An answering bolt of lightning exploded an old oak, the repercussion sending currents from the top of Darcy’s head to his toes. With the furor resounding in his head and the light temporarily blinding him, he knew his only course for survival was to find shelter.
Quickly untying the ribbon from Wickham’s buttonhole, he knotted it carefully around the post holding up the stile. Grabbing Wickham under the arms, Darcy slowly made his way to the nearest chalk cave.
CHAPTER 26
By the time Jane and Elizabeth gathered the blankets from the guest rooms, Mary, Kitty, Lydia, and their mother were tucked into their beds, fast asleep. Their father was still ensconced in his bookroom with no interest in the care of his family, though he was appreciative of the biscuits and cider.
Soon thereafter, Jane crawled into her bed. Within a breath, she, too, was sleeping. Not too many minutes later, Elizabeth heard her father’s footsteps ascend the staircase whereupon he entered his chambers and closed the door.
Where was Fitzwilliam? He promised to return after delivering Mrs. Hammond to Meryton. Had something happened? Had he found Mr. Wickham? Was he tending to his care?
She could not help but fret.
In the quiet of the night, a door slammed from somewhere below. Had Fitzwilliam returned? She hurried to the kitchen to discover their butler and housekeeper had returned from aiding their families.
Mr. Hill carried in a bucket of coal. His wife, Hill, had a full bucket of water in each hand.
“Glory be, Miss Lizzy, but this is the worst storm in my memory. When the wind slowed enough for us to be confident we could make it to our daughter’s cottage, we hurried to help her with her children. Her husband is still down with consumption. He does not look like he will make it until spring, poor dear ones.” She set the buckets on the hearth, where her husband shoved aside the small pile Jane had made. “The wind is picking up again, Miss Lizzy. We did not know if you would be here or still at Netherfield Park. In no time at all, you shall have warm water for tea and to refresh yourself. In the morning, I will tend to your sisters and mother. Unless the weather keeps her away, Cook will also be back once the day breaks and after she feeds her loved ones. I do hope you do not mind that we were not here.”
“Not at all,” she quickly reassured their long-time housekeeper. “We only returned this evening.”
“How is it at Netherfield Park?” Hill asked.
Elizabeth described the property as she saw it when she strolled the grounds with Fitzwilliam.
“Well, we are fortunate here at Longbourn as the building is brick and stone, as are the outbuildings. I suppose my next task will be starting bread enough to feed those whose properties can no longer sustain them.”
Keeping in mind her earlier intention, Elizabeth said, “I agree. With that in mind, would you mind if I watched and possibly helped? Jane and I saw the lack in our education when we had no idea what to do to start a fire and feed ourselves and others.”
Hill looked at her sharply. “While I am appreciative, Miss Lizzy, it simply is not done. A lady such as yourself has no need to soil your hands with kitchen work.”
Elizabeth stood firm. “At Netherfield Park the full burden for all those people fell on Mrs. Nicholls, your counterpart. Ifit had been Longbourn that was hard pressed, would you not appreciate a helping hand, even mine?”
“Well, I guess.”
“Hill, the world is uncertain enough that we all should have the skills to look after ourselves. I am aware that I know nothing, and with the blisters on my fingers, I cannot do much. But I would like to learn.”
“Very well. As long as you only sit and watch, then I will not complain.”
Relief at having something to do to fill the hours until morning when she would again see Fitzwilliam moved Elizabeth into action. By the time daylight began appearing over the horizon, there were a full dozen loaves of bread on the kitchen table. Although she did no physical work, she could see how her appreciation and encouragement lightened Hill’s load. Both of them were happy with what they accomplished.
Stepping outside after she refreshed herself and changed, Elizabeth was happy to see that in the early morning light there was not a gray cloud in sight. Birds, which had been noticeably absent during the storm, were again chirping in the trees or pecking for worms in the dirt. Tree branches were still, and the water was already draining from the puddles.
The storm was over, leaving everything within her eyesight windswept.
Picking up fallen fronds along the walkway, she piled them alongside the damaged boxwood shrubs, clearing the approach to Longbourn in hopes that Fitzwilliam would soon arrive. When he had not done so by the time she finished, she decided to walk to Meryton, being cautious of any obstacles in the way. As was his plan, he likely was seeing that Mrs. Hammond made it safely to her home that morning (instead of the evening prior) since the wind whipped up again while she helped Hill make bread.
Eager to see them both, she hurried toward the junction with the Meryton Road only to be almost run down by a galloping horse and rider.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Elizabeth”—Colonel Fitzwilliam pulled his mount to a stop—“Have you seen Darcy?”
Her heart pounded in her chest and worry threatened to weaken her knees. “He did not return to Netherfield?”
“He did not.”
Time stood still. Then her hands flew to her chest to make certain her heart still beatWhere was Darcy?
The colonel’s grip on his reins pulled his gloves taut. “I am to Forster’s for help. It was a fool’s mission for Darcy not to wait to find Wickham—”
