Chapter 36
Thirty-Six
TRUE NORTH
Jane blushed, but Elizabeth saw how she tried to gather herself and retain her composure. “Mr Hill, thank you for bringing my trunk,” Jane said, as Darcy moved aside to allow the servant in.
The older man nodded, setting the trunk down. “Happy to do it, miss.”
Mr Bingley appeared confused, but Darcy did not give him time to ask questions. “Georgiana and Edward are missing,” he said. “She took Mabel out with him close to three hours ago now. They were expected back within an hour. Something is wrong.”
“Edward? Who is Edward?”
It was Jane who answered. “He is my little brother, and the true master of Longbourn,” she said urgently. “Oh, he must be found, and quickly. He is only three years old!”
Mr Bingley’s expression sobered at once. “Yes. Let us begin a search, and at once. I can hurry back to Netherfield and gather men.”
“Where have ye looked?” Mr Hill asked Darcy.
“The trails on the south side of Oakham Mount.”
The older man nodded, and without saying another word, strode towards the path heading to Oakham.
“He goes to search the north side,” Elizabeth said, sure of Mr Hill’s intent. “But…wait. What…?” She pointed in the opposite direction.
There, walking towards them as if he had not a care in the world, was a sturdy little lad with blond curls; upon seeing them, he tensed with joy in that way of his, showing his happiness with his whole body.
“Neddy!” she cried, and began running towards him. Darcy, Jane, and Mr Bingley followed. Mr Hill turned around at the commotion, trailing them to where the little boy stood.
Elizabeth lifted him, holding him tightly.
“Dig-gah, dig-gah!” He grinned at her happily.
“Neddy, Neddy,” she cooed, kissing him. Jane, tears flowing, embraced them both.
But of course, there was something they all desperately wanted to know. “Neddy…where is Georgiana? Do you know where is Georgiana?”
“Gina!”
Elizabeth knew it was hopeless, for the child would be unable to provide any useful detail. Still, she wanted so vitally to obtain a clue. “Yes, yes. Georgiana. Where is she?”
He wriggled to be let down, and she set him on his feet. He said not a word, but turning away from them all, trotted into the house.
Darcy sighed, and she felt his disappointment to her bones.
“He does the best he can, the little master,” Mr Hill said. “Lord knows how he found his way back here from wherever he’s been.”
Mr Bingley appeared confused.
“My brother has trouble with speech of any kind,” Jane said softly. “Understanding it, as well as speaking.”
“Ah. Poor lad.”
“The ‘poor lad’ was intelligent enough to find his way home from wherever he has been. Bingley,” Darcy ordered, “please ride for Netherfield and gather who you can. At least we have a direction—he came from the opposite way of Oakham, towards the limestone dales.” Mr Hill had already started out.
Squeezing Elizabeth’s shoulder, Darcy turned away from them towards where Gallant was tethered.
Suddenly, however, Neddy barrelled out of the house, an apple in his hand, running straight to where Gallant was tethered nearby.
Elizabeth’s heart went to her throat, but Darcy quickly intercepted, lifting him before he could get near the stallion.
“Horse!” Neddy said. He did not fight him, but it was plain he expected that Darcy would now take him for a ride.
Elizabeth reached his side. “No, Neddy. First, Georgiana. Second, horse.” She repeated it a few more times for emphasis.
He looked at her. “Fir Gina, den horse,” he echoed, clambering to get down. Darcy allowed it. Neddy, apple in hand, turned away and headed in the direction from whence he had come several minutes before.
“Do you think…?” she asked uncertainly. But Darcy was already briskly following Neddy on foot.
“We shall find out,” he said.
Mr Hill slowed, allowing Neddy to pass him along the trail and lead a parade of adults which also included Elizabeth, Jane, and Mr Bingley. The child quickly veered off onto rougher, less travelled tracks.
“I do not think a horse has ever made its way through this brush,” Mr Bingley said doubtfully after following the child for some time, lifting a branch aside for Jane to duck beneath.
No one responded to his comment, but when Neddy soon after attempted to climb a tree, Elizabeth lifted him down and said with some despair, “Neddy, Georgiana first. Trees later.”
Neddy obligingly kept walking—or exploring, it was difficult to tell which. He chattered as he went, occasionally pointing out a forest creature, but it was mostly nonsensical syllables. After what felt like more than half an hour of walking, Elizabeth caught Darcy’s sleeve.
“Perhaps you ought to turn back, and send word to Netherfield—I will continue to follow him, with Mr Hill.”
“Let us give him a little longer, and so I will,” he agreed.
Several minutes later, Elizabeth felt she must insist, especially when Neddy stopped to examine a particularly interesting hole at the base of a giant oak.
Her skirts, and Jane’s as well, were muddy and now showed rents and rips.
“Neddy! Georgiana is here somewhere and we have to find her. Oh, this is hopeless!”
“I can go back to Netherfield for more help,” Mr Bingley offered.
“Yes, that is probably wisest,” Darcy nodded his agreement. “However, I have noticed that, despite Edward’s preference for less cultivated trails requiring minor detours, we are heading approximately due north, with very little deviation.”
“Are we? I know nearly where we are in relation to Longbourn, but I had not noticed that,” Jane said, with some wonderment.
“I feel that he has a destination,” Darcy said. “I have observed his uncanny sense of direction before, despite the fact that he is practically an infant. I feel to trust it, in this instance.”
“I suppose he has a right to a little distraction,” Elizabeth said. “I am sorry for my impatience, Neddy.”
“I say, clever lad!” Mr Bingley exclaimed. “Frankly, I am utterly lost, and would require Miss Bennet’s help to find my way back to my horse.” He smiled at Jane, who blushed.
“Ye’ll have my own help or none at all,” Mr Hill declared, looking at Mr Bingley with some suspicion.
“Let us stay together for a few more minutes,” Darcy said, and they fell back into line as the trail narrowed.
Neddy ignored them all for the most part, scrambling over a root and continuing on his way, his hands flapping in a motion peculiar to him when in high spirits.
Ten minutes later, the trail that they were on met a wider track, which Neddy turned onto; as they rounded a bend, Elizabeth thought she heard something.
“What is that noise?” she asked.
“Well, I’ll be bound,” Mr Hill cried, and they all ran ahead to where the track curved at a rocky incline.
About halfway down the slope sat Georgiana, her face dirt streaked, her expression more angry than hurt.
It was only when she spotted her brother, Elizabeth, and Neddy peering over the embankment at her that she burst into sobs.