Page 147 of Obligation and Redemption

"Only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable

of feeling ultimate bliss."

Alexandre Dumas

The Count of Monte Cristo

Darcy awoke with a start when sunlight beamed down onto his closed eyelids.

The overcast skies hopefully were gone along with the despair of the previous day.

He sat up, disoriented as to his location, and remembered that he was in Elizabeth’s bedchamber.

Glancing at her escritoire, he saw that he had failed to put her letters and papers back where they belonged.

He thought to look through them again, but remembered that his cousin was to leave at first light and so hastened to his own room and called on Nelson to dress him, as he anticipated a long day ahead.

When descending the stairs, he overheard his cousin and Lady Susan as they were preparing to leave.

“Really, Husband, I have been trying to leave for days, and now you want to make me leave before we have even had a chance to eat. You are too cruel.” Then she spoke more softly, “Do you suppose Darcy will find his wife? I think she is gone for good, and I say good riddance. I couldn’t stand the sight of her.

If you had not sent that footman home the other day, I would swear that she ran off with him, the way she shamelessly flirted with him.

I told you that I saw him walk her to her room each night and station himself outside her door.

I think he probably went in once the house fell asleep. ”

Darcy had heard enough of Lady Susan’s speculative slander. “Langston, Lady Susan, I see you are ready to leave. Has the kitchen packed you a basket for your journey?”

“Darcy, we were just saying that we wish you luck with your wife. I do hope she is found,“ said the woman, oblivious to his poorly disguised vexation before taking a quick glance in the mirror on her way out the door.

“Forgive Susan; she has been worried the past two days, you see. Give us word on your success,” Langston finished as he went out the door.

Good riddance was the thought shared by all.

Darcy went to the breakfast room to get some coffee before heading to the safe to ensure the Darcy jewels were still enclosed.

When he entered the room, the footman who had been most solicitous of Elizabeth entered.

When Darcy acknowledged him, he said, “Sir, I would speak with you of a matter of some importance.”

“Not now. I have some business I must complete before beginning today’s search. I would have you accompany me again today. Summon a group of men to meet us at the stables in an hour’s time.” Clark made no motion to leave. “Well, get to it. We have a lot to do and little time.”

“Please forgive me, sir, but this cannot wait.”

“Follow me.“ Darcy, irritated, led him out of the room and to his study where he shut the door and walked to his desk to sit behind it while directing his footman to the seat before it. Darcy knew that Lady Susan had been speaking of the man who sat before him. Elizabeth and Clark had spent much time together, especially on her walks, and if there were any truth to Lady Susan’s claims, Darcy meant to get it out of the man now.

So concealing any expectations he might have, Darcy said, “I am listening.”

The man looked nervous sitting in front of the imposing desk, but he would not be deterred, “I am concerned about Mrs. Darcy’s welfare, sir. I have reason to suspect that she is not with Mr. Wickham.”

“Go on.”

“Two days ago, when I was walking with Mrs. Darcy, Lord Langston approached us and asked me to leave. Mrs. Darcy had a look in her eyes that I can’t get out of my head; she was afraid.

She tried to get me to stay, not to leave her alone, but the viscount persuaded me to go. To be honest, he threatened me.”

“He threatened you? How?” said Darcy, his calm failing him.

“He said that, well, he said that if I did not leave, he would tell you that he had found us in an inappropriate embrace,” said Clark blushing, fearful of the outcome but determined to try to help his mistress.

“And were you? In an inappropriate embrace?”

“No!” he cried. “I have never done anything improper towards Mrs. Darcy. I swear that I have not! I respect her too much to even think of such a thing. She is the finest lady I know, and regardless of any sentiments I might have, I would never hurt her in that way.”

Darcy could see the impassioned vehemence in the man’s eyes, and he continued to bait him. “Have you or have you not been sitting outside my wife’s bedchamber door each night while she slept within?”

“I have.”

“Did you ever enter her room?”

“No, I swear it!”

“So my cousin accuses you of an inappropriate embrace, you have been so devoted that you cannot leave her side as she sleeps, and you tell me that you cannot get her look out of your mind, regardless of any sentiments you might have . And I am to believe that nothing untoward has happened between the two of you?”

“Please, let me explain from the beginning, sir. It will all be clear.”

“I am listening but please be quick. I need to find my wife.”

“Last week, Friday, I believe, Mrs. Darcy and I were walking as usual. She told me that she was to have houseguests and then asked me to stay by her side while in the public areas. Later in the same conversation, she asked me to teach her ways to defend herself.” At Darcy’s creased brows, he continued, “I told her that you would be the best person to teach her, but she insisted most firmly.

She was so adamant that I gave in and taught her some general protective measures, but then I told her how to protect herself specifically from a man.

“I know you are unhappy with this; I did not want to be the one to teach her something better left to her husband, but she seemed almost desperate to know. When Lord Langston arrived at Pemberley, I began to watch them both closely. I was always around and found that I could easily do my duties while keeping an eye on her.” Clark paused here, not knowing how to speak his fears.

“Well, whenever she looked at him, she looked rattled. She was very good at hiding it; I doubt others could tell, but you see, she and I had spent so much time together that I felt like I could perhaps read her subtle changes. I stayed outside her chamber door because she asked me to. Mrs. Carpenter slept with her each night and acted as companion during the viscount’s visit.

She was never alone. Mrs. Carpenter can confirm this for you. ”

“Are you saying that Elizabeth was afraid of my cousin?”

After a moment of hesitation, Clark said, “I am. At first I did not know why. I thought maybe it was because he was a peer; however I didn’t think that she was the type to be intimidated by rank, but then I saw how he looked at her, as men do when they desire to have physical relations.

Then when he threatened me… Well, I begin to think that he meant to harm her.

” He finished this in a softened, subdued tone, well aware that he could be writing his own dismissal papers.

“Why did you not tell me this last night?”

“Lord Langston was still here. He threatened me before, and I was hesitant about what he might do if he found out. He has rank and is a member of your family, and I am a footman. Who could I expect that you would believe? But I see that I was being a coward. I will never forgive myself for leaving her with him. She appeared at ease at my leave, except for the look of panic in her eyes that she tried, in vain, to hide from me.”

“Tell me, has she ever said anything to you about Mr. Wickham?”

Clark looked uncomfortable at the unexpected question. He hated to share a conversation held in confidence, but he knew it was important to be completely up front. “Yes, she did twice.”

“Recently?”

“Once in town and then again here at Pemberley. In town she asked if I knew the man and when I said that I did, she asked if I knew why the animosity subsisted between the two of you. I told her what I knew, which was very little. I said that he was your friend growing up – your fathers’ being close – but then he moved away after school.

The second occasion was when you were in town last month.

She asked what kind of man Mr. Wickham was, and I told her that he had a reputation with the staff of being a libertine.

This troubled her; I could tell. She asked a few more questions about how he made a living and whether he was liked.

I again told her what I knew. He did not have a profession of which I was aware and that he was liked well enough by some, but that he was trusted by none. ”

“And how did she respond?”

“She said little, just thanked me for my honesty. That’s just it, sir.

I cannot believe she would have left with him.

She is not the type of woman to trust a man like that.

I remember that she had seemed unsettled at my description of him but then quickly recovered, expressing her appreciation.

” He looked at his master in the eyes and continued, “Mr. Darcy, I am confident that she did not leave with Mr. Wickham, not willingly. ”

“So, if you were to look for her, where would you go?”

Clark breathed in a deep sigh of relief. Mr. Darcy trusted him enough to help anyway. “North.”

“And my cousin said south?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then we go north. I have much to do before we leave. Have everyone ready in an hour. I will see you at the stables.”