Page 35 of Midnight at Pemberley

“Did you …?”

“I have seen to what was necessary. She will be Emily King for eternity.” Darcy took her hand and led Elizabeth to the door. “You and I cannot be a part of finding Miss King’s body. It will throw suspicion on us, which is what Wickham wishes.” He took her in his arms. “I despise how our memory together now knows ruin.”

“I will remember the kiss always.” She lifted her chin in anticipation.

Darcy kissed her tenderly, as if she were the most fragile thing he owned. “Anytime you require me, send word, and I will be with you.” Then, he pulled open the door. “Go straight to the retiring room. Be assured someone sees you going in or out. I will wait one minute and release the spell.” He stepped back and spread his arms to withdraw the energy.

She slipped through the portal he had created. As instructed, Elizabeth wove her way through the crowd, each person repeating the moment in which he had placed them. It would have been comical under different circumstances, but not tonight. She ran up the stairs, past the room in which she kissed Darcy earlier. She reached the doorway just as the light receded, returning to the man standing on the balcony, the man who held her heart.

The strains of music and the roar of voices continued. Elizabeth entered the retiring room and freshened her hands and face, making a point of speaking to one of Charlotte’s younger sisters while she was there before returning to the ballroom. Darcy was talking to Bingley and Colonel Forster when the footman rushed forward to whisper in Bingley’s ear. Elizabeth knew the content of the message.

She watched as Mr. Bingley and the colonel followed the footman out. Darcy remained behind to see to the guests and the party. Elizabeth attempted to remain calm, but she found herself gasping for air. Darcy appeared before her, a glass of champagne in his hand. “Sip this,” he whispered as he handed it to her. “I am here, Elizabeth. We will find a means to end this madness.”

She sipped the restorative liquid. “I pray it is so.”

With a nod of agreement, he left her to speak to other guests, but it was comforting to know he watched over her.

A half hour later, Bingley and the colonel returned. Reluctantly, Bingley made his way to the raised dais. He motioned for the music to stop, and after clearing his throat twice, he spoke to the crowd. “My friends and neighbors, I hold grievous news.” A rippling hush ran through the room as all eyes fell on Bingley. “The colonel and I discovered the body of a second woman. It was deposited on the back steps of Netherfield.” A collective gasp filled the air. “The woman is Miss King. We located her relatives and have escorted them to privacy so they might begin to grieve. The colonel sent one of his men to fetch the authorities. It is our belief the lady was killed elsewhere and then left here for some twisted reason.” Elizabeth saw Darcy edge towards her. “However, we are hoping some of you noticed something peculiar, as insignificant as it might seem. The colonel has requested that everyone stay until he speaks to each person in attendance. Then you may claim your carriages. Food and drink will continue to be available to everyone until this is resolved. The colonel will see each individual in my study.”

Elizabeth glanced quickly at Darcy, and he moved closer to her. He motioned to her as to what was necessary. As others whispered their concerns, Elizabeth swooned and collapsed onto the floor. Darcy was by her side instantly. “Miss Elizabeth,” he said as he patted her hand, and her eyes fluttered open and closed. “Miss Elizabeth!” he demanded with a bit more force.

Mrs. Bennet knelt by her daughter. “Oh, my dear girl!”

“Permit me to carry her to Mr. Bingley’s library.” Darcy scooped Elizabeth into his arms and pulled her close to him. She rested against his chest as he carried her away from the crowd. Her mother followed close on his heels. Impatiently, he spun around to face the woman. “Mrs. Bennet, perhaps you might retrieve something to drink for your daughter and have your husband join us. I am confident Miss Elizabeth would feel safer with her father in the room, and I must assist Mr. Bingley.”

“Assuredly, Mr. Darcy.” She hurried away to do his bidding.

Darcy pushed the door of the library open and placed Elizabeth on the nearest settee. He knelt beside her. “Elizabeth, listen to me. We have only a moment before your family arrives. After we danced, you went to the retiring room and then returned to the ballroom while I spoke to Bingley and the colonel. We must repeat the same story. The others were under the spell. No one saw you enter the house. Do you trust me, Elizabeth?”

“With my life.”

“Then do as I ask. It is the only means.”

“Yes, William.” Even so, her uncertain tone spoke doom.

Chapter Nine

ELIZABETH DID NOT SPEAK TO DARCY AGAIN THAT EVENING. SHE SPENT time with the Lucases and her family, holed up in Mr. Bingley’s library, where Darcy left her. Darcy and Bingley assisted the colonel in organizing the party-goers for questioning. She heard his voice in the hallway twice, but she could think of no excuse to go to him. So, she remained with her family in whispered conversations.

“Who do you suppose is next?” A pale Maria Lucas joined Elizabeth on a settee.

“These acts are based on opportunity. We must not permit the attacker the opening to commit a crime.”

“I know you are correct, but it frightens me, Lizzy.”

“It should,” Elizabeth took the girl’s hand, “but it cannot control your life. Colonel Forster and the sheriff will learn the truth soon.” Actually, Elizabeth hoped neither man succeeded in discovering the truth.

After she and her family told their versions of where they were during the ball to the colonel, the Bennets departed Netherfield. Everyone believed Elizabeth fainted due to the stress of the discovery of another body. Dawn broke the horizon. Darcy and Bingley saw them off, and Elizabeth seized the opening. “This is farewell forever, Mr. Darcy?”

He looked upon her with what appeared to be regret. “It is, Miss Elizabeth.” The thoughts of losing him had plagued her for days. He offered her a formal bow. “I enjoyed our time together, Miss Elizabeth. It is rare to discover a woman who converses on a variety of topics.”

“I think you would find, Mr. Darcy, that women are capable of many things. The lack lies in men, who do not accept accomplishment in a woman,” she said waspishly.

Darcy smiled as if he knew the source of her displeasure, a fact that irritated Elizabeth further. “I know barely a half dozen accomplished women, Miss Elizabeth, because I believe a truly accomplished woman needs to add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.”

Elizabeth fought the tears rushing to her eyes. “I wish you a safe journey, Mr. Darcy.” There was little else to say.

He brought the back of her hand to his lips before handing her into the carriage. “Au revoir, Miss Elizabeth.”