The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery

by Regina Jeffers

  The man reached where she sat comfortably in the shade. “They have, Mrs. Darcy.” He bowed politely. “I left them my gig for their use and begged a ride with Mr. Foxmour. He came to fetch Mavis, Nell, and Tavia from the school.”

  “How go the studies?” she asked, looking up into the sun and shadowing her eyes with her cupped hand.

  Winkler leaned over to play with Bennet. “We have eight to ten students each day. Not always the same children, but I am pleased with our progress.”

  “You are a bit early,” she teased good-naturedly. “My Hertfordshire family has not yet arrived.”

  Winkler blushed. “I hope my presence is not an encumbrance.” He straightened as Elizabeth gathered the child to her and stood.

  “Of course not.” She laughed lightly. “I fear that Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Joseph are sequestered in my husband’s study and are dissecting some detestable business matter; however, Mrs. Bingley and my father are in the library. I am certain they shall welcome your company.” She started toward the house. “Come along. We can wait for Kitty’s return together.”

  In silence, they strolled leisurely across the carefully groomed path. Finally, Winkler said, “I am too transparent.”

  “Absolutely not,” she declared. “You are simply a man in love. As the object of your affection is my younger sister, I am delighted by the news.”

  Winkler confessed, “I have missed Miss Bennet desperately.”

  As she shifted the child in her arms, Elizabeth smiled up at the man. “I had not considered that Kitty was the last of us to be called ‘Miss Bennet.’ As Jane and I shared our wedding date, I was only Miss Bennet for a few brief moments. And Lydia married before Jane and never knew that title. Mary has abdicated it. Now it is Kitty’s.”

  “Only until Monday,” Winkler observed.

  “Yes. Yes. Then our Kitty shall be the new Mrs. Winker,” she taunted. “Shall you be satisfied when that occurs?”

  Winkler sighed deeply. “I have waited for our joining for nearly two years. I feel quite foolish when I consider how long I have planned to claim Miss Catherine.”

  “We are all fools in love.”

  Within the hour, the Bennet traveling coach came to rest in the circle before Pemberley. The Darcy household waited on the entrance steps to greet the travelers. “Although they have only been away since Twelfth Night, I am pleased to see my family again,” Elizabeth whispered as Darcy placed her hand on his arm.

  “Let us see if you have the same opinion by this time next week,” he murmured. “Your dear family will all want to hold Bennet. Your private time with our son has just disappeared.”

  Elizabeth feigned shock in this revelation. “Then you must send them all away immediately, Mr. Darcy,” she exclaimed. “I refuse to share my child with anyone but his father.”

  Darcy caught her free hand to his side. “I knew you to be a sensible creature, my dear.” His smile widened.

  “Too late,” Elizabeth shuttered her words. “The footman has let down the step.”

  “Do not say I did not warn you,” he murmured into her hair.

  “Mrs. Bennet.” Elizabeth’s father supported his wife’s step on the coach’s ladder. “I am pleased you have arrived safely.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Bennet. It is good to be at Pemberley again. When I was last in Derbyshire, the grounds were covered in ice and snow. It is pleasant to see it at its best.”

  “Later, we will tour Mr. Darcy’s gardens, if you did not find your journey too exhausting.”

  “That would be enjoyable.” The woman turned to her waiting family. “Ah, Jane,” she gushed. “I have so longed to see Jackson.” She held her oldest close. “And Mr. Bingley,” she said in welcome. “It is delightful to see you, Sir.”

  “You look well, Mother Bennet.” Bingley embraced the woman.

  As if overheated, she fanned her face with her handkerchief. “I shall be complete, Mr. Bingley, when our Kitty becomes Mrs. Winkler. A mother’s task is to see to her daughters’ futures.”

  “And you have excelled in your endeavors,” Bingley said good-naturedly.

  “Mama.” Elizabeth had waited patiently. She and her mother had rarely found congress, but they had spent an enjoyable Christmastide together, and this had given Elizabeth hope that now that she too was a mother, they would develop a deeper understanding.

  “Ah, Lizzy. Your father writes often of your Bennet.” Elizabeth received a lukewarm hug, very different from the one Jane had experienced only moments earlier, and over her mother’s shoulder, Elizabeth saw the corners of Darcy’s mouth dip downward.

  She maneuvered her mother in Mr. Darcy’s direction; her husband bowed over her mother’s hand. “I am pleased by your return to Pemberley, Mrs. Bennet.” He handed her off to Bingley. “I am certain that Mr. Bingley will show you into the drawing room. Mr. Nathan has arranged for refreshments.” Mrs. Bennet curtsied and then allowed Bingley to escort her to the house. “No words of thanks,” he grumbled under his breath.

  “My mother is likely exhausted from the details of first Mary’s, and now Kitty’s wedding,” Elizabeth said beside him.

  “Mrs. Bennet found enough energy to greet your sister with enthusiasm,” Darcy countered. “I will not have you snubbed, Lizzy, even by your mother.”

  Elizabeth shrugged in exasperation. “I shall have Papa speak to her.” Then with a renewed smile, she greeted her sisters. “Mary.” She caught the girl in a hearty embrace. “Permit me to look upon you. How does married life treat you?”

  “Mr. Grange is quite kind,” Mary said softly.

  “I am pleased to hear it.”

  Darcy shook the young lawyer’s hand. “Pemberley welcomes you, Mr. Grange.”

  “Mrs. Grange and I thank you for receiving us.” He placed Mary on his arm and followed Jane Bingley into the main foyer.

  Elizabeth turned to see Winkler lifting Kitty to the ground. His hands rested on her sister’s waist for a few extra seconds, and their gaze intensified. Elizabeth diverted her eyes and shared a knowing smile with Darcy.

  “Miss Bennet, I have waited for this moment for weeks,” Winkler rasped.

  Kitty blushed, but she managed to say, “As have I, Mr. Winkler.”

  Darcy cleared his throat. “Then may we take this homecoming inside?”

  Winkler laughed self-consciously. “Of course, Mr. Darcy.”

  Kitty caught Elizabeth about the waist as they walked toward the open door. “Has Georgiana already departed for Scotland?”

  “I am afraid so. Mrs. Fitzwilliam regretted missing your wedding, but the Major General was due a fortnight ago. Georgiana wanted the house open and waiting for her husband. She left a personal note and a wedding gift in your room.”

  “I appreciate both, but I shall grieve with Mrs. Fitzwilliam’s absence,” Kitty declared.

  “As shall we all,” Elizabeth assured.

  Chapter 3

  MY DEAREST GEORGIANA,

  I cannot tell you how much I ache to hold you in my arms. I did not think it possible to give myself over so completely to anyone, but with you, I have been made whole.

  I have arrived in Dover. I had hoped to take port somewhere north of Hull so I might speed my return to you, but as my departure from the Continent was delayed, I accepted what passage I could find to once more know English soil. As I intend to take half pay and to devote my life to loving my incredible new bride, my superiors assure me that it will take a few days to process my paperwork. Therefore, I will tarry in Kent until I am released from my immediate duties.

  Meanwhile, I will call on our aunt at Rosings Park. Captain Southland has suffered a grievous injury in our last days of fighting Napoleon’s forces. In fact, it is the gentleman’s recovery which has delayed my return. The good captain has lost part of his arm, and although he will mend, I think it best if I speak to Anne prior to Southland’s return to Rosings. I will preface the man’s needs. Our cousin’s reaction to her husband’s injury could set the tone for
their marriage, and I wish to counsel her regarding Southland’s fear of her rejection. These matters will delay my departure for the North until, at soonest, Monday.

  I pray this letter reaches you before your departure for the Fitzwilliam estate. I would not wish you to be alone in Scotland for many days. Our purpose in going to the family holdings is to celebrate our joining and our commitment to each other. I will send a like message to Alpin Hall to assure you receive news of my delay.

  I am counting the days until I can feast once more on your beauty.

  Your loving husband,

  E.

  “If you will see that these letters are placed in the post, I would appreciate it,” Edward said as he handed his temporary aide several personal messages.

  The man, Lieutenant Conrad, glanced at the directions on the letters. “Three to Derbyshire?” he remarked curiously.

  “My home shire,” Edward’s attention had returned to the stacks of paperwork and reports littering the desk. “My parents and my wife. Her brother also. My brother is the one in Lincolnshire.”

  Conrad blushed. “I was unaware of your marriage, Sir. The file I received regarding this post contained no notation of your joining,” the man confessed.

  Edward paused in his paper shuffle. He could easily imagine Georgiana’s countenance. After all, he had known her from her first breath. And with a critical masculine eye, one that had been exposed to some of the most beautiful women in the world, Edward could gladly say that he considered her as the handsomest woman of his acquaintance. “I married only days after receiving my orders to join Wellington’s forces. Mrs. Fitzwilliam refused to allow me to leave England a bachelor.” He laughed lightly. “The lady is quite remarkable, and my new wife was correct. Her insistence upon advancing the date of our joining served as an impetus for my surviving Waterloo’s nightmare. I refused to make the lady a widow. In many ways, Mrs. Fitzwilliam has saved my life, and I mean to share my gratitude as soon as possible.”

  “Then England should celebrate the lady’s foresight. I am told that you served the Duke well during the battle,” the lieutenant said.

  Edward, uncomfortable with the praise, nodded curtly. “Mrs. Fitzwilliam should be celebrated for her intelligence, her beauty, and her talent. Choosing me as her husband is likely her most calamitous decision.”

  “Father, Mother, Rose: Permit me to present my fiancée, Catherine Bennet. Miss Bennet, my parents, Sir James and Lady Winkler, and my sister, Miss Winkler.”

  Kitty curtsied before saying, “It is my honor, Sir James, Lady Winkler, Miss Winkler. Your son has told me so much about you that I am pleased to finally claim the acquaintance.”

  Camellia Winkler gushed, “She is as beautiful as you led us to believe, Thorne.” Lady Winkler caressed Kitty’s cheek.

  Winkler’s smile widened. “Miss Bennet is certainly that.”

  Kitty blushed thoroughly. “Sir James, permit me to extend your acquaintance to our hosts, my sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.”

  The couples exchanged courtesies; then Elizabeth directed Mr. Winkler’s family to the main drawing room. “I fear you are about to be beset with a number of Bennets, Lady Winkler. Kitty is one of five daughters.”

  “Yes, my son has written to that effect,” Lady Winkler assured.

  Thirty minutes later, Mr. Nathan announced, “Dinner is served, Mr. Darcy.”

  Lady Winkler declared as she entered the dining room on Darcy’s arm, “My! Such a collation, and prepared with abundance and elegance.”

  “Thank you, Ma’am. Mrs. Darcy is known for her hospitality.” He seated the baronet’s wife to his right.

  When everyone had settled at the table, Mrs. Bennet declared, “This is very pleasant, having family about the table. Do you not concur, Lady Winkler?”

  “It is, Mrs. Bennet,” the lady agreed, “although I do so wish Thorne’s older brother could have joined us for this momentous occasion. Bram is overseeing renovations on the estate. We had a disastrous spring storm with wind and lightning damage.”

  Mrs. Bennet accepted the fish course from Darcy’s footman before saying, “I am sorry to hear it, Ma’am. The care never ceases on a working estate, does it? I am certain Mr. Winkler would prefer to have his brother in attendance, just as Kitty would prefer that Mrs. Wickham, our dearest Lydia, could see our Kitty married.”

  Kitty grimaced. Her mother had returned to her favorite subject of late: Lydia’s absence from the family gatherings. Over the past month, her mother had harangued her daughter as to why Kitty had not insisted that Mr. Darcy send his carriage for the Wickhams. Mrs. Bennet had always preferred her youngest child, to the others’ neglect. Kitty did not regret Lydia’s absence as her mother did. She felt that she had risen above the insensibility she now recognized in Lydia’s actions.

  She recalled quite clearly how Lydia had abandoned her for Mrs. Forster, the wife of the colonel of the regiment once stationed at Meryton. When the army transferred the unit to Brighton, both she and Lydia had bemoaned the loss of the men’s company, but Mrs. Forster had invited Lydia to accompany her to the resort. Mrs. Forster had become Lydia’s invaluable friend. A resemblance in good humor and good spirits had recommended the woman and Lydia to each other, and out of their three months’ acquaintance they had been an intimate two—leaving Kitty to amuse herself.

  The rapture of Lydia on this occasion, her adoration of Mrs. Forster, and the delight of their mother had increased Kitty’s mortifications. Wholly inattentive to her sister’s feelings, Lydia had fluttered about the house in restless ecstasy, calling for everyone’s congratulations, and laughing and talking with more violence than ever, while Kitty had repined her fate without respite.

  “It shall be a glorious day even without Lydia’s presence, Mama.” Kitty nodded toward her other sisters. “I am thankful to have three of my four sisters in attendance. I suspect Mr. Wickham’s service does not permit him the luxury of naming when he might secure a leave of absence.”

  “Nonsense, Kitty,” her mother responded. “With the war at an end, Mr. Wickham surely has reduced responsibilities.”

  Kitty shot a quick glance to Elizabeth, sitting at the table’s end. She was not certain what had occurred between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham, but Kitty was aware of the lack of goodwill between the men. She had spent enough time at Pemberley over the past two years to overhear snippets of conversations regarding Mr. Darcy’s contempt for Lydia’s husband, and Kitty did not believe that it had anything to do with the fact that Elizabeth had once favored Mr. Wickham over Mr. Darcy. “Well, it is not to be,” she said quietly, praying that her acceptance of the fact would turn the conversation.

  Elizabeth’s eyebrow rose in curiosity, but she said, “Mama, why do you not tell Lady Winkler about Kitty’s gown and the wedding breakfast’s preparations?” After those words, the intercourse of the two families was carried on without restraint.

  Kitty exhaled deeply and then mouthed the words “Thank you” to her older sister.

  “Miss Bennet, would you consider a walk in the garden?” Mr. Winkler bowed to those who kept Kitty company.

  She pinked, but slid her hand into his. “That would be diverting.”

  “Take a maid,” Elizabeth whispered.

  Kitty nodded and placed her hand on Winkler’s proffered arm. “I hope all goes well with the school,” she said as they exited through the patio door.

  “It could use your sensible eye for detail, but it is a good beginning. Miss Lyndhurst manages to meet each child’s needs.” He directed their steps toward the lower garden. “The Foxmour girls attend upon occasion.”

  “I would call on the family in the next few days.”

  Winkler smiled happily. “They were most animated when they learned of your return. Mavis says they have additional drawings for you.”

  Kitty tightened her fingers about his arm. At Christmastide, she had accompanied Winkler as he attended Arthur Foxmour’s terminally ill mother. Not knowing what to expect
, she had entertained the Foxmour children with drawing lessons. Since that time, the three girls had given her countless examples of their artwork. “I shall be pleased to see their latest efforts.”

  Once away from the house, Winkler edged her closer. “I have missed you, Catherine,” he whispered into her hair.

  “As I have you.”

  Winkler led her to a rose-covered arbor. “By that, am I to assume that you still wish to become my bride? I would release you if you have any misgivings regarding our joining.”

  “Thorne Winkler, if you would try to withdraw, you would meet my mother’s wrath.” She smiled widely when his forehead’s lines met. “Let us not think of anything but our happiness,” she insisted. “You have won my heart, Sir. Is that what you wish me to say?” A “tut” of annoyance followed.

  Winkler caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “I cannot say that your words displease me, Catherine. I require your assurance that my dream can come true.”

  “Then be assured, Thorne, that I intend to know only you for the rest of my life.”

  Winkler glanced over his shoulder to determine the maid’s presence. Assured that the young girl’s attention was on the summer foliage, he slid his arm about Kitty’s waist and pulled her to him.

  “Thorne!” she protested, but he was gratified to have her rest her palms on his chest.

  “Yes, my love,” he whispered as he nibbled on Kitty’s ear. “You are everything, Catherine,” he rasped. “I had thought that this day would never arrive. I have waited six and twenty years to know such happiness. Now that it is in my reach, I fear that somehow God will punish me for desiring too much.”

  Kitty rose on her tiptoes to offer her lips. “There is nothing, Thorne Winkler, that can interfere with our joining. On Monday next, I shall be your wife unto eternity.” Her lips brushed his before Thorne claimed her mouth with ardent ferocity.