“You are a wonderful wife.”
“Then do tell me whatever is the matter?”
“I think you should sit, for my news is unpleasant and I expect it will cause you pain.”
His stubborn wife crossed her arms, pursed her lips, then said, “Just say it, love.”
Finn sighed and ran his hand through his sandy hair. If he finally said the words aloud, then they would be true. “During the battle, I lost track of Lord Darcy. I am unsure what became of him, but after all was over, we found the body of the princess's former lover, Mr. Wickham. One of the guards who was with Darcy in Meryton identified him.”
“William faced Wickham? Oh, dear. I fear Elizabeth will find this news quite upsetting.”
“It gets a bit worse, Jane. It seems Darcy has disappeared.”
“What?” Jane yelled. Her hand flew to her mouth. “What do you mean?”
“The entire brigade, including the prisoners, searched for him and uncovered nothing. I am uncertain if he is alive or dead. Wickham's sword was a bloody mess, but alas, I cannot tell if the blood was his own or Darcy's.”
“Finn, this cannot be! We must find him! Elizabeth needs him more than ever!”
“What shall we do in the meantime?”
“You must continue to search for him. Divide the troops and do whatever you need, but you must not return without news of William's fate. I cannot tell her that her husbandmightbe dead.”
“I understand completely.” Finn wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to assure her. “I would want Darcy to do the same thing for you if need be.”
She snuggled her body against him. Finn could tell she struggled with the news that her dearest friend might have died. He tugged her closer, and they stood in that pose for an extended time.
Finally, earnest and determined, Jane gazed up at Finn. “Go find him. I shall watch the princess until you return.”
* * *
Elizabeth’s stomach was tied in knots and her mouth tasted like acid. Sitting up may not have been a wise idea. Jane dozed in her chair as she had done for the last six days. Would their husbands ever return? It had been a week since the war party had left and there had been no news. Her distraction was to the point that Elizabeth was such a bundle of nerves, she could not attend the court. Henry Drake oversaw everything and came to Elizabeth for items that required royal approval.
Jane had been with Elizabeth during the first bout of morning sickness and had insisted on remaining by the expectant mother's side. The ever-faithful lady-in-waiting seemed to take her title quite literally. Elizabeth had taken note and was grateful.
“Jane,” Elizabeth whispered, hating how she sounded so desperate. “Jane, pray wake up.”
The lady snapped awake and at once began to fuss over her. She obliged by assisting Elizabeth as another wave of nausea hit her, then Jane cleaned her up.
“My lady,” Jane said in a soft voice. “We must consider ridding ourselves of the Bingleys as soon as possible—this is an urgent matter. Although Lord Bingley is honour-bound to the High Lord, I do not trust Lady Caroline should she find out your actual condition. I cannot quite name what is off about that woman, but I refuse to wait to find out what it may be.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes and shook her head. “Jane, I no longer care about either of the Bingleys. I simply want my husband.”
Jane smoothed Elizabeth's hair as she hugged her close.
“My lady, would you excuse me for a bit? I find I need to talk to one of my maids.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth replied.
After she tucked Elizabeth beneath her blankets, Jane quit the room. She was such a gift to Elizabeth. Even so, she would prefer if it was William taking care of her.
* * *
A week later
“My lady, I have a surprise for you,” Jane said to the princess. They still had no word with regard to William, and she had begun to lose hope that she would ever see him alive again, never mind her concern for Elizabeth’s well-being without him. “Since your husband cannot be here during your time of need, I have brought you the next best thing.”
Jane nodded to the guard at the door of Elizabeth's antechamber. He was gone for a few moments before he returned with a frail, confused-looking man. At first, Elizabeth clearly did not recognize him, and then she gasped when she became sensible of his identity.
