Chapter 16
In the drawing-room, in the company of only Jane, Bingley and Darcy, Elizabeth’s strength left her once again. Her hands began to tremble and, although she was sitting down, she almost lost her balance.
Jane moved to her side and Darcy hurried to pour her a glass of water.
“How is Sarah?” she asked, her voice barely audible.
“The doctor examined her earlier. He said she showed signs of improvement. A maid is always with her and the doctor’s orders are being strictly followed,” Darcy assured her.
“Thank you. I shall see her a little later.”
“Lady Barrington, your care of others is laudable, but I am most concerned about you. I am deeply sorry that my aunt exhausted you even further. You should retire to your chamber and rest. All that worried you this morning is settled. It is time to let us take care of you now!” Darcy said, with apparent emotion and warmth, taking her hands in his.
Neither he nor Elizabeth noticed the brief looks exchanged by Bingley and Jane.
For the Bingleys, Darcy was an excellent, trustworthy friend on whom they all depended and to whom they owed more than they could ever repay.
But such a display of affection—and the obvious acceptance of it on Elizabeth’s part—was unexpected.
“Sir, I cannot even think of resting. Not when I have discovered even more evidence of how Lord Barrington has destroyed lives! I cannot find peace when others still suffer.”
“But you cannot blame yourself for his actions! Or for the things you have failed to accomplish because of him!”
“I do not. But I feel compelled to remedy his malicious acts. You came to save me, although it was not your duty. I must do the same for others. I must beg you for another favour, Mr. Darcy. Please advise me how I could find someone who left a month ago to an unknown destination? I am willing to pay with my own money for this search!”
Darcy’s countenance turned even darker.
“The Countess of Sedgewick’s companion. A young woman, Miss Cecilia, of whom Lady Sedgewick was very fond. She was the countess’s loyal companion. There were specific requirements regarding her and possessions lawfully left to her.”
She paused to catch her breath. Darcy waited, quiet and frowning, until she continued.
“Lady Sedgewick asked me to take care of her and I promised to do so. But today I discovered that a month ago, Lord Barrington, together with Mr. St. Claire, threw her out of the house, with no luggage, no money and no belongings. I am certain he stole her possessions. She must have wandered around town for more than a month. I was unable to keep my word and protect her. Lord knows if she is already dead or lost in some horrible circumstances. I must find her. I must bring her home.”
Elizabeth’s voice became louder, more perturbed, more incomprehensible, and she was not capable of holding in her tears any longer. Warm drops fell onto her cheeks and she withdrew her hands from Darcy’s, removing her veil and hat and wiping her face.
“He hurt everyone he could! He left only pain and sorrow wherever he went. I hate him,” she whispered. “I hate him with all my being. I am glad he is dead! I prayed to the Lord to see him dead! And I have no remorse for that!”
The tears fell freely, but she did not sob. Her voice was now cold and steady and she stared at Darcy pleadingly.
“Can you help me with some advice, sir? A suggestion? I assume I must hire some men. Where can I find them?”
“Lady Barrington… Miss Bennet….” Please try to calm yourself.
If there is money, we can easily find men to hire for such a task.
But let us consider the matter carefully.
Where would this young woman go, if she had no choice?
Do you happen to know if she has any family or friends?
You said she was asked to leave with no means to support herself.
Would she look for employment? We must decide where to begin the search. ”
“I do not know… She grew up in Lady Sedgewick’s house.
Lord and Lady Sedgewick treated her like their daughter.
She might easily support herself from employment as a governess, her education was excellent and her accomplishments remarkable.
But if she was hurt or frightened by Lord Barrington she would certainly not expose herself and risk meeting him again. ”
“So you assume she has left London?”
“Probably. But where would she go? And how could she have done that with no means? Finding an honourable job outside London could be even more difficult. You see, Cece is black…”
“Regardless of the colour of her skin, it would be difficult for a young lady with no protection and no means to find a job in an honourable family. Unfortunately, there are more men than gentlemen out there, ready to take advantage of someone in need. But we will find her,” Darcy said.
“Would it be useful to look through Lady Sedgewick’s papers?
Could we find some clue regarding her whereabouts? ”
Elizabeth looked at him intently. She had addressed Darcy only, almost ignoring her sister and brother-in-law. All her hopes were on him.
His words calmed the torment in her mind and she let out a small cry of relief.
“Dear Lord, I am such a simpleton! I know where she could be! Lady Sedgewick purchased a small property for Cece, in Surrey. A cottage with a piece of land, she said. Somewhere near the village of Ripley, two hours from London. She mentioned that neither Lord Barrington nor Lady Augusta was aware of this property. The purchase was made in Cece’s name, so it belonged to her.
I only wonder if she had enough money to travel there after she was thrown out. ”
She began pacing the room, her spirits higher and her heart lighter.
“I need to go there tomorrow morning! First thing! Yes, she must be there! Thank you, Lord! And thank you, sir, for helping me remember. I will go tomorrow morning.”
“Miss Bennet!” Darcy called her but she did not respond. “Miss Bennet!” he repeated louder and she finally turned to him, waiting.
“Miss Bennet, it is an excellent piece of information, but we cannot be certain she is truly there. You cannot possibly travel tomorrow morning again. I will fight you if necessary, and I will ask your sister and your uncle to take my side!”
“But…”
“Please sit down, Miss Bennet, and let us talk.”
She obeyed reluctantly, ready to argue with him. Her decision had been made and she was determined not to even consider changing it.
“Miss Bennet, since you are responsible for an impressive fortune and have a great number of people in your care, you will have many problems to solve and many issues to remedy. Your generous heart will likely induce you to attempt everything by yourself. Allow me to tell you that it will be impossible to do so. Nobody would be capable of it. You must learn to allow others to help you. You must ask for support and preserve your strength and health. If you are unwell, you will not be able to help anyone. If—God forbid—something happened to you, everybody would suffer. Do you not agree?”
She listened and gazed at him, still ready to argue. But his closeness soothed her impulsiveness.
He was calm, his countenance earnest but not severe. His voice was decided but not arrogant. He insisted on making her see reason, but did not impose his opinion.
“So what would you suggest?” she eventually enquired.
“Allow me to go and find the young lady. Write her a note so she will know you have sent me. She probably has not heard the news of Lord Barrington’s death.”
The conversation was interrupted by Mr. Gardiner’s entrance. He was invited in and Bingley immediately offered him a glass of brandy.
“Dear Uncle, I hope you have good news.”
“I do, Lizzy. Everything has been settled as you requested. Six maids left Barrington House and were hosted by Mrs. Gilford. Eleven others chose to remain. Mrs. Nott was stunned and very displeased. Your actions are rather unique amongst the ton, and you should expect criticism, I dare say.”
“Thank you for your help, Uncle. Mrs. Nott’s displeasure is not my concern, nor is the ton’s disapproval.”
“I imagined as much. What did you decide about Miss Cecilia?” Mr. Gardiner asked, sitting next to Bingley and sipping his brandy.
“We were just discussing the matter,” Elizabeth replied. “I have reason to hope she is in Surrey, at a small property there. I intended to go there tomorrow morning, but Mr. Darcy offered to go on my behalf.”
“I did not offer, I insisted. The doctor recommended that Lady Barrington… Miss Bennet should rest and not leave her bed unless it is necessary. She has done nothing of the kind and has barely rested for a few minutes today. She was on the road this morning, then she had to face the most dreadful confrontation with Barrington’s mother and friends, then she went to Lady Sedgewick’s house and now she intends to travel again tomorrow.
I have no authority to impose my opinion, but if she was my family, I would by no means allow her to engage in such an endeavour. ”
“Your opinion is much valued, Mr. Darcy, but my decision is not simply caprice,” Elizabeth replied.
“I am aware of that. But it is simply too much. I may easily search for the young lady myself. I will leave early in the morning and return by dinner time. If she is not there, we can organise a search party to comb the entirety of London in a few days.”
“If you don't mind, I have a better option,” Bingley suddenly interjected.
“I am part of the family now and, while I am grateful to Darcy for his involvement, it is my duty and my desire to take on more responsibility. If you agree, I would like to search for Miss Cecilia myself. We are not acquainted, but a note from Elizabeth would suffice.”
“I support Bingley’s suggestion,” Mr. Gardiner said. “As your uncle, I will take the liberty of joining him. Miss Cecilia and I are acquainted and I foresee a successful journey.”
Elizabeth was taken aback. The men looked at her, waiting, and she had no reason to reject their sensible proposal.