Within minutes the head servant presented himself in the study. When he entered the room Elizabeth bade him close the door and asked him to take a seat.
“Mr Pikewell, what can you tell us about Lady Carrington’s life before she wed the then viscount?”
The butler responded with a blank look. “I am not sure there is much to say.”
“Perhaps there were rumours?” Mr Graham encouraged him, but this only made the butler uncomfortable.
“Mr Pikewell,” Mr Graham said, “any information you have will assist our investigation. The killer may be dead but the threat to the young earl has not been removed.”
With a sigh, Mr Pikewell answered, “I do not gossip about the family, you understand, but at the time everyone heard the rumours.”
“Which were?” Mr Graham prodded.
“The then Miss Marjorie Westcott did not wish to marry the viscount. She was in love with another. Her father forced the union on her.”
“Oh,” the small sound came from Elizabeth, “the poor woman.”
Facing the butler in as imposing a manner as he could, Mr Graham ordered, “I want every bit of gossip you can recall. And thename of any other servant who was also working here during that time. Do you happen to recall the name of Lady Carrington’s lady’s maid?”
The butler did not but suggested they look in old household accounts.
Darcy had been watching Elizabeth and noticed when she began to droop. He approached her and crouched low to speak in her ear, “Elizabeth, we should begin to prepare a return to Matlock House. It has been a long day.”
A lethargy was swiftly taking over her, causing a tremble in her muscles. “Yes, indeed. Thank you, Mr Darcy. I believe I am ready to depart. If we are no longer needed here?”
Her question was for Mr Graham, and he promptly replied, “Forgive me for keeping you, madam. With your permission I shall stay and interview the other servants. I shall send for Mr Seymour to assist me in this matter. Mayhap we will have answers and a resolution to this whole situation soon. Provided, this is indeed the pertinent piece of information we were missing.”
“And you will send me word to Matlock House if you learn anything?” He nodded in affirmative, and she thanked him before walking out of the room escorted by Darcy.
~ / ~
A frantic Jane met Elizabeth when she and Darcy entered the parlour at Matlock House. Dorothy had taken Alex directly up to his room.
“Lizzy. Oh, Lizzy, you are safe.” Jane threw her arms around her sister.
“I am well, Jane. Hush now, we are all of us well.” She hugged her sister, gently rubbing her back to soothe her until the tears stopped. Much like she had for Alex earlier that day.
Blinking away her own tears, she pushed Jane’s hair away from her wet cheeks. “You poor thing. I am sorry you were so frightened. But all is well now. Come, I wish to make sure Alex and Dorothy are settled and then we shall see to getting cool cloths for your eyes.”
Elizabeth spoke to Lady Matlock, “Please forgive us if we retire now. It has been an emotional and trying day. Mr Darcy can explain everything to you.” Her gaze rested on Darcy and their eyes met. Neither knew it, but their expressions reflected their new understanding to anyone who cared to see. Lady Matlock was one such, though she held her peace for the time being, merely wishing both women a restful evening.
“Well, Darcy,” she said, once the women had gone. “We have not heard many details, but the name Wickham has been on everyone’s tongue.”
“If he was not already dead, I could have strangled the life out of him.” The control he had kept under good regulation for Elizabeth was floundering and he paced, smacking one fist into his other hand.
Lady Matlock summoned a footman to bring brandy for her nephew. “Sit down before you break something,” she ordered him.
Darcy sat but remained agitated rubbing his palms on his thighs. Only once he had swallowed a large amount of his drink could he begin to settle.
“Now, Nephew. Tell me everything…”
~ / ~
The sisters sent their regrets to Lady Matlock and requested trays for dinner. Darcy asked for and received permission to remain the night. He was concerned for Elizabeth’s state of mind and needed to be near her. He sent a note to Darcy House assuring Georgiana everyone was well, and he would see her tomorrow.
Taking a guest room across the hall from Elizabeth, he lay down in the bed with the door open. He had removed his boots and tailored coat, leaving him in his unbuttoned waistcoat and stockinged feet. In the darkest hour of the night Darcy was woken from a light doze by piercing screams.
He rushed into Elizabeth’s room to find her flailing her arms, screaming “No, no, Aleeeeex…”
