Chapter 37
“Edward, I am sorry I keep talking about this. But I am so certain something is terribly wrong.” Madeline Gardiner sank into the chair opposite her husband.
“Lizzy would never choose not to write to us. He must be stopping her. And after what Thomas had told us, it seems that his temper is so uncertain that he may still be being unkind to her.” She rose to her feet and paced restlessly.
“Edward, it has been more than six months now since we have heard anything. We even heard nothing on her birthday. I want to go north and stay in Lambton. We could do that instead of our trip to the Lakes. I cannot think of going there, knowing we were going to take her with us. If we stay with my family in Lambton, we might see her and assure ourselves of her safety.”
“Oh, my dear,” Edward reached over and took her hand. “I am sorry. I know you have been worried about this, and we often have this conversation, but I do not see that we can do anything. You know a husband has absolute power over his wife.”
Tears sprang to Madeline’s eyes. “I was so sure he was a good man, but Jane says that the apothecary said his temper may never recover after that head injury.”
Edward sounded sympathetic. “But if he is preventing her from writing to us, then surely he is also preventing her from going into Lambton.”
“But, surely — church? He would not stop her going to church. Would he?”
“Well, he could, but we would have to see. I am coming to believe that your suggestion might be the only way to do things.” Edward looked thoughtful. “We can at least ensure from there that we send someone quietly to speak to the servants at Pemberley, and we might find out what is going on.”
Madeline leaned over to kiss him. “Yes, please let us make plans for that just as soon as you can make arrangements with your business.”
At that moment, there was a knock on the door and the housekeeper entered. “Mrs Gardiner.” She extended the tray bearing a single card. “Mr Darcy to see you and Mr Gardiner, madam.”
Madeline rose to her feet. “Mr Darcy.” Her voice was cold. “We were just speaking of travelling to Lambton to attempt to see my niece.”
The gentleman looked gaunt, weary and very disturbed. He bowed.
“I am sorry to impose on you like this, madam, but I am searching for my wife. Mr Bennet suggested I call on you and sent a note with me by way of explanation.”
“You do not know where she is?” Edward had risen to his feet himself. He bowed. “Edward Gardiner, sir.”
Mr Darcy bowed in return. “I do not. Mrs Darcy vanished from Pemberley on her birthday. I — we — have been searching extensively for her. I went to Longbourn yesterday and spoke to Mr Bennet, and he suggested I should come to you. He said you may have heard something from Elizabeth — my wife.”
Madeline considered him seriously as he extended a letter towards Edward, who accepted it, unsmiling.
She wondered if he had slept properly for weeks.
“Sit down, Mr Darcy. You look as if you need to.” She rang the bell and ordered refreshments before taking a chair, after which he murmured his thanks and sat down.
Edward had read the note and passed it to her, taking the seat on the sofa beside her. But he didn’t make conversation with their guest and Madeline unfolded the letter and read, the silence in the room pressing on her mind.
Gardiner,
Darcy called on me this afternoon regarding Elizabeth. He appears to me to be genuinely concerned for her safety and well-being, sufficient to convince me that he understands what he has done that has caused her unhappiness.
I would not have wished such an experience on her, of course, but I believe the best way of helping her now is to assist him in his search, despite Lizzy not wishing it.
I received a note from her a few days ago, explaining why she would no longer be in touch with us, and I have decided that, in this case, those wishes should be disregarded.
Darcy wishes to speak with you, given that Elizabeth may confide more to you if she does write.
Yrs etc.
Bennet
Madeline folded the letter, her fingers numb with concern. She looked at Edward, would he wish to speak first?
“You said Lizzy left Pemberley on her birthday, Mr Darcy.” Edward’s voice was cool, but marginally less arctic than it would have been before reading Thomas's letter. Mr Darcy would not notice that, though. She wondered how he felt about coming to a tradesman and admitting what had happened.
Their visitor had bowed his head. “She did. I am very concerned for her, a lady alone, and she took almost nothing with her.” He hesitated. “I am not proud of what I was like, and I have no excuse for my wicked thoughtlessness.” He reached into his pocket.
“I think you may have heard about what happened that precipitated our marriage?” He sounded hesitant, and his exhaustion and anxiety were very apparent.
Madeline felt the first prickling of sympathy for him, but she was rather more distressed by the implication of his visit.
“You say that our Lizzy left on her own, with nothing? You must know about the danger she is in. What have you done to find her? What reasons could she have, to take such a risk?”
Mr Darcy flinched, and reached into his pocket.
“If you might be of any assistance, madam, I am willing to show you the letter she left for me. I am mortified by what she says, but that will not stop me from seeking your help.” He held out a letter, the seal broken, and the sheets much folded and refolded.
She took it, nodding, and opened it, holding it so that Edward could read it as well.
Tears sprang to her eyes as she read:
… I would sooner lie alone in an unmarked grave …
Lizzy had understood completely the danger she would be in. She had gone into it clear-eyed and determined.
She lowered the letter and met her husband’s gaze, as she shivered at the risks her niece had taken. Perhaps she was already dead, had sought peace that way?
She almost laughed. Not her Lizzy. She would fight every inch of the way to forge her own life.
Edward drew breath and she brought her attention back to the room. “I agree with Bennet, Mr Darcy. The best way of finding Lizzy is to work together. But first, I must know your intentions once she is found.”
Mr Darcy straightened up. “I must ensure she is safe. But I will not force her to return to Pemberley. I will be guided by her wishes, ensuring she has all the funds she might wish for or need to have a settled and safe life howsoever she wishes it to be.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “I had no notion what pain I was causing, and I will express my deepest remorse and sorrow to her. I have already expressed my apologies to Mr Bennet, sir, and now I express them to you, too, and also your wife. I understand Elizabeth holds you in the highest affection.”
He met their gaze. “I will undertake to write to you frequently and keep you informed of everything I discover, and all I am doing in the search. I would be obliged if you might provide me anything that might assist me to find Elizabeth.” He rose to his feet and bowed.
“I thank you for your hospitality, Mr Gardiner, Mrs Gardiner. I will leave you now. Tomorrow I will journey to Whitby. I know Mr Bennet feels that she will have used that postage frank as a decoy, but even if it is a faint hope it is the only trace I have, and the posting inn may remember the appearance of the person who posted it.”
“Very well, Mr Darcy,” Madeline rose to her feet and dipped her head. “We will assist you because Lizzy is important to us, and we wish to know she is safe and content.”
Edward extended his hand, and Mr Darcy shook it with no apparent disdain, to her surprise. “If — no, when you find her, treat her well.”
“I can assure you of that, and you and Bennet will be the first to know.”