Authors: Melanie Schertz
A Royal Bennet (22 page)
“But what can be done to change this?” Raymond
pleaded. “Should I begin to spread lies about her,
embarrass her until she fleas from the
neighborhood?”
“No, for Mr Darcy’s sympathies would wish to
protect her. And his staff would not tolerate such
behavior. We need to rid ourselves of Miss Bennet
permanently. And I have just the plan. But I will need
you to assist me.” Caroline reached down to the young
man’s chin, pulling it up as she lowered her lips to
meet his. Several breathless moments later, Raymond
was unable to think properly. “Will you do what is
needed to guarantee our future together?”
anything for you.”
The following morning, Elizabeth rose at her usual
time and prepared for her morning stroll in the park.
She found it highly unusual that Sadie was not in the
room, but figured that she would find her beloved
canine friend in the park. Taking her usual treats with
her, Elizabeth began to walk.
After an hour of walking, and sitting at her usual
resting spot where she and Sadie would normally
relax and enjoy their treats, Elizabeth was growing
concerned for the dog. Since she had first met the
sweet natured collie, not a morning had passed
without the two of them spending the morning
together.
Elizabeth began walking again, this time she began
calling out to Sadie to join her. Suddenly, she heard
the whimpering of an injured dog. She knew,
instantly, that it was Sadie. Elizabeth continued to call
to the dog as she hurried in her search. Finally, she
found Sadie, lying on her side on the ground near the
base of a hill. She could not imagine what had
happened to her devoted friend, and rushed forward
to the dog. “Sadie, what has happened? How did you
injure yourself?”
The dog looked at her, as if fearful, and gave one
painful bark, as if in warning. Too late, Elizabeth ran
forward into an area which had been marked off as
dangerous. The earth began to give way beneath her
feet and Elizabeth plunged into complete darkness.
“Where could Elizabeth be?” Mr Bennet inquired
as he paced about the drawing room. “She should
have returned from her morning walk by now. And
where is Sadie? I have not seen the dog all morning
either.”
“I rode out in the direction she normally walks,
though I was later than usual this morning.” Darcy
stated. “One of my horses had injured his leg and I
was speaking with Mr Fox about what could be done
for the horse. I assumed she had finished and
returned to the house.”
Darcy walked over to the nearby window and
stared out at the rain which was falling. It was tearing
at his heart that he could not mount a horse and ride
out to find Elizabeth. He could not stand the fact that
he had no notion where she could be, nor did he know
if she were safe.
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Bingley knew how
desperate Darcy was to be out on the estate, searching
for the lady he loved. “Cousin, I am sure she has taken
shelter in one of the buildings on the estate. Perhaps
in the hunting shack which is not far past the lake.
Once the rain relents, we will be able to begin to
search for her.”
“Lady Elizabeth is strong and capable in nature,
Darcy. We both know that she is able to walk long
distances. Remember her walking to Netherfield to
tend her sister when Miss Jane took ill? Lady
Elizabeth walked through all the mud from the storm
the night before, yet she had a healthy glow from all
the exercise. I am certain we will find her in much the
same way after the storm subsides.”
“I pray she is. If she is injured, it will be my fault
for not being on time to accompany her.” Darcy said
as he slammed his hand against the wall surrounding
the window.
“Darcy, I am certain that my daughter will be well.
Lizzy is strong. She has been caught in storms before,
with no harm to her. I am only nervous, which is why
I commented. After all we have been through in the
past few months, I am particularly protective of her.”
Mr Bennet said as he placed a hand gently on Darcy’s
shoulder. “Come, let us have something to drink, and
then, I believe you owe me a chess match.”
Elizabeth tried to rolled over and attempted to sit
up. Unfortunately, there was a large rock on top of
her, near her waist. She choked on the dust which
was all about her. There was very little light coming
from above. Looking up, she could see that the sky
had turned dark and cloudy, and that it had begun to
rain.
How long have I been here? And just where is
here?
She could see that she was underground, about
ten feet underground, in a large hole.
It must be one of
the areas Mr Darcy spoke of, one of the areas which
was considered dangerous. But I did not see any
markings. The tree with the markings and the stones
surrounding the area, I saw none of them. How could
that be? Mr Darcy was adamant that this area be
marked for everyone’s protection. Was this area
outside the marked area? Have I found a different
location?
Oh, my, this stone is not budging. If I could remove
it, I am certain I would be able to climb out. The walls
of the hole are uneven, and should allow me to find
hand and foot holds. How am I to move the stone?
And where is Sadie? Did she fall down here as well?
The poor girl, she was injured to begin with. A fall like
this, in her condition, might kill her. Please, God, please
watch over Sadie. She is so dear to me, such a kind and
loving creature. Please keep her safe.
The rain grew stronger, forcing Elizabeth to cover
her face with her arms. She was grateful for the
moisture, as she knew she would not dehydrate. But
she was worried of the rain continuing for any length
of time. It would delay anyone being able to find her.
Then the thought went through her mind.
Just how
will anyone find me down here?
At tea time, Caroline made a production of joining
the rest of the party in the drawing room. She put on
a performance of how weak she was from her
headache and fever, yet felt she must make the effort
to be with everyone as they worried for Elizabeth.
She made comments of false concern for the young
lady, and she also stated she would not have been
surprised to learn Elizabeth was safe and sound,
causing her family and friends such fear for nothing.
“Who knows with Miss Elizabeth, she was famed
for being quite a walker back in Hertfordshire. She
could have just continued walking, leaving Pemberley
behind.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam was the first to speak.
“Well, I should not have listened, but the other
day, I overheard Miss Elizabeth speaking to that mutt
to whom she has taken a liking. She stated that
sometimes she feels as if she could just continue to
walk, until she left all of her past behind her and could
begin anew.”
Darcy walked quickly towards Caroline. “Miss
Bingley, I do not believe you. I declare, here and now,
if you have done anything to bring Lady Elizabeth any
harm, I will see you pay.”
“Mr Darcy, how could you accuse me of such
behavior? I am appalled at your words. Here I am, ill,
and still attempting to be of comfort to you and your
guests. Louisa, I believe it would be best if I return to
my rooms. My headache is growing worse. Please,
Sister, would you assist me to my rooms?”
Louisa Hurst knew what had happened, as
Raymond had watched as Elizabeth plunged into the
earth. He had returned to his mistress and informed
her of the situation being handled. And he was
compensated generously by Caroline, over the
following hour.
“Of course, Caroline. Charles, you should assist
our sister as well, rather than remain here with
people who say they are your friend, yet speak so
cruelly to her.”
“No, Louisa, I wish for Caroline to remain here.
Darcy, if you would not mind, could we have the
physician sent for? I believe it would be best if she
remains here, with us, to watch over her.” Bingley had
finally determined that his sisters were conspiring,
and he was certain that Caroline had faked her fever.
“But Charles, it will harm Caroline’s health and
prevent her from recovering if she is forced to remain
here. She needs to be in her bed.” Louisa became
frantic. She could not have the physician check her
sister, unless Louisa was able to assist Caroline in
looking feverish.
Bingley finally had had enough of his sisters and
stood his ground. “I said that Caroline will remain
here, and I meant it. She will not leave this room until
the physician arrives and examines her. I do not trust
the two of you, and will make certain that you cannot
concoct an illness which is not true. I wish to have the
physician confirm a theory I have of your illness.”
Darcy pulled the cord for a servant, and asked the
footman to send for Mr Abernathy. Caroline moaned
and pretended she was growing extremely ill, all the
while, trying desperately to escape the room. She was
on the verge of finding a way to force her fingers
down her throat to cause her to vomit, when Mrs
Reynolds entered the drawing room.
“Master William, Mr Fox says the rain is letting up.
He is having horses saddled for any of the men who
wish to search for Lady Elizabeth.” She then stepped
closer to Darcy and whispered into his ear. “You
might be wishing to speak with the young postilion
from Mr Bingley’s carriage. It seems he was seen
carrying something out of the house this morning, and
was missing for quite some time. Mr Fox said that one
of the stable hands commented that the young
postilion is frequently seen entering the main house
through the servants’ quarters.”
Darcy nodded his head. “Charles, you and Mr
Bennet should remain here, until Mr Abernathy
arrives to tend your sister. If you would be so kind,
ask him to remain here, for when we locate Lady
Elizabeth. Mr Gardiner, you may remain here or join
us in the search, I know Mr Bennet’s health is not the
best for riding.”
Mr Gardiner nodded his head. “I will join you.
Bennet, I know you wish to be with Lizzy when we
find her, but you will do her no good if you cripple
yourself in the search. Have no fear, we will find her
and bring her back.”
Tears were forming in Mr Bennet’s eyes. He felt
useless at that moment, until Darcy leaned over and
informed him of what the housekeeper had told
Darcy. “I will leave it in your hands to discover the
truth of what happened with that young man.”
occupied until you bring my daughter back.”
~~ ** ~~
It was growing late when Darcy received word
from the house of the area where to search for
Elizabeth. In the hours Darcy had been out, searching,
Mr Bennet and Bingley uncovered the truth of what
had happened.
Mr Bennet and Bingley discussed, openly, in front
of the ladies, of the postilion who was seen regularly
visiting the house through the servants’ quarters. As
the Pemberley staff had been questioned about the
man, it was learned that the man in question was not
visiting any of the Darcy servants, and was even seen
in the area of Miss Bingley’s rooms.
Bingley was disgusted by his sister’s behavior. He
realized the truth of what was happening. His maiden
sister was not what she appeared to be. He had had
Raymond brought to the drawing room, and, in front
of his sisters, declared the man had been having
relations with Caroline.
“I have no doubt that it has been happening for
some time, but that does not matter at the moment.
Raymond, I insist you tell me what you have done in
the service of my sister today.”
“I…I do not know what you mean, Sir. I have been
at my duty to tend the horses today.” Raymond said
nervously. He did not wish to face the noose, which is
what he would face if his part in Lady Elizabeth’s
accident
were discovered.
“I have it on the word of several trustworthy
members of the Darcy staff, you were seen coming
and going from this house several times today. The
last I checked, our horses are not kept inside the
house. What were you doing here at the house? It
was said that you were carrying something from the
house this morning. What was it?”
“N…n…nothing Sir. I m…mean, your sister was
frightened of the dog. The one which tried to attack
her. I removed it from the house, as it had gotten into
her rooms. Your sister, Mrs Hurst, asked me to
remove the beast. So I did. I did not wish to disturb
anyone else. So I took the dog out of the house.”
“Th…the dog? I took the dog outside. I released
the dog outside and it ran away, snarling at me. I am
certain the dog is diseased. It is dangerous.” Raymond
did not realize how he was convicting himself.
“The dog was fine last night.” Mr Bennet said. “If
the dog was ill, how did you carry it out of the house
without anyone knowing? If it was snarling and
attacking, how is it that you were able to carry it out
without a problem?”
Mr Hurst had been assisted into the room as those
gathered had been waiting for the postilion to come to
the drawing room. He was tired of the lies he was
hearing from his wife, her sister, and the young man
who was Caroline’s lover. “What did you do to render
the dog silent and calm?”
“I beg your pardon, Mr Hurst, but all I did was
throw a grain sack over the dog. It remained calm
until after I released it outside. That was when it
became snarling and attempted to attack.”
attack my sister.” Bingley said.
Raymond was not an intelligent person, and the
three men questioning him was confusing him
terribly. Caroline feigned being too ill to continue in
the discussion, even after Mr Abernathy arrived and
pronounced her well and hearty. It was discovered,
by Mr Abernathy, that Caroline’s maid had placed
heated bricks under Caroline’s pillow before the
physician had arrived previously. Caroline’s skin was
quite warm due to the heat from the bricks, and some
water had been sprinkled on her face to look like
perspiration.