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“Ana, send a special messenger to Darcy in London. Tell him I am making preparations to go after my sister and recover Miss Elizabeth.”

Georgiana managed to speak even as she wept. “But ... but how shall we learn in which direction she was taken?”

Evan stilled for a moment. His voice as firm as his reply. “Money loosens tongues. I shall send men along all the main roads out of Derbyshire and have them question the people along the way. Someone observed a large coach leaving Lambton this morning. I pray that there was only one or, if more than one, that I follow the right coach.”

Georgiana leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. “I want you to find them, but you must promise to take an adequate number of men with you. I fear Cecile is not acting alone. Something tells me that Elizabeth’s husband,” she swallowed hard, trying not to cry. “I meant to say the count, is involved. And he would not hesitate to harm you.”

“I believe your assumptions are correct, my love. I will take men from Pemberley as well as my own, so do not be anxious.” With a quick kiss on her nose, he began to pull her towards the door. “Come, sweetheart. We must collect Millie and return home. I have much to do and a short time to accomplish it.”

He called to Mrs. Reynolds as he went out the door. “Keep Darcy informed and pray that I find Elizabeth before something dreadful happens.”

They were out the door before Mrs. Reynolds could reply, so she moved to the doorway to watch husband and wife walk swiftly down the hall and begin the stairs to the foyer. Her heart aching with grief and worry, she turned her eyes toward heaven.

Lord, please help Mr. Ingram find her, and keep him and Miss Elizabeth safe. Bring them home to us soon. Please!

On the road to Liverpool

Richard and Mr. Williamson exchanged worried glances as they listened to William’s slight snore. Both men were well aware that the young man on the other side of the carriage had a tenuous hold on his emotions, and the longer they had travelled, the worse the situation had become.

He had been the picture of control when they had left London the day before, however, today his companions noted that his voice would oftentimes break when he spoke of Elizabeth and, before he finally succumbed to sleep, he had fiddled endlessly with his gloves and his cravat. Apparently mortified that he could not regulate his feelings, William had chosen to say nothing for the last few miles, except to answer questions directed at him very briefly. His lack of conversation had led to his current state of slumber, for which they were most grateful. At least when he slept, he was not quarrelling over the slow pace of the journey or the quality of the horses.

As he watched his sleeping cousin, Richard reflected on what had transpired on the first leg of their journey yesterday evening.

Before travelling many miles, the sky had begun to turn grey as daylight faded, which was to be expected by starting out so late in the day. Up ahead, the first inn Richard had planned to utilise appeared in view.

“Ah, our accommodations for the night! Not perfect but better than most.”

As they attained the inn and climbed out of the coach to stretch, William began to grumble. “Must we stop so soon? Surely we can travel a greater distance than this before the horses are too tired to go on.”

Richard sighed. “Yes, we might, but it would be dangerous in the dark. Do you want to risk one of the horses suffering a broken leg, perhaps stranding us along the road? Besides, I am tired, and I am sure you are, too. We shall rest here and get a very early start. Tomorrow I mean to make excellent time.”

Noting the take-charge look in Richard’s eyes, William acquiesced. There was no use in arguing with him when he assumed his colonel persona, nevertheless, he seized the opportunity to assert his control over the next day.

“I expect to be on the road by the time dawn breaks,” he stated flatly, brooking no opposition.

“Count on it, Cousin!” Richard laughed, turning to Mr. Williamson. “Vicar, what say you and I get some rest? I think our dear companion will probably sit up all night so as not to miss the rooster’s crow, and it shall take both of us to carry him to the coach tomorrow.”

William was not amused as he stood watching the other two enter the inn. Nonetheless, he followed soon after, determined to make sure they were back on the road as early as he intended.

~~~*~~~

William awoke with a start, looking somewhat disoriented until he laid eyes on the ones sitting across from him. He stiffened under their watch and sat up straighter, directing his gaze out the window.

“How long was I asleep? Where are we now?”

“Not nearly long enough and near Wilton, I would guess,” Richard replied light-heartedly.

“How much longer until we make Liverpool?”

“I would estimate two more days after today.”

“Blast! Cannot these horses make better time? When we get to the next inn, I expect to find much better animals awaiting us.” He slapped his gloves against the window and then accosted Richard. “You did send a man ahead to arrange for fresh horses?”

Richard reminded himself to be patient, knowing his cousin’s anger was not about him but about his worry over Elizabeth. “They are your horses, Darce. I do not think we shall find their equal in all of England. These animals were rested enough overnight to take us to the next post stop, and it is there we will change steeds.”

“I could walk faster than this carriage is moving at present!”

Richard and Mr. Williamson both tried hard to abstain, but ended up chuckling. This caused William to flush with ire, which turned into embarrassment. Richard ventured serenely, “Calm yourself, Darce. You will be of no use to Miss Elizabeth in your present state. And should you have occasion to call out Count Stefano, you realize that you would have to be in a better frame of mind.”