Page 25 of Midnight at Pemberley

“Elizabeth,” he whispered, “may I place you down so I might see to the woman?”

“I am afraid”

“I will protect you,” he assured her. “But I must see if she lives.”

Elizabeth nodded, and he put her down gently under a tree. He cupped her chin with his palm. “I will be right back.” Tears formed in her eyes, and her bottom lip trembled, but she sat quietly and waited for him.

Darcy and Bingley moved quickly to where the woman lay. “Do you know her?” he asked as they examined the quickly decomposing body.

“I have never seen her.” Bingley was pale with terror. “My God, Darcy, what kind of animal creates such wounds?”

“None you have ever seen.” A thud reverberated in his chest. “Bingley, I must see Miss Elizabeth home. You must ride to Meryton and inform the constable and perhaps even Colonel Forster. Please be careful.”

“Assuredly, Darcy. Tell Miss Elizabeth I will call once everything is settled.” Bingley stood and headed to his horse, but Darcy stopped him with just a clearing of his throat.

Darcy looked back at Elizabeth. “Retrieve Miss Elizabeth’s cloak. It is at the top of the hill. Cover the body with that.”

Bingley mounted and rode off in the direction of the black cloak.

Darcy hurried back to where Elizabeth sat. “Come, Love.” He pulled off his greatcoat and wrapped it around her. He hid her in the security of his shoulder as he led her to where his horse nibbled on grass. “I will take you up with me.”

He mounted the horse and then reached down for her hand, pulling her up into his lap. Settling her comfortably in his arms, he touched the horse’s flanks with his heels, and the animal set off at a brisk pace.

Once they crested the hill and turned towards Longbourn, Darcy leaned into her and kissed the side of Elizabeth’s neck. “Can you tell me what occurred?”

Again, Elizabeth’s eyes misted over and her lips trembled. “Must I?”

“The constable will ask, Elizabeth. What will we tell him?” Darcy recognized her fear.

“I became frightened and I ran. There was nothing there, but all the same, something was there. Oh, William, that woman’s face!” She buried her head into his chest, covering her eyes with her hands.

Darcy kissed the side of her head and made the necessary promises to protect her. “Bingley has gone for the authorities.”

“You will stay with me when we reach Longbourn?” She appeared so vulnerable.

“If you wish.” Darcy would protect her, but he required information. “I do not wish to upset you further, my darling, but I must ask, did you speak to George Wickham about me?”

Elizabeth looked up in surprise. “I knew you would not tell me, William. I did not mean to go behind your back. I am so sorry. He told such lies about you. I could not understand why or how you two were connected. I saw the way you snubbed him yesterday.”

“All is well, Love. Later, you will tell me exactly what was said, so together we can determine how to proceed, but none of that is what really matters.” Darcy kissed her upturned nose and presented her with a smile of assurance. He tightened his grip about her. “Understand, Elizabeth, Seorais is the Scottish name for George. Seorais Winchcombe of the story of Lord Thomas and Lady Ellender is George Wickham.”

He heard her gasp and felt her shudder as the truth washed over her. “William, the woman … the woman was the brown girl!” Her arms circled his waist, seeking security.

“It was a warning, Elizabeth, to me, and now to you. The brown girl of the song simply had brown hair. Wickham chose this woman for symbolic purposes. I will explain it all in detail when we are alone, but I wish you to know, I managed to reach Georgiana in time to save her at Ramsgate. He nearly killed us both in a house fire.”

“He said he was lately in Kent.” The truth of what Darcy said now made perfect sense.

Darcy did not look at her as he spoke. It was impossible for him to break the aura of implied danger. “Elizabeth, Wickham’s attempt to claim Georgiana is part of his revenge upon the Darcy name. He has done so with each generation. I fear if he knows of us, you will become his target. It is best I stay away, best for you.”

“No!” she demanded. “I cannot face this without you!”

“If I withdraw,” he insisted, “there will be no need for you to face any of this. I will take my evil with me.”

Anger flared in her and Elizabeth struck his chest with her fist. “You are not evil, and I will not hear you speak as such! I will not permit it!”

By now, Longbourn loomed on the horizon. “We will speak further when time allows. For now, we will tell everyone that a wild dog chased you. We cannot hide the death, but it will all be coincidental.” Elizabeth nodded in agreement. “I will stay and assist you in your explanations, and I will return to you tonight. You will sleep in my arms for another night.”

“As is only right and proper,” she insisted.