“It is exactly as you have described,” Darcy said in amazement. “I am embarrassed to find that I am so easily manipulated—in human form, at least.”
Darcy thought about how different he was when he was transformed. He was a fair but firm leader, and he tried to take into consideration the different personalities of those in his pack. Although he might agree to rake through Nell’s coat to remove debris that did not mean he would hesitate to discipline her if the situation merited such action. Not all of his nips were playful. And then he thought about Rupert, the most recent addition to the pack.
Because of the circumstances surrounding Rupert becoming a werewolf, Darcy had been wary of taking the twenty-year-old as he was irrevocably prejudiced against him. Only an imbecile would tease an animal whose leg was caught in a trap, and his thoughtless actions had resulted in the werewolf being executed. But because of his father’s rank, it would have been all but impossible to refuse the request, especially when Lord Granyard had intervened and asked Darcy to take him under his wing as a personal favor to him.
The meeting between Darcy and the Prince of Wales had gone better than Darcy would have expected from a man who took orders from no one, including his father. After making it perfectly clear to His Royal Highness that if Rupert did anything to jeopardize the safety of another werewolf he would be disciplined, the prince agreed to every condition as the son had exhausted all of his father’s patience with his juvenile antics. Additionally, the prince lived in fear that a reporter from one of London’s scandal-driven magazines would learn of his son’s dual nature, and the story would be carried in every paper in every corner of the globe. Who knew what such a scandal would do to the royal family, which was why none of the other royals knew of Rupert’s condition.
Lizzy was in such a fine mood that she had not noticed how distracted Mr. Darcy was, and she was still talking about the ball when his attention returned to their conversation.
“Lest you become conceited, William, I shall inform you that you were not the only handsome gentleman there. Viscount Wilston is a fine looking man, and he engaged me for two dances.”
“I like the gentleman, as he takes good care of his sister’s needs with regard to her transformation, but I have never thought of him as being particularly handsome.”
“That is because you are not a woman. But speaking of Nell’s transformation, it is quite a coincidence that she became a werewolf in exactly the same manner you did.”
Darcy looked at her with the most quizzical expression. “Who told you that?”
“Anne did. My impression was that she received that information directly from Nell. Is it not true?”
“No, it is not. What did you and Wilston talk about during your two dances?”
“Oh, no you don’t. You are not going to leave me with a simple no and expect me to be satisfied. You must tell me how Nell came to be a she wolf.”
Darcy let out a sigh. Because he was uninterested in gossip, he failed to understand its attractions for others. However, it was understandable why Lizzy would want to know all about a woman who was vying for the attention of the man she loved.
“Prior to marrying His Lordship, Lady Granyard was married to Lord Boyle, an Irish peer. They have an estate near Macroom in County Cork in Ireland that is adjacent to the Gougane Barra, a wilderness area of remarkable beauty and one of the few remaining places in Ireland where there are wolves—and werewolves.
“The Granyards were visiting the Boyles, who happened to have a son close in age to Nell. Without a chaperone, the two went into this wild woodland and happened upon a wolf’s den sheltering a half dozen pups. While the parents were out hunting, the den was being watched by a werewolf. It is not uncommon for werewolves to live in close proximity to a wolf pack, as it affords the werewolves additional protection because if a werewolf is sighted, it can be explained by the presence of the other wolves. Nell stupidly picked up one of the pups and was bitten by the defending she wolf. When Boyle attempted to beat her off, he was bitten as well.
“There is an organization in Britain that is simply known as the Council. It was organized thirty years ago to provide protection for werewolves and their families. Any encounter between a werewolf and a human must be reported to the Council as soon as possible. If it is determined that a human has been bitten, the Council will write a letter to the family explaining what will happen to the person in the next few months.”
“But who would believe such a story?” Lizzy asked.
“Every particular of the encounter is detailed, and the purpose of the Council as a source of information is emphasized so that it will not be seen as threatening. The family is advised to stay in the area for three months until the first transformation takes place. In that way, another werewolf will be nearby to assist them. Because enough of it rings true, most do as they are instructed. After the first transformation, the family receives additional instructions as to how to make use of all the Council has to offer by way of protection and resources.”
“And this is how you learned the truth about how Nell became a werewolf?”
Darcy nodded. “Of course, being her neighbor, I was contacted by the Council and advised of what had happened to her in Ireland. Teddy was already in my employ at that time, so Nell became the third member of my pack. Any other questions?”
“Actually, I do have one. You have explained that a werewolf can only sire a human child, but when you were at Longbourn, you mentioned that Jane was carrying a ‘lone’ child. You said that you had been thinking about the litter that your Newfoundland had just had, but Wolfie was a male and incapable of giving birth.”
A cloud passed over Darcy’s face, and he looked uncomfortable. When he had said that his Newfoundland had just given birth, it was a lie, pure and simple, and he detested lies. But at that time, there had been no other way to cover up his careless remark. Obviously, if Lizzy still felt it necessary to ask that question, she was in need of reassurance that it was impossible for her to give birth to a litter of lupine pups.
“When I told you that wolves are cousins to dogs, I failed to mention that werewolves are half brothers and half sisters of wolves, and when members of our family are in difficulty, we help them, just as we would provide assistance to our human relations. In June, I received a letter from a friend that a wolf on her property had given birth to six pups, but that her mate had died. They were in grave danger, and so I arranged to have them transported here, where they remained for about three weeks. Without a male to protect her and the pups, the entire family was at extreme risk. That situation prompted my ‘lone offspring’ remark because I had spent so much time with the pups, and they were still on my mind. You should know that since such situations occasionally arise, the services of a sea captain have been retained. The man will do anything for money, and he transported the mother and her six pups to British North America. Two people, both fully human, went with them to make sure that they were safely released into the wild near Hudson Bay.”
Lizzy made no response. There was so much danger in every step taken by those who had provided assistance to the fatherless family, but from the tone of his voice, Lizzy knew that Mr. Darcy was honor bound to do no less.
“You mentioned that this happened in June. So that is the reason you did not come to Longbourn for the entire month.”
“Yes, it was June, and that was the reason.”
“Does such a thing happen often?”
“No. But when it does, there is an organization in place that was formed to protect the native wolf population that responds quickly. A more common scenario would be to provide a place for wolves to stay who have made the decision to leave England, Wales, or Scotland while arrangements are made for transportation to North America.”
“And the reason they are choosing to leave is because they are being hunted down. You are trying not to say it, but I believe the pups’ fa
ther died because a human killed him. Am I correct?”
“Yes. The male killed a lamb and was pursued. I am told that he died ten miles from their den. He did the right thing in leading the pursuers away from his family.” After taking her hand, he continued, “Lizzy, you must understand that I have a responsibility to help those in danger. The only thing that would make me hesitate to provide food and shelter for another wolf is if my immediate family was at risk. Otherwise, I must act. But is this what you want to talk about? Should we not be making plans for our wedding? I am hoping that we will marry on the first available date after the full moon.”
In the past few days, Lizzy had experienced emotional highs and lows and everything in between, and what had happened to the male wolf trying to feed and protect his family could easily have reduced her to tears. But she was determined to fight off such dark thoughts, and she arose from the bench, and after stepping in front of Darcy, she pulled him up with both hands.
“Let us return to the house so that we might invite Anne and Georgiana to join in planning our wedding. I shall need all the help I can get as there is so much to think about, including when and how to tell your aunt Catherine that we are engaged.”
***
On their way back to the house, Darcy and Lizzy roughed out some of the details of their wedding breakfast. Because of the colder temperatures, it would be necessary to have the reception inside, but Darcy assured her that his staff would go to Hertfordshire to take charge of ordering and preparing everything necessary to host such a celebration.
As they entered the drive leading to the house, they had to give way to an express rider. Darcy looked puzzled. He could not imagine what message was so important that it necessitated hiring an express rider, and he wondered if it was another of his aunt Catherine’s ploys to have Anne return to Kent. The last time his cousin had been away for any length of time, his aunt had written a letter stating that there had been a disaster at Rosings. When Anne returned to Kent, she found that the drains had backed up after a storm and the kitchen was flooded, which, of course, she could do nothing about. Aunt Catherine was never happy when Anne was away, and not just because of the obvious selfish reason of not wanting to be alone in that large house, but also because she genuinely feared that she would outlive her daughter. Despite her shortcomings, Darcy’s aunt loved her daughter and worried more about Anne’s health than anything else.
When they arrived at the entrance, Jackson was talking to the rider, and he immediately handed the letter to Mr. Darcy, who opened it as soon as he stepped into the foyer.
“Dear God!” he said as all of the color drained out of his face.
“What is the matter, Mr. Darcy? Is someone ill?” Elizabeth asked, and when he did not answer, she continued to question him. “Is there a death in the family?” What else could account for his shocked countenance?
After handing the post to Mr. Jackson, he explained, “This is a letter from Mr. Underhill. He is the manager of the Council operations on the estate in Scotland where Rupert and Teddy have been staying. Apparently, they were found running around in the woods unclothed.”
Lizzy let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, that is not so very bad. They are both lads, and this can easily be explained as the antics of two foolish young men.”
“I wish it were that simple, but there is more. Rupert was shot in the arm. He is not seriously injured, but the man who shot him insists that he was shooting at a wolf.” Lizzy felt her heart drop into her stomach. “I must leave for Scotland immediately.”
Chapter 15
Darcy had handed Uphill’s letter to Jackson because his butler would know exactly what to do, and once he had informed Mercer of events in Scotland, his manservant began packing for what would be an arduous and lengthy journey. When Darcy had banished Rupert to the wilds of Scotland, he had sent Teddy and Mercer with him. It had taken the trio six days to get there. Even if the roads were in good repair and the weather cooperated, he would be gone a minimum of three weeks. There was no time to lose because they were racing against the rising of the next full moon.
Darcy pulled off his neckcloth and threw it on the bed before quickly discarding his linen shirt, fine leather boots, and tan breeches, exchanging the clothes of a gentleman for a man who would be spending his nights at a string of coaching inns paralleling the Great North Road to Edinburgh.
After giving Mercer some final instructions, he went downstairs to find Elizabeth. What the devil was he going to say to her? She already understood some of the dangers that wolves faced, but this episode threw a harsh light on just how vulnerable they were on a daily basis. The irresponsible actions of one wolf hundreds of miles away might put others in jeopardy, including his own family. Until he knew what Rupert had said to those who had found him, he could not rest because if that idiot had panicked and blurted something out, the trail would lead directly to Pemberley. And what right did he have to ask Elizabeth to join him in sharing such a life? He should have heeded the advice of the Council to take a she wolf as a bride from among the German or French wolves who had settled in Herefordshire near the Welsh border after fleeing the Continent because of Napoleon’s endless wars. But when he had set out in search of a wife, he had stopped at Netherfield Park to visit Charles Bingley at his new country estate and had been coerced into attending a local assembly, and the rest, as they say, is history.
In order to make sure that their conversation could not be overheard, when Darcy went downstairs, he gestured for Georgiana, Anne, and Elizabeth to follow him into his study, and he quickly assessed the situation. His sister had been crying, Anne looked gaunt, and Elizabeth had such a look of bewilderment on her face that it hurt to look at her. Addressing the three ladies, he summed up his plan, which was simple. He must get to the Underhill estate as quickly as possible, recover Rupert and Teddy, and return to Pemberley before the next full moon.
“After I am on the road, Jackson will send word to Lord Granyard detailing what I know of the events in Scotland and ask that he have his men keep watch for any unusual activity near Pemberley. I am not anticipating any trouble, but since we do not know what Rupert might have revealed when questioned, I will err on the side of caution.”
Both ladies nodded, signaling that they understood the possible consequences of Rupert’s actions, but Lizzy remained silent. It was only her eyes that revealed how alarmed she was and that she comprehended the gravity of the situation.
“Georgie and Anne, I would like to speak to Elizabeth alone.” After the pair had left the study, Darcy sat on a chair across from Lizzy, but he made no effort to reach out to take her hand or to console her in any way. It was as if some fault in the earth had opened up, creating a chasm between them.
“Elizabeth, I am in a race against the lunar calendar,” he explained, “so I must leave now.”
Lizzy, who was trying hard to keep the fear out of her voice, asked him how long he would be gone.
“If all goes well, three weeks. We will need at least a week to get there, plus however long it takes to resolve the situation. Then, I must allow for a few days’ rest before returning to Pemberley, and everything depends on road conditions and the weather.”
“It seems to me that you are racing headlong into danger. Is there no one who can go to Scotland to deal with this matter who is less easily recognized?”
“No. I must take care of this myself because Teddy is a member of my pack, and it was at my direction that he went with Rupert to Scotland. I will not rest until I know that he is safe. Rupert does not have an ounce of common sense, but I am hoping that his being shot has so frightened him that he has kept his mouth shut. However, there are no guaranties, so I must go.
“As for our discussion this morning, we did not have time to put our plans into action. No announcement was made; therefore, no explanation is required. In the next few weeks, you will have ample time to reconsider, and please know that y
ou owe me nothing. You are not bound to me. But I really must go.”
After he left, Lizzy went to the window in the drawing room and watched as he made his way to the stables with David and Goliath at his heels. He never looked back.
***
Lizzy did not know how long she had been staring out the window when Anne came and put a shawl around her shoulders. What she saw when she turned around and gazed into the face of the daughter of Lady Catherine de Bourgh was a steely resolve. Anne would stand watch until her cousin returned and resumed his role as master of Pemberley.
“Until today, I never understood why the Darcy crest was not emblazoned on the carriages. Because it is necessary to respond to emergencies such as this, William does not want anyone to know who is in the carriage.”
“Yes, William must travel anonymously. However, he does want people to know that he is a gentleman. Because of his rank, as evidenced by the quality of his conveyance, he will not be approached by strangers, and no one will ask questions.”
“Where is Georgiana?” Lizzy asked.
“She is with Mrs. Brotherton. Because Teddy is a member of William’s pack, Georgiana has developed an affection for him that is, to say the least, unusual between a mistress and one of her servants.”
“I had forgotten that Mrs. Brotherton is Teddy’s mother. How awful for her.”
“She is a strong lady who believes that all will turn out all right because her son is a sensible lad.”
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