by Lilian Swift
“We did not go any further than the farm,” Georgiana added. “Although we were sorely tempted to keep exploring.”
“We did not want to cause you any anxiety,” Lizzy said, feeling a twinge of guilt that she had wanted to keep searching the area after speaking to Sally’s mama.
“Hmm.” He looked at her a trifle doubtfully, and she blushed.
“We must go back there tomorrow,” Georgiana said eagerly. “Lizzy is right – obviously something happened to her on the way to the farm.”
“Yes.” He nodded. “Especially since the men did not find any trace of Sally in the forest. We shall set out first thing after breakfast tomorrow. And this time, we will take the carriage. It will be faster, and I will accompany you both.”
Lizzy opened her mouth to protest but he forestalled her.
“Once we reach the area where you found this ribbon, we can get out and search.”
“Thank you, Fitzwilliam.” Georgiana did an excited hop. “I hope we will find Sally tomorrow.”
“So do I,” Darcy replied – with feeling.
THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER a hurried breakfast, Darcy directed Lizzy and his sister into the waiting carriage. Mrs. Annesley remained at the house, wishing them good luck.
“I wonder what could have happened to Sally?” Georgiana posed the question.
“Remember the fells her mother told us about yesterday?” Lizzy spoke.
“What about them?” Darcy stared at her keenly.
“Only – only that she did not know what lay on the other side,” Lizzy replied, wondering why his gaze disturbed her so. Sometimes he flustered her enough that she worried she would not speak coherently.
“And she has lived here all her life,” Georgiana piped up. “What if Sally is trapped on the other side of a mountain?” She shivered.
“Let us hope she is not that far away,” Darcy replied. “Otherwise it will take days to find her – if she is there.”
“You do not believe in our search for her?” Lizzy quizzed.
“I believe in your search for her,” he told her gravely. “I just wish the servants had seen fit to bring it to my attention before now.”
“They did not think it important enough to inform you,” Lizzy said.
“I shall be having a word with Fursby and Beldon when we return,” Darcy said grimly. Lizzy felt a little sorry for the steward and butler, but did not approve of the servants brushing the matter aside.
Before long they arrived at the start of the cart tracks.
“It was a little further along where I found the ribbon,” Lizzy said as she poked her head out of the carriage window.
The carriage swayed and jolted along the ruts, until Darcy told the driver to stop.
“I think we should walk from here.” He helped Lizzy out of the carriage. She blushed as her gloved hands touched his.
After Darcy helped his sister out of the conveyance, Lizzy gestured to the track.
“Just along here,” she said.
Darcy held out his arms to both ladies, and they walked along the farm track.
“Here!” Lizzy darted to the side and touched the bush. “This is where I found the piece of ribbon. It was caught up here.”
Darcy scanned the area. Grass and bracken-covered moorland and fells in the distance.
“Why don’t we go this way?” Georgiana motioned to the left, beyond the bush. “Lizzy and I did not find any further clues between here and the farmhouse.”
“Very well,” Darcy acquiesced. He looked at both of them in concern. “Will your footwear be adequate to the task?”
“I have walked many miles in these half boots,” Lizzy told him.
“So have I,” Georgiana added.
He nodded, and held out his arms to them again. As Lizzy rested her hand on his coat sleeve, she could not stop the riot of butterflies in her stomach. Why did she react to him in this way?
She peeked up at him but he stared straight ahead, the touch of her hand on his arm not seeming to affect him a jot.
They walked in silence for several minutes.
“I see something!” Georgiana darted in front of them, bending to pick something up. “A button!”
“You are very observant,” Lizzy praised with a smile, studying the small bone button in Georgiana’s outstretched hand.
“This must belong to Sally, must it not?” Georgiana asked. “It is quite plain.”
“Good find,” Darcy said, picking it up and scrutinizing it.
Georgiana beamed.
“What was she doing away from the cart tracks?” Lizzy frowned. “You cannot even guess there is a farmhouse over there.” She pointed in the direction of Sally’s parents’ farm.
“To that, I cannot say. But it looks as if you are both right,” Darcy told them. “I think we should keeping walking in this direction and see what else we can find.”
“I am amazed that none of the servants – or her mother – found the piece of ribbon that we discovered yesterday,” Lizzy remarked as they continued to walk, her gaze on the ground.
“Perhaps that strand of ribbon was not always on that shrub,” Georgiana said eagerly. “Perhaps it came loose from her bonnet and blew away. We have had some windy weather recently.”
“You are right.” Lizzy nodded, looking at the younger girl with respect.
“But it does not excuse the fact that a proper search was not undertaken in the first instance.” Darcy frowned. “Once we return to the house, I shall implement new procedures so that if a servant goes missing again, no stone will be unturned until they are found.”
“That’s wonderful, Fitzwilliam!” Georgiana looked at her brother in admiration.
The pressed on, walking further away from the cart tracks, until they were in the middle of the moor. Darcy cast a glance over his shoulder, a frown on his face, and Lizzy wondered if he was wondering how far they should go before returning to Pemberley.
“Oh!” Lizzy nearly stumbled over a small fragment. “Another button!”
“They are the same!” Georgiana pulled the button out of her pocket and studied them. “Look, Lizzy.”
“Then we are going in the right direction,” Darcy said.
“What do you think is behind that small hill?” Georgiana gestured to an incline covered with heather. A hare hopped in the distance.
“Sally,” Lizzy breathed.
“We cannot be sure,” Darcy said. “And it is quite a distance.” He looked at them in concern. “Perhaps we should go back to the carriage and I shall send men out this afternoon.”
“No.” Georgiana shook her head. “Lizzy and I outpaced that footman yesterday. The poor man – I thought he would have an apoplexy from keeping up with us. Lizzy and I are used to walking miles every day, aren’t we?” She turned an appealing face to Lizzy.
“Yes indeed,” Lizzy replied. “I usually walk for a few miles before breakfast at Longbourn.”
“But this is not Hertfordshire,” Darcy pointed out. “And we have already walked a few miles. It might take us most of the day to reach the other side of that hill.”
“Then we should set out immediately,” Lizzy answered.
“Yes!” Georgiana agreed.
He still looked dubious. “I am responsible for your safety – both of you. I think it is foolhardy to continue like this.”
Lizzy looked at him, disappointed in his reasoning. Here was the Mr. Darcy of Meryton. She was sure they were close to finding Sally, but he seemed to want to turn back and leave the search to someone else.
“Please, Fitzwilliam,” Georgiana begged.
“I am happy to continue alone,” Lizzy said, straightening her spine. “You are perfectly welcome to take your sister back to Pemberley. I assure you, I shall be fine on my own.”
“Ah, Miss Bennet of Longbourn.” He grimaced.
Her eyes widened. Surely he could not be thinking along the same lines as herself in regard to their personalities!
“I shall not allow you to go on your own.”
Georgiana linked her arm with Lizzy’s. “You may come if you wish, Fitzwilliam,” she told her brother sweetly.
He muttered something under his breath and then strode along with them as they walked across the moor.
“I shall catch up with you.” He halted, turned around, and waved toward the carriage, a mere black speck in the distance.
Lizzy looked to see what he was up to. She fancied she saw something bob near the carriage – was it the driver waving back to his master?
No matter. She was determined to press on, despite Darcy’s objections.
“Won’t Sally be delighted to see us?” Georgiana chattered as they came closer to the hill. “Darcy and I will have to apologize that it has taken us so long to find her.”
“I am sure she will be most grateful,” Lizzy replied. “But I do not want to see you disappointed if she is not somehow behind this fell.”
“But can’t you feel it, Lizzy?” Georgiana asked. “I am certain we have nearly discovered her.”
“Yes,” Lizzy replied. “I am sensing it too. I just hope it is not wishful thinking on our parts.”
“If it were not for you, we wouldn’t be out here right now,” Georgiana continued. “I shall tell Sally as soon as we see her that it’s because of you that we have rescued her.”
Lizzy was aware of Darcy’s keen glance in her direction as he caught up with them, and wondered at it. Did he disapprove of her determination to continue today’s search?
But she felt she could do nothing else. It had been too long since Sally had disappeared – over a month! She was worried that the longer they left it, the harder it would be to find the housemaid.
They reached the bottom of the hill.
“We must climb it,” Georgiana said.
“Yes.” Lizzy looked dubiously at the younger girl. “Will you be able to do so?”
“Of course!” Georgiana said stoutly. “This is just like something out of a gothic novel!”
Lizzy noticed Darcy stifling a smile before he sobered.
“If at any time you do not feel you can continue, we can stop,” he said. “And I will send men to climb this hill and search the other side.”
“Then they will be the ones to discover Sally,” Georgiana said, disappointment in her voice.
“We have not given up yet,” Lizzy said encouragingly.
She started up the hill, the ground firm and a little rocky underneath the grass. It was not quite as steep as she feared. She could not back out now, not after she had told Darcy that she was quite capable of searching for Sally on her own.
Georgiana climbed beside her. Lizzy was conscious of Darcy behind them – no doubt expecting them to stumble – or perhaps fall. That thought made her renew her efforts to climb the hill without nary a misstep.
Lizzy finally reached the top. The view stretched for miles – and was magnificent. Bleak, desolate moorland with the occasional tiny hut in the distance – which Lizzy assumed was actually a farmhouse.
“Over there!” Georgiana pointed to a small building on the opposite side of the fell, nestled in a small valley.
Lizzy and Georgiana looked at each other.
“Do you think—” they both spoke at once.
“If you are determined to investigate, I think we should proceed at once,” Darcy said. “We do not want to be out here when night approaches.”
“You’re right,” Lizzy replied, after a quick look at his expression, realizing he had his sister’s safety to think of.
“Then let us go immediately!” Georgiana set off down the hill.
CHAPTER 13
Lizzy followed, barely heeding Darcy’s command to be careful. If they found Sally safe and well, Hill – and Sally’s mother – would be so relieved!
So would Lizzy.
“I am sure she is here,” Georgiana huffed as they reached the bottom of the fell.
“I feel it too,” Lizzy admitted, matching the younger girl’s hurried pace.
Although they had been striding for at least a couple of hours, Lizzy felt she could keep walking for the rest of the day. Finally, she would discover what had happened to Sally!
If, she cautioned herself, Sally was actually there, alive, in that building. If something had happened to her, something ghastly ... Lizzy shuddered.
Darcy must have noticed the small movement because he appeared at her side.
“Are you all right, Miss Bennet?” he asked, keeping pace with her.
“Yes.” She nodded. “Unfortunately, I could not help thinking the worst for a moment.”
“I understand,” he replied gravely. “But we must try not to think like that.” He cast a glance at his sister, on Lizzy’s other side.
“I know.” Lizzy lowered her voice. “Do not worry – I will not transmit my fears to Georgiana.”
He smiled a thank you, and they continued walking in silence for a while.
When they arrived closer, Lizzy could see it was actually a smallholding. A flock of sheep baaed at them as they passed, and the dwelling was actually a farmhouse – made of gray stone.
“I think we should discuss our plans.” Darcy halted abruptly.
Lizzy and Georgiana also stopped.
“I shall make the enquiries. Georgiana, you stay here with Miss Bennet.”
“But—” Georgiana started to protest.
Lizzy looked around. They seemed to be the only people in the vicinity – it was a desolate, yet seemingly peaceful place. They stood outside the neatly kept yard that was in front of the farmhouse.
Apple trees with large red fruit dangling from their branches lined one side of the yard. A yellow and black great tit, perched in one of them, chirped musically.
The other side of the yard held a small flock of white and fawn chickens.
“Surely it will be safe enough if we wait for you inside the yard,” Lizzy said.
Darcy seemed to ponder her suggestion. “Very well,” he replied at last.
“I’m sure she’s in there,” Georgiana breathed, her cheeks pink with the glow of exercise – and, Lizzy assumed, excitement at the possibility of finding Sally.
Lizzy and Georgiana followed Darcy into the yard. Although finding Sally had been Lizzy’s idea, she did not feel frustrated that Darcy had now taken charge of the situation. She just hoped Sally was safe and well, assuming she was inside the little house.
Lizzy watched Darcy knock at the door. A chicken squawked, flapping its wings as it ran in front of Lizzy and Georgiana.
“I hope that is a good omen,” Georgiana said.
“Indeed,” Lizzy replied, giving the younger girl an encouraging smile. She must not show any doubts.
Darcy knocked again, this time harder.
Georgiana bit her lip, her gaze hopeful as she stared at the closed farmhouse door.
There was a creak when the door swung open and a young man appeared in the doorway. He was dressed in breeches, a shirt, and a jacket – definitely not new, but clean.
“Yes?” Lizzy heard him say, his brow furrowing at the sight of Darcy, and standing a little behind him, Lizzy and Georgiana. “Are you lost?”
“I am inquiring as to the whereabouts of Sally Garrick,” Darcy said gravely.
“What interest do you have in her?” the farmer asked suspiciously. “If I were to hear of her, of course,” he added.
“Forgive me,” Darcy replied. “I am Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley. I have just returned from London and my sister – and her friend Miss Bennet – have informed me of Sally’s disappearance. She worked for us as a housemaid.”
“The Darcys? And Miss Bennet?” Lizzy heard a faint female voice inside the house. “Miss Bennet from Longbourn?”
“Excuse me, sir.” The farmer shut the door in Darcy’s face.
“That woman must have been Sally!” Georgiana whispered to Lizzy, looking delighted. “She recognized our name – and yours!”
“But how?” Lizzy pondered. “I have never met her.” A sudden thought struck
her. “Unless Hill has written to her and mentioned myself and my sisters.”
“Yes!” Excitement flitted across Georgiana’s face. “That must be it!”
Before Darcy could join them and ask what they whispered about, the farmhouse door opened again.
“Please come in, sir, ladies.” The farmer gestured them to enter.
They followed the man into a parlor, a small fire crackling in the hearth. A young girl rose from a wing chair to greet them.
“Mr. Darcy. Miss Darcy.” She curtsied to them, then turned to Lizzy. “You must be Miss Bennet.”
“Why, yes,” Lizzy said, slightly taken aback.
The girl in front of her looked nearly twenty, with shining dark hair and of medium height and build. She wore a simple blue dress that was clean and neat.
“It is you, Sally!” Georgiana rushed forward.
Although Lizzy had never met Sally and did not know what she looked like, she remembered Georgiana telling her of speaking to Sally occasionally in the course of her duties.
“Yes, miss.”
She – they – had found her! Hill would be so relieved! Lizzy had to admit to herself that she was, as well.
“Are you well?” Darcy spoke. “The servants have been worried about you.”
At least some of them were, Lizzy thought.
“Yes, sir,” Sally replied. “I’m sorry to have caused worry. Truly.”
“But what are you doing here?” Georgiana burst out.
“Ah.” The farmer nodded. “You folks best get comfortable.” He gestured to the small but spotless settee and two wing chairs.
Lizzy and Georgiana sat on the sofa while Darcy sat in one of the chairs.
Sally stood in front of them, shifting in place until the farmer took her hand and smiled reassuringly at her.
“It’s like this, see,” he began, then started as if realizing he had forgotten to say something. “Excuse me for not introducing myself. My name is Robert Granger, and this is my farm, passed down to me from my grandparents. I was taking my sheep to market one Saturday at Lambton, and stayed overnight. Then on the Sunday, I was walking home when I came across Sally.” He gave her a fond look. “She was lying unconscious on the moorland.”