Authors: Melanie Schertz
The Darcys were shown into the parlor, and were
soon joined by Mrs Gardiner. “Good morning. I am
Mrs Gardiner. How may I be of assistance?”
“Mrs Gardiner, I am Fitzwilliam Darcy of
Pemberley. This is my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.
We have come here to speak with your niece, Miss
Elizabeth Bennet.”
“Two days ago, Miss Elizabeth was visiting Hyde
Park. She came to my rescue, when two men
assaulted me and attempted to rob me. As you can
see, I was injured, and only today have been allowed
out of my bed. When I learned it was Miss Elizabeth
who had come to my aid, I spoke to my butler. He
stated that your niece declared she was formerly of
Longbourn. Has something happened with Mr
Bennet? Has he perished?”
“No, Mr Darcy, Mr Bennet is in good health. But
there is a situation which has developed which forced
Elizabeth to come here. Mr Bennet’s cousin, who is
the heir to the estate, proposed to Lizzy. To Mrs
Bennet’s vexation, Lizzy refused Mr Collins.”
“Though he is, Lizzy’s refusal infuriated my
husband’s sister. She has now determined to marry
Lizzy to a neighbor who has a comfortable living,
though he is older than Mr Bennet and has buried two
wives under suspicious natures. Lizzy and my
husband received expresses from Mr Bennet, urging
Lizzy to leave Town quickly, as Mrs Bennet is
planning to come here and fetch my poor niece.”
“Good God.” Darcy exclaimed. “Forgive me, Mrs
Gardiner. I should not speak so abominably. Can you
tell me where Miss Elizabeth has gone?”
“I am originally from Lambton, and we were
planning to journey there in a week. I sent her ahead,
by post. Do not fret, one of our maids went with
Lizzy, and my niece is a sensible young lady.”
Mrs Gardiner smiled. “Indeed. Mrs Lackney has
been my friend since childhood, and we have kept in
touch over the years.”
“She has always been kind to me.” Georgiana
smiled. “Your niece will be well looked after with Mrs
Lackney.”
“I believe my sister and I may be leaving Town
soon, perhaps even tomorrow. I have long wished to
return to Derbyshire.” Darcy stated, though he was
fooling no one in the room. Georgiana and Mrs
Gardiner were certain he wished to make the journey
to see Elizabeth.
~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~
Darcy and Georgiana had stopped at an inn to take
some nourishment when they heard a familiar voice.
“William, Georgie, what are you doing here?”
“I was in Newcastle delivering orders to the
General, when I received a letter telling me you had
been injured when you were laid upon by robbers. I
was on my way to London, expecting to find you at
death’s door.” Richard Fitzwilliam was the second
son of an earl, Lord Matlock, and a colonel in the
regulars.
Georgiana looked down at her hands, folded in her
lap. “I was afraid, William. You were in such a fretful
way.”
“I am much better.” Darcy stated in a kind voice.
He did not fault his beloved sister for worrying over
him, and, as Darcy and Richard shared guardianship
over Georgiana, it was only right for her to contact
their cousin.
“I can see. Has something happened at
Pemberley? I cannot imagine your traveling so soon
after a head injury, unless something dire has
happened at your estate.”
“No, I…I desired returning home to recover fully.
And there are some matters to discuss with my
steward. Spring is not too far away, and it is
necessary to be prepared for all spring brings to the
estate. We have some tenant houses which will
require repairs, there are some changes we will
implement for planting this year, and many other
issues which need to be planned out.”
“My goodness, Wills, it is only February. It will not
be until May when you begin to plant.” Richard could
see that something was on his cousin’s mind, but
decided to wait to see what unfolded.
“Well, it is best not to wait until the last moment
to have everything in hand. Speaking of which, I need
to speak with our driver, so would you be kind
enough to keep Georgiana company?” Darcy waited
for his cousin to nod his agreement before he rose
from the table and left the dining room.
“Now, Georgie, tell me what is truly happening. I
know Wills enough to know he is keeping something
from me.”
Georgiana’s eyes rose to meet her cousin’s. “Do
you remember when he stayed in Hertfordshire with
Mr Bingley?” Richard nodded his head again. “In
William’s letters, did he ever mention a Miss Elizabeth
Bennet?”
“Yes, and it was quite odd for him to behave so.
He has never written of any other young lady, besides
you, that is.”
“Miss Elizabeth was at the park when William was
assaulted. She drove off the attackers, beating them
with a branch she found. Miss Elizabeth has been
forced to leave her home, due to her mother’s
behavior towards her, and William discovered the
information that she will be in Lambton, as her aunt
sent her there. It seems the aunt grew up in Lambton,
and has friends there. So William is determined to
make his way to see Miss Elizabeth.”
Georgiana smiled as she shook her head. “No,
Richard, love has. William informed me that he is in
love with Miss Elizabeth. It is my belief that he will
ask for her hand.”
“Whatever you do, do not tell my mother and
father. Mother is determined to find the perfect
young lady from society to marry your brother. She is
also attempting to find a bride for me as well. It is
fortunate my brother is married, or she would truly
be upset with all of us. Samuel found a good society
wife, one who gives Mother the respect Lady Matlock
demands.”
Richard Fitzwilliam smiled. “Of course, my dear
Sprite, I will support your brother’s decision, after I
meet the lady in question and satisfy my own
curiosity.”
Darcy returned to collect his sister, claiming his
desire to be on the road again so they would arrive at
Pemberley before dark. Colonel Fitzwilliam decided to
accompany his cousins to their estate, for he wished
to meet the young lady who was in Lambton. After
meeting her, he would speak to Darcy and weigh in
his opinion.
The cousins rode the rest of the day in Darcy’s
carriage. Georgiana and Richard discussed everything
there was, with regards to his family, the threat of war
with France and whether Richard would be sent to
battle or kept in England to train new recruits. Darcy
continued to stare out the window, saying very little,
though his mind was busy. Thoughts of Elizabeth
Bennet continued to flow through his thoughts, and
thoughts of what he would say to her when he saw
her again. Over and over, he rehearsed his words and
actions, in his mind.
The carriage arrived shortly before sunset, and
knowing he would have to wait until the following
morning soured Darcy’s mood, for it was his greatest
desire to mount a horse and ride directly to Lambton,
knock on Mrs Lackney’s door, and, when Elizabeth
came into the room, kneel before her and ask for her
hand in marriage.
After partaking in breakfast and pacing about his
study for an hour, Darcy could no longer wait to make
the trip to Lambton. He was nervous, and wished to
see Elizabeth immediately. Once he had requested his
carriage brought to the front of the house, Darcy
found his sister and cousin waiting for him in the
foyer.
The journey to the sleepy village was not long,
though to Darcy, it felt as if it took years to arrive at
the dress shop. Not waiting for the servant to open
the carriage door, Darcy made his way out of the
carriage, almost before it came to a halt. He did not
wait for Richard or Georgiana, there was only one
thing which held his attention. Elizabeth was inside
this building and he needed to see her immediately.
The bell on the door rang out, announcing his
arrival in the shop. Mrs Lackney came from the back
of the shop, greeting Darcy. “My goodness, Mr Darcy.
It is a pleasure to see you. And Miss Darcy, welcome,
welcome. What might I do for you today?”
“Mrs Lackney, we were informed you have a guest
staying with you. Mrs Gardiner told us that her niece,
Miss Elizabeth Bennet, was visiting you until the
Gardiner family arrives next week.”
Mrs Lackney was surprised. “I have not seen Miss
Bennet. I knew Helen and her family were coming to
Lambton to visit, but I knew nothing of her niece
coming ahead of them.”
Richard was concerned. There had been reports
of highwaymen robbing in the area. “Miss Elizabeth
was supposed to have arrived two days ago. Have you
not heard from her?”
“My, I heard from Mrs Jackson at the inn, that
there was a post carriage attacked. I had no reason to
think anything of it, as I was not aware of anyone on
it. You must check with her. I will go with you to the
inn.” Mrs Lackney picked up her shawl and wrapped it
about her shoulders as she made her way out the
door, with the others following closely behind her.
Reaching the front door of the inn, Mrs Lackney
stepped inside as Richard opened the door and held it
for the rest of the party. “Mrs Jackson, are you here?”
Mrs Lackney called out.
“Yes, yes, I will be with you in a moment.” Came a
voice from the office which was behind the counter. A
short, slender lady came out of the office a few
moments later. “Ah, Mrs Lackney, what can I do for
you today?”
Darcy stepped forward. “Mrs Jackson, can you
give me more information of the post carriage which
was attacked? I need to learn what happened, as I
believe a friend of mine was on the carriage.”
“I highly doubt a friend of yours was traveling
post, Mr Darcy, and there were only three ladies on
board the carriage when the highwaymen descended
upon it. Mrs Freemont was the elderly lady, and she
happens to be a guest of ours.”
“Please, Mrs Jackson, it is imperative we speak
with Mrs Freemont. I must learn more of the other
ladies.” Darcy was nearly frantic. How could this have
come to pass? Where was Elizabeth?
Five minutes past by at the pace of a snail. Mrs
Jackson returned to the counter, with an elderly lady,
introduced to the others as Mrs Freemont.
“Yes, I was indeed. And I have determined I will
never travel again. I sent a letter to my son to bring
my belongings here, for I will settle in Lambton rather
than make the journey further north.”
“Those poor dear girls. The one who was a maid
was frightened, crying terribly. The other one, dear
me, what was her name, well, she was standing up to
the men. When they did not find any fortune, as they
had suspected, they took the young ladies, pulling
them onto the horses and rode off with them.”
“Why yes, that was her name. Fiery young lady,
though I do not hold hope for her being able to escape
those men. They were frightfully evil, even with their
faces covered.” Mrs Freemont began to tear up. “The
men spoke of selling the ladies to a ship. I believe I
heard one of the men say something of ships to
Antigua. Those dear girls will be sold to some
barbarian and forced to be a slave.” Mrs Freemont lost
all control of her tears, as they came pouring down
her cheeks.
“Mrs Lackney, would you be kind enough to send
word to Mrs Gardiner? I believe she will wish to
know what has happened to her niece. I will begin a
search for the ladies immediately.” Darcy stated as he
prepared to leave the inn.
“We will investigate the matter, Mrs Lackney.”
Richard announced. “As a colonel in His Majesty’s
army, it is my duty to protect the people of England.”
Georgiana was beginning to cry as her brother and
cousin assisted her into the carriage. All the way back
to Pemberley, the men spoke of where they would
begin to search for the ladies, while Georgiana sat
quietly. As they arrived at the front steps of the grand
house, Darcy began barking out orders to his servants.
“We need several horses saddled and prepared to
leave as soon as possible. I require three or four men
to ride with my cousin and myself. We will be
searching for the ladies who were abducted from the
post carriage.”
“Mr Darcy, Jim in the stable might be able to assist.
His cousin was the post driver. They spoke the night
after the robbery. He may know more about the
situation.”
“Very good, Rupert. Have Jim meet me in my
study quickly. And have Fletcher pack a bag for me.
We will be in the study, looking over the map.” Darcy
was striding quickly in the direction of his private
study.