by Leenie Brown
Elizabeth pulled her sister close. “That is not what you told Mr. Wickham.”
“I say lots of things to Wickham that are not true.”
They had reached the house with the light in the window, so though Elizabeth wished to know what sorts of lies Lydia told Mr. Wickham and why Lydia seemed to think it acceptable to do so, they could not continue their conversation.
“Pardon me,” she said as she stepped around a man who had just exited the house.
“What have we here?” he asked. “You must be new.”
His words slurred, and Elizabeth could smell some sort of alcohol on his breath when he leaned close to look at her. He was not old or dirty as she had expected someone from this part of town to be. In fact, the hat and coat he nearly wore – his hat was askew, and his coat was only on one arm while the other arm of the garment dangled behind him – were of an excellent quality as was the cravat which hung undone around his neck.
“Sally!” He called back toward the house. “Your new girls are here.”
Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide, and she swallowed as she shook her head. “We are not Sally’s girls.” She was not exactly certain who Sally’s girls were, but she had her suspicions and knew that she did not want to be thought of as such.
“Aye, they are a pair of pretty doxies!” the man shouted toward the door.
“Might we just pass?” Elizabeth attempted once again to step around him. “Our carriage wheel broke, and we need to know where we are.”
“You are at Sally’s,” the man said with a sweep of his hand toward the house that nearly toppled him.
“Might we just pass?” Elizabeth asked once again.
“Aye, but not without a kiss.”
“I think not!” Elizabeth replied firmly, causing him to laugh and place a hand on her shoulder to keep from falling.
“How ‘bout you?” His hand remained on Elizabeth’s shoulder as he leaned toward Lydia.
“A shilling for one cheek and a half crown for both.”
Both Lydia’s reply and her boldness surprised Elizabeth.
“A shilling for a peck on the cheek?” the man exclaimed.
“Or a half crown for two,” Lydia repeated.
“And if I do not wish for you to kiss my cheeks?”
“Then you must do without.” Lydia batted her lashes and smiled as Elizabeth had seen her do on several occasions when Jacob Lucas was attempting to scheme his way out of doing something for Lydia and his sister, Maria. Elizabeth had to admit that when it came to getting what she wanted, Lydia was a proficient.
Lydia held out her hand. “A shilling for one, a half crown for two, or move aside so we might pass.”
The man grumbled, dug around in the pocket of his coat once he had caught the flapping garment, and pushed a shilling in Lydia’s hand.
Lydia wrapped her hand around the coin. “Which cheek?”
He turned his head to the right, exposing his left cheek.
Lydia pinched his nose which caused him to shout.
“I must guarantee you are not going to attempt to steal more than that for which you have paid,” she said before giving his cheek a peck and then releasing his nose.
As he was busy rubbing his nose, Lydia pushed Elizabeth to move around him.
“A shilling for a kiss?” Elizabeth whispered. “Proper young ladies do not charge for kisses, and they do not kiss strangers – or friends.” She knocked on the door.
“We are rid of him, are we not?” Lydia demanded. “And we now have one shilling which is far more than what we had a moment ago,” she added as she stepped into the house behind Elizabeth.
“Who might you be?” A fashionably dressed woman leaned on an ornately carved cane and gave them both an appraising look.
“I am Ann, and this is my sister Grace.”
The woman nodded and waited.
“Gardiner,” Elizabeth added. “Ann and Grace Gardiner.”
The woman’s mouth dropped open and then snapped closed. “Gardiner, you say?” Her eyes narrowed, and she took a step nearer Lydia. “I knew a Gardiner once,” she murmured as she scrutinized Lydia. “She looked a lot like you. Her name was Fanny.”
“Mama?” The word leaped from Lydia’s lip.
“If your mama is Fanny Gardiner who has a brother named Edward who works somewhere in town – near Cheapside, if I recall correctly,” the woman replied.
“Oh, it is her!” Lydia cried. “Uncle Gardiner lives in Gracechurch Street, and his name is Edward.”
“Hmm,” the lady said with a chuckle, “Fanny Gardiner’s girls.” She shook her head. “Gardiner,” she repeated tipping her head. “You say your family name is Gardiner? I had thought she would marry that handsome young man who came in here all afluster to get her. Bennet was his name.”
“Papa?” Lydia’s eyes were wide.
The lady chuckled. “Gardiner, is it?” she asked Elizabeth. “Or is it Bennet?” She shook her head. “You do not need to tell me. I understand it might be best if your true names are not known in an establishment such as mine.” She waved to a door on the right. “Come. You can sit in my apartment and tell me your tale of woe over a cup of moderately good tea.”
She led the way, and Lydia and Elizabeth had no choice but to follow or be left in the entry way where that gentleman from outside might find them again.
“I am very good – excessively good – at keeping secrets,” she said with a pointed look for them both before she allowed them to enter her private domain.
Chapter 25
“Fitzwilliam?”
Darcy rubbed his eyes and squinted through the darkness toward the door to his room. Had he heard his name amid the knocking?
“Fitzwilliam?”
There it was again.
“Please, open the door.”
Hurriedly, Darcy donned his robe and padded over to open the door for his sister.
“Are you…” His question about her wellbeing died on his lips as he took in the aspect of tear stained cheeks on the young woman beside her. “Miss Kitty, what is wrong?”
“Lydia is gone. She was supposed to return an hour ago, but she has not?” These words were followed by sobs as Kitty buried her face in her hands.
Darcy nodded toward the chairs near his fire which was burning low and, leaving the door fully open, crossed to his night stand to light another candle. The one which Georgiana carried was little more than a nub and did not give enough light for his liking.
“Has she told you what this is about?” He asked his sister as he returned to them and placed his candle on the table next to Georgiana’s.
Georgiana lifted her chin in a very determined fashion and nodded. Darcy had seen her make that same expression before – usually when she was attempting not to cry. Something was seriously wrong.
“Miss Lydia went to meet someone.”
“At night?” Darcy asked in surprise.
Georgiana nodded and swallowed. “Wickham,” she whispered, tears glistening in her eyes.
“Wickham?” The question was expelled on a rush of air. Darcy gripped the arm of Georgiana’s chair and knelt next to her. He sucked in a breath to replace the one which had been knocked out of him by his sister’s revelation.
Georgiana nodded. “Miss Kitty came to me when Miss Lydia did not return, and I suggested we come to you.”
“You have not informed Mrs. Bennet or any of Miss Lydia’s sisters?”
“No, Mama would be so distressed,” Kitty managed to say as she fought to keep from sobbing once again.
“What about Miss Bennet or Elizabeth?” Surely someone in the Bennet family must be told that Lydia was missing.
“I thought of that, but what can they do?” Georgiana asked. “Mr. Bennet cannot go searching for Miss Lydia, nor can any of her sisters. At least, they cannot go unaccompanied.”
“Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Abram stood at Darcy’s door.
“Yes.”
The butler took one step into the room. His bro
w furrowed slightly as he took in the sight of the Georgiana and Kitty. “I have the unpleasant task of informing you, sir, that a window has been left open in the drawing room. We have conducted a thorough search of the lower levels and not a thing appears to be out of place.”
Darcy sighed. “Miss Lydia is out of place. Please have my horse readied and send up my man as soon as is possible.”
“Miss Lydia?” Abrams repeated. No amount of training could keep all the surprise and concern out of the Darcys’ faithful servant’s tone. “Shall I call for a horse for the colonel as well?”
Darcy nodded. “It would be best if I did not search alone.” Richard had experience running wayward recruits aground, his assistance would be invaluable.
“Mr. Abrams,” he called before his butler had done more than turn to leave.
“Yes, sir.”
“Please, rouse the colonel and send him to me.”
“Right away, sir.”
Darcy turned back to his sister and Kitty and pushed the furry mass that rubbed against him away. “Not now Dash.”
Dash poked him with his nose, then sniffed his way over first to Kitty and then to Georgiana before racing from the room.
“Did Miss Lydia tell you what she was going to do?” Darcy asked gently.
“She was supposed to meet Mr. Wickham and tell him that she did not wish to marry him.”
“They were going to Scotland,” Georgiana added in a whisper.
Darcy clutched her hand firmly. How difficult this must be for her having to remember her own folly and plan to run away with the cad.
“I am well,” she whispered. “Truly. But Miss Lydia is in danger.”
Kitty dissolved into tears once again at the statement.
“I told her some of what passed at Ramsgate when she came to me. By doing so, I assured her that you would know what to do and would not treat Lydia poorly for her foolishness.”
“I will never say a word,” Kitty said through her tears. “Just please find my sister.”
“What do you need?” Richard rubbed his face as he entered Darcy’s room. “Is someone unwell?” he asked when he saw who was with Darcy.
“Lydia is gone,” Kitty wailed.
Richard stopped dead halfway between the door and the hearth. “What do you mean ‘gone’?”
Dash raced into the room, a piece of paper hanging from his mouth. He sat down in front of Richard and dropped the paper.
“She went to meet someone,” Darcy said as his cousin bent to pick up what Dash had delivered to him.
Richard blanched as he unfolded the paper. “Wickham?” he nearly shouted.
Kitty burst forth with fresh sobs while Darcy nodded and Georgiana attempted to comfort her friend.
“Scotland? They are going to Scotland?” Richard demanded.
“No,” Darcy said, rising from next to his sister. Kitty would be well cared for by Georgiana, and, at the moment, his cousin looked as if he was in greater need of attention. “She went to tell him that she did not wish to marry him.”
“She went to tell him that he was not getting what he wanted?” Richard sneered. “That never ends well with someone like Wickham.”
“Have a care,” Darcy scolded. “Miss Kitty is distressed enough. She does not need you to add to her worry.” He grabbed Richard by the arm and pulled him into the hall. “I have sent for our horses, and as soon as we are dressed, we will begin a search.”
“Where?” Richard demanded. “We do not know which road he took or if he tricked her into…” His jaw clenched, and he did not continue.
“I was hoping you might know where we could find him in town. If we find where he was staying, then perhaps we can find out where he has gone or if he returned disappointed.”
“He’ll pay, and you’ll not stop me,” Richard’s voice was low and dangerous.
“I will not see you hang,” Darcy cautioned.
“I shall do my best to leave him living.”
“Mr. Darcy,” Jane said as she approached him. “Have you seen Elizabeth? Did she pass this way? She is not with our father.”
Darcy’s heart plummeted to his stomach.
“Do you still wish for him to live?” Richard asked quietly.
Darcy shook his head. “I wish for you to live,” he replied.
“Do you know where Elizabeth is?” Jane asked.
Again, Darcy shook his head. “We will search the house, but…” He turned back toward his room. “Is it possible she might have heard Lydia and followed her?”
“What do you mean?”
Darcy had never heard quite so much emotion in Miss Bennet’s voice.
“Miss Kitty has informed us that your youngest sister left some time ago to meet Wickham and tell him she did not wish to marry him.”
Richard caught Jane by the elbow and, wrapping an arm around her, held her upright. “We were just going to prepare to find Miss Lydia.”
“Georgiana,” Darcy called, “please take Miss Bennet and Miss Kitty to your sitting room.” He turned to Jane. “I will inform your father of what is afoot before I leave. However, I will need to leave your mother to you. Are you able to care for her?”
Jane nodded.
“Allow me to assist you to Georgie’s room,” Richard offered.
“What is happening?” Mrs. Bennet stuck her head out of her door.
“Come with me, Mama,” Jane said. “There is something I must tell you.”
A wave of compassion swept over Darcy as he saw the concern in Mrs. Bennet’s eyes.
“Is everyone well?” she asked, clutching her robe at the neck. “Kitty, why are you in Mr. Darcy’s room?”
“Come, Mama,” Jane repeated. “I will tell you, but not here.”
Darcy placed a hand on Jane’s arm. “I will return her daughters to her, and I will do my best to see they are unharmed.”
Jane pressed trembling lips together and nodded her head. “I know you will,” she whispered, “and I will tell her so.”
Chapter 26
Darcy and Richard saw that Jane, Kitty, Georgiana, and Mrs. Bennet were settled in Georgiana’s sitting room before they began their preparations. Darcy began his with a brief, though difficult, visit to Mr. Bennet’s room while Richard, followed by Dash, returned to his own room.
Richard was, of course, ready to leave before Darcy, and Darcy found him where he knew he would, pacing the front hall, while Dash raced up and down the stairs, along the corridor, and finally into the sitting room where he sat and barked at the window.
“See that he gets to Georgiana’s room,” Darcy said to Abrams as he joined Richard.
Richard shoved the note Dash had delivered to him at Darcy. “Look at the direction? That is not Wickham’s hand. That looks feminine.”
Darcy took note of the swooshes and swirls of the writing on the outside of the missive. It did indeed seem to have a feminine quality to it.
“It did not seem out of place,” Abrams shuffled from one foot to the other nervously. “If I had known…”
“How could you?” Richard said. “For once, that idiot was clever.” He shook his head.
Clever was seldom a word anyone used in conjunction with Wickham’s name. However, this time, Darcy had to agree with Richard. This did appear to be a clever ploy. “When did it arrive?”
“This morning, sir.”
Dash raced between them and up the stairs, a footman following close behind.
Darcy shook his head. That pup was a ball of energy even in the dead of night.
“Some tea or something slightly stronger might be needed by those above stairs.” He put his hat on as he instructed Abrams.
“Of course, sir. We will see that they are well tended.”
Darcy rested a hand on his butler’s shoulder and nodded. It was a small sign of approval, but one that Abrams understood well. The staff at Darcy House were exceptional at their jobs, and Abrams was one of the reasons for that. The man knew how to lead without being overbearing.
The Bennets and his sister would be in good hands while he and Richard were gone, and Darcy wished for his butler to know he knew that. The small smile and nod Darcy received in return let him know his message had been understood.
Richard stood impatiently holding the door open as he waited for Darcy. However, it was Dash who reached the door before Darcy did, planting himself in front of Richard and growling viciously at the footman when he reached for him.
Richard scowled down at the dog, but his reprimand died on his lips when he saw something dangling from Dash’s mouth. “What do you have there, boy?” He stooped and took a red ribbon from Dash.
Dash did not remain where he was to reply or to allow Richard to even rise. Instead, as soon as the ribbon was in Richard’s hand, Dash ran to the horses, standing at the head of Richard’s horse and looking for all the world as if he were demanding the beast’s full attention and obedience.
“I think he wishes to help,” Richard said with a chuckle as Dash took his eyes off the horse to once again growl at the approaching footman before barking and running forward and then returning to stare down Richard’s mount once again.
“Leave him be,” Darcy said to the footman. “He will join us on our search.”
Richard had swung up into his saddle. “Dash, up,” he commanded, patting the front of his coat.
Dash trotted over, looked at the footman expectantly, and allowed the man to lift him up without so much as a whimper, let alone a growl.
“He’s very much like Miss Lydia,” Richard said as he scratched the dog’s ear once he was settled in front of him. “Determined to have his way and compliant once he gets it.”
Darcy sighed. “And causing trouble without meaning to do so.”
Richard nodded, and the two gentlemen began riding. “We never gave her reason to doubt Wickham was anything more than what he presented.”
“We had no reason to tell her anything,” Darcy replied. “Where to?” He was confident that Richard had a plan in mind. His cousin would not be so calm as he was now if he did not already know where they were going to begin their search.
