by Zoë Burton
Darcy opened his mouth to reply to Georgiana’s question when a footman entered with another missive, handing it immediately to Darcy and exiting the room. Darcy instantly recognized the handwriting on the envelope as that of his former friend. His heart in his mouth, he swallowed an oath as he opened it and read the contents.
Darcy,
You had it all and took what was mine. Now I have taken what is yours. Miss Elizabeth is alive. For now. Good luck finding her.
W.
“What does it say? Tell me, Fitzwilliam!” Georgiana had never seen her brother with that look on his face, a combination of anger and fear.
Darcy’s gaze focused on his sister. As much as he hated to bring that blackguard’s name up to her again, he could not leave her in the dark about it. “Wickham has taken Elizabeth, I know not where.” At Georgiana’s gasp, Darcy tried to reassure her. “We will find her. All will be well.”
Her eyes filling with tears at the thought of the lady she already thought of as a sister being in the clutches of a man such as George Wickham, she begged Darcy to let her help. “What can I do, Brother, to assist? I could not bear to sit here doing nothing.”
“For now, just pray. I need to question the servants and ride to Longbourn to speak to Mr. Bennet. His note says that Elizabeth left the house before breaking her fast, probably around nine o’clock but that he could not say for certain, and that she generally only stays out for an hour. When she did not return to eat with them, they assumed she came here.”
“Instead, Wickham kidnapped her. Poor Lizzy! Oh, poor Mary, when she hears, she will be so worried!”
Darcy walked over and pulled the bell. When the footman appeared, he demanded to know who had delivered the letter from Wickham.
“’Twas a local boy, sir. One of the blacksmith's younger sons.”
“When was it delivered? Did you give it to me immediately?”
“Yes, sir. He delivered it to the front door, and I walked straight down the hall to give it to you. Made no extra stops.”
“Very good. You are dismissed. Oh, wait!” He paused for a moment as the servant stopped and turned back. “Have my horse saddled. I need to ride to Longbourn immediately.”
“Yes, sir.” Nodding, he turned once more and hurried to give the stables the message.
“Georgiana, I want you to stay in your rooms while I am gone. Lock the door and let no one in, not even your maid. I do not trust that Wickham will not attempt something with you, and use someone from the household to do it. I will tell Hurst before I leave that I have given you those orders.”
“Yes, Brother. Please bring Lizzy home quickly.” Kissing his cheek, she swiftly exited the library and took herself up the stairs, locking herself in her chambers.
Once Darcy had informed the Hursts, who were settled in the drawing room for the afternoon, he strode out the door and mounted his waiting stallion. Within minutes, he was being granted entrance to Longbourn.
~~~***~~~
Darcy and Mr. Bennet, after a brief consultation, came to the conclusion that they should make sure Wickham did not take Elizabeth to London. They needed to know where to begin the search. By Darcy’s estimation, she had been gone for seven hours.
With only a few hours of daylight left, he commissioned the fastest of Netherfield’s grooms, one whom he had asked to attend him to Longbourn, to ride first into Meryton to check the coach stop there and then on to the next one. He was to report back as soon as possible. Darcy and Bennet felt that Wickham would have entered the coach at one of those two stops. Travelling with a lady, especially one as spirited and stubborn as Elizabeth could be when angered, would not be conducive to the speed and unremarkable demeanor that he needed to get away.
While the groom was gone, Darcy and Bennet formed a plan to search the area, in case it was needed. They called in the steward, who was able to help them identify possible hiding places.
It was full dark by the time the groom returned with news that no couples had entered coaches at either stop. The gentlemen were relieved to hear that their search would be a local one. The servant, however, had more to share with them.
“I heard an interesting fact in Meryton, though, that might be meaningful to you.” He waited for nods indicating permission to speak further, continuing his tale upon receiving them. “I recall hearing, Mr. Darcy, that you chased off a gentleman named Wickham. He left the county, so I was told, but he was seen late this morning entering the coach. The innkeeper’s wife told me he was looking all around, as though someone was after him. She said he has not been gone at all, but has been coming in to drink in the evenings, and to gamble a bit.”
“Which stop was this?” Darcy’s visage was pale at the thought that Wickham had remained nearby.
“The Meryton stop, sir.”
Darcy cursed, turning to face the window. Bennet dismissed the groom before addressing his companion. “So it seems Mr. Wickham has been watching you.”
“And Elizabeth, is my guess. If he has hurt her, I swear I will tear this country apart looking for him.”
“It is too late to begin the search. We have already checked this house and the stables and outbuildings. You are welcome to spend the night here.”
“Thank you, but my sister is locked in her chambers awaiting word from me. I will return to Netherfield, but will be back at first light. I will set the servants there to searching the house and grounds before I ride over here.”
“Very good.” Bennet put his hand on Darcy’s shoulder and squeezed. “We will find her, and she will be well. We must cling to that.”
Darcy nodded, giving Bennet a small smile, before striding out of the book room.
~~~***~~~
Darcy was back just as dawn broke the next morning. He had slept very little, worry over his beloved and anger at his childhood friend eating at him. He and Bennet hastily ingested a quick meal before addressing the gathered gentry, servants, and tenants of the local estates. Word had spread of Miss Elizabeth’s disappearance, and there were many who were eager to help find her.
They searched the entire day, starting with the farms attached to Longbourn and working their way outward. Every building they found was inspected, every attic, every hayloft, every cellar. Darcy was tireless, pushing himself and the men with him. Eventually, though, darkness once again enveloped the land and Elizabeth remained missing.
Darcy returned to his rooms at Netherfield, disheartened and fearful. His sleep was even more disturbed than it had been the previous night. For every hour Elizabeth remained missing, the hope for her good health—her life, even—grew smaller. At dawn the next day, he was once again knocking on Longbourn’s door.
The sun was low in the sky when the men of the neighborhood, after searching as far as they thought a man could go when dragging an unwilling woman behind him, gathered in a field on the far side of the Bennet estate. All were exhausted, and many had given up hope that she would ever be found.
Two boys taking part in the search decided to rest for a bit in a clump of trees nearby. First hacking at the tall weeds to make a seat, one sat beneath a tree while the other walked further in to relieve himself. With one hand on a tree and the other aiming his stream away from his feet, the second boy looked around. His attention was arrested by a path of bent weeds and broken branches amongst the thick trees and brush. Upon finishing his ablutions, he followed the trail, at the end finding a building he had never known was there. He pushed the door open and gasped to see a young lady, bound up and unconscious. He turned and ran, past his friend, to Mr. Bennet and the rich nob that was staying at Netherfield.
“I found her!”
At the boy’s words, Darcy was off his horse and running after him. Bennet and the rest of the men followed.
Rushing into the hidden cabin, Darcy was both elated and heartbroken to find his betrothed. “Elizabeth!” He knelt at her side, feeling for a pulse in her neck as he reached with his other hand for the pocket knife he kept in his coat. Men b
egan to fill the room, some helping Darcy untie her and others setting to work making a litter with which to carry her out.
Bennet lowered himself on the other side of his daughter. “Is she alive?”
“Yes, but barely,” Darcy replied. He looked around the small space. “He left her here, tied up and with no food or water, for days. Days! He knows as well as anyone that she could have died here. She may yet-.” He choked on the words, tears coming to his eyes. He gripped her hand as he worked to control his emotions. “Please, Elizabeth, wake up. Do not leave me,” he whispered.
Bennet spoke. “Does she have any injuries?”
“I do not know. We need to check before we move her.” They set about feeling her limbs and body. When they found nothing to indicate a break, they rolled her from her side onto her back. Darcy growled at the sight of her bruised face, but he continued to check her for further injury. He was relieved to find nothing else beyond rope burns around her wrists. “I will kill him for this.”
“And leave my daughter a widow when you are caught and hanged? I do not think so. We will find him and deal with him, but for now, we must focus on Elizabeth.”
Darcy nodded, gathering his intended in his arms. He whispered in her ear, “Please, my darling, come back to me. Do not leave me.” He kissed her ear and her cheek, and then, so very softly, her lips. “I love you.”
The litter was ready for use and so, reluctantly, Darcy laid Elizabeth down on it, covering her with his coat. He insisted on carrying one corner of it and helping walk her out. She was far too precious to entrust to people he did not know.
It was a long, slow walk back to Longbourn and there were frequent stops to allow the men to take turns on the litter. Never once did Elizabeth stir, and fear gripped every man among them that she would not survive.
Upon reaching the manor, the local apothecary was set up to receive her in her bedchamber, having been summoned as soon as Elizabeth was found. Darcy gathered her up and carried her in himself, leaving only at the insistence of the housekeeper and the man of medicine. He stationed himself outside her door, where he could keep watch on her progress. Soon, Mr. Bennet joined him. Suddenly, the door opened and the housekeeper stuck her head out. “She is waking!”
Darcy rushed to her bed, sitting on the edge and holding her hand. “Elizabeth?” Joy filled him when her head turned toward him and her eyes opened.
“Fitzwilliam,” she croaked.
He kissed her hand. “I love you.”
“Love…you…”
The apothecary spoke. “She needs water. I have read of people who died as a result of not drinking enough liquids. Mrs. Hill has gone down to fetch broth, but we also need to give her sips of water, slowly but often.”
Darcy nodded as he changed his position on the bed. Lifting her up, he leaned Elizabeth against his chest. Bennet handed him a glass of water, and he coaxed her to drink, pulling it away after just a little bit. “Not too much, my love. Let that settle and I will give you more.”
Elizabeth managed to stay awake long enough to take half the water in the glass and a small amount of broth. Darcy and her father took turns with the apothecary and Mrs. Hill, watching her for signs of fever and encouraging her to take water whenever she awakened, even if it was for only a few minutes. When she survived the night, her caretakers were elated, and the news relayed to her mother and sisters, who had been confined to their rooms once Elizabeth had been found. Mr. Bennet had decided that theatrics were not needed in the sickroom and that was all the three women were capable of.
London, late the next day
Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam settled into a chair in his quarters. His batman had handed him a letter upon his return to the barracks, saying it had arrived only minutes before. Seeing the return address and recalling that his Darcy cousins were currently staying with Darcy’s friend Bingley, he snapped the seal and unfolded the letter. Expecting it to be a simple recount of their days in the country, he was unprepared for the contents.
Leaping from his seat, he read the note again, his shock giving way to anger. He began to pace as his mind, with the precision that had gained him acclaim for his strategies in battle, plotted steps to avenge Darcy and his betrothed. After examining his plan from all angles, he sat down to write two letters. One was to a former comrade who made his money now by conducting investigations. The other was to his cousin.
Darcy,
I am without words. My anger knows no bounds. That your innocent betrothed should be left to die in such a manner horrifies and enrages me. I am relieved to hear that she is awake and on the path to recovery, and that the cur did not injure her further.
I know that you are not in a position to take care of this situation. You are rightly where you belong, with your Elizabeth. Be assured that I will, with all due diligence, address it as swiftly as I can manage and in as discreet a manner as possible. You should know by now that I am well able to arrange matters to suit me, and with no repercussions.
Give my love to both Georgiana and Miss Bennet. I have never been more eager to have her join the family.
Yours,
RF
~~~***~~~
Three days after Elizabeth awoke, Jane and Mary Bennet returned home, accompanied by Mr. Bingley and Lord and Lady Watts. The young ladies rushed to their sister’s side, with Jane taking over nursing duties from the housekeeper. She spent much of her time while at Elizabeth’s bedside talking, sharing news and stories of her time in London. Mary, after sitting with Elizabeth for a while and holding her hand, retreated down the stairs.
“You must get well, dear sister, for I require that you stand up with me. Mr. Bingley has asked me to marry him, and I said yes. I am so happy! Perhaps we might have a double wedding? What do you say?” Jane’s relief that Elizabeth was recovering added to her excitement over her betrothal.
Darcy and Bingley watched from the doorway. “She is happy, my friend. Congratulations. We shall be brothers.”
Bingley grinned. “We shall. You are fortunate in that, are you not?”
Darcy laughed. “Indeed, I am. Fortunate on all fronts, I believe.” He gazed at Elizabeth, who still slept most of the time but had regained some color and strength.
“Have you found Wickham yet? I knew he was a scoundrel, but never imagined he would do something so heinous.”
“No, I have not. I have hired investigators, though, and have alerted my cousin to be on the lookout for him.”
“Ah, if I remember correctly, Wickham is very much afraid of the good Colonel. What did Fitzwilliam say about the matter?”
“Not much, just that he would like an introduction to Elizabeth as soon as possible and that he knew if Lady Catherine described her as common and inappropriate that she must be a diamond of the first water. His anger was clear, however. Elizabeth is an innocent, just one of a long line of them, of course, but after the last incident, this one makes it clear that Wickham’s behavior is becoming worse and worse. If I know Fitzwilliam, he believes the miscreant must be stopped, and he is just the man to do it. That army training and service on the battlefield have made him fierce. Wickham is wise to fear him. My cousin will find him, no matter how long it takes, and it will not go well, not for Wickham, at any rate.”
“And in the meantime?”
“My focus, for now, remains on Elizabeth and getting her well. Georgiana has been asking to visit and help with the nursing duties. Now that Mary is here and Elizabeth seems to be on the mend, I will allow it. She has always wanted a sister, and watching Jane and Mary serve theirs will teach Georgiana well.”
The gentlemen moved out of the doorway as Mrs. Hill bustled past them, giving them a look that could only mean disapproval.
“She does not approve of us seeing Miss Elizabeth in her chambers?”
Darcy chuckled. “No, she does not. It does not matter a bit to her that Elizabeth is covered to her chin and that her sister sits with her. Gentlemen do not belong in a lady’s bedchamber before they ar
e wed. Come, Bennet had the settee in the hallway brought up for my comfort. Let us make use of it.”
Chapter 7
It took Elizabeth a full week to recover her strength enough to leave her room. The apothecary insisted that she slowly increase the amount of food she consumed, and allowed her only broth for the first few days. He looked in on her daily, and was happy to report to her father and betrothed that she was making good progress. The day she stepped into the hall for the first time and felt Darcy’s waiting arms wrap around her felt like the best day of her life.
“I love you, Fitzwilliam,” she murmured into his waistcoat.
“And I, you, my love.” Darcy tightened his hold. “You must promise not to frighten me that way again.” His voice became imperious. “You will take a footman with you every time you leave the house. Never again will you be left unprotected.”
For once in her life, Elizabeth was happy with that sort of demand. “I will, even if I only go to the gardens.” She began to cry. “It was awful, Fitzwilliam, and I never wish to experience anything similar again. I tried to get out, I truly did, but there was nothing I could do. I could not stand and walk, and I could not find any way to get the bindings off.”
Darcy picked her up and moved to the settee, sitting down with her on his lap. He held her while she cried, rubbing his hand over her back to comfort her. “Shhh, all is well, my love. I know that you tried. There was evidence of it on your gown and on the floor. I am so sorry that I did not find you sooner. Would that I could have spared you some of the horror and pain!” Tears filled his own eyes as he shared with her his feelings of helplessness and pain at her disappearance. “I promise you, my love, that I will do everything in my power to keep you safe for the rest of your life. You are my heart; without you, I am a lost soul.”
Darcy lifted Elizabeth’s tear-stained face with his finger under her chin. He searched her eyes, looking for permission and assurance, and, finding both, lowered his lips to hers. They kissed for a long minute, giving and taking reassurance and comfort in the one they pledged their lives to. They separated once, then joined their mouths again, deepening the kiss for just a moment before Darcy pulled away. Brushing the backs of his fingers over her cheek, he whispered, “I adore you.”