Walking swiftly back along the hallway of the guest wing, Elizabeth emerged onto the main landing. She had tried to caution the twins, had asked them to consider more carefully their own safety, but she was unsure she even had their full attention. By the time she had closed the door upon them, Viola had already reached for her sketchpad, and Olivia was staring dreamily out of the window into the darkness.
What she had also been unable to discern from their excited chatter was whether they had genuinely seen anything at all, or whether it was simply a grasped opportunity, in the absence of everyone else, to carry out the escapade they had been denied the night before.
Reaching the top of the staircase, Elizabeth paused to listen. There was no sound from anywhere, though lamps still shone brightly downstairs. She suspected the gentlemen may have gone for their customary nightcap, and she turned to hurry along the landing leading to the rooms she shared with Jane.
‘There you are!’ Jane came from the dressing room as Elizabeth entered, her hair hanging about her shoulders but still dressed in her ball gown. ‘I had begun to wonder what had become of you. Mr Darcy said something vague about your having to repair to the upper floor directly.’
‘He was circumspect, then.’ Elizabeth closed the door and turned to face her sister. ‘The twins were scampering up the stairs as I entered the house and had clearly been out.’
‘Good heavens!’ Jane raised a brow. ‘What could be their purpose at such an hour?’
Shedding her cloak onto the bed, Elizabeth walked over to the dresser and dropped her fan and reticule upon it before beginning to remove her gloves. ‘It seems they were tempted to try ghost hunting in everyone’s absence.’
Jane walked over to join her. ‘Surely they would not be so foolish as to enter the woods after dark?’
Placing the gloves in a drawer, Elizabeth turned to the mirror and began to remove the beaded pins from her hair. ‘They said not, but claim they saw a hooded figure from their window and were convinced it was their elusive ghost.’ She met Jane’s gaze in the mirror’s reflection. ‘When it fled into the woodland, they did not follow. Apparently, Colonel Fitzwilliam’s word carries more weight than any other, and he had warned them not to do so unescorted.’
Jane smiled. ‘They are incorrigible!’
‘Indeed; but they are also adamant about what they saw.’ Elizabeth frowned. ‘They say their ghost is a young woman; she was weeping—until they startled her by their approach, that is.’
Jane frowned too. ‘How singular. What would a young woman be doing out in the woods alone, especially after dark?’
‘I cannot imagine. I wonder if I ought to tell Mr Darcy, or perhaps Mr Rivers?’ Then, Elizabeth shrugged. ‘We do know the twins to have quite the overactive imaginations, and it is too late to report it tonight.’
‘Can you unfasten me, Lizzy?’ Jane turned about and Elizabeth began to undo the buttons in her bodice. ‘The Latimers retired immediately, but the gentlemen went towards Mr Darcy’s study.’
‘I suspected as much.’ Elizabeth recalled suddenly the solemn faces of the colonel and Bingley earlier in the evening and her discussion with Mr Darcy over whatever troubled him. ‘There is something afoot, though I know not what. Mr Darcy indicated he, his cousin and Mr Bingley would be out early. I hope it is merely a desire to go shooting and nothing to do with Wickham.’
‘If it is, there is no one better able to handle him than Mr Darcy or his cousin.’
Elizabeth smirked. ‘You do not credit Mr Bingley with the same abilities, then?’
Jane laughed. ‘Mr Bingley’s affable nature does not lend itself to confrontation. Look at how challenging he is finding managing his own sisters!’
‘Aye, you may have the right of it.’ Elizabeth unfastened the remaining two buttons. There, you are free! Well, I am due to ride into Lambton with Miss Latimer once we have broken our fast. I shall call at the estate office on my way to the stables and report this possible sighting to Mr Rivers.’
‘That seems a good compromise.’ Jane stepped out of her dress and draped it over a chair before coming to stand behind her sister to render the same service. ‘And how was the ball for you, Lizzy?’
A smile spread across Elizabeth’s features, and Jane laughed. ‘I suspected as much. I could see how well your exchanges with Mr Darcy were going on the dance floor.’
‘Oh Jane!’ Elizabeth turned about and grasped her sister’s hands. ‘Part of me is so happy. When we spoke later, Mr Darcy all but declared his admiration to be what it was last year!’
‘Do you wish me to feign surprise?’
‘Why is it so easy for others to see what is not clear to oneself?’ Elizabeth started to remove her own dress. ‘He also confirmed he is not to marry Miss Latimer.’
Jane raised a brow. ‘What an informative set you had, Lizzy!’
‘Mr Darcy seemed determined to take advantage of the evening, to address matters where he could.’ Elizabeth hesitated. ‘Though as I mentioned, something troubles him; whatever it is, it seems to prevent him from speaking openly.’
Jane took her sister’s gown and laid it on top of her own. ‘Do you think it is this unresolved matter with Papa and Wickham?’
‘I do not know. Perhaps.’ Elizabeth turned to stare at her reflection again. ‘Though I have loosened the rein upon my hopes a little, I cannot help but apply some caution. What if it should come to nothing?’
Jane patted her on the arm and headed for the dressing room. ‘Do not dwell upon what you cannot resolve, Lizzy. Come, we must get a few hours rest.’
‘Do you still intend to call on Mr Wentworth?’
Paused on the threshold, Jane turned about. ‘I do owe him an answer, but my priority is to resume my visits to the parishioners. Miss Darcy has arranged with the cook for several baskets to be made up. Indeed, she had offered earlier today to accompany me. With my need to speak privately to Mr Wentworth, I had been inclined to decline her offer, but I think I will enjoy her company.’ Jane smiled. ‘Mr Darcy was kind enough, when I stood up with him, to offer the use of a curricle. It seems he remains wary of us going anywhere on foot.’
‘Then it is perhaps fortunate I am to visit Lambton on horseback.’ Elizabeth frowned. ‘Though my oft neglected riding habit is at The Grange. I do not know what I can possibly wear for such an outing.’ Then, she shrugged. Her pelisse would have to suffice.
With Jane retired to her own chamber, Elizabeth prepared for bed, clambering between the sheets and laying her head upon the pillows. Her mind felt too full for sleep, despite the energies expended throughout the evening, and she stared up at her canopy consumed by her thoughts.
Could Mr Darcy truly overcome her current status as the daughter of a tenant of the estate? Yes, she remained the daughter of a gentleman, but society must note the difference. Then there was the disgrace of the previous year...
Elizabeth rolled onto her side. Though it had not been his intention, Mr Darcy’s use of his earlier proposal to illustrate his point had brought that whole evening to the forefront of Elizabeth’s mind. Was Mr Darcy, who had struggled so hard to overcome her lack of connections and her family’s position in society, which he had declared as being so decidedly beneath his own, prepared to take such an unprecedented step as to offer his hand to the same woman and, moreover, when that lady’s situation had only worsened? And what of the threat hanging over her father? What did Wickham know that had yet to come out?
Finding no answers in the darkness, Elizabeth closed her eyes, striving to think only of her dances with Mr Darcy, to recall his words as they watched the fireworks display, but as exhaustion finally took her, the doubts were never far behind, and her sleep was peppered with dreams of what might have been.
~o0o~
Darcy surveyed the grounds from the window of his study, then raised his cup to take a sip, the strength of the coffee providing the necessary bite. He had barely slept in the few hours between his retiring and dawn breaking, his mind wanderin
g from the exquisite moments in Elizabeth’s company at the ball and the hope he had drawn from their conversation to the implications of what they might discover today. He glanced at the clock on the mantel: it was barely six o’clock.
‘Morning, Darce!’ He turned around as his cousin breezed into the room, followed by Bingley. Darcy did not know if it was his military training, but the colonel never seemed affected by a lack of sleep. ‘What is our plan of attack?’
Darcy placed his cup and saucer on the desk. ‘A visit to the hunting tower is the priority. What we do or do not find there will determine our next course.’
The colonel nodded. ‘It is surely worth asking Rivers if there have been any more sightings of the alleged poacher. Shall I speak to him? That may aid our direction if the tower does not deliver.’
‘A fair point.’
‘What is my instruction, Darcy?’ Bingley’s air and countenance were uncharacteristically serious. ‘What would you have me do to assist?’
‘I would have you come with me, Bingley, if you are willing to oblige. If by any chance Miss Lydia Bennet is at the tower, she will no doubt make for an escape, and someone will need to remain by the door to prevent her.’
‘Then let us go directly to the stables.’ Colonel Fitzwilliam turned towards the door. ‘I will speak to Rivers discreetly; he will never know my true purpose. Where shall we meet up?’
Darcy and Bingley walked over to join the colonel as he opened the door. ‘I think it best if you come to the tower once you have spoken to him, Cousin. There is always the small hope our search will end as soon as it begins.’
Before long, they had reached the stables and whilst Darcy and Bingley gained their mounts, the colonel left them to call upon the steward in his office. It did not take long to reach the hunting tower, as they took a winding bridleway up through the woods, and reining in Bedivere, Darcy swung from the saddle and fastened the reins securely before turning to survey the scene.
‘What is the best approach?’ Bingley spoke quietly as he secured his mount, and they both walked over to the tower.
‘Caution.’ Darcy then pointed to a discarded axe leaning against the stone wall. ‘Rivers had been told of one being stolen last week.’
Bingley inspected the iron handle and lock on the door, then looked to Darcy. ‘It would appear it was used to force entry. Someone seeking shelter?’
Darcy grasped the handle and turned it slowly, keen not to make any unnecessary noise. It was early, and there was always a chance the girl was asleep. ‘Wait here, Bingley, in case of need.’
‘I shall be on my guard, my friend.’
Pushing the door aside, wincing as it wheezed on its hinges, Darcy stepped inside. All was dark, there being no windows on the ground floor, and there was no sound of movement. He let his eyes adjust to the dim light provided by the open door, then, seeing little indication of occupation, he began to climb the circular stone staircase. The first floor had clearly been in use, but not in recent hours. An attempt had been made at a fire, but the embers were cold. There was an empty water flask and some discarded victuals in one corner, some of which had turned, and Darcy wrinkled his nose. These were no conditions for a gentleman’s daughter to be living in, whatever her past misdemeanours were.
He climbed the final flight, and there was the proof he sought. Not only were there a few items of clothing spilling from a leather bag, the fabrics more suited to the drawing room than the forest, but an old oil lamp swung from a hook by the window—no doubt the source of the flickering light in the treetops.
Darcy turned over the remains of another cold fire, and then inspected what must be Lydia Bennet’s sleeping quarters. A horse blanket seemed to have sufficed, but nestled in one of the folds he found two things: a scrap of paper bearing a few words and some strands of pink ribbon. Picking them up, Darcy retraced his steps, blinking as he emerged into the light.
‘No sign of her, Bingley, but this is where she has been hiding out. We shall have to seek her further afield.’
‘What is that?’ Bingley pointed to the items in Darcy’s hand, and he held them up. ‘Ribbons?’ His friend frowned. ‘It is a strange vanity, is it not, in the circumstances?’
Darcy turned about at the sound of hooves approaching along the bridleway.
‘Nothing to report from Rivers.’ The colonel dismounted and walked over to join them, then raised his eyes to the tower. ‘Nothing to report here, either, I assume?’
‘She has been here, but I suspect did not return last night. Apart from some clothing and stale victuals, this was all I found.’ Darcy held out his palm and the colonel picked up one of the strands of ribbon.
‘I will wager this is the same as the one the twins found caught in a tree.’ He nodded at the scrap of paper. ‘Is that of any help?’
Darcy shook his head. ‘It is merely the address of The Grange, but in whose hand I cannot say other than it is not Wickham’s.’
The colonel grunted. ‘I thought the Bennets’ direction here in Derbyshire was a closely guarded secret.’
‘So did I, Cousin.’ Darcy sighed. He did not like the implications of his find.
‘What now, Darcy?’ Bingley looked around the immediate area. ‘Where do we concentrate our search?’
Running a hand through his hair, Darcy mulled upon the options before them. ‘Let us explore the copse of trees near Kympton where I first saw Miss Lydia Bennet. It is our only recourse at present.’
Darcy tucked the ribbons and scrap of paper into his coat. Time was of the essence; he could speculate upon anything else once the girl had been found.
Chapter Sixty-Two
The remaining ladies made a much smaller party at breakfast, with the gentlemen long gone and Mr and Mrs Latimer away at Froggatt Park. Before long, Jane and Georgiana repaired to their rooms to change into outdoor clothing and the twins, still under the restriction of staying in the house, left for the drawing room.
In the absence of Mr Bingley, Elizabeth had been unable to inform him of his sisters’ latest exploit and had instead enlisted the help of Mrs Annesley, who had promised to keep a watchful eye upon them.
Agreeing to meet Eleanor Latimer at the stables in a half hour, Elizabeth left the breakfast room and crossed the hall intent upon reaching her room, but as she took the first stair, a footman approached.
‘There is a letter come, ma’am, addressed to both you and Miss Bennet.’
Elizabeth took it, relieved to see her father’s hand though the postmark was unfamiliar to her, and she hurriedly broke the seal, her eyes scanning the short message inside.
Releasing a relieved breath, she looked up. The footman was just about to disappear through the door to the service areas.
‘Excuse me!’ She walked over to meet him, and as he bowed she said quickly, ‘Do you know if Mr Darcy is returned yet?’ She was certain he would wish to know of her father’s imminent return.
‘I believe not, ma’am.’
‘Oh. Thank you.’ Turning away, Elizabeth studied the letter once more. Then, she began to make her way up the stairs. She could not fool herself. Her unpalatable dreams lingered yet; she longed to see Mr Darcy for no other reason than to reassure herself she had not erred in her understanding of his meaning. Besides, once her father returned to Derbyshire, she and Jane would be leaving Pemberley, would they not? How strange that only four days ago she had been appalled at the thought of staying here, yet now she wished she might never have to leave.
Pushing away such futile regrets, Elizabeth rounded the corner to the hallway leading to her room, only to find Georgiana awaiting her.
‘I hope I am not too presumptuous, Miss Elizabeth. With you professing to not being a regular horsewoman, I was unsure whether you had brought riding attire with you.’
Georgiana held out a beautifully tailored habit. ‘This is one I rarely use; I asked Hetty to tack up the hem this morning, for you and I are of similar build other than our height. I am certain it will suffice.’
Deeply touched, Elizabeth reached out a hand to savour the fine wool. ‘It is very kind of you, Miss Darcy!’
Georgiana smiled, and Elizabeth returned it warmly. ‘You are most welcome, Miss Elizabeth. I shall look forward to hearing all about your ride later today.’ She excused herself, and Elizabeth entered her room, carefully laying the elegant habit on the bed.
‘Jane?’ She hurried over to the dressing room just as her sister entered from the other side. ‘Papa has written!’
‘Oh, I am so pleased!’ Jane took the letter from Elizabeth and quickly scanned the content. Then, she raised her head and smiled. ‘As brief as always!’
Elizabeth laughed, her relief at having finally heard from their father all consuming for a moment. ‘It is good to know he is on his way home; that he even thought he might precede the letter’s arrival.’ She turned to study the envelope, then frowned. ‘I am not familiar with this direction, are you?’
Jane peered at it. ‘Bellingham, Northumbria? Not at all, but it must be a place quite northwards.’
‘I was not wrong in thinking the carriage did not turn for the London turnpike, then.’ Elizabeth did not wish to dwell upon it, or the purpose behind her father’s sudden departure; she was only thankful he was safe and well.
With Jane’s help, she quickly donned the riding habit, and then they made their way downstairs.
Barely a quarter of an hour later, Jane and Georgiana set off in the curricle and Elizabeth and Eleanor Latimer stood beside the mounting block as a groom walked their mounts out of the stables. The attempt to speak to Mr Rivers had been unsuccessful, for when Elizabeth had called at the office, he was already out on the estate, and she resolved to try again upon their return.
Glancing at the overcast skies, Elizabeth smiled. Though there was no sun today, the cloud looked sufficiently high to bring no rain and with the stiff breeze blowing, it would be a pleasant ride into town.
‘Shall we?’ Once secure in her saddle, Elizabeth gestured down the winding driveway towards the lane to Lambton, and then led her mount into step beside her companion’s. ‘Do you spend much time in the country, Miss Latimer?’
A Quest for Mr Darcy Page 40