“Perhaps a drink of something to calm our nerves, Jane?”
“Tea?”
Stifling a laugh, Elizabeth turned to Jane. “Tea shall always be the British answer to frayed nerves. However, this evening I believe I shall require a dash, or dollop more likely, of brandy to soothe mine.” She blinked rapidly to disperse the collecting tears. “Oh, Jane.”
“Hush, Lizzy. Alex is well. Jax and the men did a fine job protecting him.”
Elizabeth nodded, unable to speak further.
It took some time, but medicinal tea was consumed, servants were placated, and Elizabeth and Jane’s ladies’ maids were sent off to find their own sleep.
“Lizzy, I should like to stay with you tonight.”
“I am not sure I shall sleep.”
“Nor I,” was Jane’s whisper.
The two sisters helped each other prepare for bed. A reflection of more innocent times during their youthful days at Longbourn. Those days were long gone and the anxieties gripping them now could never have been fathomed when the future seemed so full of lighthearted promise.
Not much was spoken between them that night, but many tears were shed through the few hours until daybreak.
Chapter 34
Later that morning after a mere few hours of rest, Elizabeth quietly rose from her bed. She dressed and exited her room leaving Jane to continue her hard-found sleep.
Elizabeth nodded at the man standing guard at the end of the hall and went downstairs to seek out the housekeeper.
“Mrs Fletcher, do you know where Dorothy and Alex are? They were not in the nursery.
“Dorothy has him out in the back garden, Ma’am. He was a bit restless, and she did not want his cries to wake you.”
Elizabeth nodded her thanks. “How are all the servants this morning? I trust calm has returned to the household following last night’s excitement?”
“Everyone is well, Mrs Carrington, ma’am. A bit subdued, but grateful. Shall I arrange for tea and something to eat to be brought to you?”
“Thank you. I shall be in the study. Is Jax here, or one of the other men who were present last night?”
“Sarge stayed on, ma’am. He is resting but left instructions to be awakened when you were ready to speak with him.”
“Very well. Allow us both to break our fasts before sending him in.”
Less than an hour later a knock announced Sarge’s arrival. “Mrs Carrington?”
“Thank you for staying this morning. I wish to know exactly what happened last night.” Her tone brooked no refusal.
He explained the man came out of the shadows swiftly and nearly unnoticed. “Dressed all dark like, even wore a hat pulled low, hidin’ his face. When he saw we’d be swarmin’ him, he lit up a bottle he was holdin’ fast and threw it at the nearest window.” Sarge shook his head. “If the window hadn’t broke, we’d have caught him. But the curtains took with fire, and our responsibility was to the little lord. So puttin’ it out was more important than chasin’ him once he escaped the back garden.”
Her heart was racing inside her chest and dark thoughts scurried around in her mind. “Thank you. Thank you very much for keeping him safe.” Taking in a shaky breath Elizabeth straightened her back, “I wish to see the damage.”
~ / ~
All was still aside from the soft drumming of fingers on his desk. Darcy had barely slept, and he gave up the attempt at first light. Since then, he had dressed, broken his fast, and paced the hallways willing time to go by faster. Now he sat tapping his fingers, wishing he had the privilege of calling outside polite hours.
“Brother?”
Darcy leapt to his feet, then felt like a dolt.I must calm myself before seeing Elizabeth. I shall be of no use to her behaving like an untrained pony.“Georgie. Did you sleep?”
“Not well. I am so worried about Lizzy and Alex. When may we visit?”
