The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery (62 page)

“From a man many consider too staunch to bend,” Elizabeth had teased, “that was an exceptional display of your emotions, Mr. Darcy.”

He had ignored the taunt because he had observed how she had fought to keep her tears in check. She disliked leaving Georgiana behind as much as he.

They had returned to Pemberley a month prior, after he and Mr. Joseph had concluded their business in Scotland. With Bingley's multiple connections in trade, they had quickly secured the railway rights and had fostered negotiations with businesses to supply the building of the line and to maintain it afterwards. Parnell had objected to Darcy's adamant refusal to seek a monopoly. “Competitive markets will increase the line's growth potential,” he had insisted when Parnell had made an unexpected call on Pemberley.

Matthew Joseph had recovered from his wounds, and he and Mary had found a house on Newcastle's outskirts where Mrs. Joseph could enjoy her garden. Their most recent letter had indicated that a law apprentice had taken an interest in Ruth Joseph. The young man called on the girl several times per week, and Mary
had entertained Elizabeth with delightful missives describing the couple's awkwardness.

Bingley and Jane had returned to Marwood Manor a week prior to this time. Mrs. Bennet's retreat to Hertfordshire had presaged a safe return to the Bingleys' home estate. Elizabeth's father had escorted his wife to Longbourn. The good lady had grieved greatly at the loss of her youngest child to the “wilds of that dratful country.” Mr. Bennet had assured Elizabeth of her mother's resiliency, but privately he had informed Darcy that he was uncertain when his wife might recover. “I pray Mr. Grange does right by Mary and gives Mrs. Bennet a new source of pride by presenting my wife with a grandchild upon whom she can dote. As that does not appear to be part of the couple's foreseeable plans, I shall know no quiet.” Upon receiving the letter, Darcy had immediately issued an invitation to Elizabeth's parents to rejoin them at Christmastide.

They had heard nothing from Munro MacBethan, but Edward had personally escorted Mr. Wickham to Stranraer, where MacBethan had met them with Mrs. Wickham in tow. The Major General had booked passage on a ferry to Northern Ireland. From there, the trio would depart for America. Edward had written of Mrs. Wickham's subdued nature. “The lady has, at last, assumed the mantle of a demure genteel lady. I have, likewise, lectured Mr. Wickham regarding the opportunity presented him, but the man remains inscrutable,” Edward had written.

“Munro MacBethan was an appropriate choice to shepherd the couple. I discovered from the former lieutenant that he had encountered MacBethan previously and possessed a healthy respect for the Scot's lethal intensity. As for MacBethan, he presented his typical granite resolve, but he betrayed a bit of anxiety by constantly palming a colorful glass disc. I found the contrast quite amusing.”

If Darcy had known of Mr. Wickham's connection to MacBethan, he might have had second thoughts about hiring the Scot for the journey, but he trusted Edward's evaluation of the situation. Darcy had other things on his mind regarding his former foe. Something odd had occurred in Scotland. Elizabeth had yet to share the events with him, but on more than one occasion, he had overheard his wife offering God the following prayer: “Dear Lord, please permit Mr. Wickham and Lydia to return safely to the bosom of their family, and allow them to arrive in England richer than Croesus.”

“She is here,” Kitty Winkler announced as Georgiana's coach rolled into view.

Elizabeth murmured, “Thank God,” and Darcy silently seconded her sentiment.

And then the coach came to a halt not twenty feet before them. Jasper scrambled to lower the steps before the Major General unfolded his large form and reached into the coach for his wife's hand.

Darcy's heart lurched with the familiarity of the moment, but he had not expected the woman heavily laden with child who emerged from the coach's darkness. She possessed the countenance of an angel—the same countenance that had welcomed his return to Pemberley over the years—but there was a difference, something in her eyes that proclaimed that she no longer belonged to him. His sister's heart had changed allegiance; she treasured the man who competently lifted her to the ground more than she did her elder brother. He was now second in her heart, just as she had become second to Elizabeth. It was a sobering realization for the Master of Pemberley.

Next to the moment he had first laid eyes on Elizabeth Bennet, it was the most poignant moment of his life. From the instant he had held Georgiana in his awkward twelve-year-old arms, he had cherished the swaddled infant as Pemberley's most impressive treasure.
He had taught her his values: independence, freedom of choice, honesty, and integrity. He had given Georgiana the gifts of music and art and the finest education that Pemberley's wealth could afford. He had offered his sister his unconditional love and the confidence to be her own person. Yet, even with all those things, he…

“You have not lost her,” Elizabeth interrupted his thoughts. “Georgiana will never disappear from your life. Our sister esteems you above all others,” she whispered softly.

“How can I be certain?” He had not questioned his wife's ability to read his thoughts.

“Watch,” she said with amusement.

As soon as the Major General placed Georgiana's feet on solid ground, she turned her head to him. Immediately, she rushed into his waiting arms. Darcy lifted her to him. Despite her increased girth, his sister still fit perfectly into his embrace. He inhaled instinctively to savor her essence—to fill his senses with her.

“I have missed you terribly,” she murmured as he kissed Georgiana's temple.

“As I have you,” Darcy whispered. “More than words may express.”

Tears misted her eyes, so he permitted his sister to escape his embrace to rush into Elizabeth's welcoming one. He thanked God daily for bringing Elizabeth Bennet into his and Georgiana's lives. If his mother truly had served as the Darcy family's guardian angel, he was certain that Lady Anne Darcy had had a hand in leading his steps to the Bennet's door. He smiled genuinely as the two women in his life spoke over one another—each communicating as well with a nod, a tut, or a groan of delight.

“Welcome, Cousin.” Darcy extended his hand to Edward. “I pray your journey was uneventful.” If he must lose Georgiana to someone, Darcy was thankful it was to Edward Fitzwilliam.

“Your sister has fidgeted in her seat for the last hour—so anxious to return to her home,” Edward said as he gave Darcy a back-slapping male hug.

“Mrs. Darcy has worn a groove in the hardwood of her favorite drawing room. She has glanced out the window every few minutes,” Darcy declared.

“Were you not looking over the lady's shoulder?” Edward asked good-naturedly.

“I admit to no such anxiousness,” Darcy responded.

From where she patiently waited for her turn to greet Georgiana, Kitty declared, “Well, I wholeheartedly confess to the act. We have counted the days until Georgiana's return.”

Edward bowed to the waiting couple. “I am pleased to find you among our welcoming party, Mrs. Winkler. It has been too long since we have been in your company. I hope married life brings you as much happiness as it has me.” He brought Kitty's hand to his lips for an air kiss.

Elizabeth, with her arm encircling Georgiana's waist, joined their group. “You have not heard, Edward. Mr. Winkler is to be knighted for his efforts in educating the Lambton children. He and Kitty shall travel to St. James next week. That Kitty is to receive the title of Lady Winkler has bolstered my mother's spirits after Mrs. Wickham's departure.”

“I am gratified by your success, Mr. Winkler, and for your wife's newest distinction. The honor is well earned.” Darcy noted that Edward winked at Kitty as if they shared a delicious secret, and his wife's sister blushed prettily. Darcy had not thought that his cousin shared any intimacies with Elizabeth's sister, but something had certainly passed between them.

Kitty and Georgiana exchanged exuberant welcoming embraces. “You are a pleasant sight,” Georgiana said through happy tears. “I am dreadfully sorry to have missed your wedding.”

“It is of little significance,” Kitty assured. “What matters is that you are once more at Pemberley.”

Darcy placed Georgiana on his arm and turned toward the still-open doorway. “Yes. What is important is that my sister will rest under Pemberley's roof this evening, and that wherever she may place her roots, the road from there will lead to Pemberley.”

NAME HISTORY

 

In
The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy
, I have taken the liberty of giving Fitzwilliam Darcy a possible connection to the real Fitz William family. However, a fictional character cannot be
actually
related to that renowned family, and I do not purport that Jane Austen named her character after the Hall clan, or those who found their roots at Greatford Hall in Lincolnshire, the direct descendants of Wentworth, Earl of Fitz William.

By 1340, the Halls had migrated first to Cheshire and then northward to Scotland. Having accepted the invitation of Earl David of Huntingdon (later King David II of Scotland), they settled in Berwickshire, specifically the lands of Glenryg in the barony of Lesmahagow.

 

MOUNT TAMBORA

Mount Tambora is an active stratovolcano in the Indonesian archipelago, which erupted in April 1815. With an estimated volume of 160 cubic kilometers, Tambora's 1815 eruption is one of the largest in history. Besides the number of deaths created by the heavy ash fallout in the neighboring islands, the Tambora eruption led to the phenomenon referred to as the “volcanic winter.” In North America and Europe, 1816 became the “Year Without a Summer.” Widespread agricultural famine and the loss of livestock met many of those living in the Northern Hemisphere. This was especially devastating to those in Europe and
North America, who were recovering from the demoralizing effects of both the Napoleonic War and the War of 1812.

 

KILMARNOCK AND TROON RAILWAY

To carry coal between the Duke's pits near Kilmarnock and the Troon Harbour on the Ayrshire coast, the Duke of Portland opened the KTR in July 1812. Authorized by an Act of Parliament in 1808, it was the only Scottish line for fourteen years and was the first to use a steam locomotive, as well as to have the first railway viaduct, which still stands. It also was the first to have fare-paying customers. It is now part of the Glasgow South Western Line.

 

SCOTTISH CASTLES

Those familiar with Scotland's most picturesque castles may recognize some of the features I have given to Normanna Hall as being a mixture of Terringzean Castle in East Ayrshire (circa 1696 and built by the Campbells of Loudoun), Auchinleck Castle in Monikie, Angus, Scotland (on record in 1501), and Doune Castle in Doune, Stirling, Scotland (circa 1400 and built by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany), and a typical English estate. The MacBethan family had roots in both countries so the mix was necessary.

 

THE MURDER HOLE

A round pool near Loch Neldricken, a loch in Galloway to the southeast of Merrick, took on legendary qualities as “The Murder Hole” in Samuel Rutherford Crockett's
The Raiders
. The novel is a romantic, loosely historical adventure story released in the 1890s. The legend has it that weary travelers and strangers to the Merrick Moor were caught, murdered, and dumped into the “Murder Hole.” Strangely, reeds reportedly grow around the hole's perimeter but none grow within it. It is also rumored that even in the coldest winters, the water's center never freezes. For
excellent photos of this desolate area, visit Walkhighlands and read the article “The Old Grey Man, A Murder Hole, and the Merrick” (
www.walkhighlands.co.uk
).

 

SAWNEY BEAN

Alexander Sawney Bean was reportedly the head of a cannibalistic family residing along Scotland's Ayrshire/Galloway coast during the 14th Century. According to the legend, Sawney was born in a small East Lothian village, approximately ten miles from Edinburgh. Unable to hold a job, he soon left home and took up with a woman who thought nothing of using devious methods to gain what she wanted.

With no legal means of supporting themselves, the Beans chose to live in a sea cave in Galloway. They maintained their family by robbing and murdering travelers and locals foolish enough to be caught on the roads at night.

Living incestuously, the Bean family grew to a total of six and forty. Over a twenty-five-year period, one thousand people are said to have lost their lives to the family. The Beans would cast the unwanted limbs of their victims in the sea to be washed up on the local beaches.

Unfortunately, the authorities of the time had few crime investigation skills available to them. In a time when people still believed in witches and vampires, many innocent people stood accused of Sawney's crimes and lost their lives. As missing travelers were traced to the inns in which they had taken shelter, local innkeepers were often charged with the crimes. Needless to say, travelers began to shun the area.

As it grew in number, the Bean family attacked larger groups of travelers. Their cave was designed to hide their presence in the area, so they were able to attack and then retreat to the
cave, which went almost a mile into the cliffs. In addition, the tide filled the opening so people never suspected the cave as a possible hideout.

The Beans were discovered when they attacked a couple returning from a local fayre. The man was able to plough his way through the band that attacked him, but the female cannibals had managed to pull his wife from her horse. According to the legend, the Beans ripped out the woman's entrails and feasted on her along the road. When other revelers from the fayre appeared, the Beans retreated to their cave home. The revelers escorted the distraught husband to the authorities in Glasgow. Eventually, King James IV personally took charge of the case. With four hundred men, and bloodhounds in tow, the hunt for the culprits began in earnest.