Page 22 of Losing Lizzy
“I believe I will call upon some of the other shopkeepers to see if they have seen anything of Lizzy. Perhaps one of them took her in.”
“An excellent plan,” he said, although Darcy doubted someone would not have returned the child if they had foundher wandering the streets alone.
She started away but paused. “If you discover her, William, she will likely refuse to come to you on her own.”
Even though the world was crashing in around him, he could not resist offering her a small smile. “Why is that, love?”
“I taught our daughter never to go any place with a stranger unless he knew our ‘secret’ words.”
“Would you care to share the words with me?” He looked upon her lovingly. If it were not for the dire circumstances in which they found themselves, this would be a wonderful memory to cherish. “I would despise frightening my own child.”
She half-smiled also. “Originally I thought to use the word ‘Pemberley,’ but I feared it might draw unwanted attention to how much our daughter resembles the Master of Pemberley.”
“Also, a difficult word to pronounce for such a small child,” he conceded. “What did you choose in its place?”
Theirs was an intimate conversation held upon a busy street. “Do you recall what you told Miss Bingley that you found pleasurable about my appearance when we were all together at Lucas Lodge?”
“It was the night I realized my complete obsession with you,” he confessed.
“Those two words are the ‘secret’ words to your daughter’s compliance. Elizabeth Anne liked the tale of how her papa defended her mama from the ‘wicked witch’ known as Caroline,” she said with a pert lift of her chin, before walking away with Jasper at her side.
Chapter Eight
Frustrated, Darcy returned tothe bookstore. He did not expect to find Townsend enjoying a drink atThe Dingy Rose, but he had hoped someone would know more of the man than they did.
“Did you learn anything?” Elizabeth asked when she opened the door to him.
He shook his head in the negative as he shrugged out of his coat. “People were purposely not speaking of the man, which likely means someone has paid for their silence. As many men are without work, they are willing to keep silent when the world erupts around them just for the pleasure of supporting their families.”
She said testily, “If they really wished to support their families, they would not waste their few funds on drink and on the women who frequent such places.”
Despite himself, he smiled. “Ladies are not supposed to know what men do in such places.”
“Perhaps other women prefer to bury their heads in fluffy pillows,” she replied with a snit of disapproval, “but I am not one of them. I would not tolerate a man who turned to strong drink when other solutions are required.”
Darcy did not tell her men saw things differently from women, but he refrained from remarking on her observation. “I let it be known I would pay for information on Townsend’swhereabouts or those with whom the man did business.”
Tears filled her eyes. “What must Lizzy be thinking? It is dark. She must be so frightened, William.”
He gathered her to him. “I know, love. We will find her. It is just going to take longer than either of us likes. You have my word I will bring our daughter home to you.”
She rested her head against his chest. “I cannot live without her, William. The surgeon who was brought in by the midwife said there was a strong possibility I might never have another child.” Darcy attempted not to react to her confession, fearing she would think he would reject her if she could not bear him an heir, but he knew he stiffened.
He stroked her back. “I promise I will use everything within my power to return Elizabeth Anne to her mother’s arms.”
* * *
As was typical of a man of his consequence, Fitzwilliam Darcy had taken charge of locating their daughter. In some ways, she was most appreciative of his influence; in other ways, she despised how he did it all without consulting her. Elizabeth knew it was his way of protecting her; yet, some of his exacting ways still grated against her nerves. Perhaps it was his training as the master of a large estate, or her lack, thereof, of knowing more of the world than how to run a manor house, that kept him a few steps ahead of her. Before she could think on the need for an evening meal, he had instructed Mr. Farrin to fetch meals from the nearby inn for all of them, even sending Jasper to carry one of the meals to Mrs. Harris and to assure all of the lady’s recovery. He had also contacted the local magistrate to inform the man of Lizzy’s abduction.
As the night wore on, he sent his men to an inn for rooms for the evening. Mr. Sheffield had returned below, leaving only the two of them. “I plan to remain,” he announced as he sat in one of the arm chairs across from her. His countenance held that same stubbornness she had observed when she had attempted to express her gratefulness for what he had done to save Lydia’s reputation, and, by connection, her and all her sisters.
“It is late. If I am to continue to search for Lizzy tomorrow, I should attempt to rest,” she said.
“Rest is advisable,” he said. “You have had a trying day.”
Although she knew him to be sitting across from her, her mind kept telling her none of what had occurred that day could be real. It was a nightmare she was reliving over and over again.
“Should you not join Mr. Farrin and Jasper at the inn?” she suggested. Elizabeth was not prepared to spend a night with him. Despite being grateful for his survival, she was not ready to fall into Mr. Darcy’s arms again and never come out, especially, if his presence in her life had placed Lizzy in danger.
