Elizabeth sank to sit on the step. “Why would she disappear?”
Papa handed the message back to Uncle. “Evidently, she left a note begging them not to attempt to find her. Lady Helen wisely entrusted the matter to her husband’s man of business, but she feared doing anything more until Lord Matlock’s return lest Mrs. Annesley come to some harm.” He looked at Elizabeth. “Miss Darcy is greatly distressed, as you can imagine. Matlock requests that you call on the morrow. He prays they shall have some news to impart by then.”
“Of course, I shall go to her.” The poor dear! First her brothers, and now her trusted companion.
Papa crossed the room, stopping short in front of Alexandra. “I cannot delay my return to Longbourn any longer than I already have, especially when my presence is not necessary in this matter. However, I shall secure your promise that you will not endanger my daughter or allow Elizabeth to put herself in the way of further peril.”
Alexandra puffed up to her full height, lips pinching into a thin line, but something happened at the height of her offense to calm her expression. “That’s fair enough—after all the trouble I’ve caused ye. I swear I’ll be as meek as a lamb, Mr. Bennet. I swear on the North Star.”
Papa leveled his gaze at her. “I trust you to honor your word.” Then he turned that same severe gaze at Elizabeth. “I shall also require your promise not to become involved in this business with Mrs. Finchley and Mrs. Annesley. Leave Lord Matlock, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Blackburne to handle their own affairs as efficiently and thoroughly as we know them capable of doing.”
Elizabeth could not see what she could possibly do to find Mrs. Annesley, and she had already begrudgingly accepted that she would notget to meet Mrs. Finchley. She would comfort Miss Darcy from the safety of Matlock House as best as she could and allow the gentlemen to bring Mrs. Finchley’s sins to light without her interference.
“I swear on every book in your library, I shall not interfere or knowingly put myself in any danger.” It was an easy promise to make, even easier to keep.
CHAPTER 42
Darcy woke early after a night of fitful dozing. Georgiana and Aunt Helen had searched Mrs. Annesley’s room, but there had not been much to see. She appeared to have left in haste, taking little more than a change of clothing with her.
There had been a locked box behind the gowns in her armoire. Nick wanted to open it. But even under the circumstances, it seemed wrong to open Mrs. Annesley’s personal cache. The likelihood that they would find anything inside pertaining to her disappearance seemed minimal.
And yet the slight possibility had robbed Darcy of sleep. He had dreamed of smashing the box to pieces—in one variation finding a relevant clue that solved everything from Nick’s kidnapping and Mrs. Finchley’s role to Mrs. Annesley’s location, and in the next, finding nothing at all.
Elizabeth called early with Alexandra and the Gardiners. Darcy was grateful. He did not know how to comfort Georgiana when he felt at odds and ends himself.
They all convened around the table in the morning parlor, ignoring the generously apportioned sideboard when they could take comfort in each other’s company.
Uncle took the coffee Aunt poured, explaining, “Helen sent a message the moment they discovered Mrs. Annesley’s disappearance, but we had already departed for Bath and, while I informed her in a letter of our plans, I do not recall making mention of it to the innkeeper. It must have been enough of a delay to prevent the messenger from delivering his message to us at Bath.”
Aunt added, “Georgiana and I searched Mrs. Annesley’s room and interviewed every member of the household. They offered to make inquiries amongst their friends and relatives, but so far we have learned nothing.”
Both Elizabeth and Alex leaned closer to Georgie. She had not touched her tea.
Uncle related, “Darcy hired another detective, aside from my man.” He looked intently at Georgie. “We shall find her.”
Elizabeth asked, “Should we send for Miss Rothschild?”
Richard said, “As far as we know, Mrs. Annesley’s disappearance has nothing to do with her.”
Alex contended, “Seems like she should be here. She’s clever.”
Aunt rang for paper and her writing utensils. “I shall send for Miss Rothschild at once.” Before Uncle had finished relating the rest of their efforts to find Georgie’s companion, she had sent a footman off with her note.
Next began a discussion of Mrs. Annesley herself. Did she have any family? Close friends? What about her references? How had she come to be in Darcy’s employ? What did they know of the woman?
Darcy was ashamed at how little he really knew. She had no family. Few friends. Her references had been impeccable, but when it came down to it, he had been so anxious to secure a safe companion for Georgiana after the debacle with Wickham, he could not quite recall the details of how Mrs. Annesley had come into their lives. He supposed they had been introduced by a mutual friend, and that she had been recommended by the same.
What he clearly remembered was how cautious he had been—following his mistaken judgment in Mrs. Younge, he had to have been. Then why could he not recall the particulars?
Miss Rothschild arrived at the peak of Darcy’s frustration. But it was not until Nick brought up the box in the armoire that Darcy’s guilt ceased flagellating hisconscience.
“A hidden box? Let’s see it!” Alex leapt to her feet like a pirate in possession of a treasure map.
Nick looked at him, his expression asking if Darcy had changed his mind. What was the greater wrong: searching through a lady’s personal property or failing to pursue a clue which might reveal her whereabouts? Was it even a clue? Probably not … but it might be. Darcy nodded, quick to commit to a decision that had taken him all night to ponder.
Uncle rubbed his chin. “I lost a great deal of sleep over that box last night. It seems unlikely it should help us find Mrs. Annesley when, in all likelihood, it holds the usual trinkets and trifles a lady’s memory box contains. But as long as there is a possibility—no matter how slim it might be—that it conceals a clue as to her whereabouts, I believe that for the lady’s welfare, we ought to look.” He rested his palm over his wife’s hand on top of the table. “Helen, you are abreast of recent events, and you were here when she slipped away. As the lady of the house, you can preserve a measure of Mrs. Annesley’s privacy by searching through the items in the box. I trust your discretion.”
Aunt nodded. “Very well. If I find anything pertaining to our search, then I shall share it. If there is nothing, Mrs. Annesley’s secrets are safe with me.”
