Page 22 of Rumours & Recklessness (Sweet Escapes Collection #1)
Chapter 20
“W here is my niece? ” thundered Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She had given up waiting in the drawing-room and now roved each of the downstairs rooms like a pirate searching out booty. The library! No. The sunroom, the breakfast room, the gallery, the green parlour… no, no, no, no! “What do you mean, her maid is not available? Unconscionable! Let me to someone who knows where your mistress is to be found!”
A goodly number of Darcy’s staff trailed along behind her, each offering cheerful suggestions as to Miss Darcy’s favourite haunts about the large London house. None proved fruitful. Outraged, she charged the stairwell to begin pillaging the family’s private quarters.
“Miss Darcy allus slept down theh, m’lady,” a rather cockney young cook’s assistant gestured to the third room in the western wing. “She’uhd hev me bring her cuppa in tha moarnin’s.”
Lady Catherine glared at the audacious little snippet. “How dare you presume to direct me! Go back to your kitchen, you insolent wench! I think I know my way around my own nephew’s house!”
“Jest as yer laydeyship pleases,” the girl’s face glimmered with insubordinate merriment as she bobbed her curtsey and withdrew.
“Of all the cheek!” the fine lady shouted at the retreating figure. “You will never work in service again! Heaven and earth, that you should even dare to come above stairs, and in the presence of nobility! I shall have personal words with my nephew!” It did little good to shout further, as the young scullery maid had vanished without further sass.
The three other maids, their heads tipped reverently, immediately touched their fingers to their mouths. Lady Catherine eyed them cynically, assuming they, at least, were offering her wordless assertion that they would not presume to talk back to nobility. Glowering, she flung open the door to the room indicated. Not only was it devoid of the presence of any young lady, but the furniture was shrouded and looked as though it had not been in use for some time.
Irate, she spun around to face the staff assembled behind her. The eldest of them, standing somewhat at the front of her peers, perked in a little inspiration.
“I just remembered, your ladyship, Ma’am,” she dipped a curtsey. “Miss Darcy was moved to another room last summer when she returned from Ramsgate. It was near the master’s. If you would follow me, Ma’...”
“ I know where the master’s chambers are! ” the great lady fumed and stalked toward the other wing. She proceeded to examine every room, asserting her rights as family to search out her disobedient young niece. How dare that girl presume to hide from her! Boiling in anger, the great lady, at last, approached the master’s chambers. She reached for the door to cast it aside, but Darcy’s butler materialized out of thin air.
“I have my orders, my lady.” Drake bowed respectfully. “No one is ever granted access to the master’s private quarters, nor to his private study. I regret I cannot allow you to enter.”
“I override your orders! Stand aside. You cannot dare deny access to a peeress!”
“I regret that I must if I wish to keep my place, my lady. It is Mr Darcy to whom I answer and none other. I apologize to your ladyship, but my master’s orders are quite inflexible on this point.” He clasped his hands behind his back so that it might never be said he had laid a hand on a noblewoman, but his towering figure froze as an immovable statue.
“ You said you would find my niece!” she roared. “ Where is Georgiana Darcy? ”
The man’s face clouded. “Miss Darcy is not here, my lady. I believe I promised your ladyship that we would send for her at your ladyship’s command. It will be at least a full day before I receive any word back.”
“ Send for her? Why then did your staff send me on this wild goose chase if she is not here?”
“I beg your ladyship’s pardon.” The butler dipped his head apologetically. “I believed they understood your ladyship wished to know of Miss Darcy’s most frequented rooms so that your ladyship could ascertain all was properly in order for a young lady of her station.”
“ In order! ” she snarled indelicately. “I want to see my niece! Where is she?”
“In point of fact, my lady, I cannot say precisely where Miss Darcy is. She is with her guardian, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
Lady Catherine screwed her mouth tightly in outrage. “Well, then! I shall know how to act. I am most seriously displeased with the performance of this household. Shameful, scandalous that the halls of George Darcy should fall into such disgrace!”
She spun about on her heel, and the elegant noblewoman swooped down the stairs where her pale daughter rested. “Anne! We are leaving at once and without Miss Darcy! I shall speak to my nephew most severely regarding the abominable lack of decorum displayed by his staff! Anne! Attend me at once!”
Anne, who had been reclining with a cool cloth over her eyes and Mrs Jenkinson carefully dabbing her forehead, groaned lowly. She moved to sit up, faltered dramatically, and was caught by Mrs Jenkinson.
“Anne! Exert your willpower, girl!” Lady Catherine swept to the front door. With a glare at the footman, she floated gracefully through to her waiting….
“ Where is my carriage! ” Her driver was loitering in some embarrassment upon the curb, his hands clasped behind his back, but the horses and carriage were nowhere to be seen. Vitriol and savagery radiating from her, she pounced upon the poor reddening man. “Masterson! What have you done with my carriage? ”
“Begging your ladyship’s pardon,” he faltered, his eyes returning to Drake, who had followed her. “Mr Darcy’s coachman, he noticed a cracked leaf spring. We cannot possibly go on. It would mean certain disaster….”
“ A cracked leaf spring! My carriage is perfect! It is of the most expensive make available, and my man assures me there is no finer in all of Kent!”
The man panted a little, still darting his gaze nervously to the butler, hoping for his support. “Y-yes, my lady, only… well, we did hit that rut on the road...”
“That was your fault!”
“...and it has been a good six or seven years since your ladyship authorized a full restoration….”
“Unnecessary! Bring the carriage at once! Cracked leaf spring, indeed! I’ll have no more of this nonsense, Masterson! I am leaving for Hertfordshire this minute!”
“I—I am afraid that is quite impossible, my lady.” His tones faltered to nearly a whisper. “Mr Carson, the coachman here, he sent it straight away to Mr Darcy’s wainwright here in London. He said as how you wouldn’t want for any delay, and it would be best to fix it immediately. We have only just returned from there, my lady. The wainwright, he told me he was setting to it instantly. It will be half torn apart by now, my lady.”
“Then bring me Darcy’s carriage at once and let us have no more of this lunacy! I want those horses harnessed and in front of this door in under a quarter of an hour, do you understand? ”
“Y-yes, my lady.” Masterson gave a nervous little salute and moved off briskly. Five minutes later, he had returned for her and stood tremblingly at the door of the house.
“Begging your ladyship’s pardon… Mr Carson says none of the Darcy carriages remain. Mr Darcy took the chaise, Colonel Fitzwilliam has the coach, and the curricle is also at the wainwright’s for a new coat of paint—being the off-season and all. The other carriages are all back at Pemberley.” The man looked as if he wished to melt into a puddle on the spot. Cringing, it was all he could do to force himself to meet his lady’s gaze as she descended upon him.
“ Drake! ” the great lady bellowed. “What is the meaning of this rubbish?”
“I am afraid it is quite true, my lady. There are, of course, two drayage carts for the kitchen staff. I do believe there is an older gig still in the stable, kept for the use of Mr Carson or myself when Mr Darcy sends for an errand. Your ladyship would be most welcome to….”
“Unacceptable! In this weather? Three ladies cannot possibly travel in decency and comfort in such a vehicle!”
“Of course, my lady. I shall ring for a cab at once for your ladyship.”
“You shall do no such thing! The heiress of Rosings cannot be seen in such a conveyance! Send word to my brother the earl this minute! I would see him here and have words with him!”
“As your ladyship pleases,” Drake bowed. The Lady’s face purpled at the repetition of that odious phrase. It seemed none in the house were capable of any other response. “If I may, my lady,” Drake paused as he went off, “is there any refreshment I can have brought while your ladyship waits?”
“From that kitchen?” she sputtered incredulously. “Absolutely not. I would prefer not to be poisoned!”
“As your ladyship pleases.” The door slammed behind him.
B ingley finally let go the breath he had been holding for most of the morning. He stood at the steps to his house, waving out of duty as the carriage pulled out of the drive, but of course, there was no answering wave. It had taken hours to pack what necessities she deemed indispensable, but at last, Caroline was safely bundled within and on her way to London where she could do no further harm. About damn time! he thought savagely, then chided himself. It was not in his nature to harbour such ungenerous thoughts, even for his most trying sister. It was likely only his anxiety to see his precious angel, which had been wearing on him ever since Darcy had ridden off without him earlier.
He clapped his hands together eagerly, rubbing them in brisk anticipation as he stepped back into the house to find his butler. A quick change of clothes and a call for his favourite hunter would be just the thing! As he passed by the drawing-room, however, a most forlorn sight diverted him.
The room was empty save for a lone figure in light blue near the window. Georgiana appeared to have wandered from the pianoforte and stood silently with her forehead against the window, her arms crossed over her breast. She jumped a little at his approach, having not noticed him until he was very near.
“Miss Georgiana? May I ask if you are well?” he inquired gently.
“Mr Bingley! Oh, yes, I am…” she faltered, her eyes darting about to hide her prevarication. Finally, her shoulders drooped in a long sigh, and blinking, she met his gaze. “I suppose I wish I were not left behind again.” She bit her lip, dropping her eyes once more.
She could never have confessed the depression of her feelings so freely a few days ago, but with Elizabeth’s encouragement, she had resolved to speak her mind more clearly in the future. There were few gentlemen safer than Bingley upon whom to venture her new forthrightness. She watched him hopefully for any sign of understanding.
“Is it that which troubles you! I am so sorry; I had no notion. It is really too bad your cousin could not remain another day or two to keep you company while Darcy is away.”
“Yes,” she answered softly, suddenly fascinated with her shoe ribbons. “It is a pity Richard could not stay.”
“Well, Miss Darcy, I have the perfect solution. You must come with me to call upon the Bennets. I shall be leaving directly.”
“Oh,” she pled, “that… cannot be necessary, surely. Is it even proper? Miss Elizabeth and my brother will be occupied with business, and I should hate to interrupt. Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia called on me just a while ago. They did not stay long, but is it right that I should return the call on the same day?”
“The Bennets do not stand on ceremony, my dear Georgiana!” he laughed. He had not spoken her first name so simply in two or three years—since she had begun to resemble a grown woman, in fact. His light return to their old familiarity brought a smile to her face.
“I… I suppose I could. Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty were going to town from here, they said, but they oughtn’t to be away long, so Miss Kitty said, with the snow threatening. Perhaps I could come...” Her brow furrowed. “Miss Kitty did say it would be a fine thing if I could play the pianoforte with her sister someday; perhaps we could learn from each other.”
“Which sister?” Bingley asked mildly.
“Well, I should have hoped Miss Elizabeth, as I know her the best, but I do believe she indicated Miss Lydia today when she brought up the idea. She must be greatly accomplished! She said she practices very constantly.”
Bingley let go with a most ungentlemanly guffaw before he could catch himself. “Truly! I imagine, Georgiana, that there is a great deal you could learn from each other, but I doubt your brother would quite approve of such a curriculum for you. Come, you must accompany me to pay the call! I will ring for the carriage while you make yourself ready.”
Georgiana’s bewildered expression blossomed into something more hopeful. She nodded agreeably and thanked him with a gracious smile as she turned to go.
“Oh, and Georgiana!” he called just before she was out of sight. “Be sure to ask your maid to attend us. We have had enough ladies’ reputations compromised for one week!”
G eorge Wickham smiled at the young lady across from him. Miss Mary King, whose unfortunate complexion always caused her to appear to be blushing whether she was or not, set her cup shakily down upon the tea tray. “I am sorry, Mr Wickham,” she was saying, “that my uncle is away at present. I believe he would be very much honoured to make your acquaintance.”
“Think nothing of it, Miss King,” he replied gallantly. “I shall, of course, be eager for an introduction to him when he returns. At present, however, it is indeed no hardship, for I am quite able to enjoy your amiable company here in the estimable Mrs Long’s parlour. It is indeed fortunate for we friendless militia officers, is it not, that she is such an obliging hostess?”
Miss King’s shoulders hunched slightly in bashful appreciation of his bold compliments. She clasped her hands together in her lap, her pale lashes shading her grey eyes. Such a pleasing address he had! She had not thought to attract the notice of the town darling—his attentions had always tended in another direction until very lately.
“La, there you are, Mary!” Lydia Bennet’s unmistakable voice caught the pair’s attention. “What a good joke, I had not thought to find you out all alone today!” The flamboyant Bennet girl plopped herself down next to her slightly annoyed companion.
“Oh, Mr Wickham, what a fun thing to find you today!” Lydia plucked up a bit of biscuit from the tea tray, causing Miss King to glance at her in thinly veiled consternation. “I could do with some jolly good times. We had to suffer the dullest dinner last night. I declare, Miss Darcy is every bit as stuck up and boring as Mr Darcy is!”
Wickham gave a start which he barely concealed. “Miss Darcy is in town, you say?”
“Oh, my, yes. I suppose her brother forced her to come and meet Lizzy, though I daresay they cannot hope to like each other. Such a mousy little thing! The colonel, though, now he is quite a worthy acquaintance! What a shame—me and Kitty called at Netherfield this morning—on Miss Darcy, you know,” she winked suggestively, “but the colonel had already departed again for London. I suppose he will be back for the wedding, but how dreary that he should have gone away already!”
“How very intriguing, Miss Lydia. Tell me, do you know how long Miss Darcy intends to remain?”
“Oh! La, I could not say. Me and Kitty left directly. There was nothing interesting to be had. That horrid Miss Bingley was not taking callers, and since the colonel was gone, we wanted to get away before she came back downstairs.”
Wickham recovered his voice smoothly. “Fitzwilliam gone away already? Hmm, I shouldn’t wonder,” he mused, allowing his thought to remain significantly incomplete.
Lydia Bennet may have been obtuse and flippant, but one thing she most definitely was not was insensible to the expressions of handsome gentlemen. She tilted her curly head with a penetrating expression that Wickham found eerily similar to her more sensible sister. “Why should you not wonder, Mr Wickham? Do you mean to imply he is not well received? I think him perfectly amiable! I am quite sure he liked me too, you know he talked to me a great deal last night.”
“Oh! Forgive me, Miss Lydia, I had no intention to cast aspersions upon any favourite of yours. I quite imagine the good colonel did like you very much. His tastes are… well, I should not go on, I fear I may already have said too much.”
Though never fond of each other in any sense of the word, the two young ladies cast titillated glances toward one another. This had the ring of good gossip, of the very juiciest kind. If they were only persuasive enough, they might be counted among the privileged first to know. As one, they leaned forward with bated breath.
“You needn’t fear anything I might say,” Lydia flicked her brown eyes toward the other girl.
“Nor I!” Mary declared with spirit. She glared back at Lydia in challenge. “Do tell us, Mr Wickham. You know you can trust us with any secrets.”
“Of course, you are quite right,” he conceded with an air of reluctance. “I suppose it would be only right that I should tell you at least some of his affairs so that you may be put on your guard.” The girls’ eyebrows rose in unison. A regretful tug softened his mouth, lending him such an air of benevolent authority that the young ladies in attendance hung devotedly on his every word.
“You know I grew up with Darcy, I expect, Miss Lydia? Has…” He paused hesitantly. “Has your sister shared with you any of my history with the Darcy family?”
Lydia’s brow furrowed; her eyes narrowed. It would not do to confess that she had not, in fact, heard any sumptuous rumours from her sister’s lips. “I… I think she said he did you some wrong?” she guessed, hoping by his tones that she had judged his meaning rightly.
“One might say that, yes. I have, however, quite forgiven him and bear him no malice. It is not of that matter I have to speak.”
“Such forbearance!” murmured the awestruck Mary King. “Only a true gentleman can forgive such…” she glanced to Lydia for her concurrence, “...such a grievous wrong! You are too good, Mr Wickham.”
“Oh, no,” he shook his head modestly. “I am no greater than many others in my same position.” The girls both sighed. Truly this was the finest among men!
Wickham went on. “It is, naturally, my youthful association with Darcy, which brought me often into the company of his cousin the colonel. He was a few years older than I, of course, and as such was frequently our “captain,” we called him. There were a few others who would join us, but old Richard—you will forgive me, ladies, if I slip in addressing the son of an earl by his boyhood name, as I knew him—Richard was always the roughest and toughest of the lot. I believe I might say we were all frightened of him. Not one of us could stand up to him when he commenced any endeavour, whether we wished to or not.
“I remember noticing his less than sterling character more than once, but until we were well past our boyhood—but not fully into manhood, you understand—I never thought him a dangerous fellow. Then I started hearing rumours of… oh, I must really stop there. It is not a thing which a gentleman ought to repeat before young ladies.”
The girls, both leaning forward with their lips slightly parted in the most profound interest, each gave a little gulp of dismay. “Well, I don’t care for all of that nonsense, Wickham!” Lydia asserted. “You did say, did you not, that we ought to hear the full truth for our own protection, did you not? You are too much the gentleman to withhold such valuable information!”
He smiled a little, relenting. Clearly, his marvellous scruples warred within him, and the interests of the innocent young ladies before him won out. “Very well, Miss Lydia, I bow to your wisdom and discretion in the matter. Well, then, yes, there were many rumours of young ladies of the neighbouring towns and farms mysteriously sent away, for one poor excuse or another. I began to notice that most often, a rash of such incidents would occur near the end of our summers home from school.”
The girls’ eyes were rounded in wonder, their pretty puckered lips drawn into delicious little rosebuds. “Did they….” Lydia leaned close, cupped her hand about her mouth and whispered something to him, causing Miss King to cover her own mouth in abject horror.
“I am afraid so, Miss Lydia. One poor young girl even died of it, she and… well, this is a respectable house, and I shall say no more aloud. It was some years, however, before I learned to suspect Fitzwilliam. Then one day, I caught him in the home of my neighbour. They… well, they had a fair young daughter. More than one scullery maid later confessed his attentions as well. It was always the youngest and most innocent he would prey upon—those who would never suspect.”
Fifteen-year-old Lydia and seventeen-year-old Mary straightened, both squaring their shoulders with grave dignity. It was, Wickham reflected, a very beguiling enterprise, as a young lady with erect posture tended to show off her most pleasing attributes rather well.
“Well, I should just like to see him try me!” Lydia announced. “I am nobody’s fool, and I shall be certain to tell him so should he ever again come near me!”
“I have no doubts about you.” Wickham dipped his head respectfully. “You do, however, have sisters to protect, and I fear not all are as astute or as well-informed as yourself.” Lydia nodded in hasty agreement.
“It likely does not matter, however. My old friend has since moved on to larger quarry. He still appreciates a pretty face often enough, I daresay, but he is getting older and must set up an establishment someday or another. The ladies I fear for are those with a large purse to their name as well as innocence and beauty. It is they who are at the greatest risk from him these days.”
Lydia turned eyes wide in alarm to Miss King, whose typically ruddy complexion had gone quite pale. “Mary, you had better watch yourself! You know you are not always careful, and you do not have a Mama like mine to advise you!”
Mary King’s pretty little mouth fell open in some outrage. “I, not careful! How dare you say such a thing to me, Lydia Bennet?”
“Well, it is only the truth, you know, and with an inheritance such as yours, that awful colonel will be after you! La, he is so old! I cannot imagine!”
Mary King fumed impotently. Wickham was smiling with something of a mystified expression. “What can she mean, Miss King? Have you some means which might tempt the colonel? Forgive me. I had no idea. I never think of such things myself. Love, you see, is beyond price. I do exhort you, however, to please be cautious, for my sake, should the colonel return to town. I know for a fact that he has already attempted to seduce one heiress, and it was a lucky thing for her that her brother found them out when he did.”
Mary King, trembling a little that anyone could treat a young lady in such a dastardly fashion, touched the tips of her fingers to her lips. “Do… do you know who the poor girl was, Mr Wickham?”
“Why, certainly. It was Miss Georgiana Darcy.”