Chapter Sixteen
UNCERTAINTY
On the Road
Saturday, Mid-morning
Darcy’s Carriage
During their stay at the inn, William had received a letter from Elizabeth, which pleased him greatly.
As soon as he knew Georgiana was able to travel, he sent off another express informing her of their plans and when she could expect them home.
Since he was not willing to push travel for Georgiana’s sake, they spent Friday night at a posting inn, with the intention of arriving back at Rosings Park in the late afternoon or early evening on Saturday.
Assuming his sister would need more rest, they would probably not journey back to Town until Tuesday or Wednesday.
“Truly, Brother, do you think she will like me? I do hope so.”
“Why, of course. Elizabeth has a very kind heart and was quite worried for your safety when we received your express. I know she has faithfully prayed for your recovery ever since that time.”
“I look forward to meeting her, Brother.”
“You will like her. Our Elizabeth is the second of five sisters and an affectionate woman. Anna took to her right away, especially as she happened to sing her favourite song while putting her to bed.” William smiled tenderly with the memory.
“Then she likes music?”
“Very much so. Elizabeth is a collector of folk songs and ballads and enjoys singing verses written by many of our favourite poets from the past. I first heard her sing at one of Lady Gwendolyn’s dinner parties where she sang My luve is like a red, red, rose.
Her voice was low and mellow and she sang with a Scottish accent, unaccompanied. ”
Again he smiled. “While she has never had the benefit of the masters, her interpretation of the words was heart-felt and touched those who were in attendance.” He squeezed Georgiana’s hand.
“I look forward to the day when the two of you might practice together and perform for me. The thought of it warms my heart immeasurably.”
“And mine, too, Brother. Elizabeth sounds like everything I have hoped for in a sister.” Squeezing his hand in return, she continued, “Since Anne’s death, I have prayed in earnest for you to find someone to love and someone who would love you in return.
Hearing you speak so fondly of Elizabeth makes me very happy. ”
“Thank you, Georgie, and in a few hours you will have the pleasure of meeting her. It will be good for all of us to be together as a family.”
The previous day had been an arduous trek for the injured girl. With uneven roads, her nausea periodically returned, prompting William to stop the carriage quite often so she could stretch her legs and get some fresh air. Today she had fared better and was able to sleep much of the way.
Reaching inside his breast pocket, William took out Elizabeth’s letter and read it yet again, though he knew it by heart.
William,
I was so relieved to learn that you have recovered Georgiana and will be home soon.
Anna and I have prayed for the two of you and cannot wait for the four of us to be together.
Our sweet child has been such a comfort in your absence.
It is too bad that Lady Catherine has not allowed her to play with other children on the estate, for our little girl would dearly love a friend while staying here.
Despite Lady Catherine’s mandate, we did find a young lad, Charlie, who is the grandson of Mr. Jackson, one of your barn workers.
Mr. Jackson graciously showed us a litter of new kittens and Anna and the boy had the most delightful time playing with them.
Needless to say, once you return, Anna would like for you to accompany her to the barn.
Please do not worry about us leaving the house. After warning us of Mr. Wickham, I did not feel comfortable taking Anna outside. As much as Anna and I love to be out of doors, we have amused ourselves in the house.
As for Lady Catherine, I admit we have had some words of disagreement. For the most part, however, she is not interested in my company, which is fine.
Anna joins me for meals in our sitting room, and I delight in how much I have learned about our daughter in such a short time. She is an intelligent child and eager to learn. Our little one misses you and says, “Tell Papa I love him.”
My dear husband, I miss you, too, and long for us to be in each other’s arms again so I might hold you and give you comfort as you have given me. Those few minutes we had before you departed were far too short. I love you so very much and look forward to your return.
May you have safe travels and may God bless both you and Georgiana, my William.
Your loving and devoted wife,
Elizabeth
William smiled to himself as he refolded the letter and placed it back in his breast pocket next to her handkerchief.
His Elizabeth had become the light of his life, and while they were entwined in that last amorous embrace, she whispered how much she longed to give him another child.
A man could ask for no finer gift?a woman who loved him without reserve and the hope of a happy future.
As much as he tried, however, those thoughts could not fully sustain him.
Until he was back at Rosings Park and was assured his wife and daughter were safe from Wickham, he could not be at ease.
When they were about three hours from the estate, he had sent forth one of his outriders to alert Elizabeth of his projected arrival time and to report back with her response.
Closing his eyes, William prayed in earnest, Please let them be safe; let her be safe.
Roughly two hours later, the carriage came to a stop when William’s outrider returned with news from Rosings Park.
Jumping from his horse, he ran directly to the carriage, handing William two letters.
Not wanting to wake Georgiana until he had read the letters, William opened the door and exited the vehicle.
To his complete horror, the first was not from his wife but from his steward, explaining that there had been a fire in the barn on Friday evening and informing him that Mrs. Darcy and his daughter were missing.
“Good God!” William exclaimed quickly breaking the seal on the second letter.
Nephew,
I trust you will be home soon. The estate is in an uproar and we are in dire need of your assistance following the fire which occurred last night.
As you may surmise from reading your steward’s letter, the barn is no more and the timbers are still smouldering amongst the rubble.
Be aware, Anna and Miss Bennet are nowhere to be found.
They were last seen by Nurse Potter and the maid Molly.
The enclosed message was left on Miss Bennet’s pillow, I assume written by George Wickham since it is signed GW.
I still do not understand the man’s involvement in all of this. As you know, he was always a good friend to my Anne, even when you were not.
“Good friend, indeed!” William spat.
I warned you about marrying that woman. For George Wickham to behave in such a manner, I suspect Miss Bennet has charmed him with her arts and allurements for some nefarious reason of her own. Meanwhile, I sent an express to Matlock House earlier today asking for my brother’s assistance.
Let it be known that I am holding you and that woman responsible for the trouble we now find ourselves in.
I shall not rest until my granddaughter has been recovered and returned to me.
You may be her father, but after this disaster with Miss Bennet, in my estimation you are no longer fit to be her guardian.
Lady Catherine
Cursing under his breath, William crumpled his aunt’s letter, shoving it into his pocket along with that of his steward.
After quickly reading Wickham’s message, he hurried back to the carriage waking his sister and explaining what had taken place.
While he wished to escort her the remaining distance to Rosings Park, he had no choice but to leave her care to his servants and go ahead by horseback.
“I am so sorry, Georgie, but I must leave you in order to learn whatever I can about Elizabeth and Anna before going on to London. Wickham is demanding money and says he will contact me at Darcy House when he is ready for the exchange. With Richard being in Town for several days now, I pray he may have some information for me to go on. Hopefully things will be settled swiftly.”
“Be safe, Brother. I shall be praying for all of you.”
“I know you will.” He leaned over to kiss his sister, and after squeezing her hand, left by horseback.
Rosings Park
As soon as William arrived at Rosings Park, he was met by his land steward, Mr. Parker, who quickly apprised him of the damages to the barn and assured William that there would be no problem disposing of the rubble and beginning repairs.
Fortunately, not many workers sustained burns, no lives were lost and all of the animals were accounted for, save one horse.
The man had a long history in estate management and was one whom William trusted to take care of things in his absence.
On finishing their conversation, William directed one of the footmen to make arrangements for another carriage while he went into the house hoping for more information about Elizabeth and Anna.
Needless to say, by this time he was short of temper and curt with everyone he spoke to.
Since Lady Catherine had sent all of her servants to assist with putting out the fire, no one could provide him with pertinent information.
The last people to see his wife and child had been Anna’s nurse and Elizabeth’s maid, just as Lady Catherine had stated in her letter.
It was the two of them who had discovered they were missing, though not until early the next morning after the fire was subdued and the house servants had begun returning to the manor.