“Until they are unable to confirm whom they were visiting.” My brow drew together. “At least Miss King will be leaving the area and the story may not follow her. What about Miss Lydia?”
Fitzwilliam slipped an arm about my shoulders again and squeezed as he kissed my forehead. “We shall see. Now, I must return to the study. Lady Catherine has been bundled into her carriage and should be on the road to Kent. Will you remain here with the ladies?”
I nodded, but grabbed his arm before he could leave. “However did you get her to go?”
The twinkle in his eye shone as the corner of his mouth turned upward. “I simply escorted her in that direction while speaking to her in a calm, rational manner. Before she knew what had occurred, I was closing the door and motioning for the coachman to drive on.”
“Surely it was not that easy,” I giggled.
He shrugged and winked. “More or less. I believe I heard her promising she would carry her point and this would not be the last we heard on the subject as the coach pulled away.”
“Oh dear,” I moaned. A part of me had hoped our aunt would simply cease speaking to us.
Fitzwilliam drew me into another embrace. “Hush, dearest. There is nothing Lady Catherine can do to interfere with our lives. She is but a nuisance, not a true threat.”
I nodded against his chest, then pushed him away. “Go, see to the plans to retrieve Miss King and Miss Lydia.” I turned back toward the drawing room. “I shall care for the ladies.”
My brother placed another kiss upon my head then disappeared down the hall. Taking a deep breath, I sallied forth into the fray. As I entered the room I realized Mrs. King was still sobbing uncontrollably and I saw Elizabeth look longingly at the laudanum bottle on the sideboard.
“Well,” Mrs. Bennet said in a haughty voice, “it appears my Lydia shall be the one to marry after all.”
Elizabeth and Jane both looked at their mother incredulously as Mrs. King sobbed louder.
Taking a deep breath, I moved toward Mrs. Annesley and whispered in her ear. “Perhaps you could take Mrs. King upstairs to gather her things and help her write the letter to her staff.”
My companion nodded and slipped an arm about Mrs. King. “Come, Abigail. Let us retire to my room so you can write the directions per your brother’s instructions.”
“Oh, oh yes, Florence. It will not do to make him angrier than he is.” Mrs. King clutched Mrs. Annesley’s hand and the ladies rose from the sofa and left the room.
Elizabeth and I exchanged a perplexed look, wondering when the ladies had come to use their Christian names. We looked to Jane who shrugged and sat back on the sofa, obviously glad the responsibility of Mrs. King no longer rested upon her shoulders.
Mrs. Bennet sat forward and appropriated a lemon biscuit from the tea tray. “Have the gentlemen gone yet? When shall we expect Lydia and Mr. Wickham?” She smiled in a self-satisfied manner as she looked at the biscuit. “Surely they will have to obtain a special license in order to be wed immediately. Oh, to think of it!” She took a bite of cookie and savoured it.
“Mama, you cannot be serious!” Kitty stepped toward her mother. “You wish to have a man like Mr. Wickham in our family?”
The older woman looked at her daughter, obviously not fully comprehending the source of her ire. “Oh hold your tongue, Kitty. Mr. Wickham is everything a gentleman should be …”
“No, Mama, he is not. A gentleman does not abduct two young ladies from their families and hide them away. A gentleman speaks to the father and asks permission to call, or court, or propose. Have you no idea what is proper? Did Papa not do these things?”
Kitty flung an arm in her sisters’ direction. “Look at your daughters, Mama. Jane and Elizabeth both have proper gentlemen showing interest in them, but what will come of it now? After what Lydia has done, will Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy still wish to be connected to our family? Even Mr. Collins is attempting to distance himself from us. Can you not see that Lydia has ruined us?”
With those words, Kitty rushed from the room. I hesitated but a second before running after her. As I left the room I heard Mrs. Bennet crowing, “I knew Mr. Darcy had taken a fancy to you, Lizzy! Ten thousand a year!”
A door slamming down the hall allowed me to find Kitty in the breakfast parlour. It was deserted at this hour, so I closed the door quietly behind me and approached my friend. Since the room was on the east side of the house, it was mostly in shadow now, so I was unable to make out Kitty’s features.
A soft whisper, broken by sniffling, reached me in the dimness of the room. “Forgive me, I should not have spoken so against my mother. I am certain she is quite displeased with me.”
“Actually, she did not appear so when I left the room.” I kept my voice soft in the quiet of the room.
Kitty turned toward me, a look of incredulity barely recognizable in the shadows. “Did she hear nothing I said?”
Reluctantly, I shrugged my shoulders. “Only the fact that my brother is interested in your sister.”
“Oh, that woman!” Kitty growled. “She did not hear me say it will amount to nothing due to Lydia’s shame?”
“I fear not.”
“Any man would be a fool to marry into my family.” Kitty kicked the chair in front of her, then lowered her head. “Forgive me again, Georgie. I did not mean to insinuate your brother is a fool. Of course, now he will never offer for Lizzy, so he will prove he is not.”
Her hands flew to her face and she began to weep. I stepped closer and drew her into an embrace. “Hush. Fitzwilliam cares deeply for Lizzy. I am certain he will find a way for them to wed. He defied my aunt for her. He would be loath to admit defeat and not follow through on his intentions.”
“Do you think so?” Kitty asked between sniffles.
“Of course.” I slipped my handkerchief into her hand and smiled. “Come, let us go …”
I hesitated. Where could we go? Mrs. Bennet was in the drawing room with Jane and Elizabeth. The men were in the study planning the rescue and would not want us underfoot. Mrs. Annesley and Mrs. King were upstairs. Where else would we be both safe and quiet? And wherever it was, we must tell someone where we went.
I led Kitty toward the door, opened it, and looked about the hall. The only footman on duty was a short distance away. I drew Kitty into the light and looked at her countenance. Her eyes were red and her lashes wet, but at least her complexion was not blotchy. Smiling, I linked arms with Kitty and moved toward the footman.
“Are the gentlemen still in the study?” I asked as we approached.
“Yes, miss.”
“Please tell Mr. Darcy that Miss Kitty and Miss Darcy will be sketching in the garden once we gather our things.” I turned toward my friend. “I have a sketchpad in my room.”
We walked up the stairs feeling much brighter than before. After gathering our outerwear and sketching materials, we returned back downstairs to find Captain Jacobs waiting by the garden door.
“Ladies.” He bowed formally.
“Captain Jacobs.” I curtseyed. “Have you met Miss Catherine Bennet?”
“Yes, I have had the pleasure.” He tipped his head in her direction and she curtseyed.
With my head high, I forced a smile. “We were just going outside to sketch.”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam has asked that you remain inside.” He met my gaze in an unflinching manner.
“And what does my brother say?” My smile slipped slightly.
“I do not believe he was consulted. The gentlemen were leaving when the footman passed on your message. Mr. Darcy was already on his way out of the house.”
“And you are not joining them?” I challenged.
“I am to follow, once I am certain you are safe within Netherfield.” He held my gaze, as though questioning whether this would be quickly and easily accomplished.
I folded my arms before me. “Is no one remaining behind?”
Captain Jacobs took a deep breath. “A few soldiers have been plac
ed about Netherfield in the event Mr. Wickham would come this way. It is highly unlikely, but we wish to err on the side of caution.”
“And would they not keep us safe should we be sitting quietly in the side garden sketching?”
Kitty tugged at my sleeve. “I am certain there is someplace in Netherfield that is well lit where we could sketch.”
Refusing to acknowledge her statement, I held the Captain’s gaze. The man’s lips began to slowly curl upwards before he turned to my companion and gave her a full smile.
“Thank you, Miss Catherine. Your wisdom and cooperation at this trying time are greatly appreciated.” He bowed to her, glanced momentarily toward me, and then offered Kitty his arm. “May I escort you to the sitting room? It is just off the ballroom and has a lovely view of the gardens. The light should be perfect for sketching at this time of day.”
Kitty giggled as she slipped her hand into the crook of the Captain’s arm. “Thank you, sir. Do you draw?”
Allowing his smile to grow, he nodded as he led her away. “I have been known to carry a bit of charcoal and scraps of paper with me.”
“I would love to see your work.” Kitty fluttered her eyes and I groaned under my breath.
“Are you unwell, Miss Darcy?” Captain Jacobs called over his shoulder as he continued on his way toward the sitting room.
“I believe I would feel better if I were able to take a bit of fresh air.” I said as sweetly as I was able to manage.
“I shall open a window for your comfort,” the Captain replied without looking my way. “Ah, here we are.” He opened a door and motioned us inside. Once we acquiesced, he crossed to the window and did indeed open it, even though the room was already chilled from want of a fire. “I shall send a maid in to start the fire and order a tray for you ladies.” He glanced about. “The lighting should do very nicely; do you not agree Miss Catherine?”
Kitty giggled again as she glanced at the Captain. “Yes, it should.”
After bowing without looking toward me, Captain Jacobs left the room. Feeling the growing chill from the air coming in through the window, I rubbed my arms as I crossed the room to close the offending aperture.
“Captain Jacobs is quite handsome. Lydia refused to speak to him because she said he was too high and mighty, but I think he is quite a gentleman. Do you not agree?” Kitty took up a chair and moved it closer to the window.
“You certainly made it obvious that you like him,” I muttered.
“Whatever do you mean?” Kitty asked as she sat and began arranging the pencils.
“I would love to see your work.” I said in a sugary, singsong voice as I batted my eyes.
Kitty laughed, drawing out a sheet of paper. “I believe you are jealous. Should I draw you in green?”
“I am not jealous!” I stomped my foot. “I am upset that we were not allowed to go where we wish. Captain Jacobs and my cousin always think they know what is best for me. I dislike not being able to decide where I shall go and when. It is not fair!”
“They are only thinking of your welfare.” Kitty turned her attention to the page before her. “One would think I was talking to Lydia,” she said under her breath.
I heard the comment, but refused to respond. The door opened and a footman entered with supplies to build the fire. A maid followed close behind with a tea tray.
“Oh, if I have one more cup of tea, I shall float away!” I cried. “Is this all we are allowed? To sit about, drink tea, and draw while the gentlemen ride out and have adventures? I wish I had been born a man.” I dropped into the window seat and stared out the window, determined to be displeased with all I saw.
The maid glanced nervously toward Kitty who shrugged before motioning for the tray to be removed. The footman started the fire as quickly as possible and followed shortly behind the maid.
As the door closed behind him, Kitty rounded on me. “Why are you so irritable? Did you expect Captain Jacobs to invite us along with the men?”
“No,” I replied tersely.
“Then what?” Kitty stared at me a moment before her eyes grew wide. “You like him.”
“I do not,” I snapped as I continued to survey the gardens.
Kitty giggled. “Yes, you do.”
I watched my friend’s reflection as Kitty stepped directly behind me.
“The Captain is handsome. Perhaps not as handsome as Mr. Wickham or Mr. Darcy, but I believe he is younger. When he frowns he appears to be closer to their age, but when he smiles, he seems closer to Mr. Bingley’s. Of course he is much more worldly than that gentleman though that probably comes from his time at war. I believe I heard he is the younger son of an earl …”
“Kitty! Will you desist if I admit that Captain Jacobs is handsome?” I asked in frustration.
Kitty shook her head. “Only if you admit you admire him.”
“I barely know the man. I met him at the ball which, may I remind you, was only last evening.” I frowned. It had been less than a day since I had met the Captain, yet it seemed as though it had been so much longer. Surely that was not long enough for me to have feelings for the man. Was it?
Taking a deep breath, I turned to face my friend. “I apologize, Kitty. I am frustrated that we must remain here, though I know there is nothing we could do there. I simply wish I knew what was happening.”
Kitty sat down beside me and took my hand. She appeared about to speak, but the door flew open and Elizabeth rushed inside.
“Have the gentlemen left?” Her voice was raised and anxious.
“Yes,” the girls replied in union.
“Blast!” Elizabeth muttered, shocking us both.
“Why? What has occurred?” we asked as we rushed to her side.
“Mrs. King has worked herself into an attack of some sort and the apothecary accompanied the men in order to see to Lydia or Miss King, should they be injured. Mrs. Annesley and Mrs. Nicholls are seeing to Mrs. King, but they are both highly concerned.” She bit her lip, obviously weighing the options.
“Captain Jacobs said he was leaving officers here.” Kitty offered.
“But will they know where the Schmitt house is?” Elizabeth asked worriedly.
I eyed her suspiciously. “You wish to ride out after them.”
Frowning, Elizabeth nodded. “I know your brother would be displeased, but …”
“I shall go with you,” I said as I grabbed Elizabeth’s hand and headed for the door.
Chapter Twenty-Four
I looked around the stable. The boys who normally worked there were running errands, but there were a few horses saddled and ready to ride. This must have been an order from my cousin so messages could be passed quickly to the men searching for the missing ladies. If Elizabeth and I were going to leave Netherfield, we had to go now, before the stable lads returned.
I walked over to a gentle grey and held out my hand for the mare to take my scent. Once the horse had tossed her head in a welcoming manner, I ran a hand down her side.
“Are you ready, Elizabeth?” I asked as I walked the horse toward the mounting block.
“Georgiana, that horse has a gentleman’s saddle,” my friend responded, not moving from her spot by the door.
Laughing I stepped onto the block. “And you have never ridden astride? I thought you more adventurous.”
“I did not say I had not done so, but we should not.” Elizabeth stepped forward reluctantly.
“Lizzy, if we are going to go after the men … to find the apothecary, we must leave now. If we wait for another horse to be saddled, one of the soldiers will be sent in our place.” I threw one leg over the horse and pulled myself into position. “Come, we can ride together.”
Elizabeth released her breath slowly, but followed me onto the mounting block and then onto the animal.
Once we were both settled, I kicked the mare into motion and we rode out over the fields. There may have been a few voices raised behind us, but we ignored the calls and continued on. Elizabeth pointed in
the direction we were to go and I directed the mount.
Before long, we entered the woods separating Netherfield and Longbourn. Not knowing where the men may be, we decided to dismount and walk the remaining distance. I found an area with a patch of grass for the mare to graze while we went in search of the others.
We had not walked far when a rustling sound gave away the location of the men. As we approached, we heard whispering.
“I never did trust that Wickham. Though I’m not surprised to hear Miss Lydia went with him, tis a shame Miss King was brought into it,” one faceless voice said.
I glanced in Elizabeth’s direction and noted the reddish hue which covered her cheeks. I clasped Elizabeth’s hand and squeezed it tightly.
“I hope they are well. Did ya see the look on the faces of Mr. Bennet and Miss King’s uncle? They’ll want blood if the ladies are injured in any way,” the man’s companion replied.
Not recognizing either voice, I motioned for Elizabeth to lead us away from there, hoping we would find the apothecary soon. I realized it would not be wise to stumble over my brother or Richard as they would be highly upset I was there.
“I doubt Mr. Jones would be with the military men,” Elizabeth whispered.
Nodding, I glanced around. I could roughly see the outline of the house. Richard probably had the apothecary a short distance away so he could be brought in after they secured the area. Richard, Fitzwilliam, Mr. Bennet, and Mr. Singleton were most likely at the front of the home.
“Perhaps we should circle around to the front of the house, but a little distance away,” I suggested.
Elizabeth nodded and pointed in the direction we should go. I followed behind her, trying desperately to be quiet while holding my skirts close to me so they would not be snagged on the passing branches. My companion seemed to move effortlessly through the woods, though her appearance was becoming a bit wild as twigs and leaves caught and held onto hair and clothing.
Georgiana Darcy, Matchmaker Page 23
