Chapter Twenty-Six
George, George, the Steward’s Son, Stole a Boy and Away He Run
As Tiddle watched the two walk away, he noticed the man dropped a piece of paper on the ground.
Tiddle wondered if this was the message the man was to deliver to Miss.
Not sure what to do but motivated by curiosity, Tiddle went over and picked the paper up.
As with most brownies, he could not read what was on the paper, but he felt if it was so important that Robbie had to go with the man to help him find Miss, then maybe he too should look for Miss.
Had they asked Tiddle where Miss was, he would have been able to help them because of his connection to the other brownies in the area.
Brownie communication traveled through nature, so Tiddle reached out requesting information from nearby brownies as to Miss's location.
If they could not find Miss, he reasoned they would be able to find Butterbell and have him tell Miss she was needed at home.
Tiddle even reasoned Miss might come upon her brother and the man on her way home.
“Miss, Tiddle needs us,” Butterbell said as he rushed over to Lizzy’s side. “We go quickly,” he continued as he began to pull on her arm.
“Go where,” Darcy asked as he came up beside Lizzy with Rowan at his side.
“Home,” was all Butterbell replied as he continued to pull on Lizzy’s arm.
“Then we will hurry,” Lizzy replied sensing the urgency in the summons and feeling something dangerous was nearby.
As they hurried back to Longbourn, Lizzy felt regret about allowing both Ben and Joseph leave at the same time. She also realized she should have assigned someone else to watch over her brothers during her absence from home.
The trip back home seemed longer than Lizzy remembered, but as they neared the back of the house, she noticed Tiddle walking around in a circle muttering to himself. She also noticed the paper he gripped in his hands.
As soon as Tiddle sighted the foursome, he began running toward them.
“Miss, Tiddle did bad thing. He let Master Robbie go with the man. He should have followed,” he babbled as he ran.
“Be calm, Tiddle,” Lizzy said as the anxious brownie reached her. “Allow me to see the paper you have in your hands.”
With trembling hands, Tiddle held out the piece of paper. While Lizzy read, Rowan and Butterbell began to question Tiddle as Darcy listened.
“What man do?” Butterbell asked first.
“Tell Robbie he had paper for Miss. Only Miss he hand it to. Asked Robbie to take him to Miss. Tell Robbie order me stay behind,” Tiddle said in a rush of words.
“What did the man look like?” Darcy asked
“Tall, red coat, tall, did not seem right,” Tiddle said.
“Not seem right?” Rowan asked.
“Man felt not right. I no like him,” Tiddle replied.
A gasp caused all four to turn toward Lizzy.
“He took him. The Eliminator has Robbie,” Lizzy cried. “He wants me; he will let Robbie go if I come meet him.”
“Man who take Master Robbie,” Butterbell began, then stopped. He nodded at Rowan and both brownies appeared in deep concentration.
After a few moments, Butterbell asked, “He look like that?”
“Yes” Tiddle replied.
“Wickedman,” Butterbell and Rowan said simultaneously.
“What just happened?” Darcy’s confusion was evident to Lizzy.
“Butterbell and Rowan created a mental image of Wickham to share with Tiddle.”
“They can do that?”
Lizzy would have laughed at Mr. Darcy’s look except for the fear she felt for Robbie’s well-being.
“It takes a great deal of concentration and uses a lot of power, but they can do it for a moment. With Rowan and Butterbell working together, it makes the task simpler,” Lizzy explained.
“I am amazed at all the new information I have gained through you about brownies,” Darcy said, and then went on to ask, “What does it say?” He indicated the paper in Elizabeth’s hand.
“I am to meet him in the glade where we first saw him watching us,” Lizzy said to Darcy.
“He knew we saw him?”
“No. His description of the place, however, indicates that location is where he means.”
“When?” Darcy asked.
“As soon as I have read this,” Lizzy replied, and then added, “I am to go alone.”
“No. I will come along. You will not meet him alone. There is no telling what he might do,” Darcy insisted.
“I hoped you would see it that way. Once we are there, he will have to accept your presence.”
Butterbell and Rowan looked at each other, nodded, and both said, “We go to.”
“Tiddle go. Tiddle must look after Master Robbie.”
It was agreed all five would make for the clearing mentioned in the note.
It was not a long walk but a quiet one. Each had thoughts swirling around in their minds except Lizzy.
Lizzy could feel nature’s power building up within her.
She could feel it flowing up from the ground into her feet and upwards through her body.
It pervaded her entire being, but especially her hands and fingers.
Lizzy knew nature was supplying her with the power she would need to meet the upcoming challenge.
She, however, mentioned this excess of power to no one, but she suspected Butterbell knew of the influx of power because, walking beside her, he took her hand.
“We almost there,” Butterbell whispered as she neared the glade.
Turning to Mr. Darcy, Lizzy said, “I want you and Rowan to move behind me.” Feeling a tug on her hand, she looked down and addressed Butterbell.
“You may remain by my side. I doubt Mr. Wickham will even know you have accompanied me.” She turned back to Mr. Darcy.
“I shall step into the glade, but it would be best if you and Rowan remain in the shadow of the trees until we know what we will be facing.”
“I would prefer to walk beside you,” Darcy argued, “but, as you prefer, I will remain at the edge of woods until I am needed. Just be aware, if I see any threat to your safety, I will not hesitate to move to your side.”
Lizzy smiled at him. “Thank you. I would welcome your assistance should it be needed.”
As she finished talking, Lizzy, with Butterbell still holding her hand, stepped out into the open glade. It did not take her long to spy Mr. Wickham. She became extremely angry when she noticed her brother standing so close to Mr. Wickham.