by Jennifer Joy
"Good. I wrote to Bingley and will send the letter by messenger in the morning. I would have sent it tonight, but I suspected you might want to send a letter to your sisters."
"You know me well. Jane and Kitty would want to know what is happening with Father. If something were to befall him, something … worse … they would never forgive themselves for being away. Even Mary seriously considered returning to Longbourn to help." Tears prickled her eyes at the thought. It had been bad enough seeing Father broken and battered, laying along the side of the road. Elizabeth could not imagine how she would feel to lose her only living parent. Her stomach twisted. Best not to imagine it at all!
"There is no reason to believe we cannot keep him safe," William reassured her in the steady certainty she most needed to hear. "The servants, aside from guarding his room, are rotating a watch around the house at all hours. Tanner asked a reliable, young man to follow Mr. Bilford should he attempt to step foot near your home uninvited. And Mrs. Hurst informed me that Mr. Hurst is away in London. Tanner and his workers are on the lookout for his return and have promised to notify us immediately."
Elizabeth sighed. “How convenient he should disappear when we most need to talk to him. Do you believe him capable of violence?” She had not thought it possible, but she had learned firsthand how people did things they would not normally do when driven by desperation. And what was murder if not a desperate act?
William sat in the chair she usually occupied — the one in the corner between bookshelves, an arm’s length from Father’s desk. “When I asked my man in town to make inquiries about Mr. Nelson, I also made mention of Mr. Hurst. I expect his report soon.”
He leaned forward, reaching his hands forward with his palms up.
Dropping her bare feet to the floor, Elizabeth placed her palms on top of his. The heat from his hands spread up her arms, chasing the chill away with a shiver. “You are warm.”
Lacing his fingers between hers, he turned their joined hands to kiss her fingers.
She tried to keep her senses about her, but he seemed determined to scramble them beyond coherent thought. “What else?”
“Hmm,” he hummed, the stubble of his chin scratching deliciously against the inside of her wrist.
What had she meant to ask? Try as she might, she could not remember.
A sharp knock on the door startled her so that she bolted upright. William dropped her hand, attempting to adjust the neck cloth he did not wear and contenting himself by fastening the button at his collar instead.
“Mr. Darcy. Miss Elizabeth,” acknowledged Mrs. Hill with a curt nod of her cap-topped head. “I heard voices and came to inspect. With the threat against Mr. Bennet, we are all on alert.”
William, who looked very much like a boy caught in the pantry, replied, “I am relieved to hear it.”
Pursing her lips disapprovingly, Mrs. Hill cleared her throat and continued, “You are known as an honorable gentleman, Mr. Darcy. I hope you live up to your reputation during your time as our guest.”
Elizabeth’s face burned. There was no mistaking her meaning. Mrs. Hill had seen them, and she was setting the boundaries. Boundaries which blurred the closer the day of their wedding drew.
William’s composed mask was firmly in place, but Elizabeth saw him wince. It was so subtle, she was certain Mrs. Hill did not see it. But Elizabeth did, and she knew he was chastising himself. For Mrs. Hill to call his character into question was to guarantee his conduct would be as upright at all times as if they stood in the middle of the parish church. Drat it all.
Elizabeth sighed, clutching her hands to her chest before the sensation of his touch escaped from her grasp.
“I apologize, Mrs. Hill. I will not disappoint the expectations of this household nor place Miss Elizabeth in a compromising situation of my doing until we are properly wed. You have my word.”
Fifteen days could not pass quickly enough. And if Jane returned earlier than planned, they may marry sooner. Elizabeth warmed to the thought only to have reality cool her like a draft blowing through a damp room.
She could not possibly leave Father until she knew he was no longer in danger. And that was not all. Miss Darcy and her secret correspondence with Mr. Nelson, Lydia and her mysterious plan involving Miss Darcy and the front page of the newspaper, Mr. Tanner’s determination to remain behind and lonely…. Elizabeth suspected Mrs. Annesley might provide the perfect solution to that particular difficulty, but feelings — if indeed there were hearts involved — could not be rushed.
Elizabeth could not manipulate others to suit her own reduced schedule. But she could take the frustration and longing she felt for William’s touch and use it for her family and friend’s benefit. Then, she could leave Meryton with a light heart when their time did finally come.
Mrs. Hill and William, having come to an accord, spoke in hushed tones. Elizabeth had been so embroiled in her thoughts, she had not paid them much attention until now.
A tray with a light repast appeared, carried in by the maid. Evidently, Mrs. Hill did not trust William and her enough to fetch it from the kitchen. Wise woman. If she were being completely honest, Elizabeth did not fully trust herself with William either. And after the promise he had made, she could not tempt him until it was her right to do so. She loved him too much to make him question his values were he to break a promise. He would never forgive himself.
“Thank you, Betsy,” Mrs. Hill said, dismissing the maid.
William stopped her. “Miss Betsy, there are only two cups on this tray. Please, be so kind as to bring another for Mrs. Hill.”
The housekeeper’s dimples could be seen even in the dim candlelight of the room.
While they waited for her teacup to be brought, William said, “You remind me of the housekeeper at Pemberley. Mrs. Reynolds has been with my family for as long as you have been with the Bennets. She guided me through many difficult times just as you support and watch over the young ladies at Longbourn.”
Mrs. Hill’s hand shook as she accepted the teacup from Betsy. Setting it in her lap, she said softly, “They are my family, Mr. Darcy. I have adopted these girls into my heart as surely as if they were mine. Mrs. Bennet, too. I miss her a great deal,” she wiped her cheek and sniffed.
Elizabeth reached across the desk and the old woman clutched her hand.
“You should be planning your wedding, not chasing after another murderer.” Mrs. Hill patted her hand before releasing it. Lifting her cup to the desk, she poured it full of the steaming, amber liquid. “I dread the thought of any further harm befalling Mr. Bennet. Strange things have been happening.”
William asked before Elizabeth could. “What do you mean by ‘strange things’?”
Mrs. Hill kept silent for a moment, visibly ordering her thoughts before she spoke them aloud. “It is more of a sensation than a fact, which is why I have said nothing before now. About a week ago, when I was inspecting the rooms after their cleaning, I sensed a disturbance. It was as if someone had recently passed through the room.”
Elizabeth’s jaw fell open. She had felt the same in her own bedchamber.
“Which rooms?” William asked.
“Miss Lizzy’s and the bedchambers currently occupied by Miss Darcy and Mrs. Annesley.”
“Was anything missing or out of place to provoke this sensation?” he pressed.
Shaking her head, Mrs. Hill said, “No. Nothing I noticed. I asked the other servants if they had seen anything unusual, but they are of a superstitious mind.”
“What do they say?” asked Elizabeth.
“They think you are now paying the price for some dreadfully awful sin committed generations ago by a member of the family.” Anticipating Elizabeth’s next question, Mrs. Hill continued, “What the sin was, they cannot say. I have assured them that in my years of service here, which is a considerable time spanning over three generations, I have observed nothing deserving of such a harsh return.”
“Thank you for allaying their fears,
” Elizabeth said. “I, too, felt what you described in my bedchamber. Not a hairbrush or novel was out of place, but I sensed it. As if someone had been searching for something in my room.”
“When was this?” William asked.
“The night of our dinner party.” Mr. Bilford had called earlier that day and the Hursts had been among their guests.
William scowled. “That does nothing to limit the suspects we already have, nor does it explain a connection to Mr. Bennet. There has to be a motive we are overlooking.”
Elizabeth felt his frustration.
After some time pondering as a group, Mrs. Hill broke the silence. “I find I recall to mind what I must when I am doing mindless tasks or thinking of something quite different. Perhaps, a change in subject will help you to rearrange the pieces so they fit into place?”
Elizabeth smiled at the housekeeper. “You know that if we dwell on the mystery before us, we shall never return to our beds and you will be kept awake all night.”
“See how easily you discovered my intent? You have always been clever,” Mrs. Hill laughed.
“If only we could solve the conundrum before us so easily,” exhaled Elizabeth.
Mrs. Hill drained her teacup and stood. “I realize you have important matters to discuss before the morrow,” she said with a raised eyebrow. “And so I will depart. I trust your honor, but not so much as to retire for the night. I will remain nearby.”
William waited until she was out of listening range. “Does she know about Georgiana?”
“I have not told her, but she does know we are taking your sister and Mrs. Annesley into Meryton tomorrow to dine at the inn. She knows me well enough to discern my anxiety.”
Leaning back in his chair and breathing deeply, William said, “I have been waiting for an opportunity to tell you about Mr. Nelson.”
“Is he as disagreeable as I imagine him to be?”
Elizabeth was shocked when William answered, “Not in the least.” As he described the gentleman she had been determined to dislike, she found herself wavering between her opinion and admiration. Once again, she had been wrong. Or so it would appear.
William summed up her thoughts perfectly. “I think it best for us to reserve judgment until we can come to know him. If he is untrustworthy, he will soon show it.”
“From what you describe, he does not seem to be the sort of gentleman to court a lady before she has come out in society or agree to keep their attachment secret.” The man William described was similar to himself in character, and William despised disguise. He would never pursue his own desires at the expense of propriety and decency.
“I cannot account for it either, just as I cannot see room for Miss Lydia’s involvement. A man such as Mr. Nelson would be the worst fool to elope when he is close to achieving his objective in his profession. All his arduous work would have been for naught, and I cannot imagine my sister respecting a man willing to cast aside his ideals and ability to assist others for a dowry. If she learned anything from Wickham, it was the need to be cautious.”
“Do you think he is driven by money?”
“It is the only explanation, and yet, I cannot bring myself to believe it.” He shook his head.
Any further consideration of Mr. Nelson would only result in greater frustration and more unanswered questions. It was time to change the subject.
“What else did you learn in London? Did you visit Anne?” she asked.
William chuckled. “I did visit Anne. She is well and giving a good deal of grief to my aunt.” He paused, a lopsided grin and a raised eyebrow taunting her that he did, indeed, have news to share. Just when she thought she would burst with curiosity, he said, “I also saw Lord Harvisham.”
Elizabeth clasped her hands to her chest. “How delightful! How is he? I suppose he is in London to prevent Lady Catherine from causing his son too much trouble?”
“Exactly so, my love. In protecting his son’s interests, he has also done us a tremendous favor, as well as assured Anne’s continued recovery. My gratitude, and the wish to see my aunt forced to allow a measure of happiness into her own miserable life, made me accept a role in a scheme I would otherwise have refused.”
She sat up in her chair, tucking her feet under her legs and propping her elbows on top of the desk. “How unlike you, William!”
“It is your influence, I fear. I saw an opportunity to do a good turn, and I could not refuse it … even though it involves a bit of trickery.”
“Astonishing!” She had no clue how accurate her exclamation was until William explained Lord Harvisham’s plot in detail. It was, truly and marvelously, astonishing.
Chapter 25
Elizabeth crept into Father’s room. Lydia snored on the fainting couch Thomas had dragged into the bedchamber the night before for her comfort. Chloe lay with her head propped on Father’s chest. The pup opened her eyes, but she did not flinch a muscle lest she wake him.
The surgeon had said to watch for signs of infection. Gently, while Elizabeth scratched behind Chloe’s ears, she felt Father’s forehead. It was cool.
Later in the morning, Elizabeth sat with him while Lydia refreshed herself. Still in a great deal of pain, Father drank the bitter laudanum tea she prepared for him. She missed his conversation, but it was important he rest and recover from his injuries. A broken leg, while not instantly fatal, could still heal improperly if great care was not taken.
Mr. Collins offered to sit with him after some hours had passed. He wobbled into the room as if every step he took hurt. Elizabeth acquiesced, content Father would not be troubled by the clergyman’s boring selection of reading material. He would sleep through it, perhaps fall into a deeper slumber at the monotonous narrative.
The only one to object to Mr. Collins’ presence was Chloe. Lydia was in and out of the bedchamber to ensure her precious pet did not add to Mr. Collins’ injuries with a bite mark to his arm (or to gleefully witness said event were it to occur). Lydia’s opinion of Mr. Collins was similar to that of Chloe’s. After all, he had been under Longbourn’s roof for a fortnight and he had yet to make Lydia an offer. Denying her the honor of refusing his proposal of marriage was a distinction from which she felt he deprived her. And such negligence was not to be borne.
Content Father was safe, Elizabeth informed Mr. and Mrs. Hill of their exact plans should they need to send an urgent message. They would be away at Mr. Tanner’s inn for three hours. Not a second more. Any change in Father’s condition, any unexpected callers or unwanted company … and Thomas would ride the fastest horse in their stable to alert them in Meryton.
William, Miss Darcy, and Mrs. Annesley joined Elizabeth in the carriage (every inch of which William had inspected along with the coachman before their departure. One could never be too cautious.). The silence and empty smiles amongst their party grew heavier the closer the horses conveyed them to the inn.
Miss Darcy chewed on her bottom lip, looking between them and returning their smiles half-heartedly.
They had reached the first group of houses at the edge of Meryton when she said, “Please, pardon me for inquiring, but I do not understand why we could not invite my brother to Longbourn instead of us traveling to meet him. Mr. Bennet has been nothing but hospitable, and I am certain he would not object. Surely, it would be preferable to leaving Mr. Bennet when we know him to be in danger.”
William took her hands. “We have arranged a surprise for you, Georgie.”
Her puzzlement increased. “A surprise? I am not so selfish as to demand to be entertained when Mr. Bennet needs our protection.”
The tight, forced gaiety cramping Elizabeth’s cheeks melted into a sincere smile. “You are kind to think of my father over your own concerns, and I thank you, but we think you will be pleased with our arrangements.”
William added, “You may be surprised — astonished, even — but I want you to know that your happiness and future are important to us. If you have kept your communications secret out of fear of our
displeasure, I assure you, honesty and free speech are far better.”
Miss Darcy’s skin deepened to a notable shade of scarlet. “You discovered my letters?” she whispered.
“Yes, Georgie, we did. Why did you feel the need to hide it from me?”
She stared down. “I was ashamed. You must think me the most foolish of young women.”
“Never,” William replied softly.
When Miss Darcy finally looked up, she fixed her gaze on Elizabeth. “I would not have done it if not for Lydia. She is convinced of the brilliance of her idea and nothing I have said has convinced her otherwise. Please, understand she means no harm. It is quite innocent, really. Even charming.”
Elizabeth doubted that. From the look on William’s face, he also doubted the charm of any plan involving Lydia.
“We are here,” said Mrs. Annesley, tugging on her gloves and straightening Miss Darcy’s bonnet ribbons.
Mr. Tanner led them to his best private room. On seeing to their comfort — particularly that of Miss Darcy’s — he departed from the room to attend to his other guests dining in the taproom.
Miss Darcy asked, “Was Tanner not to join us?”
“Perhaps later,” replied William.
Moments after, Mr. Tanner returned with a handsome, young man who entered the room eagerly.
William introduced Elizabeth and Mrs. Annesley to Mr. Nelson (he, obviously, being already acquainted with Miss Darcy). He was pleasant to look upon, with light brown hair and eyes that changed color from brown to green to gray at the slightest movement. He possessed the strong, wiry figure of a man of action who was known to skip a few meals.
Mr. Nelson looked at Miss Darcy, his eyes full of questions, but William invited them to sit at the table where Mrs. Molly scurried about setting their plates. The beef stew and fresh bread at the inn were the best to be had in the entire village.
“I want to thank you for inviting me, Mr. Darcy.” With a nod at Miss Darcy, Mr. Nelson added, “The lady’s family will be pleased to know she is well. If I may be so direct, how fares the babe?”
