“I do not know, sir.”
Mr. Darcy ran downstairs and accosted the butler. “Barton, when was Mrs. Darcy last seen?”
“Why, when she took the carriage out this morning, sir.” Barton looked surprised at the question.
“The carriage?” Mr. Darcy repeated.
“Yes, shortly after breakfast.”
“And she has not been back?”
“No, sir; of course, I assumed you knew of her trip.”
“Trip?”
“I am uncertain of the destination, Mr. Darcy, as I was not nearby when she gave the coachman directions.”
“Had she a trunk, a valise, a satchel?” Mr. Darcy’s mind was whirling.
“A small valise, sir.”
“I must see Mrs. Reynolds. Tell her to come to me at once.”
The butler bowed and departed. Five minutes later, Mrs. Reynolds appeared; one look at her face told Mr. Darcy that the housekeeper knew a good deal about the events of the day.
“She ordered me, sir, I had no choice.” Mrs. Reynolds burst into tears.
Mr. Darcy was more worried than ever; he had not seen the housekeeper weep since the death of his father.
“Who ordered you?”
The woman could not speak; she could only shake her head and cry.
Mr. Darcy’s fear was mounting by the minute, but he knew he had to contain himself if he were to learn what had happened to his wife. “Come into the drawing room, Mrs. Reynolds,” he said, managing to keep his voice calm.
She obeyed, and suffered herself to be seated on a small chair.
Georgiana said, “Brother, what –“
“Not just now, Georgiana. Mrs. Reynolds, please tell me what happened.”
Bit by bit, the story unfolded. Mr. Darcy learnt, to his great astonishment, that his mother was paying the servants to rebel against Mrs. Darcy, and that something – as yet unknown – had happened with regard to Elizabeth’s maid.
Georgiana’s gasps of fear and dismay culminated in her tears, but Mr. Darcy could not spare his sister any attention just now.
“And so she ordered the carriage and departed, is that right?”
“Yes, sir,” Mrs. Reynolds managed.
“When did this occur?”
“About ten in the morning, sir.”
“Do you know where she went?”
“No.”
“And you did not think to tell me?” Mr. Darcy heard his voice rising.
