Page 81 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“We are trying to unravel a mystery.” She paused to consider. “Lizzy and I are searching through her books for subjects concerning the mysterious, miraculous, magical, or mystical. When she asked if I understood our task, I asked whether it included enchantments, fairies, and any fairy tales which might apply. She was so taken with my understanding that she declared us kindred spirits.”

“Indeed? How so?”

“I offered two tales as my contribution to her search. Thomas the Rhymer and Tam Lin.”

“Thomas the Rhymer and Tam Lin? What do those tales have to do with her interest in Arbor Low?”

“Brother, I should have thought the connection obvious. Elizabeth has recorded three disappearances at the henge.”

“Ah, yes. I understand. Thomas the Rhymer is said to have disappeared at Huntly Bank, beneath the Eildon Tree.”

“Yes. He disappeared into another realm. The Queen of Elfland took him to her kingdom. And in the tale of Tam Lin, he became a prisoner of the Fairy Queen in the woodland of Carterhaugh.”

“Georgiana, does Miss Elizabeth believe Arbor Low is another such place where people disappear into Elfland?”

“Fitzwilliam, she did not say so to me. When I offered the two tales, she added them to her list. Sir Orfeo was the only other one written in her notebook.”

“Sir Orfeo?”

“Yes, do you know it, brother?”

“I do. According to the tale, Sir Orfeo was a king. His Queen falls asleep beneath a tree in an orchard and has a distressing dream. In the dream, the King of the Fairies appears to her and commands her to return to the same place the following day. He intends to take her away. The king and his guards accompany her, but she disappears beneath the very tree where she had the dream. Years later, Sir Orfeo encounters a company of fairy riders and follows them through a rocky passage into the fairy realm. He carries his harp with him and plays for the King of the Fairies, who takes such pleasure in the music that he promises Orfeo anything he wishes. Orfeo asks for his wife, and they return together from the fairy realm.”

“That is a disturbing tale, Brother.”

“Yes, I agree. I am certainly glad fairies do not exist, particularly those who carry people away.”

Georgiana said, “So, Lizzy has three accounts of people who disappeared at Arbor Low, and we have three tales of people who passed into another realm and returned.”

Darcy said, “I did not realize Miss Elizabeth could be so fanciful. I pray she does not believe these tales to be true.”

“Fitzwilliam, the works of the antiquarians occupied much of the time she and her father spent together during the months before his death. Perhaps she is not so much fanciful as sorrowful and finds comfort in continuing their studies.”

“Perhaps.”

“She has four volumes and means to study them all, but she has allowed me to help her.”

“You are helping her?”

“Yes. She says she need not read the sections I have already examined because she trusts me to record anything which meets her requirements.”

He raised a brow. “What exactly are her requirements?”

“Fitzwilliam, you are not attending. Remember, I said subjects concerning the mysterious, miraculous, magical, or mystical, including enchantments, fairies, and fairy tales.”

“Ah, yes. Of course. Georgiana, this begins to sound rather fanciful. I am not certain I ought to have allowed you to study with her. Should I fear you will soon believe in fairies and Elven folk?” He was grinning.

“Fitzwilliam, I am serious. She is searching for clues to a mystery, and I want to help her. Tonight, after dinner, will you ask if I may join her in her studies each morning?”

“I will, Sweetling, since it means so much to you. I am certain she will welcome your company, particularly since you did not hinder her work. From what I observed, you appeared every bit as engrossed in those books as she.”

“I certainly was, Brother. She has become so dear to me that helping her has become my greatest wish.”

“That reminds me. Georgie, I promised her we would ride to the gate every morning and accompany her while she takes her morning exercise.”

Georgiana regarded him askance.

“She runs each morning, for she never learned to ride. Since she should not venture out alone, I offered our services. We may enjoy our usual ride while keeping near enough to be of service to her.”