Falling for Elizabeth Bennet Read online

  Mr. Bennet sighs. “Son, you have no idea what you are asking this old man to do. My Lizzy is missing, and you want me to just go home?”

  Darcy replies, “Sir, I feel as helpless as you. Your daughter, my wife, is missing, and I have no idea if she is hurt or what has befallen her. I will do everything I can to restore Elizabeth to you, but I need you to act like this was planned.”

  Mr. Bennet nods and says, “Very well, William. Please keep me informed.”

  Darcy nods.

  At dinner that evening, Darcy thanks everyone and updates them, “Good evening, everyone. I would like to thank you all for your help to find our missing guest. There was apparently a miscommunication, and Miss Elizabeth is not missing. She is actually visiting family nearby and will return home when her visit is complete. Everyone will be able to depart tomorrow as originally planned.” The atmosphere is subdued during dinner. After dinner, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley play the pianoforte. After about an hour, everyone retires for the evening due to their early departure plans.

  Chapter 17

  The next morning after all his guests have departed, Darcy turns to Mrs. Reynolds and says, “Mrs. Reynolds, Georgiana and I are leaving for London. I believe that Elizabeth was taken against her wishes. I found signs of a struggle and wagon tracks leading away from Pemberley. I am taking Fitz with us.”

  Mrs. Reynolds replies, “Sir, I will let the staff and tenants know to look out for anything or anyone out of the ordinary and to report it to me right away. Everyone likes your new wife—even if they have not all yet had the chance to meet her.”

  Darcy turns to Georgiana. “Let us finish packing so that we can find Elizabeth.”

  Georgie squeezes Darcy’s hand and says, “Have faith, Brother. Lizzy will be well.” Within a half hour, the siblings are ready to depart. At Georgiana’s insistence, Darcy pushes the horses further than he normally would. Georgiana explains, “Brother, the sooner we get to town, the sooner we can find Lizzy.”

  They stop later at night and rise earlier the next morning in an effort to get to town quickly. The exhausted siblings arrive in town after two days’ travel instead of the normal three to three and half days. Darcy turns to the coachmen and footmen, saying, “Bob, John, Bill, George, Sims, and Potter I want to thank you all for getting us here as quickly and as safely as you did. Please take the next two days off and rest in thanks for pushing the team hard to get us here. I appreciate it.”

  Darcy and Georgian are in the foyer, removing their outerwear, when Richard enters the house, greeting them, “Darcy, Georgie, I was not expecting to see you for another day or two.”

  Darcy replies, “Richard, can you give us a quarter of an hour? We will join you in my study then. Richard, will you please take care of Fitz for me until I return? Please cuddle her gently—she has been battered and bruised.”

  Richard responds, “Of course, Darcy. I will take care of Fitz.” Richard gingerly takes the puppy and cradles her to his chest and head toward Darcy’s study. Darcy quickly returns to Richard. “Richard, Georgie will be with us in just a moment.”

  Richard nods, and Darcy watches as Richard tenderly stokes Fitz’s head. Richard quietly asks, “Darcy, who could do such a thing to a puppy? What happened to Fitz?”

  Darcy suddenly remembers that Richard loves animals. Darcy places a gentle hand on Richard’s shoulder, explaining, “Richard, I believe that Elizabeth was removed from Pemberley by force and that whoever took Elizabeth hurt Fitz in the process. I believe that Fitz was trying to protect Elizabeth.”

  Georgiana enters the room, and from the beginning, Darcy and Georgiana explain everything that they know and what they have found. When they are done, Richard looks at Darcy and exclaims, “Darcy, Elizabeth could be anywhere.”

  Darcy exhales. “I know, Richard, but I have to try.” Darcy asks Richard, “How can I go about searching for Elizabeth without people knowing her connection to me and without revealing her name?”

  Richard suggests, “Darcy, let me speak with my parents and my general. Let me tell the truth and see what suggestions they can make. In the meantime, you and Georgie need to rest. Tomorrow you need to act like you would any other time you visit town. I know that you want to be out there looking for Elizabeth, but you cannot. Darcy, you should go to your fencing club. Georgiana should visit the modiste, and with the two of you out in public, you might perhaps hear something.”

  Darcy nods and turns to Georgiana, pulling her to her feet. He gives her a hug, saying, “Georgie, thank you for being so strong for Elizabeth and me. I could not have done this without you.”

  Georgiana replies, “Of course, William. Lizzy is my sister.”

  Darcy kisses Georgiana on the forehead. “Georgie, why do you not take a tray in your room tonight?”

  Georgiana nods and departs. Darcy gently takes Fitz back from Richard and informs him, “Richard, I am scared for Elizabeth. Anything could happen to her. What if . . . ?” Richard puts a hand on Darcy’s shoulder, and he sags. Richard takes Fitz back from Darcy.

  “Darcy, rest yourself. I know that you want to keep Fitz with you—she is your link to Elizabeth. I need to borrow Fitz. I am going to visit my parents and my general. Fitz will be evidence of the cruelty that Elizabeth is facing. I promise to take care of Fitz.”

  Darcy nods and says, “Very well, Richard. I thank you. Please come and see me when you return—regardless of the time.”

  Several hours later, Richard returns to Darcy House, where Abbot informs Richard that Darcy has retired to his chambers. Richard thanks Abbot and heads upstairs to Darcy. Richard knocks on Darcy’s chambers door, and Darcy himself answers and asks, “Richard, have you heard anything?”

  Richard apologizes, “Sorry, Darcy. I have not. I have spoken with my parents, and they will be listening at various social visits and events to see if they hear anything. I have also spoken to my general. General Cummings has offered to lend off-duty troops to help find your wife. We are not going to say that she is your wife, just a missing woman. General Cummings suggested we send some troops to some of the seedier parts of Town in an effort to find Elizabeth. We will start on this first thing in the morning.”

  Richard turns to leave, hesitates, and turns back to Darcy and asks as he shows Fitz sleeping on his shoulder, “Darcy, do you want Fitz with you tonight, or would you like me to keep her?” Richard, seeing the anguish on his cousin’s face, says, “I will keep Fitz, Darcy. Try and get some rest. You need to be strong for Elizabeth. Rest—I am here for you if you need me.”

  Darcy turns his agonized face to Richard, “I could not have a better brother. I will do my best to rest, but I fear I will not rest easy until I have Elizabeth safely returned to me.”

  Richard nods in understanding and retires for the night.

  The next week is very frustrating for Darcy and his family. There is no sign of Elizabeth anywhere. Even the soldiers in the seedier parts of London have not seen or heard of her. Finally, about ten days after the Darcys have arrived in London, Darcy House gets an unexpected visitor. Darcy is out searching a nearby park, and Richard is at Darcy House, taking a short break after being out late the night before. Abbot knocks on Darcy’s study door and enters, saying, “Colonel Fitzwilliam, a Captain Wickham is here for Mr. Darcy. May I leave the captain with you, sir?”

  Richard stands and exclaims in surprise, “Wickham? Yes, Abbot, please bring the captain to me.”

  A moment later, Captain Wickham enters Darcy’s study to see Richard, and in confusion, Wickham asks, “Fitzwilliam, what are you doing here?”

  Richard replies as he offers Wickham a seat and resumes his seat, “Wickham, I am visiting Darcy, who is out at the moment. What are you doing here, Wickham? What do you want with Darcy now? Do you have another debt that you would like help paying?”

  Wickham replies, “Fitzwilliam, I came here to find Darcy so that he could help me find you.”

  With a perplexed look on his face, Richard inquires, “Wickham, for wha
t possible reason would you want to find me?”

  Wickham replies somewhat urgently, “Fitzwilliam, I am looking for you because I have a message for you—from your wife.”

  Confused, Richard replies, “Wickham, I do not know what you are talking about. I have no wife.” Richard is taken aback when Wickham growls at his reply. Richard asks, “Wickham, can you please give me the message? Maybe the message will shed some light on this situation for us.”

  Wickham relays the message. Richard shakes his head and apologizes, saying, “Wickham, I am sorry. That message means nothing to me.” Both men sit there for a moment, and suddenly Richard sits forward and questions, “Wickham, do you believe that the name you were given was a first name or a last name?”

  Wickham replies, “I believed it to be the last name. Why?”

  Richard replies, “Wickham, have you forgotten, Darcy’s first name is the same as my last name?”

  Wickham looks at Richard and asks, “Darcy is married?”

  Richard replies, “Yes, and I need to get Darcy back here. Wait while I get someone to summon him.”

  Richard opens the door and asks a footman to bring the kitchen boy to the study. When the kitchen boy arrives, Richard leans down and asks, “Willie, do you know where Hyde Park is?”

  Willie looks at Richard in awe and replies, “Yes, sir.”

  Richard says, “Willie, I need for you to bring back Mr. Darcy. Tell him that it is urgent. Here is a halfpenny for your help.”

  Willie smiles and departs on his errand. Richard turns back to Wickham and says, “Wickham, can I offer you a drink while we wait for Darcy to return?”

  Wickham replies, “No thank you, Fitzwilliam. I would be interested in hearing who Darcy has married. I never thought Darcy would find someone who meets his high standards.”

  Richard laughs. “I understand what you mean. I will be honest, the new Mrs. Darcy is not who I would have picked out for Darcy either, but she does make him happy, and that is all I wanted.” Richard looks closer at Wickham and asks, “Will you not tell me how you came to be involved in this and how it is that you are the one bearing this message?”

  Wickham sighs. “Fitzwilliam, I understand you do not trust me. If you do not mind, I would prefer to wait for Darcy to arrive.”

  Richard agrees, and the men lapse into silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

  Roughly a half hour later, a disheveled Darcy rushes into his study and asks, “Richard, what is so urgent that you sent for me? What is going on?”

  Richard replies, “Darcy, take a seat. I believe we are in for a tale. While you were out at the park, you had a visitor who arrived looking for me actually.” Richard motions to Wickham, who is sitting off to the side. Richard continues, “Wickham came here with a message, and I believe that he might know where Lizzy is. Wickham came to Darcy House to ask you for help to find me when he should have been trying to find you. Wickham relayed the message he had, but it did not make any sense to me. I then realized that your first name and my last name are the same and that perhaps Wickham knew something about Lizzy.”

  Darcy takes a seat and turns to Wickham and asks, “Wickham, what was the message?”

  Wickham replies, “Darcy, a woman claiming to be Fitzwilliam’s wife asked me to get him a message. Her message was ‘For My One True Love—Now and Always.’ Fitzwilliam 1811”

  Darcy sits forward and asks, “How do you know that inscription?”

  Wickham replies, “The woman showed me a heart-shaped locket with a rose on top of it, and the inscription was on the back. The woman kept the locket hidden in her pocket. The woman said that the chain had been broken and stolen.”

  Darcy sighs and takes a deep breath and slowly exhales and asks, “Wickham, can I trust you? What are you getting out of this? What do you want from me?”

  Wickham replies, “Darcy, I do not want anything. I do have further proof that this woman is your wife. She asked me to give you this.”

  Darcy stares in shock as Wickham hands him Elizabeth’s green diamond betrothal ring. Darcy closes his hand around the ring and whispers, “Elizabeth.”

  Richard and Wickham watch Darcy in concern. After a few moments, Darcy looks up at Wickham with tears in his eyes, and his voice thick with emotion. “Wickham, where is my wife?”

  Wickham replies in a hushed whisper, “Bedlam.”

  Darcy and Richard both gasp in horror. Wickham asks, “Darcy, who is your wife?”

  Darcy looks at Wickham in surprise. “Wickham, you know my wife. You met her in Hertfordshire. She is the former Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” Darcy and Richard watch as Wickham’s mouth drops in shock and horror, and he replies, “Darcy, I would never have recognized Miss Elizabeth.”

  Darcy replies, “Apparently, Elizabeth knew she could trust you to find me and bring me the message.” Darcy turns to Richard and says, “Richard, can you get some troops for help? I am getting my wife out of that place today!”

  It takes about an hour for Lord and Lady Matlock and General Cummings to join Darcy, Richard, and Wickham at Darcy House. Darcy fills them in on what Wickham has told him. When the group arrives at Bedlam, they are truly appalled at the conditions there. Upon entering, an attendant stops them and says, “May I help you?”

  Darcy replies, “Yes, I am here to retrieve my wife.”

  The attendant replies, “I am sorry, sir, but only one of the doctors may release your wife to your care.”

  Darcy steps forward more, followed by Richard, Lord Matlock, and General Cummings, and states, “With or without your help, I am taking my wife home.”

  The attendant says, “How do I know that you are really her husband?”

  Lord Matlock replies, “Do you know who I am?”

  When the attendant replies, “No,” Lord Matlock replies, “I am Lord Matlock, and this is my nephew. We have reason to believe that his wife was kidnapped and admitted against our wishes.”

  Darcy pulls paperwork out of his coat and hands them to the attendant and says, “This is our marriage license. Now please let me see my wife.”

  Reluctantly, the attendant calls an aide for assistance. Darcy turns back to the group and says, “Please wait here. I do not know how Elizabeth will be.”

  Richard nods. “We understand, Darcy. Go and get Lizzy.”

  Darcy follows the aide to the cell where Elizabeth is being held. Darcy is shocked at his wife’s appearance. It is as Wickham said—Elizabeth is hardly recognizable. Darcy softly whispers, “Elizabeth.” Darcy turns to the attendant for the key as he watches Elizabeth recognize his voice and starts sobbing as she cannot reach him. Once Darcy has the door open, Elizabeth launches herself into his arms. Darcy croons to Elizabeth and says, “Shh. You are safe. I have you, my love.” Darcy stands there for a moment and then picks Elizabeth up as she is still sobbing, and he sees how frail and weak-looking she really is. As Darcy approaches the group, Elizabeth shrinks back in his arms.

  He hears Elizabeth softly whisper between sobs, “Please, do not let them see me like this, Fitzwilliam.”

  Darcy nods and, turning to the group, says, “I want to thank you all for your help in finding my wife. I beg you will excuse us. I need to take her home and have her checked out. We will visit soon. Richard, Wickham, please join us. I have a feeling I will need you for further explanation. Again, thank you all for your assistance.”

  Lord Matlock clasps Darcy on the shoulder and says, “Darcy, I am glad we were able to find your wife. I look forward to meeting her when she has had a chance to recover.” The group departs Bedlam for their homes.

  Upon returning to Darcy House, Darcy carries Elizabeth upstairs and hands her over to a maid to assist her with her bath. He returns downstairs, where Abbot says, “Sir, I have sent for Mr. Anderson. He should be arriving shortly. I took the liberty of having hot water ready for Mrs. Darcy’s return. Cook has some broth and soft treats for Mrs. Darcy as well.”

  Darcy says, “Thank you, Abbot. I am not sure how much Elizabeth wi
ll be able to eat, but I know she will appreciate the gesture.” Darcy turns and walks toward the drawing room, where he finds Richard and Wickham. He sits down. “I have left Elizabeth with her maid. Mr. Anderson should be arriving soon to look her over.”

  Richard looks at Darcy and asks, “Darcy, how bad is Lizzy? It was dark in the carriage, and I really could not see her.”

  Darcy sighs and exhales, “Wickham was right. Elizabeth was unrecognizable. If Wickham had not told me of her changed appearance, I am not sure I would have believed that it was Elizabeth that I brought home with me. She has lost so much weight that she has a skeletal appearance, and her hair is a matted mess, and her eyes were dull and flat.” Darcy stands. “I beg you will excuse me. I need to inform Elizabeth’s father that she has been found. I would also ask that you both stay here for the night. I have a feeling that there is more to the story than we know, and I will need you both to assist me.”

  Wickham replies, “Darcy, I would love to help, but I need to report back to my colonel.”

  Richard looks at Wickham, saying, “Wickham, you stay here with Darcy. I will go and speak to General Cummings after we have an update on Lizzy, and I will speak to your colonel and get permission to assist Darcy further.”