Around the corner from a hidden stair, you will find a place for your key there.
Slip it in and then you will know, that which can make a family grow.
“A hidden stair?” Elizabeth awed, she and Mary rereading the message over and over. “It is doubtful any of the other guests have found this passageway… if this is indeed the one described. Either way, I doubt the others have this same clue, or a key for that matter.”
“Well, I suppose we did not need to take so much care in evading Mr. Thomson–save for his being Mr. Thomson,” Mary smirked. “Still, it is odd that she would be sending us off on a quest of our own; unless this is some practical joke. A lark because we have found her hidden passageway and sought to corner her time and time again?”
Shaking her head, Elizabeth’s mind whirled. “I doubt it, or rather, I hope not. It mentions family at the end, and we did find that family crest earlier. What was the motto,the action proves the end, or some such? Mother wanted us to meet Lady Charmane, Aunt said so. Perhaps this has to do with that?”
“Well,” Mary said as she held the candle higher, “we are not going to find the answers standing here. Hopefully you are right; I for one am ready to see our host’s game to its end.”
Studying the walls of the passage, the pair examined the right wall first, from floor to as high as they might; cobwebs, dust, and splinters all they found.
A soft sneeze from Mary. A quiet cough from Elizabeth. They worked their way down the passage. Turning to the other wall, they began their search again, the thick dust continuing to irritate as their hands caused clouds of it to billow.
“There,” Mary whispered as she pointed at the wall. “Is that it?”
Leaning in as her sister held the candle closer, Elizabeth viewed Mary with a smile as the flame flickered.
Key in hand, Elizabeth slotted it into the nearly invisible keyhole and turned it. A loud click, and the wall opened up, the space beyond a step up from where they stood.
Soon they would have their answers.
Chapter 27
Wrotham Park in Staffordshire, England – 1812 – Day 13
Hours of helping Bingley plan his crops at last at an end, and Darcy trudged wearily to his room.
Fifteen tenant farms. Several woods. Far too many of fields. And a pond and stream. All of these and likely more had been viewed by them before returning to plan Bingley’s crops.
It could have waited. They could have spent another day at Wrotham Park, but not even Bingley desired to do so. Not when he knew he had an estate which might survive without him for a few days, and a certain Bennet sister he wished to propose to.
So far, only Fitz did not speak of marriage; though he wanted to, that much was plain to see.
If only he might have an estate of his own. Were he to inherit such a place tonight, the man would likely make the trek to Miss Mary’s side, on foot if need be–night and snow be hanged.
Entering his room, Darcy plopped himself down on his bed, boots and all, his very bones wearied.
There had to be some solution to his cousin’s problem? Either way, given the interest Lord Ramsgate showed, Fitz had better not delay too long; a bit of protection from that pompous baron would be welcomed all around.
Closing his eyes, Darcy considered the ways in which he might help his cousin, the answers swirling about as if shrouded in a great mist, until at last his weariness overtook and dreams of Elizabeth filled his mind.
Chapter 28
Staffordshire, England – 1812 – Day 13
Accepting the chamberstick from Mary, Elizabeth made her way into the secret room, her sister close behind. One step. Two. Then another. To the left of them on the far wall, faint beams of light passed through the cracks of a thick, dark curtain, while before them stood a sizable desk, the low light showing little more than faint outlines of the room beyond.
Stepping over to the curtains, Elizabeth pulled them back, blinking as light filled the space.
Several seconds passing until she could once more view the room without discomfort, she at last gave the room her full attention.
“Clean,”Elizabeth noted with surprise as she strode around the room. “Some dust on the books, but someone must come in here… and more often than that passageway.”
“Perhaps there is another way in?” Mary said as she moved behind the desk. “At the moment though, I am more curious about the last line of the clue.'Slip it in and then you will know, that which can make a family grow.'Lady Charmane led us here for a purpose, and I would very much like to know it.”
“Agreed,” Elizabeth answered as she set the chamberstick on the desk. “Shall we begin here?”
