took Lizzy’s arm as they left the topiary. “We did not have time to explore it yesterday.”
As the large oak trees and thickets came into view, Lizzy had a sudden thought. She looked at Miss Darcy, but it appeared that young lady read her mind.
“Mrs. Reynolds assured me they searched for Sally in here,” she told Lizzy.
“I am glad to hear of it,” Lizzy said gravely. Her concern for Hill’s niece was mounting. From all she had heard, Sally was a good girl, who enjoyed visiting her parents on her day off. It seemed out of character – from what Lizzy knew of her, and all by hearsay – that she would leave her few belongings behind to take up a new position.
And where would the position be? Miss Darcy told her there were neighboring estates, but the Darcys owned a vast amount of land. It was not as if Sally had merely walked a short distance to the house next door and was now working there.
But ... surely it could not be white slavers? She hesitated to ask Miss Darcy about the possibly. She did not want to alarm the girl.
What of Mrs. Annesley? Perhaps she could ask that lady, who seemed quite sensible. She trusted that Mrs. Annesley would not suddenly have hysterics at the thought.
Little birds chirped in the forest, and Lizzy spied a gray squirrel scampering up a tree.
“This is my special place,” Miss Darcy confessed, turning her face up to the towering trees above them. “Whenever I need to think, I come here.”
“It is marvelous.” Lizzy admired the rustic wildness of the place.
“Did your sisters have somewhere to go like this?” Miss Darcy asked curiously.
“Alas, no,” Lizzy replied. “They had a large garden of course, and grew herbs for the stillroom, and had a lovely display of lavender. But Miss Elizabeth—” she found it strange to talk of herself in the third person “—often went for walks on her own, all over the countryside.”
“Oh, how I wish I could do that!” Miss Darcy looked wistful.
“You are not allowed?” Lizzy guessed.
“No.” Miss Darcy’s face fell. “But I am permitted to go anywhere on the estate – and it is very large. I should not complain, for I know I am very lucky.”
“Perhaps one day you will be able to go wherever you like,” Lizzy suggested carefully. She must be careful not to overstep her bounds as an employee, and she must also not put insensible ideas in Miss Darcy’s head. There may be more than one George Wickham around, and she did not wish any harm to come to Darcy’s sister.
She just hoped no harm had come to Sally.
They continued their ramble, Miss Darcy pointing out particular items of interest, such as the wild plum tree in the middle of the forest, dropping fruit on the leaf strewn ground.
“I cannot wait until my brother returns home,” Miss Darcy said as they threaded their way out of the woods and headed toward the house.
“Do you know when that will be?” Lizzy asked, her breath catching.
“No.” The girl sounded disappointed. “But I am sure he will come when he has finished his business in London.”
“I am certain of it,” Lizzy replied, giving her an encouraging smile.
Once again, she could not fathom that Darcy had not taken his sister to London with him. Didn’t he realize how lonely she was by herself in this large house, with only Mrs. Annesley for company?
Lizzy wished she could invite Miss Darcy to visit her at Longbourn, although she knew Darcy would shudder at the thought. She did not want to cause Miss Darcy any embarrassment – but with her mother’s behavior at times, as well as Kitty and Lydia’s, she could not be certain of that. Though Miss Darcy would have plenty of company at Longbourn, she did not wish for Lydia’s hoydenish streak to rub off on her.
They arrived back at the house, Lizzy frustrated that her search for the truth about Sally’s disappearance had not yielded anything.
“I think I shall read a book this afternoon,” Miss Darcy told her as they entered the house, Lizzy conscious that as a servant she should really enter by the rear entrance. But she was accompanying her mistress, and Miss Darcy did not seem to think anything awry with Lizzy walking through the front door with her.
“May I enquire as to what you are reading?” Lizzy asked curiously.
“The Mysteries of Udolpho. I am up to quite a thrilling bit,” Miss Darcy confessed.
“I have enjoyed that novel myself,” Lizzy admitted with a smile.
“Oh, I should love to discuss it with you when I have finished!” Miss Darcy beamed. “Mrs. Annesley says she thinks it would be too horrid for her, but I am enjoying it immensely.”
“I would be glad to talk about it,” Lizzy replied.
“Then it is settled.” Miss Darcy smiled at Lizzy again. “Please take the afternoon off – I shall not need you until it is time for bed. I’m afraid Mrs. Annesley and I are being very countrified and rarely bother to dress for dinner when my brother is away.” She lowered her voice. “But do not tell him that – he might be horrified.” She giggled.
“Thank you, Miss Darcy,” Lizzy replied. A whole afternoon to herself! She mentally went over Miss Darcy’s wardrobe, but had not seen anything in need of repair. She would be able to have this time to herself without any pressing need to return to the house – apart from taking her dinner with the other servants.
Now was her chance to trace Sally’s journey to her parents’ farm. For Lizzy was convinced that Sally had left Pemberley that fateful Sunday with the intention to visit her parents, as she usually did on her day off.
She watched Miss Darcy ascend the grand staircase, then she turned and walked out of the front door. Yes, she should have returned to the servants’ quarters and left the house through the rear entrance, but she did not want to be stopped by a curious fellow worker.
Lizzy breathed in deeply as she left the house. She loved being outdoors, and although she’d just enjoyed a pleasant walk with Miss Darcy, she appreciated the time alone in the fresh air. Although, this would not be a pleasure ramble. She would be searching for the truth as to Sally’s disappearance!
Hill had told her Sally’s parents lived to the west of Pemberley. Lizzy struck out in that direction, past the forest she had entered with Miss Darcy, keeping her eyes and ears alert for any strange noise or sight.
That was what she had endeavored to do when she had entered the forest with Miss Darcy, but she’d also had to pay attention to her mistress’s conversation and might have missed something.
She stopped in her tracks. Should she re-enter the forest and search for Sally herself, or trust that the staff had done a thorough job when Sally had gone missing?
It seemed strange that the butler and housekeeper did not care to talk about the matter. Was it because they were embarrassed that they did not know what had happened to someone under their care? Although they were all servants, the butler and housekeeper had charge of the lower servants.
The situation made Lizzy grateful once more for her family at Longbourn.
She continued on her way, reasoning that she could always search the wood on her way back to Pemberley.
Lizzy climbed over a stile, and then another, glad she was wearing sensible half boots. She wore an older dress, and did not mind that the hem had gotten a little muddy. She just hoped that Miss Darcy would not notice it upon her return!
At the edge of the field was a ru
tted dirt track. Was this the way to the farm?
Lizzy glanced at the sky, noting the sun was still high. Plenty of time to explore this route and make it back to the house before dark.
Lizzy kept her gaze fastened to the cart tracks in front of her. Tufts of grass grew between the left and right ruts. But she did not find a thing.
Disappointment trickled down her spine. She had been so sure that something had happened to Sally on her way to her parents’ farm.
A faint sound in the distance caused her to freeze. A low, mournful note. She relaxed when she realized it was a cow – or perhaps a bull. Definitely not a girl crying out for help.
Lizzy walked a little further down the track. She wondered if she had time to follow this route all the way to the farm.
A shadow passed over her and she looked up. The previously blue sky was now gray. It could mean rain.
Grimacing, Lizzy turned around and retraced her steps. If she still had time, she would search part of the forest on her way back to the house. Unfortunately, she did not think she would have the chance to investigate the whole forest this afternoon.
But she would definitely quiz Mrs. Annesley about white slavers tonight.
CHAPTER 8
After finishing dinner with the servants, Lizzy hurried to her room to await Miss Darcy’s summons, and to think.
She had not found anything that afternoon that could have been a clue to Sally’s disappearance. The small section of forest she’d searched had yielded nought.
However, she was determined to press on with her investigation. Sally could not have simply vanished into thin air!
When Lizzy heard the tinkling bell requiring her assistance, she left her bedchamber and came across Mrs. Annesley leaving Miss Darcy’s room.
This was her chance!
“Mrs. Annesley,” she greeted the older lady. “I hope you do not think I am being impertinent—” she had to think like a lady’s maid, not a young lady from a respectable family, “—when I ask you this, but—” she dropped her voice “—I have heard rumors that white slavers are in the area.”
“White slavers?” Mrs. Annesley paled. “Goodness, no. I have never heard of such a thing!”
“That is a relief,” Lizzy replied, relaxing slightly.
“Where did you hear such news?”
“A friend told me,” she said hastily, thinking of Hill.
“We are perfectly safe here,” Mrs. Annesley assured her. “But please, do not mention anything to Miss Darcy. I do not want her to worry.”
“Of course not,” Lizzy promised as she entered Miss Darcy’s room.
Although Mrs. Annesley had reassured her, it made Lizzy wonder just how the subject of white slavers abducting Sally had come about in the first place. Was there really a thrilling novel about white slavers, and that was where the servants had conjured up the idea? Or was there actual truth to the suggestion?
Lizzy helped Miss Darcy get ready for bed, brushing her hair once more.
“Oh, I finished The Mysteries of Udolpho today,” Miss Darcy informed her sleepily as she snuggled under the covers. “So tomorrow we can discuss it, particularly Montoni’s character. Wasn’t he terrible?”
“I shall look forward to it,” Lizzy replied, her mind only half on the conversation. She could not stop thinking about the possibility of white slavers in Derbyshire.
A FEW DAYS LATER, LIZZY had just returned from her morning walk with Miss Darcy. A bramble had made a small tear in Miss Darcy’s gown, and Lizzy promised to fix it as soon as they returned to the house.
She settled in her bedroom, near the window where the light was good, to make the repair. Just as she was setting to with her needle and thread, she heard the clip-clop of horse’s hooves from the drive.
She stilled. They were not expecting company – at least Miss Darcy had not informed her of such. Who could it be?
She bent her head to her sewing, but strained her ears to hear what was going on below.
A few minutes later, she heard a shriek! Startled, she dropped her needle and raced to the hall. It sounded like Miss Darcy.
“Fitzwilliam!” she heard Miss Darcy shout joyfully from the front door.
Oh no! Mr. Darcy was here? But how could he be? He was supposed to be in London with the Bingleys!
“You did not say in your letter you were coming home yet,” Miss Darcy continued, hugging her brother as they stood in the hall below her.
Lizzy froze, then whirled into her bedroom and shut the door. He must not know she was here!
Her scheme was ruined! How could she stay here, searching for Sally, when he – Mr. Darcy – the gentleman who had proposed to her at Hunsford – had returned?
She had been completely wrong about championing Wickham when he had told her his tale of woe. She had not seen Mr. Darcy since she had received his letter explaining his history with Wickham, and his part in separating Jane from Mr. Bingley.
Nor did she wish to.
Although she had been offended by his proposal, she was also embarrassed that she had misjudged Wickham, and perhaps Darcy as well. She, who prided herself on her discerning judgment of people!
How could she show her face now that Darcy had returned? He would recognize her the moment he saw her and would no doubt order her out of the house, if he did not have her arrested for impersonating a servant!
Lizzy paced the room, ordering her heart to stop hammering so loudly in her chest that she could not think.
No, Darcy would not have her arrested – she did not think. Surely that would make him look foolish as well, and she did not imagine he cared to be thought of in such a way.
But she was certain he would order her out of the house – immediately!
Yet how could she abandon her scheme of searching for Sally? She could repair to Lambton, but a young lady staying at an inn by herself would invite the most terrible kind of gossip – or perhaps worse. No, she could not do that.
If she wanted to stay and continue to look for Sally, then she would have to make sure Darcy was not aware of her presence.
Yes, that would be best. Servants were usually not seen, anyway. Not by a toplofty gentleman like Mr. Darcy. And since she was his sister’s lady’s maid, she would probably not run into him at all.
Once she settled that in her mind, she crept toward the closed bedroom door. What were they saying to each other? Why had he come home earlier than expected?
She pressed her ear to the keyhole, and heard two sets of footsteps climb the stairs.
She had not locked the door! If Miss Darcy had a mind to, she could knock on the door and enter. Would she?
To Lizzy’s relief, the footsteps trod past her door, Darcy’s firm tread and his sister’s lighter one.
“I wanted to surprise you,” she heard Darcy explain to his sister.
“You have.” Miss Darcy laughed, sounding delighted. “Oh, Fitzwilliam, I have the most wonderful lady’s maid! She is good at everything! She has even read the same books I have!”
“I must meet this paragon,” Darcy said in a teasing voice, his tone unlike anything she had heard before.
Who was this Darcy? It was certainly not the proud gentleman she had met in Meryton.
Lizzy sank on the bed. He must not meet her!
CHAPTER 9
Lizzy scurried to the servants’ hall for dinner, first checking the hallway was clear before running down the servants’ stairs. Once she entered “below stairs,” she relaxed. Surely Darcy did not come down here.
She was not able to eat a lot of the boiled fowl with celery sauce, nor much of the apple pudding for dessert. She just hoped the other servants would not notice.
But it seemed that they were consumed by their master’s return.
“Quite unexpected,” Mrs. Reynolds said as she finished her dessert. “But I am glad for Miss Darcy. She gets lonely when he is gone for too long.”
“I do not think I would ever be lonely if all this belonged to me.” The pinch-f
aced maid gestured upward with her hands.
“But apart from Mrs. Annesley, Miss Darcy does not have anyone to talk to,” Mrs. Reynolds said. “Except for you, Miss Brown.”
“Pardon?” Startled, Lizzy looked up from the piece of pudding she had been toying with.
“Miss Darcy seems to have taken a liking to you,” the housekeeper explained.
“I am glad.” Lizzy smiled briefly, guilt squeezing her heart. Darcy’s sister was a lovely girl, and every day Lizzy had been here, she had felt awful that she was deceiving her.
“I wish I was a la-di-da lady’s maid,” the pinch-faced girl muttered.
“Then you would need to enjoy going for long walks,” Lizzy replied, “for that is what Miss Darcy likes doing.”
“No thanks.” The pinch-faced girl scowled.
“This house is better than a lot of them,” Nora spoke up. “Just you remember that.” She glanced at the pinch-faced girl.
“A lady’s maid works just as much as you do, my girl.” Mrs. Reynolds spoke, looking at the pinch-faced maid. “It’s different work, that is all. If you really want to become a lady’s maid, there are ways to achieve that, aren’t there, Miss Brown?”
“Oh – yes,” Lizzy replied, startled, hoping no one asked her for details on how she had become a lady’s maid.
The pinch-faced girl subsided with a frown, scraping her pudding bowl until there was not a speck left.
After dinner, Lizzy excused herself and escaped to her room, checking the hallway twice before emerging from the servants’ staircase and racing to her room. She just hoped Miss Darcy or Mrs. Annesley did not see her do so, and wonder what was amiss.
When Miss Darcy summoned her that evening, Lizzy walked to the young lady’s room as if she were meeting her executioner.
Surely Darcy would not be in his sister’s bedchamber?
When Lizzy pushed open the door, she breathed a sigh of relief. Only Miss Darcy occupied the room, sitting at the dressing table.
“Oh, Miss Brown, you’ll never guess!” Miss Darcy beamed at her. “My brother has returned home unexpectedly! Is that not wonderful?”