Page 38 of Midnight at Pemberley

“I purchased this crucifix,” she asserted.

“Do not mislead me, Miss Elizabeth. I am not so easily deceived. I noted Miss Darcy wears a similar one so I am aware of the source of your enchantment. Mr. Darcy hopes to protect you.” By now, Wickham was near enough to reach her if he so wished, but his hands remained at his sides. “It will be a pleasure to take you from Darcy. It will be a grand revenge. He is the first to dare to challenge me, and I do not enjoy losing, Miss Elizabeth.”

She shivered. “Mr. Darcy is gone. He left Netherfield.” She hoped her words would convince Mr. Wickham to release her. “In fact, everyone at Netherfield fled your carnage.”

“My carnage?” He sounded amused. “Two females hardly rate as carnage.” He reached for her, lightly tracing a line along her jaw. She wished to flinch from his touch, but she held steady. “I must congratulate you. Darcy has grown stronger with you by his side. That display last evening would never have been possible six months prior. So, you see, my dear, I must stop your power over Darcy. It will kill him to know he left you to me. The fact will eat away at him. Eliminating you will stifle his resistance. Whether he is here to see your demise or not will make little difference. I will make certain he learns of your tragic end.”

She must do something or die at his hands. A flash of humor crossed his expression as she broke away, shoving furniture into his path as she attempted an escape. Just as she reached the door, grabbing it to pull it open, Wickham appeared behind her. An iron grip caught her arm as his left hand shoved the door closed. He pulled her back into him, breathing into her hair. “Good,” he hissed, “I was afraid you might not fight me. I prefer my followers to be spirited.”

Elizabeth struggled and flailed, attempting to dislodge his hold, but Wickham’s hold simply tightened around her waist. “My, you are wildfire,” he said with a small laugh. “It is no wonder Darcy prefers you.”

She screamed as he half lifted, half dragged her towards the stairs. Elizabeth scratched and fought, but her efforts were futile. Wickham overpowered her. Halfway up the stairs, he halted suddenly and violently pulled her face within inches of his. “I would give anything to see Darcy’s face when he discovers I took you in the bedroom of the manor house at Netherfield. It will be a delightful revenge.” Wickham pulled her mouth to his and kissed her with such force he bruised her lips.

Elizabeth’s stomach turned in disgust. She strained against his unwelcome assault. Sickened by his closeness, she spit in his face. A gratified smile claimed his lips as he wiped the moisture from his cheek. A vile bark of laughter signaled a backhand slap that forced her head to the side and split her lip. Blood seeped from the opening.

“The first course?” His hand turned her chin roughly, and he licked the blood from her mouth. “Thank you, my dear.”

Chapter Ten

ALTHOUGH THEY TRAVELED ONLY A FEW MILES FROM HER BROTHER’S estate, Miss Bingley required her refreshments. Her insistence frustrated Darcy, but Bingley again succumbed to his younger sister’s insistent cajoling. The woman who wanted to be as far from Netherfield as humanly possible only a few hours earlier now appeared content to drink her tea. All Darcy had heard from the time they left Meryton was how Charles and Georgiana would make an eminently suitable match.

Bingley miserably shifted his weight with each of his sister’s remarks. When he first took Bingley’s acquaintance, Darcy had considered a match between the genial Bingley and Georgiana, but within the hour of their meeting, he abandoned those hopes. Although real affection existed between his best friend and his sister, Darcy knew they could never be happy together. Darcy prayed Bingley would resist his sister’s manipulations and discover love.

While Caroline entertained no one with her chatter, Darcy’s thoughts drifted again to Elizabeth. He wondered how she reacted when she saw Ceres. He held no doubt her eyes danced with excitement. Deep in such musings, at first, when his long-time servant passed, Darcy did not take note.

“Martin!” Darcy called as the man strode past him.

Martin Stamson skidded to a halt. “Mr. Darcy,” he said as he turned towards the sound. “I was on my way to discover you, Sir. I stopped to change horses because the other one took on a stone.”

Darcy moved his man from earshot of the others. “What is amiss? Is it Miss Darcy?”

“No, Sir. Miss Darcy was well when I left her, Sir.”

Darcy allowed himself to breathe again. “Then what has occurred? Why are you here?”

The groomsman searched in the pouch he carried around his neck and drew out a note. “Miss Darcy bid me bring you this, Sir.”

Darcy snatched the letter from the man’s outstretched hand. “Wait, Martin. I will be with you in a moment.”

“Yes, Mr. Darcy.” Darcy made his way to a window to use the natural light to read.

William,

Mrs. Annesley woke this morning in a dreadful agitation, and she begged me to convey what she knows to you. As she was able to predict George Wickham’s attack on me, my faithful companion’s Sight knows a new attack. I do not know of whom she speaks or the place, but Mrs. Annesley is assured you will comprehend what eludes me. The kind lady describes an abandoned house, although it was once a fine home. Within the house, she sees a forsaken basket. Yet more important, Mr. Wickham is there with a petite, auburn-haired woman. Save her, William. Mrs. Annesley believes the woman is the answer to our family’s problems. She is your future. I hope this makes sense and you know what to do. God be with you, Brother.

Georgiana

Darcy’s throat tightened. Elizabeth! Could Wickham have Elizabeth? I abandoned her! “Martin!” he shouted.

“Yes, Mr. Darcy.” The servant appeared immediately.

“Did you order a fresh horse?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Get it, man. I must depart at once.” The servant scrambled to do his bidding. Darcy’s thoughts raced to make sense of what he must do. Mrs. Annesley saved Georgiana. With her warning and with fortune, he would reach Elizabeth in time. He returned to the table and spoke curtly. “Bingley, a situation has arisen to which I must attend. With your permission, Martin will return to London with you.”

“Naturally, Darcy.” Bingley hastened to his feet. “May I assist somehow?”