Chapter 18 Peril and Partnership #2
“You are not the one responsible for subjecting the woman you love to our aunt’s displeasure.
It infuriates me that I dare not defend her for fear of making it worse.
Although, truth be told, it is her cousin and Jones that I worry about.
That fool Collins is a true zealot, and according to my valet, Jones is as unscrupulous as they come. ”
“We are watching the parsonage.”
“It does not alleviate the discomfort Miss Bennet must be experiencing.” Coming to a decision, Darcy paused by the fire.
“I believe we should return to Town. Tomorrow, I will find a way to speak with Miss Bennet and determine what her plans are. If she is to remain, I shall leave my coachman and my servants here at her disposal.”
At breakfast, the chocolate was entirely too bitter and heavily spiced for Elizabeth’s taste, but Maria seemed to enjoy it.
When Mr Collins stepped out of the room to speak with a messenger from Rosings, Elizabeth gave the rest of her chocolate to Maria.
Mr Collins seemed inordinately pleased with the message and did not even bat an eye when Elizabeth declared she would not walk out that morning.
He even suggested they remain in Charlotte’s parlour until he returned from an errand for Lady Catherine.
Mere moments after they heard the front door close, Maria mumbled, “I think I will rest,” and melted onto the settee.
Charlotte looked at her with concern that soon turned to panic as she found she was not steady enough on her feet to go to Maria.
As Elizabeth guided Charlotte to the chaise longue, she too began to feel strange.
Had someone put a sleeping draught in the chocolate?
Why? Her thoughts moved at a snail’s pace.
Would it be right to assume from Mr Collins’s glee as he spied the empty cup in front of her that he doctored her drink?
Why? It might be dangerous to assume he had not.
If all three of them had been dosed, her cousin must not want any witnesses to what was about to happen.
This whole situation had too much in common with a Gothic novel, only the danger was real.
She was certain her cousin knew nothing of proper dosage and, given the effects on Maria and Charlotte, he had probably used too much. She must find Mr Darcy or the colonel.
“I regret leaving you like this, but I must get help before I succumb as well. I shall send the apothecary to assist you and Maria.”
As Elizabeth kissed her friend’s brow, she noticed Charlotte’s pupils had become specks.
As her eyes fluttered closed, she said a quick prayer for her friends, grabbed Charlotte’s sensible brown cloak, and carefully opened the door.
She was in luck; it sounded like Sally was on the first floor.
Elizabeth walked out imitating Charlotte’s stride as best as she could.
Within moments, she realised she was not going to make it much farther, and she headed for the shelter of her favourite grove.
She quitted the path and sat amidst a stand of trees, hoping Charlotte and Maria, somehow, might secure aid.
Making herself as small as possible, she finally let sleep claim her.
Darcy let his dog, Argos, off his lead to dart along the path sniffing the ground.
Darcy could not believe he had failed Elizabeth yet again.
Why had he not trusted his instincts? Thank heavens he and the colonel had called at the parsonage.
He had been pleased when his men watching the parsonage indicated both Mr and Mrs Collins had gone out.
The knots in his gut tightened as he remembered the scene that awaited them inside.
Sally had gasped and rushed into the room, Darcy on her heels.
Both Maria and Mrs Collins were insensible.
Darcy surveyed the room for any sign of Elizabeth, only to realise that since Mrs Collins was at home, it must have been Elizabeth whom his men had seen leaving the parsonage.
He had left his cousin behind to assist Sally, sent his men for the apothecary and the magistrate, and swiftly organised a search for Elizabeth.
Argos darted off the main path towards one of Elizabeth’s favourite groves.
His heart plummeted when he found it empty.
He called his dog; Argos merely barked but stayed where he was.
Darcy strode into the trees to retrieve his dog.
Argos stood by a cluster of trees as if waiting for his reward.
Sighing, Darcy approached and then stopped; there, hidden in the cluster of trees, was a woman in a familiar yellow gown.
Suddenly, his cravat was too tight. In an instant, he knelt beside Elizabeth.
His eyes blurred with moisture as his trembling fingers found her steady pulse.
A cold nose. A wet tongue. A dog barking.
The smell of safety and warmth surrounded her. She was being carried. Was that a kiss to her brow? Am I dreaming? I am so tired. Where am I? Ah, yes, the voice of security. Wherever she was, she would ascertain later, when she was less tired.
As Darcy approached the parsonage with Elizabeth clutched in his arms, he hoped that the presence of his coach meant the apothecary was within.
And he wondered about a cart that his coachman had blocked.
Somehow, he was not surprised that one of his own grooms opened the door for him as he approached.
“Mr Tomlinson, the apothecary, is seeing to Miss Lucas, but if you bring Miss Bennet to the parlour the colonel will let him know to examine her. We are still waiting for the magistrate. Mr Collins has returned, and the colonel had to secure him in his book room.”
“Any sign of Jones?” Darcy queried.
“He was driving that cart, but when he saw your coach approaching, he attempted to depart. When that was not possible, he fled on foot.”
The colonel waited in the parlour. “You found her!”
“Argos found her.”
With a roll of his eyes, the colonel left to apprise Mr Tomlinson.
Elizabeth’s eyes fluttered as he laid her down on the settee. “Rest, dearest Elizabeth.”
Darcy heard voices: “It is good you recognised the signs. Promptly purging the remaining drug has given her a chance to recover. The next day will be the most critical.”
“Well, here is Miss Bennet, your next patient. She was able to walk away from the parsonage, so let us hope her case is not as severe,” the colonel replied.
Darcy stood aside as the apothecary approached. “Her pulse is steady. She murmured as I carried her.”
“I can tell from her colour that indeed her case is not as severe.” After a quick examination during which Elizabeth seemed to object to her eyelids being opened, Mr Tomlinson continued, “Her breathing, her pupils, and her pulse all show the effect of what I would consider a safe dose of laudanum. I would expect her to wake in a few hours. In the meantime, keep her warm. If you do not mind, I would like to return to Miss Lucas and Mrs Collins.”
Before Darcy could interject with any questions, the colonel said, “Of course. I will apprise my cousin of your report on their health.”
Mr Tomlinson exited as Darcy’s groom escorted the magistrate, Lord Metcalfe, into the room.
“Darcy, Fitzwilliam, it is good to see you. What could be happening in your aunt’s parsonage that would require a magistrate?
All I see are men in Darcy livery. Does…
?” Lord Metcalfe broke off as he became aware of a blanket-covered Elizabeth on the settee.
With military efficiency, the colonel took charge of the conversation.
“In short, Mrs Collins and her sister appear to have been given a significant amount of laudanum.” Gesturing to the settee, he continued, “Her friend, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, appears to have received only a moderate dose and may wake before nightfall. Mrs Collins will be ill for a day or so but is expected to make a full recovery. Unfortunately, it is unclear whether Miss Lucas will recover.”
Lord Metcalfe’s mien sobered. “Let me prepare to take notes.”
“Certainly. I suggest you use the writing desk in this room.” The colonel sat next to the desk.
Darcy stood by the mantel as his cousin apprised his Lordship of the past few days, including that morning. The sound of the colonel’s voice washed over him as he observed Elizabeth’s reflection in the mirror. Some of the particulars in the account occasionally caught his attention:
“Luckily, we were able to examine the remains of breakfast.”
“Mr Tomlinson believes laudanum was added to the chocolate.”
“We found an almost empty bottle on Mr Collins’s desk.”
“The parson readily admits to his involvement in this ‘noble and just’ cause.”
The magistrate stood. “Let me speak to him.”
“Right this way,” replied the colonel.
Alone with Elizabeth, Darcy took a deep breath and moved to stand near her, pleased to see her colour improved.
A moment later, the apothecary returned. “I have done as much as I can for now for Miss Lucas. Might I trouble one of your men to bring a message to a woman in the village? Mrs Talbot often assists me with caring for patients through the night.”
The gravel of Rosings’ formal garden paths crunched beneath Darcy’s boots as he marched beside the colonel to confront their aunt.
Elizabeth’s uncle Gardiner watched over his niece at the parsonage.
Her uncle had decided to fetch Elizabeth himself that morning after receiving a cryptic message from Mrs Collins.
Given the righteous fury of Mr Gardiner after he understood this situation, it was fortunate for Collins that Lord Metcalfe had already taken him away.
As Darcy’s thoughts turned to his uncle, he said to the colonel, “It is time your father came to Rosings to transfer control of the estate to Anne, and to judge for himself the soundness of mind of Lady Catherine.”
“Do you think my father has the power to curb her actions?” The colonel matched Darcy’s stride.