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“The first method is somewhat complex but very subtle. You ruin her father. Or kill him off. It becomes easier when you have a Wickham at your disposal. Once the male protector is dealt with, you have a vulnerable young lady who must make her way in the world. She will become a governess or teacher, most likely. She may go to work as a seamstress or seek some other genteel occupation such as that of companion to another lady. At that point, you are ready to strike. Some article is stolen and placed in her possession. Some accident befalls one of the children in her charge. An employer’s husband or adolescent son becomes too enamored.

The young lady is turned away without a recommendation, and she is at that point easy prey. ”

“And what about the second method?”

“Much simpler but less subtle. Snatch her away from the protection of her family. Abduct her, promise to marry her and elope with her, commit violence upon her person. Ruin her. At that point, you may use her as you please, and her family will partake of her ruin and disgrace. Unless, of course, they disown her.”

“Unspeakable. Yet so very plausible.”

“It is my belief that Wickham first attracted Lady Catherine’s notice when you compensated him for the living he refused.

Of course, she was aware of him before that time because of his position in the family.

But it was at that juncture she realized he might be of use to her.

I have not fathomed the relationship between Wickham and Mrs. Younge, but that must have appeared useful to Lady Catherine when it became known to her.

As with other girls, those singled out by Lady Catherine will first go via Wickham to Mrs. Younge.

Eventually they will find themselves on the streets.

Such would have been the fate of Miss Lydia Bennet.

It is also very probable that it was planned for Miss Bingley and Miss Elizabeth Bennet. ”

“Why have you not spoken of this before? ”

“Many of my assertions would have been speculation. Some were confirmed after Miss Lydia Bennet’s misadventure.

Most have been confirmed by the fact that Lady Catherine is the owner of that .

. . that den of iniquity. She has taken little or no trouble to cover her tracks, and I cannot account for that at this juncture.

The abduction of Miss Elizabeth and the attempted abduction of Miss Bingley have confirmed most of my suspicions.

I had wished to gather more facts before coming to you.

However, you need as much information as possible at your disposal. ”

“Thank you, Parker.” Darcy stood abruptly and paced about the room, eventually coming to lean on the mantelpiece.

“It would appear that according to my aunt’s wishes, any young woman who attracts my notice must be eliminated as a threat whether she is an eligible young lady or a comely housemaid.

It is outrageous.” He threw himself back into his chair.

“I am correct in assuming that you have dispatched men to continue to watch over Miss Bingley?”

“Yes, sir. They are in Bath now and are communicating by express. Thus far they have seen nothing suspicious, but I have not heard from them since yesterday. Sir Robert Carter, who is now her betrothed, is a former Army officer. He guards her well.”

Darcy paused to consider before speaking again.

He realized that there was a strong possibility Elizabeth was being held in one of the houses, it was difficult to come to terms with the idea.

At length, he continued. “The second problem will be more difficult. Though it is tempting to consider storming the houses in an attempt to locate and extract Miss Bennet, that is manifestly unwise. I must find a friend who can gain entrance by invitation, and I must do it discreetly without asking too many people. Can you record who is entering and leaving?”

“I will attend to that myself and will brief you each morning.” Parker took the extraordinary step of lighting his pipe for a third time.

“I fear I am about to say things that you will find disturbing, sir. However, they are intended to be reassuring. A young woman who finds herself in one of these establishments is not immediately ready to make an appearance. She must be suitably gowned and have her hair done, which requires visits from dressmakers and so on. She must be induced to fear the proprietors who wish to compel her obedience. And--” Parker stopped and regarded Darcy with troubled eyes, unable for the moment to continue.

“Go on, Parker. It’s for my own good,” said Darcy steadily.

“They will doubtless wish to consider several patrons to decide which will be the most generous, therefore the most lucrative for themselves. I believe we have at least one more day, possibly two, before her danger becomes imminent. The dressmaker was observed visiting today. We shall watch for her tomorrow. And nothing and no one will enter those houses without our observing it, sir. I have located a vacant property several doors down and am insinuating men into an area where they can view the back garden.”

Darcy smothered his rising sense of dread, telling himself that he would find her.

The three men stood and shook hands. Darcy summoned a carriage for Mr. Gardiner, as the dinner hour was approaching and he wished to be at home with his family. But Parker declined. “I will be in the neighborhood for quite some time, sir,” he said as they took their leave.

Darcy ate a solitary dinner before returning to work.

Struggling to keep his fears under good regulation, he disposed of several letters and bills, and then sat staring at the fire, sunk deep in thought.

His aunt had always been an annoying woman, meddlesome and officious in the extreme.

But it appeared to him now that she was lacking something deep within.

Perhaps it was what people called the “soul.” Parker’s assertions resonated in his mind.

She saw other human beings, whether great or humble, as not being possessed of humanity, as pieces on a great game board that only she could see.

Her reality was the only reality. The world needed to be protected from her.

He would have to consider all of this, but his first task was to recover Elizabeth.

The sound of a log falling in the grate called him to himself.

He took up a candlestick and went to his rooms, fully expecting that sleep would be elusive.

Eventually, he called to his mind’s eye those images of Elizabeth at Pemberley.

Reaching out his arm as though to grasp her hand, he fell asleep.