~o~
"I found out from the groom at Rosings that Lady Catherine sent my people away with the excuse I had traveled on ahead to take care of urgent business," Mr. Darcy told them once they had reached open road beyond the town. "Johnson is related to my valet, who got word back that my people were keeping my disappearance quiet until Colonel Fitzwilliam could be recalled from the continent to take over."
"Do you think Richard will return soon?" Anne asked. "I would like to see him away from the danger of the battlefield."
"After what we went through yesterday, I am not sure which of us faced the greater danger," Mr. Darcy said with a chuckle to indicate he was teasing.
"Is there any way to prevent him from going back into battle after he returns here?"
"That has to be his choice, Anne. He must follow where he feels his duty calls."
"If he had been with you this year, I do not think my mother would have imprisoned you."
"That may be true but she might have found some other way to capture me another time. When he returns, I will talk to him again about staying. On a different subject, I have been wondering, Miss Bennet, how did you learn to pick locks?"
Lizzy told him about Lydia and the book from which she learned. Mr. Darcy drew the same comparison between the behavior of Lydia and Lady Catherine.
"It was all about winning. That is why she could not give me a good reason when I questioned her purpose in forcing the marriage. How childish,” he said.
"She told me that about herself on the day I arrived," Lizzy said. "She said that winning was part of who she was and that she would always win in the end."
"But not this time, thanks to you, Miss Bennet," Mr. Darcy said admiringly. Lizzy blushed and made a show of watching the road for obstacles ahead.
Mr. Darcy noticed her embarrassment but had another question. "Miss Bennet, I am sure Anne already knows this, but I have been wondering how you ended up at Rosings? Did your cousin have some connection to Lady Catherine?"
"He was the parson at Hunsford before Mr. Herbert, Mr. Collins."
"Oh, that explains it. He left just before I arrived for my visit and had not been at Rosings very long before that. I remember now being told that he had inherited an estate and had gone to take possession. It had slipped my mind because I never met him."
"With luck, you never will," Lizzy answered.
"I heard was very pompous even as he groveled at my mother's feet," Anne added.
"He is quite a master at the art of groveling while looking down his nose at the world. It would have been easier to bear if he had not wished our family to grovel to him for allowing us to stay at Longbourn until the cottage was ready. It is hard to feel thankful after the twentieth time you are forced to say how thankful you are. I think he and Mary will do well together, however. She respects him, which I never could do, and she will find ways to make him less objectionable. He will probably never realize she is much smarter than he is or that she is really the one in control of the household."
"So Mary is your next younger sister?" Mr. Darcy asked.
"Yes, I forgot I was not giving names when I spoke with the ghost. You already heard that Lydia is the youngest. Katherine, or Kitty as we called her, is a year older than Lydia. Our oldest sister is Jane."
"She is the one who stayed with your uncle in London?"
"Yes. She is very beautiful, and my uncle felt he could find one of his colleagues who would overlook the lack of a substantial dowry to have a gentleman's daughter with her good looks for a wife."
"Will you visit her while you are in London?" he asked.
"No. She made it clear through my uncle that she wanted nothing more to do with any member of the family. I would not be rude if our paths crossed by accident, but I have no need to be spurned by her. She is not the close confidant I thought she was."
"How do you think your mother and two youngest sisters have fared?" Anne asked.
"I am hoping Jane married quickly and my uncle has decided to take Kitty in as he said he might. She is a follower and has unfortunately followed Lydia into much foolishness. Away from Lydia's influence she might learn from my aunt to behave like a proper young lady. As for Lydia and my mother, I expect they have probably spent their entire quarterly allowance and have been begging my uncles for more. I am sure Uncle Phillips will not let them starve, but he will not give them more funds either. Neither of them ever could stick to a budget - whatever they have, they spend."
The conversation lapsed as they ran into some heavy traffic. They had already been keeping to an easy trot to avoid overtiring the ponies. Now they slowed to a walk. Lizzy was glad enough for an excuse to concentrate on driving instead of her family.
When the road cleared again, the three engaged in a lively discussion about books, keeping to those Anne had read over the years. Her father had been an avid reader and encouraged Anne in the habit. She had often taken books from his library to enjoy, even after his death. Especially when she felt so ill, it gave her relief to lose herself in a book. If Mr. Darcy seemed to pay Lizzy's opinions more attention than Anne's, it could be assumed it was from the novelty of her company and her tendency to sometimes express opinions that were not her own in the interest of furthering the conversation. Several times Lizzy made statements so outrageous that she prompted both her companions into laughter.
They made it into London in the early afternoon, having stopped to rest the horses while they took luncheon at an inn with which Mr. Darcy was familiar. He guided them through the streets, once again taking up a place just in front of the two ponies. Lizzy thought she recognized some of the streets, but not well enough to find her way even if she had known where she was going. The neighborhoods they passed through became gradually more impressive until they stopped in front of an imposing townhouse near a large park.
"This is not the de Bourgh townhouse," Anne said as Mr. Darcy dismounted.
"No. I am not sure what condition the townhouse is in or how much influence your mother has there. Until we can find out, I have brought you to Darcy House."
Lizzy was impressed by the marble facade and broad stone steps leading to the front door. Mr. Darcy brought his horse alongside the phaeton so Anne could hold the reins while he alerted the servants to his presence. The knocker was not up on the door, but Mr. Darcy pounded with his fist anyway. Eventually it was opened slightly by a middle-aged man. He gave a great shout of surprise when he recognized the figure on the step.
"Mr. Darcy! We thought you were lost!"
"I am here now and have brought guests. Please call a groom to look after the animals while I help the ladies down. I will explain where I was later."
"Yes, sir. Right away, sir," said the man, turning back inside.
Mr. Darcy waited to help Lizzy and Anne down until a young man came running around the corner to take the reins of the horse and headstall of one of the ponies. Once the ladies were safely on the sidewalk, the groom began to lead the animals away.
"They have come some forty miles today, so treat them accordingly," Mr. Darcy told the groom. "Have the trunk brought up to one of the guest rooms Mrs. Carroll assigns to my cousin and her friend."
"Yes, sir," the man answered.
Once inside the house, Mr. Darcy introduced Mr. Carroll, the butler, and his wife, the housekeeper. He had barely finished instructing Mrs. Carroll to assign the ladies adjoining guest rooms when a pretty young woman flew down the stairs and threw herself into his arms.
"Oh, William!" she sobbed, "I thought you were dead! Where have you been?"
He hugged her tightly, saying, "There, there. I am here now. All is well, Georgie."
When he released her, she noticed Anne and Lizzy waiting just inside the door. "Is that you Anne?" she asked. "You and William have not married, have you? Oh, I am sorry..."
"It is fine, Georgiana. We have not married. We have all escaped." Anne said, smiling at the young girl who Lizzy knew to be just shy of fifteen, the same age as Lydia.
"Escaped! What has happened?" she dried her eyes on her handkerchief, but still looked upset. The reddened condition of her deep blue eyes indicated she had spent much time in tears recently.
"We have had a long journey today, Georgie," Mr. Darcy said. "May I present our friend, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Miss Bennet, my sister Georgiana." Lizzy and Miss Darcy both curtsied in greeting and Mr. Darcy continued, "Can you take Anne and Miss Bennet up so they can refresh themselves. I have a few things to do right away, and then we can all meet in the drawing room for tea and tell you what has happened. Can you hold your curiosity in check for just a little while?" He smiled at her.
"I will try, William. I am so glad you are here and alive."
"I am glad of that as well," he said with a slight chuckle. "So, the drawing room in half an hour?"
"Yes, William. Come along Anne, Miss Bennet. Let me show you the way. Which rooms, Mrs. Carroll?"
As the housekeeper told Miss Darcy which rooms the guests would be assigned, Lizzy heard Mr. Darcy tell Mr. Carroll, "I need to send a messenger to Pemberley immediately to let them know I am alive and well. I have learned Mrs. Reynolds has been most worried."
"We all have, sir," Mr. Carroll responded before the women moved completely out of earshot.
While thinking about Mr. Darcy’s concern to ease the worries of his people so quickly, Lizzy followed Anne and Miss Darcy up the elegant staircase and down a beautifully decorated corridor to an equally beautiful room. Once inside she felt like something of a fraud to be given the place of an honored guest but she knew better than to argue.
"Come help me unpack," Anne said, "and then we can carry the trunk through to your room so you may unpack as well."
"Do you think we will be staying here that long?" Lizzy asked.
"We will be here long enough we can get a second trunk before we go anywhere else. We might as well unpack even if it is just for tonight. I want to get out of this dusty dress and put on something fresh before we go down to tea. Do you not want to do the same?"
"I will be glad to help you both," Miss Darcy offered.
With that they were decided. With Miss Darcy's help, Lizzy and Anne quickly unpacked and changed into clean gowns before heading to the drawing room for tea and explanations.
Chapter 16: Tea and Explanations
As they rode into London, William decided it would be best to bring the ladies to Darcy House for the first night at least. He did not know how safe the de Bourgh townhouse would be or if it was even properly staffed. His people would take good care of them while he went to the school to bring Georgiana home. They could decide where the three young ladies would live once he knew they were all safe.
The journey had not been as difficult as he had expected it might be for two women in an open conveyance. It was a bit dusty, but fortunately the weather was dry and the roads in good condition. The seat of the phaeton was at just the right height for him to easily engage them in conversation from horseback when he rode alongside. They were able to carry on several discussions which continued to improve his already high opinion of Lizzy.
He was glad they did not run into any trouble once they entered the city. When they stopped for luncheon Lizzy had confessed that she had been very nervous about the two of them driving into town alone in an open vehicle. William was pleased to be of service to them, even if it was just as a presence to scare off possible danger. He owed Lizzy so much for giving him his freedom.
In addition to gratitude, he also felt attracted to her in a way he had never felt for any other woman. It was not just physical attraction, although he thought her everything lovely. They had not known each other very long, but in their conversations, he felt they had forged a connection even if each had thought the other to be a ghost at the time. If he was honest with himself, part of the reason that he was taking them to Darcy House was to see her in his home where he hoped one day she would live as his wife.
If the situation had not been so serious William could have laughed at the surprise with which Mr. Carroll greeted him. At least William did not look so bad as he had the day before when they arrived at the inn. He got his own surprise when Georgiana came running to greet him. Once he had taken care of notifying his people at Pemberley of his safety and changing into clean clothes, he would find out how she came to Darcy House when he thought she was still in school. He sent her up with Anne and Lizzy to get them settled. William hoped Georgiana would like Lizzy. Anne was not the only one who needed a friend.
As Georgiana confirmed the room assignments with Mrs. Carroll, William turned to Mr. Carroll to deal with the most pressing item. "I need to send a messenger to Pemberley immediately to let them know I am alive and well. I have learned Mrs. Reynolds has been most worried."
"We all have, sir," Mr. Carroll responded. "I can get Danny on the road right away. He will make good progress before it becomes full dark. Did you want to send a note?"
"Yes, get him prepared while I write the note. I will be in my study."
"Yes, sir," Mr. Carroll responded and went to arrange for the messenger.
William walked swiftly to his study and sat down, pulling his writing materials out of the desk. He did not want to delay getting the messenger on the road, so he kept his note simple. He wrote:
Mrs. Reynolds,
Please call off the search for me. I am alive and well. Lady Catherine held me prisoner in hopes of finally forcing a marriage with my cousin, but I had help and was able to escape. Do not trust anything Lady Catherine may say or write. Have my steward send me word at Darcy House with this messenger of any matters that need my immediate attention. I have things to settle in town, but plan to return to Pemberley soon.
Thank you for keeping my temporary disappearance as quiet as you could. I appreciate everything you do to keep Pemberley running smoothly.
F. Darcy
He folded the note and sealed it with his signet ring in the wax. He had just finished as Mr. Carroll knocked at the study door. One of the young men he employed as messengers, the seventeen-year-old son of a Pemberley tenant, stood behind the butler.
"Danny," William began, "I need you to get this to Mrs. Reynolds as quickly as possible. You can assure her you have seen me with your own eyes. The steward may have reports to send back by you, so wait for any response. I want you there quickly but travel safely as well. Oh, and if you meet any agent of Lady Catherine get well away from them and believe nothing they say."
"Yes, sir. I am glad you are back, sir."
William handed him the note with a smile and sent the young man on his way. With that piece of business finished William needed to hurry and change out of his filthy clothes.
"Mr. Carroll, I need someone to act as temporary valet and I would like to change clothes right now."
"I will send Evans right up to you, sir. He has trained with Parker and should do well for you."
William headed up to his room and started getting undressed even before Evans arrived. Not very long after, washed up and freshly attired, William made his way to the drawing room. The ladies were already there, a little to his surprise. He always thought ladies took longer to dress.
Georgiana greeted him with another hug, which he was glad to return. He had worried for her during his time in the cell. He saw Anne and Lizzy look at one another and smile. As he released Georgiana, a maid entered carrying the tea service. When Georgie asked her guests' preferences William learned Lizzy took her tea the same way he did – a touch of milk but no sugar. He smiled when Georgie commented on the fact.
"I think Mr. Darcy and I can find many points of agreement beyond just how we take our tea," Lizzy said teasingly. “We have already learned we enjoy similar books and music. I understand, by the way, that you play very well. I know Anne is looking forward to hearing you and I owe her a small concert, although she already knows I am not very skilled."
"I will enjoy anything you play, Lizzy, and you as well, Georgiana. I love music so much, but mother alw
ays told me I was too weak to practice."
"I will gladly play for you, Anne," Georgiana said. "And Miss Bennet? I know you are Anne's friend, but I wish you would be my friend and call me Georgiana."
"Of course, Georgiana. I am honored. Please call me Lizzy or Elizabeth."
William wished he could ask the same, but it would have to wait. He did not want to be too forward. He hoped one day soon to have the privilege of calling her Lizzy in fact as well as in his mind.
"Now I have been patient, William. Please tell me what has happened," Georgiana asked.
Briefly William explained how he had been drugged and imprisoned. He mentioned Lady Catherine's demands, but glossed over the long, horrible time in the darkness. He told how he heard a voice he took for a ghost and mentioned how he looked forward to each conversation.
"You really thought she was a ghost?" Georgiana asked.
"It is only fair," Lizzy said. "I thought he was a ghost as well." They all laughed.
"How did you hear each other?"
Lizzy explained about the air vents. "It was only when I heard Lady Catherine berating your brother that I thought to look for a way the sound might carry. That was also when I realized he was a prisoner. Anne and I were planning to escape, but once we knew he was there we could not leave without him."
"I am very glad you heard that conversation. You cannot imagine what Miss Bennet went through to get me out of my cell, Georgie. It was dark and dangerous. Lady Catherine would have been furious if she had caught us. She was furious later as we were leaving, and we almost did not get away."
"What could she do to stop you?" Georgiana asked in wonder.
Together Anne, Lizzy and William explained about the hungry shadows and then described the attack Lady Catherine had called down upon them. At first Georgiana could not believe their story.
Voices in the Dark Page 12
