Page 43 of Missing

Mrs. Annesley hardly slept that night, reflecting on all the possible ways to protect Georgiana.

Naturally, the first thought that occurred to her was to contact Mr. Darcy.

Yet she quickly dismissed the idea, knowing that Colonel Fitzwilliam had often endeavoured to make his uncle acknowledge his godson's depravity.

Still, Mr. Darcy always contrived some excuse to justify Mr. Wickham's conduct and refused to see the truth.

With that possibility set aside, the only sensible course was to leave Darcy House as soon as possible and seek refuge with a trusted family. She could not confide her concerns to anyone within the household, so she rose early and advised Georgiana to pack a few clothes for several days.

Without waiting for breakfast, Mrs. Annesley and Georgiana slipped quietly out of the house and engaged a hackney to convey them to the Daltons' residence.

Mrs. Annesley left a note for the butler, stating simply that she and Miss Darcy would be absent for a few days.

At the same time, she dispatched a letter to Richard, explaining the danger and entreating his support to make Mr. Darcy understand Wickham's nefarious intentions toward Georgiana.

Upon arriving at the Daltons' home, Mrs. Annesley determined to be direct. If Elizabeth could not accommodate them, she would try another friend, and failing that, she was prepared to spend her own savings to travel to Rosings, where Mr. Darcy then was.

Elizabeth, once she overcame her surprise, received them warmly.

"Of course, you are welcome. I did not expect to see you so early."

"We understand, Mrs. Dalton. If you will allow me a few minutes, I can explain why we were obliged to come so suddenly," Mrs. Annesley replied.

Elizabeth invited them to sit, and Mrs. Annesley disclosed that Mr. Wickham had attempted to take advantage of Georgiana and that Darcy House was not safe until Mr. Darcy returned.

She could not elaborate further, for Georgiana was trembling and on the verge of tears.

Elizabeth, well acquainted with Wickham's true character, was not surprised by the revelation.

But perceiving Georgiana's distress, she wisely changed the subject.

"I suppose you have not yet had breakfast?"

"No, we preferred not to disturb anyone," Mrs. Annesley admitted.

"Then you must join me. My mother-in-law has been unwell over the past few days and is confined to her bed. Dear Georgiana, my uncle brought me the latest novel by our favourite author yesterday. Shall we read it together after breakfast?"

"Oh, Lizzy, I would love that," Georgiana exclaimed, momentarily forgetting her troubles.

"Excellent. We shall breakfast, and while we eat, we can plan the rest of the day."

"I hope we shall not inconvenience your mother-in-law or your husband, Mrs. Dalton," said Mrs. Annesley, a little embarrassed.

"My husband is away on business, and my mother-in-law delights in company, especially from such agreeable guests as yourselves. Let us breakfast, and I shall ask the housekeeper to prepare rooms for you," Elizabeth replied kindly.

After breakfast, Mrs. Annesley and Georgiana retired to rest in their chambers. Elizabeth informed Violet of their arrival, and Violet was glad to offer them her hospitality. She had always liked Mrs. Annesley and looked forward to enjoying her company once she was well enough to leave her bed.

◆◆◆

Jane was having breakfast with the entire Bingley family, and it was as though she were seeing them for the first time as they truly were.

When she had met them in Hertfordshire, she had been struck by their elegance and sophistication.

She had fallen in love at first sight with Charles, for he was the handsomest man she had ever seen, and, moreover, he was young and kind.

Later, when he proposed, Jane believed that everything her mother had always foretold had finally come true.

She was to marry her prince charming and live happily ever after.

Yet, with each passing day, she was obliged to admit that her life was far from a dream and that her new family was neither as elegant nor as sophisticated as she had once imagined.

"Louisa, I cannot stand Felicity Wood. She is rude and thinks herself a princess merely because she has a dowry of fifteen thousand pounds. Her father possesses a small estate, and her only worth is being the granddaughter of a Baron," Caroline declared as she ate.

"And if you dislike her so much, why did you invite her to tea?" asked Mr. Bingley with a smile.

"Charles, please stay out of my conversation," Caroline replied sharply.

"Bingley, in two more weeks, Lord Sutton, Felicity's grandfather, is giving a ball at his elegant mansion, and Caroline likely wants to be invited," Mr. Hurst added with a laugh.

"Henry, please do not begin with your flippant comments. We have had enough of Charles and his ridiculous observations," Louisa retorted.

"And of his poor decisions," Caroline added, glancing at Jane.

The conversation continued in much the same vein. Caroline and Louisa made all manner of haughty and vain remarks, while Mr. Hurst and Charles amused themselves with light jokes. Thus, as was their custom, the family passed their breakfast discoursing on the lives of others.

Listening to Caroline and Louisa discuss Miss Felicity Wood, Jane perceived that her sisters-in-law could feign friendship and affection whenever it suited their purpose.

She suspected that once they secured their invitation to the ball, they would forget Miss Wood altogether and speak of her with contempt should it serve their designs.

In that moment, Jane realised they had doubtless treated her in just the same manner, showing kindness when it was useful, and discarding her once their object had been gained.

But Jane's disappointment extended beyond her sisters-in-law.

Her husband, too, failed her. He, like Mr. Hurst, plainly perceived how wrong Louisa and Caroline's behaviour was, yet chose to ignore it.

The charming prince she had once imagined was revealed instead to be an immature young man, unwilling to take responsibility.

In contrast, her sister's husband, William Dalton, was sober, diligent, and industrious — a man Elizabeth could admire with pride.

Jane, meanwhile, felt she only exposed herself to ridicule by covering for her husband's careless and imprudent conduct.

She vividly remembered her uncle Gardiner's expression when Charles appeared at his house with a briefcase full of papers, begging for assistance.

That good and patient man had been shut in his study for nearly four hours, attempting to unravel and resolve the difficulties created by Charles's immaturity.

"Do you have plans for today, my dear Angel? I plan to go to the club in the morning and fencing in the afternoon," said Charles cheerfully. At last, he had managed to sign the contracts that had troubled him, thanks entirely to uncle Gardiner's help.

"Yes, I shall visit Lizzy in the morning and have luncheon with my aunt Gardiner," Jane replied.

"I am glad you will be with your family, so I do not feel so guilty leaving you alone for a few hours. Also, I want you to invite the Gardiners to dinner tomorrow, or the day after, as a way of thanking your uncle for his support."

Jane saw the look of disgust on her sisters-in-law's faces and was tempted to dissuade her husband, but instead she steeled herself and ignored them. "I shall. And I wish also to invite Lizzy and Mrs. Dalton."

"Of course, though I am still somewhat vexed with Dalton for leaving without notice. But I suppose I must speak with him later," Charles said.

"I do not think it wise that you say anything to my brother-in-law. He need not tell you his plans, any more than you tell him yours," Jane answered gently.

"I suppose you are right, my dear. Please, invite the Daltons, and I promise not to make any ill-considered remarks to my friend Dalton," Charles replied, recognising that his wife spoke with sense.

"I see Eliza's manipulative husband has convinced you as well that he is an excellent man, eager to help Charles without expecting anything in return," Caroline growled.

"From the first time I met him, Mr. Dalton struck me as a haughty and proud man," Louisa added.

"And I wonder why he is so proud when he is only a tradesman," Caroline concluded.

"A wealthy and successful tradesman, like your own father, Caroline," Mr. Hurst remarked.

"And a very intelligent one," Charles added.

"I do not know if Mr. Dalton is haughty or proud, for I hardly know him. But I do know that he has always aided Charles when he could, and, as far as I am aware, has never asked for anything in return," Jane said without lifting her eyes from her plate.

Louisa and Caroline would not prolong the subject, so they ignored their sister-in-law for the rest of the meal, choosing instead to discuss Lord Sutton's ball and the gowns they intended to purchase if they should be invited.

Jane continued silently observing her family as she tried to eat. She knew that, after her words, her sisters-in-law would likely ignore her for several days. Yet she no longer cared.

◆◆◆

William reached Manchester in three and a half days, for the weather had been perfect and there was no difficulty along the route.

During the journey, he reflected on how, in a short time, the very trip that now consumed days would take but a few hours, thanks to the new technologies which young inventors and engineers were daily developing and perfecting.