His sister regarded him with concern.
“What is it, brother?”
“Kendall has informed me George Wickham has escaped from prison, and his whereabouts are unknown.”
Georgiana sank into a chair. “I cannot believe it. Does he know where we reside?”
“He does. He was long received as one of the family and spent much time at Darcy House.”
“Brother, I wish to remove to the third floor, to a bedchamber with a concealed stair.”
“If it will ease your mind, it shall be done. Or you may occupy our mother’s rooms. There is a connecting door and a concealed stair from my chamber. Jenny may take the maid’s room adjoining.”
Georgiana considered this. “Yes. You must show me the stair, in case I should need it.”
“I shall.”
Her spirits improved. “I wish there were such a place upon the first floor as well.”
“There is, in fact. A concealed room adjoining my study, and another within the library. They are small, but I will fit them with blankets and cots myself should you have need to shelter there.”
She regarded him with bright interest. “I should like to pass the night there, brother, in case it should ever be required. If I accustom myself to it now, I may not be so fearful later.”
“Of course. If it will give you comfort, I will furnish both rooms this very day. You must not speak of these stairs nor rooms to anyone, Georgie, to preserve secrecy and your safety.”
“And Jenny?”
“There is space for two in each.”
“May we try it tonight, so I may know I have a place of refuge?”
“You may, my dear.” He cast a faintly amused look toward Jenny, who sat in a corner.
“Brother, does Mr. Wickham know of these rooms?”
“No. Only our parents were aware of them. Wickham never knew of their existence. There are locks within, and I shall provide each of you with a key, that you may feel secure.”
Georgiana rose abruptly, crossed to the window, and drew back the drape. “Fitzwilliam, this latch is not secured. Is it possible for Mr. Wickham to enter by the window?”
Darcy joined her, closed the window, and secured the latch. “Georgiana, ring the bell. I shall have the Miller brothers secure every window on both floors immediately. In the morning, Higgins shall engage a gardener to cut back the elm. It will not do for Wickham to gain entry by climbing a tree.”
“Is it possible?”
Darcy’s faint smile was little more than a turn of his lips. “He and I used to climb the elm at night when we stayed out too late.”
Georgiana’s eyes widened, astonished that her brother had ever behaved in such a manner.
“Do not be concerned, sweetling. I was very young, only nineteen, and given to such mischief. I grew more serious after our father passed.”
They spent the remainder of the evening considering how best to make Darcy House more secure.
The following day, Darcy joined Georgiana after her music master had dismissed her. He handed a long, narrow box to his sister.
“A gift? It is neither my birthday nor Christmastide.”
He only smiled.
Georgiana opened the box and drew out two elegant gold-plated hat pins. They were long, strong, and finely wrought. She held them up for him to admire.
