Page 35

No! She did not dress the part, and she had a chaperone. Besides, Darcy would never be seen in public with such a woman. Hell, he is hardly seen in company with any woman. Perhaps he likes men!

Chuckling to himself, Wickham knew that it was not true, but enjoyed the thought just the same. His reflections were interrupted by the sight of Gertrude leading Darcy’s party up the stairs. A wide smile creased his face. He had ingratiated himself to the unattractive redhead during the last year, paying her compliments and bringing her paste jewellery, and now she was primed to do his bidding. On his last stay, she had agreed to obtain keys for him to the rooms occupied by the rich and to alert him when a woman was staying alone.

He intended to wait until the early morning hours, slip in and relieve them of their best jewels, leaving the cheaper items. He hoped that by leaving some baubles, the thefts would not be discovered until much later. In any event, he already would have vanished by daylight, leaving Gertrude a few pounds richer and himself considerably more so.

Rising to go to their usual meeting place behind the inn, Wickham could not remove the smirk from his face. He wondered if the beautiful woman with Darcy would be alone tonight. Perhaps he would take more from her than just her jewels!

Later that night

The room was ablaze, and smoke was filling her lungs. There was a blinding pain in her head, and her ears seemed to ring from the loud blast as Elizabeth tried to sit up. From the corner of her eye, she could see the child lying on the floor next to her mother, both with red stains spreading across their muslin gowns. Elizabeth tried again to move, but could not, so she began to scream for someone—anyone. Suddenly, she realised that she could not hear anything—not the sounds of the fire or even her own cries.

Sweating profusely, Elizabeth bolted upright in the bed, reaching for her baby, but it was not beside her. She felt around for it frantically, but as her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she realised that she did not recognise the room either. Beginning to panic, she slid from the bed and ran to the door. Trying the knob, she found it locked and turned to run through the open door into the sitting room. Just at that moment, that door opened and a tall, dark-haired man stood outlined in the doorway, holding a small candle. She stopped and stood deathly still, wondering if it was he—the only one whose face she remembered, the one who was so kind to her.

George Wickham had already relieved an older female guest across the hall of her jewels and had just slipped open the door to the sitting room, when he was confronted by the sight of Elizabeth, standing still and quietly watching him. The flickering light of his candle revealed that she wore nothing but a nightgown. Wickham stood perfectly still, anticipating her scream, but he began to relax when she did not cry out or try to run. He thought it odd that she did not attempt to cover herself, though clad only in thin cotton. Holding the small candle higher to see more clearly, George was more surprised by the strange look in her eye.

Does she think I am Darcy? I suppose in the darkness, we look somewhat similar.

Quickly, he blew out the candle and walked towards her. He was mesmerized by her lack of fear. She did not react as a normal lady would have; in fact, she seemed confused or perhaps not in her right mind.

He smiled. Perhaps taking advantage of her would be easier than he had thought. Slowly, he reached out to take her hand and began to lead her from the room. He was surprised when she followed without protest. Once out of the room, he caught sight of a door at the end of the hallway and led her in that direction. He was delighted to find it opened onto a small porch.

~~~*~~~

Tossing and turning, William had not been able to sleep. Yet again, he turned and closed his eyes tightly, knowing that he would likely fall asleep in the carriage tomorrow if he did not sleep at least a few hours tonight. Just as he was drifting off, he heard a whisper in his ear. Something is wrong!

“Elizabeth!”

Sitting up, he looked about the room, and realising that no one was there, wondered at the sense of foreboding that gripped his heart. He could stay in bed no longer. Grabbing his robe and sliding on his slippers, he jerked the door open. The hallway was dark and quiet. Standing perfectly still, the only sound he heard was his rapidly beating heart. He waited. After a few seconds, he began to feel foolish and stepped back, preparing to close the door. Just as he did, the voice spoke once more. See to her.

Without hesitation, he stepped across the hall and tried her door. It was locked. Looking down the hall to the sitting room door, he moved to it and was surprised when it opened easily. Panicking, he entered and crossed to her bedroom. Instantly, he knew she was gone. As if drawn by an invisible cord, he found himself back in the hallway, his gaze at once falling on the door at the end.

A muffled sound reached his ears, and he shouted, “Elizabeth!”

Reaching the door in a few long strides, he pushed it open to find a man running down the steps to the ground and Elizabeth softly crying. She was alone, her hair blowing wildly in the wind and her eyes wide in fright. Immediately he pulled her into a tight embrace, whispering words of comfort as she trembled. She melted into him, sobbing.

Shouting her name had brought everyone into the hall. Servants, guests, and Mrs. Drury all stared at the open door to the porch and the couple locked in an embrace. Oblivious to their audience, William picked Elizabeth up and carried her past them without acknowledging anyone or stopping until he had laid her down on her bed.

“Sir, is there anything I can do?” Mrs. Drury asked as she leaned over the bed from the opposite side.

“Please have someone tell Mr. Gates to meet me in the sitting room, and order some tea so that you can mix in the herbs that help her to sleep. After you return, I will leave her with you while I meet with Mr. Gates.” She quickly left to find one of the servants.

“Elizabeth?” She would not look at him, so he cupped her face until she did. He could see the tears pooled in her eyes. “Did he hurt you?”

She did not reply, only closing her eyes, but he noted that her gown was not in disarray, and there were no marks on her skin. He prayed that he had arrived in time.

“We will not leave you alone as you sleep again. I promise. Until we get you to Pemberley where you shall be safe, Mrs. Drury or I shall stay in your room every night to guard you. Would you like that?” She opened her eyes, and he felt the pressure of her hands squeezing his. He was comforted to think she answered in her own way.

He squeezed her hands in return and saw a flicker of recognition in her eyes. “Yes, you understand what I am saying, sweetheart.”

William started to stand, but Elizabeth refused to loosen her grip. He brought both her hands up to his mouth, kissing first one, then the other, just as Mrs. Drury walked back into the room.

“I shall return, Elizabeth.” He glanced to the companion. “Mrs. Drury will stay with you until then.”

Mrs. Drury moved to take his place on the edge of the bed, carefully pushing Elizabeth’s hair from her eyes. Finding the doll on the floor, she placed it next to her. She soothed Elizabeth as if she were a child. William walked to the sitting room, stopping in the doorway for one last look at his beloved before he stepped inside to confront Mr. Gates.

It was nearly a half-hour before William returned to find Elizabeth’s eyes closed. Mrs. Drury promptly stood.

“Shhh,” he said, lifting a finger to his lips. He motioned for her to follow him to the sitting room. He stood in the doorway, one eye on Elizabeth as he spoke quietly. “I do not want her to hear.”