Page 59 of Midnight at Pemberley

Georgiana thought aloud, “Was that why you begged me to believe in William’s love?”

“I suspect the power of the crucifix lies in our belief in God and in the baobhan síth legend. The power comes more from our faith in the item protecting us than the item itself.”

Stunned by his wife’s analysis, Darcy observed, “If what you say is true, then we must discover in what Wickham believes. Two hundred years ago, elementary Christian ideas readily mixed with tales of the Medieval “supernaturalis” Why did I not see that before?”

Elizabeth’s voice held her anticipation. “If we discover what protects Wickham, we can use it against him.”

“Was there anything else in the books we should note?” Darcy leaned over the desk, as caught up in the possibility as was she.

“I do not know.” Elizabeth confessed. “I sent the majority of them to Pemberley. We will have more time to study them there.”

“Fewer prying eyes.” Darcy recognized the sensibility of her action. “For now, we should spend our time making lists of what we know of the ballad—of the curse—of Wickham’s habits. Then we can compare them with the folklore. Perhaps a pattern will appear.”

“William, who was that woman today?” Although it pained her to recall her part in the woman’s demise, Elizabeth sensed that Darcy knew her.

“It was Mrs. Younge.” He glanced quickly to his sister and noticed her confusion.

“Mrs. Younge?” Georgiana was on her feet also. “Are you confident?”

“Who is Mrs.Younge?” Elizabeth demanded.

“Yes, Georgiana, I am certain the woman I fought today was Mrs. Younge.” The girl gasped in disbelief and sank into the nearest chair. To Elizabeth, he said, “Mrs. Younge was once Georgiana’s governess. I believe it was she who permitted Wickham access to Georgiana.”

Georgiana accused, “You told her?”

“Elizabeth is my wife, Georgiana.” Darcy understood his sister’s embarrassment, but he had no time for such propriety. “If she knows of Wickham, how could I keep anything from her? I trust her with my secrets and with my life.”

Elizabeth gave Georgiana’s embarrassment little credence. She treated his sister as an equal, not a child, as he sometimes did. “What do we know of Mrs.Younge since Wickham’s attack at Ramsgate?”

“She lets lodgings in a less-than-desirable area of London,” he explained. “I had her investigated after Georgiana’s attack. I thought Wickham might follow the woman to London, but he never appeared.”

“Do you know where this Mrs. Younge lived?”

“I do not recall the exact directions, but it is in the investigator’s report,” Darcy assured her. “Do you believe Wickham is there?”

“Wickham likely took shelter with Mrs. Younge after your confrontation in Hertfordshire. I suspect you injured him seriously.”

Darcy added, “I doubt he is there now. He disappeared as we ran away. He was bending over Mrs. Younge when I looked back, and then he was gone. He must know I would make the connection.” He reasoned, “It is too late to enter that section of London safely this evening. I agree, we must learn what we can of Wickham. We will pay a visit to Mrs. Younge’s address tomorrow.”

A small voice came from behind them. “William, when may we return to Pemberley?”

Darcy sought his new wife’s counsel. “When might you wish to leave London, Elizabeth?”

“We have commitments to both our families for the next few days. Moreover, if you whisk me away to the country so soon, it might appear you wish to hide me from the ton. I want no rumors to follow our union.”

“I agree. If we withdraw after two days of marriage, gossip will run unchecked.”

Elizabeth noted Georgiana’s dissatisfaction with her brother’s response. “Possibly our sister could accompany his lordship to Matlock. We could retrieve her on our way to Pemberley.”

“Could I?” Georgiana begged. “I do not wish to be in London if Wickham is about.”

“I will arrange it,” Darcy assured her. “Now, we will go down to supper, and then we will return here to finish our discussion. I will ask Mrs. Annesley to join us this evening. The two of you will stay here tonight.”

“Thank you, William.”

“In my note to Mrs. Annesley, I will ask the good lady to pack your belongings and hers. His lordship plans to depart tomorrow. You will be safe with the colonel at Matlock.”

“And you and Elizabeth will be safe together?”