Hodges cleared his throat and crossed his gloved hands. “I regret, Colonel, that I must ask you to depart. Mr Darcy was quite insistent upon it.”
Richard stood mute, blinking stupidly. He glanced between Hodges and the assembled staff, all of whom looked as stunned as he. “On what grounds?” he finally demanded. “What the devil does he think, thatIam to blame for all that has happened? Where is Mrs Reynolds? I shall see this sorted out! She will bear witness, and he would trust her word.”
Hodges opened his mouth and glanced nervously toward one of the maids. “M-Mr Darcy h-has just relieved h-her of her duties, until further notice,” he nearly whispered.
“What?”
Hodges gulped and wetted his lips. “Mr Darcy sought her after he left you, sir—I do not know for what cause, other than perhaps Mr Jefferson had not yet arrived. He came to Mrs Reynolds’ room behind the kitchen, and found some letters penned by Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He thought it evidence of betrayal, and flew into a rage.” The butler glanced over his shoulder. “Sir, I fear for poor Mrs Reynolds,” he confessed openly. “She is weeping as if her heart would break!”
Richard’s face was contorted now in disbelief. Of course, he had expected Darcy to be somewhat disoriented upon his return, and certainly more vigilant than in the past, but this unreasonable paranoia seemed to border on mental instability. Why attack those who had always proved loyal?
“Sir,” the butler forced a hoarse voice, “please, sir, it would be better if you are not found here when he comes out. I am sorry, sir.”
Richard narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth. “Naturally, it is not your fault, Hodges. No, you needn’t escort me, I know where to find the door. Am I to be permitted the horse I rode here?”
Hodges could not even meet his eyes. “We shall look to your comforts as best we can, sir. I will call for an escort to see you to Lambton.”
Richard was slowly trudging toward the door, his body numb. “Miss Darcy,” he muttered. “I must speak to her before I go!”
“I am afraid that is impossible, sir. She has returned to her room.”
“One of the other ladies, then. Miss Bennet—yes, let me speak with Miss Bennet!”
“If I may, sir,” the young footman—O’Donnell, the one who had met him at his arrival—spoke up hesitantly to his superior. Richard paused, allowing Hodges to nod his permission. “Sir,” O’Donnell shifted uncomfortably, “Miss Bennet has not yet come back from her walk. She did not return with Mr Darcy as he intended, and we have not seen her at the rear entrance.”
“Not seen her—do you mean she might still be out of doors, after dark and in the rain? Good heavens, man, why has not something been done to search for her?”
“Word was given to the stables for a rider to go out, sir, but that was only a few moments ago, and when Mr Darcy heard of it, he said that she would not be coming back tonight.”
“The devil she is not! Make way, Hodges, I have heard enough of this. The man is out of his head, and that young lady’s father entrusted me with her care. Where is Darcy?”
Hodges cringed, perhaps the first time in his adult life that the stately butler had ever permitted such an expression. “Sir, you know that I cannot. It is my duty, sir….”
“Hang your duty! Out of my path at once, or I shall move you myself.” Richard pushed past the staff—none of whom moved to stop him—to try the study. He found it unlocked, with a recently kindled fire and a dark shadow brooding in the corner.
“Darcy! What in heaven’s name are you about, knocking me down and leaving Elizabeth Bennet out in the rain? And what have you done to poor Mrs Reynolds, who has been practically a mother to you?”
Darcy turned to glower at him. “Leave this house at once, Richard, or I will serve you as you have me, and without an instant’s remorse!”
“As I have served—now, look here, Darcy, have you any idea how I have employed myself of late? I should hope you are not on about that marriage announcement you saw, for it is a sheer falsehood. For heaven’s sake, I was on the Continent when it was printed! I’ve no notion how such gossip reaches the papers, but I have no intention of wedding Georgiana.”
“Or Anne, my erstwhile ‘intended,’ or Elizabeth, who followed you here from Hertfordshire? Did you even wait for me to be reported missing before you sold your commission and packed your trunks for Derbyshire?”
“Now, hold there!” Richard protested. “I have spent the past two months traipsing over Creation in search of your sorry carcass! How can you accuse me of treachery? I want none of it—not marriage, not your wealth. I am not your enemy, Darcy!”
“What business do you have with Wickham, that you would bring his wife here and permit him on the grounds?” Darcy was white to the lips now, even through the coarse beard over his jaw. His eyes were wild—an expression Richard had never seen on his dignified cousin.
“What did you offer him, Richard? And why… good Lord,why…” Darcy’s features crumpled in agony, and his tall frame bent with gasping shudders. “Whydid you have to involve Elizabeth?” he choked.
He put a fist to his mouth, and tears pooled at the corners of his eyes. “She knew—sheknewwhat he was, and still he fools her! Why…” his torso racked, “whydid you have to takeher, Richard? And lead her to Wickham, of all men!”
Richard swallowed soberly. “Wickham? How are we speaking of him? Darcy, I think there has been some misunderstanding.”
“Indeed, there has!” Darcy straightened once more, his face turning to iron. “I have placed my faith in the wrong persons all my life. No more! Leave, Richard, before I lose any sense of restraint!”
“Just one moment! Have you even spoken to your sister yet? The poor girl has been devastated without you. And what of Miss Bennet? You left her out in the night!”
“She walked there well enough. She can walk elsewhere.” Darcy turned away to lean into one of the darkened windows. “She is an excellent walker, you know,” he added coldly.
