Chapter 38
Darcy fell, rather than sat, into his favourite armchair in front of the fire in his Darcy House study. His housekeeper quietly supervised the maid carrying refreshments into the room.
“Thank you, Mrs Porter, and for arranging the fire.” Darcy appreciated it. While it might be the end of May, his weariness had sent the cold into his very bones. He could appreciate the warmth.
Once the servants had gone, though, he forced himself to his feet. He must send a note to Richard. When his duties permitted, he might be able to call briefly at Darcy House while he remained in London, and Darcy wished to discuss with him what he had learned from Elizabeth’s family.
He gave the note to his butler and then he could sink back into the chair and have his coffee.
He woke abruptly at a kick on his boots. “Come, Darcy. I know you need to sleep, but I do not have long before my General requires me.”
Darcy blearily wondered if he’d drunk his coffee, but was pleased to see he’d put the cup down before falling asleep and sending the contents cascading down his suit. Maunder would not have been pleased, and he felt the faint stirring of amusement, the first since … then.
Richard was at the decanter, pouring himself a brandy and Darcy his preferred whisky. Perhaps that would wake him up a little. “Thank you for hurrying over, Richard. I wanted to talk to you before heading to Whitby.”
“So Mr Bennet did have some information for you!” Richard spun round. “I was convinced Mrs Darcy was determined to vanish completely.”
Darcy nodded. “She is.” He savoured a mouthful of whisky. “She wrote a short note to her father, explaining why she would make a new life in secret. It was harrowing reading, Cousin.”
“But she has revealed she is in Whitby by the frank?” Richard sounded satisfied. “It means we can intensify the search. Although to go such a distance without leaving any trace at all is rather incredible.”
Darcy frowned into the fire. “Bennet is convinced she is nowhere near there. He believes she found someone to post it for her as a decoy. That would align with finding no trace of her travel there.”
Richard stared moodily into the fire. “I suppose her father knows her best. But I would not have considered a woman could think of that.”
Darcy smiled into the flames. He could remember admiring her when she stayed at Netherfield to care for her sister.
That Miss Elizabeth was bright, impertinent and original.
His smile turned to a frown. And his cruelty had smothered her.
But she would meet this challenge with her innate courage. She was alive; she must be.
He put down his glass. “I need your assistance, Richard, if you have time this evening.” He glanced at the clock.
“I will go to Whitby tomorrow morning, whatever the likelihood that she is not there, but if she is not, then it will take much searching to find her. I was thinking — Robins is a good man; he can take over stewardship of Pemberley for the time being and I will assign Mr Reed to the search and call in Rawlins as well.”
Richard nodded. “I was going to suggest Rawlins. This is, I believe, going to be quite a long affair, and he is the best investigator I know.”
Darcy rose to his feet and pulled out his bound volume of maps. He was glad he had purchased two copies to enable him to keep one here in town. He leafed through them to find the north-east coast.
Richard looked over his shoulder. “More than a hundred miles from Pemberley. She cannot be there. And …” he measured the distance by eye. “Around two hundred and fifty from here. Even with the longer days now, it’ll still be four, maybe five days, travel. Do you not feel it a waste of time?”
Darcy glanced at him. “I will feel as if I am doing something, Cousin. I dread the time where I will have nothing to do but wait until I have news of her.”
“Oh, of course.” Richard sat down opposite him. “Would you be offended or angry if I ask about a few things during the time when she was at Pemberley?”
Darcy stared at him, his heart tightening. Would it help to talk? Or would it drag up his utter thoughtless cruelty to Elizabeth, whom he now knew he adored?
“I do not know. Perhaps you could ask and I will either answer or not.”
Richard nodded. “Even if it is difficult, I think it may help. It does sometimes with my men.”
Darcy tightened his lips; his pride had already shattered. What was one more humiliation? “Ask your question.”
“Why did you forbid her correspondence?”
Darcy felt bile rise in his throat. “I have little recollection of that. But I do remember finding a letter with a Cheapside direction on it, and that roused my ire. I think I recall saying I must read and approve any letters she sent — I was determined she must not talk of my temper to those outside Pemberley.” He covered his face with his hands.
“I never thought of it again; never connected to it that I saw no letters from her again.”
Richard handed him a refilled glass. “Now I comprehend it, Darce. It is understandable this way, as is Mrs Darcy’s reaction. I can quite envisage that she would not wish you to see the content of her letters.”
Thankfully, Richard seemed to know that Darcy was not inclined to answer more — or perhaps he really had run out of time, because he put down his own glass.
“I must away, Darcy. Make sure to take care of yourself. Go to Whitby and set up the search with those men you trust. Then you must return and call upon Georgiana.”
“Georgiana? Is she not still at Matlock?”
Richard looked pityingly at him. “My parents would not leave her alone there, and they returned south as always for the Season. You know my father has to be in the House while it is in Session. I believe they have another month or so here before they travel north.”
Darcy felt foolish. “Of course. Is Georgiana well?”
Richard looked seriously at him. “She is growing up, Darce. She was ashamed of herself and mortified that she had trusted Wickham and caused you anger and distress. Then, within a month or so, you were gone to Netherfield. Then all this happened and she has not seen or heard from you since. It is many months, man! Since Michaelmas and it is now the end of May. I know you were badly injured for much of it, but you have missed Christmas, Twelfth Night, Easter and all the other celebrations for months. She remains certain you have cast her off.”
Darcy winced. “I will write to her tonight and from the inns each evening.” He hesitated. “What does she know about what has happened?”
Richard shrugged, and glanced at the clock again.
“I have not time to explain it all, but she knows that Mrs Darcy has left Pemberley and that you are looking for her, although I do not think she understands the reason why.” He levelled a stern look at Darcy.
“She deserves your time when you return here, Darcy. As I said, she is growing up. Soon she must be prepared for the Season, find a good man and marry. It will not do if she remains estranged from her brother. You must not wait an unknown length of time while you search.”
Darcy shuddered. He dreaded the Season quite enough without having Georgiana there to protect during her debut.