Page 23 of Lord Lonbourn's Daughter
“You are in your night-shirt and robe,” the lady reminded her father.
“I am a man, Lizzy!”
Darcy agreed there was definitely a difference. Not once had his eyes wandered in the direction of his lordship’s feet… Had he not been so exhausted, he would have laughed aloud at that thought. Lady Elizabeth’s reply sobered his mirth like a bucket of icy water had been poured over his head.
“I am the dowdy one, remember.”
The lady’s musical laugh did not appease him this time.
“So, I doubt my reputation is in any danger. If Mr Darcy disclosed my poor manners, he would have to marry me. I am convinced my appalling attire will never be mentioned outside this room.”
She put a plate of victuals in front of him. Her braid grazed his shoulder, and had not the circumstances been so dire he might have disgraced himself. As it was, his good regulation was hanging by a thread until he noticed her trembling hands. She gave no other outward appearance of distress but for her lips being somewhat taut and her eyes suspiciously misty.
Lady Elizabeth continued by performing the same service for her father, gasping as she lay her eyes on the note before him. She snatched it up before the earl had the wherewithal to conceal it.
“Merciful heaven! Can anything be done? Are they lost forever?” she whispered while her chin trembled and tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Now, now, Lizzy. Allow me to take that note before you destroy the evidence.”
Lord Longbourn took the piece of paper that was being crumpled in his daughter’s fist.
“Our situation is not hopeless. We must simply wait for instructions. I surmise we shall have to pay a substantial sum of money, and the girls will not be worth much if they have been harmed. Their abductors know that. They will not squander their assets by injuring the girls in any way. Do you understand what I am trying to tell you, Lizzy?”
“I think so…” Lady Elizabeth reluctantly allowed herself to be placated.
“The abductors took Mrs Younge with them to chaperon the girls, which suggests that we are not dealing with ruthless criminals.”
To praise the kidnappers left a foul taste in Darcy’s mouth, but he could not bear to see Lady Elizabeth so distraught.
“That is a comfort to know. What do we do next?”
“We wait, Lizzy. I am sure some form of communication will be forwarded when rumours reach them that Mr Darcy is back in town.”
“You cannot mean to sit idle and just wait, Papa! Surely there must be something that can be done?” she implored.
“The letter clearly states that we cannot notify the runners. Please enlighten me as to what means you believe we have missed,” his lordship growled.
Darcy supposed he did not appreciate his daughter’s tone of voice nor the incredulous expression on her countenance.
“The note mentions the runners but nothing about family. My cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam shares my guardianship of Georgiana, and he has army connections all over England. I intend to implore him to begin a covert investigation. He can travel all over the country in his occupation without raising suspicion. Ramsgate is full of officers that might know something. The colonel could follow any leads he may encounter by himself or hire trustworthy soldiers if the situation demands it. I must stay and wait, but he can go wherever he likes.”
“Excellent suggestion, Mr Darcy. Behind that imposing exterior of yours is a keen mind. Do you play chess?” Lord Longbourn quipped.
“Certainly.”
“When all this is over, I would like to challenge you to a game,” Lord Longbourn suggested.
Darcy nodded his acquiescence, the lack of sleep rendering him mute.
“You should go and inform your sisters, Lizzy. I am sure you will relate the disturbing news with more delicacy than I could muster.”
“Certainly, Papa.”
Darcy was appalled that the earl could heap the responsibility that rightly should be his onto Lady Elizabeth’s delicate shoulders. He knew they were delicate because her roomy nightgown had slipped off one of them.
“Let us summon your cousin,” Lord Longbourn suggested once his daughter had left.
Darcy sighed in exhaustion before he agreed. The half-hour wait until his cousin arrived was a struggle to keep awake.
