Elizabeth stared at him before lowering her gaze. “There is nothing for me to forgive. I did not expect you to be constantly by my side, Fitzwilliam. You are here to search for my sister. Of course her untenable situation must have first claim on you. I would not have it any other way.”
“But I would,” he said. “It should not be so. You should not have been left to your own devices at such a time as this. You have endured more in the last few weeks than should be expected of a gently bred woman, and I feel as though I have abandoned you in favor of one whom I can hardly esteem. I am sorry, Elizabeth. I do not mean to pain you further, but neither can I lie to you.”
Elizabeth shook her head and took several steps from him, pressing her fingers to her eyes. “No. If only Lydia had not run away from home. If only my mother had not been so indulgent. If only my father would have taken the trouble to check her wild behavior, rather than contenting himself to simply laugh at it, then, perhaps we would have been spared such worry and humiliation, but it was not to be.”
Darcy extended his hand to her and pulled her close. “If you wish, I will send word to my aunt that we are unable to attend her dinner. I understand that her dear friends, Lady Malcolm and Lady Sowersby, are to be present, as well. They are both very kind, but I can understand if you do not wish to go through such an ordeal at present.”
“No, Fitzwilliam. You are correct in thinking some familial society will do us both good. Are my father and the Gardiners invited, as well?”
“Yes, though your father has declined. I believe he will remove to Gracechurch Street for the evening. I am not yet certain whether the Gardiners will attend, but I can only assume that, under the circumstances, they may decline, as well. Richard and my other cousins will, of course, be in attendance, as will Georgiana. My uncle has informed me that Lady Catherine and my cousin Anne have since returned to Rosings and do not plan to return to Town for some time.”
She nodded. At least I will not have to bear that woman’s scorn and disapprobation, she thought with some relief.
Darcy guided her to the house, and they retired to the privacy of their apartment. He rested with his wife, stroking her back until he was certain she had finally fallen asleep; then he rose and returned to his study, where he found Colonel Fitzwilliam frowning over a note that had only recently arrived from one of his men. Darcy looked at him with anticipation, but Richard only shook his head. “There is no news. I have only been informed that Mrs. Younge has been out now for several hours. Three of my men are following her at a discreet distance. She appears to be making calls. They will send word if they discover anything.”
Darcy cursed under his breath. “We must find them. I can no longer countenance seeing Elizabeth in such low spirits. This is supposed to be a happy time for her; she should be enjoying her new position as my wife and the prospect of motherhood, yet she is close to tears each hour of the day and separated from me because of this business with her sister. I will not have it. Discover them. Do whatever you must, promise whatever you must; I will pay for it, but Lydia must be found. Elizabeth and I cannot live as we wish until she is recovered. After that, I shall remove both Elizabeth and Georgiana to Pemberley, the Season be hanged. I can no longer abide this insufferable situation.”
The Darcys dined at Berkeley Square the following evening. Elizabeth had somehow managed to rally her spirits, if for no reason other than to conceal her family’s unhappy situation. Though Lady Matlock may have discerned something in her manner that gave her a cause for concern, both Lady Malcolm and Lady Sowersby were unaware of it. They found themselves immediately taken with the new Mrs. Darcy. Elizabeth was, to them, all that was charming and lovely. Darcy was as enchanted and attentive as ever, if somewhat concerned for her state of mind, and while Lady Malcolm and his nearest relations could easily tease him for it, Lady Sowersby, who had never married and who was ever the romantic, could find nothing but pleasure in his solicitous and tender attentions to his beautiful new bride.
Halfway through the meal, a message arrived for Colonel Fitzwilliam, who quickly excused himself from the table. Many minutes passed, and he failed to return, leaving at least two persons in the party anxious over his lengthy absence. After receiving numerous glances from Elizabeth, Darcy also excused himself. He eventually located his cousin in his uncle’s study. “What news, Fitzwilliam?” he asked without ceremony, shutting the door behind him.
The colonel’s countenance was grave. “My men have located a young woman whom they believe may be Miss Lydia. It is not promising. She is currently residing in Madame Tremont’s house. Do you know of it?”
Darcy’s eyes grew wide. “In a brothel? I cannot believe this,” he gasped, shaking his head. “Is it known whether or not she came to be there willingly?”
Fitzwilliam exhaled loudly. “I believe it unlikely Miss Lydia would have agreed to enter such an establishment of her own volition. It is my guess that Wickham probably sold her into servitude. He is no doubt low on funds and most likely growing desperate.”
Darcy ran his hands over his eyes. “Good God. This will kill Elizabeth. I cannot have her learn of this. We must leave at once and recover Lydia. God only knows what may befall her in such an establishment. We have not a moment to lose.”
“I agree, Darcy. I have dispatched my orders to my men. We will be moving within the hour, but you must know you cannot possibly accompany us.”
“Why ever not? She is my sister-in-law. She is my responsibility. Wickham is my responsibility. Surely, I must be the one to go.”
Fitzwilliam gaped at him. “You cannot be serious! Do you have any idea what it will look like if you were to go? To a brothel? You, who have only just exchanged your sacred vows before God—and with a woman whom Lady Catherine would happily tout in public as your mistress if given leave to do so? Can you not imagine the talk such an action will inspire amongst the ton? The repercussions to Elizabeth’s reception in society alone would be devastating, to say nothing of your gaining a reputation as a philanderer.”
Darcy, who had been pacing, threw himself into the nearest chair and growled in frustration. “What the bloody hell am I supposed to do, then? Elizabeth will want me to retrieve her sister, as well I should!”
“But not at this cost, Darcy! There will be enough talk already. You will do well to leave this to me. Miss Lydia knows me—well enough to understand I would not harm her in any way. I am confident she will feel safe enough to leave with me. In fact”—he smiled grimly—“I would wager a great deal that she will jump at the chance—especially if I am wearing my red coat.”
Darcy looked at him sharply, and Colonel Fitzwilliam moved to lay a hand upon his cousin’s tense shoulder. “Forgive me. That was poorly done. If it is, indeed, Miss Lydia, Darcy, I shall return her to her family tonight. Shall I bring her to Darcy House, or would you rather I deliver her to the Gardiners?”
Darcy ran the back of his hand over his lips. “No, bring her to Grosvenor Square. The Gardiners have young children. They should not be subjected to such scandal.”