Author: Alix James
Category: Other
Go to read content：https://onlinereadfreenovel.com/alix-james/page,5,553562-spirited_away.html
She shook her head. “Nothing that makes any sense, I am afraid. I had merely mentioned that a few persons of my acquaintance seemed to have vanished, that is all.”
“Vanished?” he asked in a low voice. “How so?”
“Simply gone. Their families do not speak of it, and no one seems to know anything. Only Mr. Darcy seemed to act peculiarly when it was mentioned, but perhaps my imagination is too active.”
“Or perhaps you are the only one to see what everyone else refuses to notice,” he mused. “I wonder… but no, I cannot dare give voice to that notion!”
Elizabeth stopped and dropped her hand from his elbow. “Wonder what?”
“Well…” He hesitated, gesturing with his hands before shaking his head. “I do hope I shall not frighten you when I say it, but there is a means by which certain unscrupulous individuals line their pockets—particularly those in positions of power. Some people… will not be missed… Do you understand?”
She shook her head, staring without blinking.
He wetted his lips and glanced about the yard before tipping his chin down and lowering his voice. “Have you ever heard of the white slavers, Miss Elizabeth?”
12
“Surely not!” Jane cried. “Elizabeth Bennet, how could you even dare speak such a thing!”
“I did not speak it, George Wickham did.”
“Then I shall no longer listen to George Wickham,” Jane decided with a prim hitch of her chin. “Even suspecting such a thing casts a terrible light on all who think well of Mr. Darcy, and I believe there are many who do.”
“Just Mr. Bingley, so far as we know,” Elizabeth answered. “He has not exactly made friends here.”
“Even so, I cannot and will not believe him capable of something so monstrous. Come, Lizzy, how can you even entertain the notion?”
Elizabeth dropped her cheek on her shoulder and gazed out of the window. “Oh, I am not truly entertaining it. I am simply curious, and it is the only explanation to present itself, ridiculous as it sounds.”
“Well, as Mama says, ‘Curiosity killed the cat.’”
“And Papa says the ‘origin of Philosophy is wonder,’ and we ought to welcome perplexity and puzzlement.”
Jane’s forehead wrinkled with discomfort, and she seated herself beside Elizabeth. “Please, Lizzy, tell me you do not truly give any credit to this idea. Why, think of the harm such a notion could do, if you even breathed it in jest!”
Elizabeth turned her head over, still laying it on her crossed forearms, and smiled at her sister. “I will not lose any sleep over it, and I will not repeat it. That does not mean there are not others who might, particularly if no other information comes forward.”
Jane forced a smile and petted her sister’s shoulder. “Well, no matter, for I am sure that the Browns and Sarah Long will have answers of their own soon enough. Meanwhile, I intend to go downstairs for tea.”
“An excellent idea,” Elizabeth agreed.
“Richard! I knew you would come!”
Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped down from his horse with a broad smile and a cheerful kiss on the cheek for his cousin. “Anne, my dear.” He drew back, crossed his gloved hands, and shook his head in the way of a father scolding a favorite child. “Whatever have you got yourself into?”
“Ah, I see you are still fond enough of me to laugh over the matter. What has Darcy told you?”
Fitzwilliam extended his arm to his cousin and removed his hat as she led him indoors. “I have not seen him yet. His letter described where I might find your cottage, and I thought I should prefer to speak to you first before receiving an earful from him.”
“Poor Darcy! It was unfair of me, I know, but I hope he will not hate me over the affair.”
“He is not capable of hatred, the poor wretch, which is why he finds it so difficult to make heads or tails of the matter. A man who can vent his spleen and be done with it is a happier man than he who simmers in his frustrations.”
Anne sighed. “And so, he is to be only mildly put out with me for years? Oh, I should so much prefer for him to simply lose his temper once and for all. He has had to be deceitful on my behalf, you know, and he is quite beside himself over it.”
The colonel helped himself to a chair, turning it around to sit rearward and leaning his arms over the back of it. “Whom has he deceived? Bingley? I doubt the lad even noticed anything amiss. Lady Catherine, now I can understand—”
“No, no—I mean, yes, he was troubled at not telling my mother the truth, but I think he is more unhappy about another person.”
Fitzwilliam shifted his boots and settled in as if waiting to be entertained. “Oh? Pray, tell.”
“Well…” Anne leaned forward and pointed toward the door. “Did you see the man outside chopping wood? And the woman hanging out the wash? Darcy hired them to look after me while I stayed here. I believe he told them they must be absolutely secretive. I also met a girl named Sarah Long while I stayed in Meryton—I sent her out for a walk when I saw you coming so I could greet you in private. Anyway, Darcy made inquiries and found her to be quite poor—a sailor’s daughter currently living with her aunt and uncle. You may guess that he arranged for her to keep me company, much to her own advantage. I am glad of it, for I do not know how I should have borne utter solitude, but apparently someone in town is asking after her.”
The colonel frowned. “So what if they are? Surely Darcy would have made certain that her family has a decent excuse for the girl’s absence.”
“Oh, I think so, but the same person who was asking after Miss Long was also asking him directly about Robert and Mary, and you know how Darcy looks like he swallowed a lemon if he tries not to speak the utter truth. But still, what person of any importance would notice a farming couple’s absence, I asked—are you laughing at me, Cousin?”
Richard smothered a smile and shook his head. “I thought I heard my aunt speaking for a moment, that is all. Pray, continue.”
She folded her hands and surveyed him briefly down the length of her nose, then continued. “Well, Darcy seemed to think someone’s curiosity was aroused, and that she would not be easily satisfied.”
“She?” A slow smile twisted the colonel’s mouth. “Interesting.”
“Elizabeth Bennet, he said her name was. I asked Miss Long about her, and she only laughed at first. Then she told me how Darcy—oh, you will not believe it—how Darcy had publicly snubbed Miss Bennet upon their first meeting, and how everyone in town knows she dislikes him.”
“Sadly, I do believe it. Is this Miss Bennet ill-favored?”
Anne shook her head with a frown. “I have not seen her, but Miss Long says most of the girls in town are envious of the Bennet sisters, particularly the elder two. Elizabeth Bennet is generally thought quite handsome and exceedingly clever.”
“Handsome and clever? Well, perhaps I know why Darcy is tied in knots over having to deceive her, eh?”
Anne put a hand to her mouth. “You do not think… why, I had not even considered that!”
Richard rose from his chair and set a hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “It would be just Darcy’s luck; to finally fancy a woman, and because he is so miserably honest and cannot tell a lie, she thinks him culpable in the disappearance of some of her neighbors. I am for Netherfield now, so I will talk to him and see what is to be done.”
13
Darcy’s relief at Richard’s arrival was too profound to express in words. He verily ached to draw his cousin aside and hammer out all his plans and displeasure regarding Anne, but such private conversation had to wait. Bingley was pleased with Richard’s arrival, and Miss Bingley hardly less so, therefore the entire party stayed together late into the evening.
When at last they all retired for the night, Darcy invited Richard to his rooms for a drink. Richard stood by the hearth, one hand behind his back and the other cradling his glass. “Well, this is a fine pickle,” he began.
Darcy took a chair and covered his eyes with
his hand. “No matter how many times I consider it, I can conceive of no outcome where the bounds of decency are not flagrantly violated.”
“Well, it is not as if she has run to Scotland. What word have you from Lady Catherine?”
“Precisely what you would expect. Her first letter was full only of remonstrances for not informing her of my travels. I did not tell her that Anne had hidden the letter where I had given that very information. She said nothing of Anne’s disappearance, only that Anne was ‘sadly indisposed.’
“Her second letter arrived two days ago, and I can only guess that she has given up on concealment, for she demanded my help in discovering Anne’s whereabouts. I do not know what her suspicions may be, but she must think I have some knowledge.”
“It is a pity you do not,” Richard replied casually.
“I cannot lie to her! It was trial enough to delay as I have done. No, I will write the truth, but I have yet to determine how best to go about it. I believe I have settled on informing her of everything, but I shall insist that she remain where she is and allow Anne to return without outcry or discord. Perhaps Anne will even agree to marry in Kent if Lady Catherine will accept it with grace.”
“Do you really think she is capable of that?”.
Darcy stroked his jaw and stared at the fire. “Probably not without physical restraint.”
Richard slowly paced the room. “There must be a better way. Father will not countenance any sort of scandal, and that is precisely what you will have if you insert yourself and make demands of Lady Catherine. Prudence will be forgotten—she will insist on carrying her way whether or not she exposes Anne. Better to take Anne to Sullivan and let them marry quietly, as originally intended. Keep her safe and keep Lady Catherine placated for now by whatever means necessary.”
“By lies,” Darcy shot back.
“Do you know why lies are so despicable? Because they do harm. You are presented with a situation where the truth might be even more damaging to the person you are trying to protect.”
Darcy shook his head. “No. It is a matter of honor, Richard. Of good conscience and decency, and yes, sometimes the truth comes at a cost, but it is still the right thing to do.”
Richard sipped from his glass with an air of resignation. “Conscience. Then I am surprised at you, Darcy. Why did you not pack Anne on a carriage at once and return her to Lady Catherine yourself? Surely, if decency and honor are your first concerns, that would have been the cleanest course for your precious conscience.”
“And I would have had the noose around my own neck the moment we arrived at Rosings. Anne and I would both be made miserable for it. Richard, not only do I not desire such an outcome, but Anne is legally of age. If she refused to come back to Rosings with me, as she would, it would be little better than kidnapping.”
Richard chuckled and paced back and forth two or three more times. “Not to mention the scratches an offended lady might inflict upon your face. Speaking of kidnapping, Anne said some local girl was proving a trial of sorts, asking you about where certain persons of her acquaintance had gone.”
Darcy groaned. “It is nothing of any consequence.”
“No? Who is this girl, Darcy? Anne had the impression that you were greatly perturbed over her questions.”
“As I should rightly be, for being forced to lie to anyone. The lady’s identity does not enter into it. Regardless, Anne’s welfare and reputation are my only concern at present, and the opinions of others must necessarily be inconsequential.”
Richard pursed his lips and nodded. “Good, good. Then as we have our priorities clear before us, it ought not to trouble you in the least when we leave Hertfordshire behind us, even if a certain Miss Elizabeth Bennet thinks the worst of you when you go.”
Darcy blinked several times and hastily swallowed the last of his drink. “Indeed.”
14
“And do you truly think this, Lizzy?” Mr. Bennet had lowered his book just enough to permit conversation, but it hovered in the air, ready to amuse him again once Elizabeth had surrendered his attention.
“No!” she laughed, but it was a conscious, uncomfortable sound. “I mean… do not be ridiculous. I only thought you should know that the dreadful idea had been suggested. No, no, surely, a gentleman of Mr. Darcy’s standing could not be involved in such a thing, no matter how ill others might think of him.”
The book dropped a little more. “And how ill do you think of him?”
“Oh, why, he is everything arrogant and haughty. I am sure he never cared for anyone ‘lesser’ than himself, which is practically everyone. You have seen how he conducts himself, how no one is good enough to please him. I believe he thinks meanly of everyone in Hertfordshire, and I do not see why he does not simply go back to London.”
“Well, there must be something keeping him here. I would not fret over the man or what others say of him, my dear.”
Elizabeth nodded. Her father sounded perfectly rational, but… “But Lieutenant Wickham did say he has known Mr. Darcy since boyhood, and it was he who made that outlandish supposition. It may be that the man is capable of far more than it appears on the surface.”
“And it may be that Lieutenant Wickham has some ax to grind. Run along, Lizzy.”
“Yes, Papa,” she relented. She did not like the feeling of repeating conspiracies and rumor, but she liked even less the lack of answers given by Mrs. Long over tea when Elizabeth had innocently inquired after her niece. Something was amiss, and if she had learned to observe people at all, Mr. Darcy knew what it was.
Elizabeth usually took her walks in the morning, before her mother had come down, and any real amusement was afoot, but the weather had not been promising just after breakfast. By mid-afternoon, the rain had mostly cleared, and Mr. Collins’ constant presence had become insufferable, so she tied on her bonnet and tripped up the path to Lucas Lodge. Charlotte was, as ever, eager for Elizabeth’s company.
“I have been so longing to speak to you,” whispered the latter. She clasped Elizabeth’s hand and, in a louder voice, said, “Shall we walk in the garden today, Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth followed in some perplexity. Once alone, she set her hand on her bonnet and tilted her head at her friend. “What is so urgent?”
Charlotte put a finger to her lips and glanced about to be certain they were alone. “I heard something about Sarah Long. It turns out she is not the only girl gone missing.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Mama and I called on Mrs. Long this morning, and she said that Sarah had gone to see her father in London.”
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. “She said much the same to me yesterday, but Sarah told us only last month that her father was just pressed back into the Navy. He was a Commander, I thought. She said then that he would not return for perhaps a year.”
“Exactly! So, I thought Mrs. Long must not be telling the truth, and I asked what day she had gone and whether she traveled with her father or someone else. ‘Wednesday last,’ was the answer, and ‘she traveled with another young lady of good family, someone known to her father.’”
“How could that be?” Elizabeth asked.
“It cannot. And do you know, I spoke with Mr. Richards at the Ram’s Head Inn and one of his guests—a young lady, he would not give her name—departed in a great rush. A gentleman took her, he said, and would not answer where she was bound. Lizzy, what day was it that you saw Mr. Darcy outside the inn? Did you not say there were two young ladies he hastened away in a farmer’s cart?”
Her mouth fell open. “Oh, I am so blind! Of course, that other girl must have been Sarah! And I imagine it was Mr. and Mrs. Brown riding in the cart as well.”
“Who?”
“They are my father’s tenants, and I have been wondering where they can have gone. Is it possible they are all together somewhere? I wonder why! Tell me, Charlotte, did Mrs. Long say the other girl’s name or when Sarah would come back?”
Charlotte furrowed her brow. “She seeme
d uncertain and did not wish to name a date. And as to the other girl’s name, nothing at all.”
“Well, that is curious. I wonder where they have gone, and how Mr. Darcy could be involved in all this,” Elizabeth mused.
“All what?” piped a new voice, and Elizabeth jumped when she realized that Maria had come behind them and had been following several paces. “Charlotte, is not Mr. Darcy that awful man who would not dance with Lizzy?”
Charlotte was patting her chest as if her heart had nearly stopped. “Maria, you mustn’t surprise us like that! And it is impolite to eavesdrop on a conversation that does not involve you.”
“But I want to know what you were saying about Sarah,” Maria whined. “And who was that other girl you were talking about? Did Mr. Darcy do it? Do you think they are dead?”
“Dead! Of course not. Go back to Mama, or I shall tell her about the treats you stole from the kitchen this morning.”
Maria made a face and, in a petulant huff, gathered her skirts and ran behind the house. Elizabeth stood with a hand over her mouth in a vain attempt to take back whatever Maria might have overheard. “She will not repeat anything, will she?”
“Oh, like as not, no one will pay her any mind if she does,” Charlotte decided. “Who would listen to a girl of sixteen who is barely even out? Besides, she has been taken with melancholy ever since Lieutenant Denny was heard to say that he favored Lydia. Papa frets constantly that she will become rebellious and prone to fits of pique like… like some other girls we know.”
“Like Lydia,” Elizabeth finished.
Charlotte shrugged. “I would not be surprised if Papa were to overrule Mama and start keeping Maria home, he is that distressed. But back to what we were discussing before—Lizzy, Mr. Darcy does not seem to be a dishonest man. If you are truly worried about our friend, can you not simply ask him?”