Page 86 of Near Pemberley

Without waiting for further discussion, he crossed to the bell-pull and rang.

Several minutes later Mrs. Gardiner entered the room. She looked from her husband to Darcy with immediate concern.

“Edward? Mr. Darcy!”

Gardiner moved towards her at once. “My dear, sit down.”

“I don’t understand…”

Her husband took her hand.

“Lydia has been found.”

For a moment, she stared at him. Then the colour drained from her face. “Found?” She glanced at Darcy worriedly.

“She is safe.”

She looked back at her husband and seemed to have difficulty understanding what he was saying. Mrs. Gardiner closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, they were bright with tears. “Safe?”

“Yes.”

A hand rose instinctively to her mouth. “Oh, thank Heaven. Where is she?”

Gardiner gently guided her to a chair before calmly recounting the essentials. More than once, she looked towards Darcy, as though scarcely able to reconcile what she heard with the gentleman seated quietly across from them.

When her husband finished, she turned to Darcy at once. “Mr. Darcy, I do not know how we can ever thank you.”

“There is no need.”

“There is every need.” Her voice trembled despite her efforts. “You have saved that poor child.”

Darcy looked uncomfortable. “I have done only what circumstances required.”

Mrs. Gardiner appeared unconvinced. After a brief silence, she asked quietly, “Where did you find her?”

Darcy’s expression altered almost imperceptibly. “I hope you will forgive me, Mrs. Gardiner, but I do not think Miss Lydia would thank me for answering that question.”

Mrs. Gardiner hesitated.

“The circumstances were very bad?”

“Yes.”

Nothing more.

She studied him for a moment.

Then she nodded. “I understand.” And she did. Not entirely perhaps, but enough. Whatever had occurred, he was protecting Lydia’s dignity.

The silence lasted only a few moments before Gardiner spoke again. “We should bring her here immediately.”

Mrs. Gardiner turned towards him. “Yes. At once.”

Darcy remained quiet for a moment before answering.

“May I speak candidly?”

“Certainly.”