Unfortunately, William had no way of knowing how quickly that would happen.
Chapter 46
Pemberley
The house was abuzz with servants running to follow instructions, as always seemed the case when the master was about to depart on a trip. Georgiana was counting on the chaos, for she had requested that food be sent to her bedroom in order that everyone would know that she was still keeping to herself. Still livid, she relied on this isolation to give her uninterrupted time to carry out her plans. Later, when Mrs. Reynolds accompanied the maid who brought the tray, her resentment rose even higher.
No doubt she is to be my jailer while Brother is occupied with going to London after his wife! None of the servants, save Florence, will take my side.
After the housekeeper and maid left, Georgiana found it a simple feat to slip out of the manor dressed as Florence, sporting a low brimmed bonnet that showed little of her face. She hurried down a rear staircase and out the back door without notice, quickly making her way to the woods at the end of the drive. There, she waited for one of the young grooms who was enamoured of Florence. He had been persuaded some time ago to bring a horse to that particular spot whenever Florence needed to deliver a message to Lady Susan. Never questioning the maid’s need for secrecy, when he was notified that she would need a mount in the morning, he made sure to oblige her. He appeared shortly after Georgiana.
“I see you have another letter to deliver,” he said with a smile.
Georgiana dropped her head. “Hmmm,” was all she said in answer, for she worried that he might realise she was not Florence.
If he wondered why Florence did not reply to his friendly overtures with her usual lively banter, he kept it to himself as he helped her into the saddle. “There! You are ready to go.”
“Thank you,” Georgiana murmured so low that he could barely hear her before she hit the horse with her riding crop.
“You are welcome,” the young man answered to no one in particular, since horse and rider were already too far from him to hear.
As he watched her kick the stallion into a gallop, however, he made a telling observation. Florence has never ridden so effortlessly before. Scratching his head in puzzlement, he made his way back to the stables.
So it was that while William and Richard were saying their goodbyes in the foyer, Georgiana was already galloping toward Monthaven Manor.
THE FOYER
“Please let us hear from you as soon as you reach London,” Joseph Fitzwilliam cautioned, looking from one of his nephews to the other.
Olivia echoed his words. “We cannot help but be concerned, since you have not completely recovered from your ordeal, Fitzwilliam. Moreover, we will worry about Elizabeth until we know she, too, is well.”
“Do not fret,” Richard urged. “I will see that Darcy does not overtax himself.”
Just then Mr. Walker came rushing towards them. “Sir!” he said loudly enough to interrupt their conversation. “A maid just found this note on your desk when she went in to clean the study.”
Walker, who was by now as pale as a ghost, held the missive out to his employer with a shaky hand. Plainly visible on the outside, in large print, were the words: Private and Confidential, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Taking the paper, William observed that there was no return address and, though it was folded, it had not been sealed.
The butler declared, “It was not delivered with the regular post or by special messenger.”
William realised that meant only one thing—someone in the household had to have placed it on his desk. He and Richard exchanged guarded looks.
William said louder than necessary, “I shall retire to my study.” More quietly, he instructed the housekeeper and butler, “Will you please assemble all the servants in their dining room for a review of rules, or whatever subject you see fit. I want you to see if any are missing without them knowing what has happened.”
As they rushed to gather all the servants below stairs, William motioned for his family to stay where they were. After a minute, starting with the rooms on the right, he peered into each door down the hallway. Realising what he was doing, Richard did the same on the other side. Eventually they returned to the foyer, and William tilted his head toward his study. Silently everyone filed into that room. When the door was closed, he even pulled the drapes.
“Please be seated,” he said in a whisper. “In case anyone is listening, I suggest we converse quietly. It must appear that I have shared this letter with no one.”
Everyone sat down as William opened the note and silently began to read. Almost immediately alarm filled his eyes, and he closed them tightly. When they opened again, he slammed a fist on the table causing everything to rattle. “Someone has taken Elizabeth, Charles and the servants.”
Richard grabbed the missive from his fingers. “May I?” When there was no answer, he began to read the unsigned note aloud.
Mr. Darcy,
If you wish to see your wife, your friend and your servants again unharmed, you will follow these instructions to the letter. Gather all your family jewels in a small satchel, along with all the currency you have on hand. Do not try to deceive me. I am familiar with what should comprise the treasures of a family of such repute and the amount of money usually kept on hand at an estate the size of Pemberley.
I have enclosed a map showing where you are to bring the ransom. Come via horseback, alone and unarmed. Be forewarned, if you thwart me by coming in force, your wife will be the first one killed.
THOUGH HE WAS ATTEMPTING to appear calm for his aunt’s sake, William shivered as fear gripped his heart.
Olivia’s face had become completely devoid of colour. “Lord, help us all.”
Joseph moved to stand beside his wife’s chair, placing a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. “What are your thoughts, Fitzwilliam?”
“I... I must do as they say and go alone. I cannot risk anything happening to Elizabeth. I could never live with myself if she were harmed. Nor do I wish anything to happen to Charles or the servants.”
“But there is no guarantee that this blackguard will not kill you all!” Richard declared a little too loudly before whispering. “Forgive me. I can barely keep quiet in the face of such evil.” He examined the map. “Let me see if I can make sense of this.”
Holding it up first one way then another, he whispered too loudly, “Whoever drew this is an amateur. The map has too little information. There are many small roads that are not shown between Lambton and the highway on which you are to turn east. I travelled that road and I do not recall an estate where indicated. How is one to find something so obscure?”
“I will find it, for I must.”
“Well, I have no intention of letting you go alone, Darcy,” Richard retorted. “Whoever is holding Elizabeth is obviously mad. Coleridge, Harahan and I will follow, though we will stay far enough behind that Mrs. Darcy’s captor will think you have followed his orders.”
“I would rather do this alone,” William murmured. “I fear that whoever took Elizabeth would not hesitate to kill her if they suspect I was followed.”
“You realise that Richard is correct, do you not?” his uncle said. “If this blackguard has no intentions of letting you or the hostages live, and I cannot think he would be so generous as to leave you alive to pursue him, you will need help. And, I should like to be a part of that.”
Immediately Richard spoke up, “No, Uncle! I appreciate your willingness, but believe me when I say we risk being discovered if there are too many of us.”
Wisely, Joseph acquiesced.
William took a deep breath and let it go. “I could not live with myself if anything happened to—”
“I promise that they will not suspect we are following,” Richard broke in. “I shall have Mr. Miller use a distinct horseshoe on Zeus. Just make sure to keep to the mud along the road when possible and I shall be able to track you. I have trailed many an unsuspecting person during my time in the service,” Richard sta
ted with confidence.
William concurred reluctantly, and Richard asked, “When will you leave?”
“I do not want Elizabeth held a moment longer than necessary. I shall leave as soon as it can be arranged.”
“Fine. I shall have Coleridge and Harahan leave now for the cemetery at Lambton. An hour later, I shall announce that I am riding into Lambton and will meet them there. I suggest you wait at least an hour after I leave before setting out. That will give us time to find a spot on the road toward London to wait for you. After you pass, we will follow you at a safe distance. With any luck, if the spy or spies are still at Pemberley, they will think that you are going to meet the assailant alone.”
“How will I know that you are following?”
“That is not for you to worry about. Just trust me.”
William was in a daze, for memories were busy at his heart—Elizabeth on their wedding day, delivering the Becker’s child and giving herself to him at his mother’s cottage. Richard reached out to grip his shoulder before giving it a squeeze.
“Do not be anxious, Cousin. Once you are captured, whoever has Elizabeth will be too busy to suspect that you were trailed at so great a distance. With the Lord’s help, everyone will be freed unharmed.”
Aunt Olivia stood and hurried over to embrace William, then pulled back to look him in the eye. “Remember ‘Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee.’ 18 God will not fail you if you trust in Him, Fitzwilliam.”
“I shall cling to that promise,” William replied sombrely. Then he crossed to a bookshelf against the wall, moved a book and pulled a lever. A panel in the bookshelves swung open. “Please leave through this passage which leads to the library. Richard will show you how to exit on the other end.”
Everyone did as instructed, and soon William was alone. Steeling himself, he left the study to find his housekeeper and butler. As he walked he whispered a fervent prayer.
Dear God, all I ask is that you keep Elizabeth and the others safe. Give me another chance to be the husband that she deserves. Please!
MONTHAVEN MANOR
Going through the woods instead of the main road added several miles to Georgiana’s journey. Nonetheless, rather than chance being seen by someone who might tell her brother, she was content with having taken the longer route. Smiling broadly when she reined the horse to a stop at the edge of a pasture where Monthaven Manor shone in the distance, she allowed herself to relax and take in the magnificent view.
She was just about to kick her mount into a trot again, however, when she realised that from this vantage point she could clearly see the back terrace. Several servants were scurrying in and out of the door, placing trays on a wrought-iron table where two people sat—Lady Susan and Lord Attaway! Instantly, an idea occurred to Georgiana.
Would it not be a great joke to suddenly appear whilst they are eating? They would never expect me to arrive so early, especially unannounced and dressed as Florence.
Certain that her plan would entertain, Georgiana dismounted and tied her mount to a tree. Picking her way first through a small orchard on the border of one of the gardens, she forced herself not to giggle with anticipation. When at last she entered the garden itself—one fashioned after an untamed wilderness—she easily stayed hidden behind the many shrubs and trees. At last standing at the edge of a manicured lawn that led to the terrace, she was stunned to realise that she could hear their conversation remarkably well. And, when her name was mentioned by Lord Attaway, she blushed.
“I do not care what Fitzwilliam says,” he pronounced boldly, “I will marry Georgiana with his blessing or without it.”
Her heart swelled at his declaration; yet, it fell just as quickly with his next words.
“I do not intend to let thirty thousand pounds slip through my fingers, even if I have to marry that foolish chit to get it!”
“If you had played your cards right, you would already be engaged to that whining child with his blessing. But, no, you had to insult him instead.”
“I will not be browbeaten by Darcy! I shall retire my gambling debts with her dowry and then solicit his help to pay Gracehill Park’s debts after our first child is born. I have no doubt that he will lend me whatever funds are necessary to keep the estate solvent after she delivers a child—if only to prevent his future niece or nephew from suffering along with me.”
“You better hope that stupid girl agrees to marry you, otherwise, the money I promised will not be forthcoming.”
“She will!” Attaway exclaimed. “You shall have no excuse to default on your pledge.”
“I am still not certain that you have convinced her. I have seen very little support from her in my quest to secure Fitzwilliam!” Susan said equally as vociferous. Then she sighed heavily. “More to the point, if Andrew and George fail in this attempt to rid Pemberley of Eliza Bennet, I fear I may never be Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, whether Georgiana supports me or not.”
“Ridding Pemberley of Mrs. Darcy was not my task. Our bargain was that I have Georgiana fall in love with me and sway her towards your viewpoint,” Matthew proclaimed as he stood. “I have done all that was asked of me, and I expect you to honour our agreement.”
With that pronouncement, he threw his serviette down on the table and stalked back into the house. The back door slammed behind him just as a cup thrown by Lady Susan hit its mark. The china shattered when it hit the door, causing a maid to rush out to see what precipitated the noise. Surveying the damage, she returned inside to fetch a broom.
At first, Georgiana was too shocked to move, and it was only after their opinion of her began to sink in that her illusions crumbled. Collapsing to the ground, her constraint was excruciating. Holding back the threatening tears, all that she could think of was to get away.
Suddenly Lady Susan began shouting, and servants began to scamper in and out of the manor. The door continuously slammed in their hurry to comply with her wishes, and the racket gave Georgiana the opportunity to hurry back to her mount. Finding the stallion grazing just where she left him, she rode back into the wooded area she had emerged from only minutes before.
All the while that she galloped to Pemberley, the many lies that she had believed played over in her mind, and her tears would not stop. By the time she reached the manor house, she knew how foolish she had been to side with Lady Susan, especially against her brother. Leaving the horse where the groom could retrieve it, she found the house curiously empty of servants as she slipped back into her rooms. She had no way of knowing the drama that was playing out below in the servants’ dining room and William’s study.
GEORGIANA’S BEDROOM
When Georgiana entered her bedroom, she found Florence asleep in a chair. At her entrance, the maid jumped up, babbling almost senselessly.
“Oh, Miss Darcy, you startled me! I thought Mrs. Reynolds had come to check on you! What is the matter? Why have you returned? I though you would be halfway to Gretna Green by now.”
“So Mrs. Reynolds does not know that I was missing?”
“No one knows.” Noting the expression on her mistress’ face, Florence became uneasy. “Are you well? You look as though you have seen a ghost.”
Georgiana forced a faint, quivering smile. “I shall not be marrying Lord Attaway, after all.” Then in an anguish of sharp and penetrating remorse, she broke down, sobbing, “Just today I learned that he is not trustworthy!”
Stony indifference marked Florence’s attitude, for she was greatly disappointed. It had been her desire that Georgiana marry and take her away from Pemberley. Still, to cover her displeasure, she feigned sympathy by patting her back.
“Please do not despair. You are Georgiana Darcy! Lord Attaway is only the first in a long line of men who will offer for you. I dare say that you shall meet someone that you favour even more.”
“I... I agree. I shall simply have to forget him and move on with my life.”
“Forgive my curiosity, but will rejecting Lord Attaway mean breakin
g all ties with Lady Susan too?”
Georgiana lifted her chin resentfully, recalling how the woman she had once called her best friend had disparaged her. “It will, and I shall not miss her company one bit. I also learned today that she is just as untrustworthy as her cousin.”
“I am so sorry that you were hurt by their deception,” Florence murmured insincerely. “What are your plans now?”
“I... I have damaged my relationship with my brother, so I have no choice but to reside with my aunt and uncle, if they will have me.”
Florence’s demeanour darkened and she became silent. She had no wish to reside under Lady Matlock’s scrutiny. Instantly, her mind flew to the prospect of finding another lady’s maid position. Noticing that Florence had grown quiet, Georgiana reached out to take her hand.
“Do not worry, Florence. I shall always want you with me wherever I go.”
Florence forced a smile. Little consolation for all the trouble you have caused! Aloud, she replied, “If I am not needed, I think I shall go to my room. I got little sleep while I waited to be discovered in your place.”
“Of course,” Georgiana answered. “You must be exhausted. I know that I am. I intend to rest as well. Perhaps afterward I shall be able to think more clearly.”
Both women tried to sleep, though neither found any rest because of all that played on their minds.
OUTSIDE OF BRIARWOOD Manor
The overgrowth of small trees and weeds around the former guard post proved a great help in disguising the presence of Wickham and his friends. However, it provided a hiding place for snakes, mice and bugs of all kind as well. Having been crammed into the small space for the better part of eight hours, tempers were beginning to flare amongst the group intent on capturing any ransom that Darcy might gather.
“If I get bitten by one more spider, I shall go back to Lambton and forget all about the money!” Pate growled. “I have not slept a wink since we got here, for I am afraid to lie down on the floor with all these creatures.”
Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple Page 75