Page 111 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

Georgiana swiftly shook her head. “No, no. Cousin Douglas said to keep them lit.”

“Very well, miss.”

Georgiana let herself slip down on the pillows, but kept Jeffry safely to one side. “Do not worry, little one. I will not squish you.”

*

Darcy and Bingley, who sat on the side of the carriage that showed Netherfield, stared at the brightly lit house as they rolled along. Being almost midnight, the lights made no sense to him.

“Did the colonel decide to have guests while we were out?” Bingley asked, a smile in his voice.

“That seems unlikely,” Darcy muttered. He spied men on the grounds, some carrying what looked to be makeshift cudgels. “Something has occurred. Some alarm.”

“Those are our grooms,” Miss Bingley said, pointing out her side of the carriage.

“I see the colonel,” Bingley said. “He has strapped on his sword.”

Darcy itched for the carriage to come to a stop so he could leap out and discover what was amiss.

Chapter Eighteen

Douglas met them beside the Netherfield front steps. His expression appeared grave, even grim.

“What is it?” Darcy asked upon alighting, shifting over to permit Bingley out of the carriage.

In a low, intense voice, his cousin said, “Wickham was here, demanding to see Georgiana. Elliot threw him out.”

“By Jove,” Bingley said, as he assisted his sister to step out.

“What is it?” she asked. “I did not hear the colonel.”

“An intruder attempted to gain access to Netherfield,” Darcy explained in a terse voice.

“Oh!” she gasped, clutching onto her brother’s arm. “Is Georgiana all right?”

Darcy met his cousin’s somber gaze and his heart squeezed. “Is she?”

“She was frightened,” Douglas admitted. “Unfortunately, she heard him ride up and came out of her bedchamber to see who might be coming here so late at night. She was badly shaken.”

“I will go to her,” Miss Bingley said, starting up the steps.

“No, thank you.” Darcy’s sharp words brought her up short. He nodded his thanks for her willingness to help but he did not think Georgiana could be comforted by a woman who frightened her. “Do you need me here?” Darcy demanded of his cousin.

“No. You go to Georgiana. I am certain she longs for your reassuring presence.” Douglas turned to Miss Bingley. “I think you might be more comfortable if you went inside, Miss Bingley.”

“Is there anything I can do for you?” she asked, sounding worried to Darcy as he hurriedly climbed the steps.

“Brewster will look after us,” Douglas assured her. He indicated the land around the house. “We will make one more sweep of the grounds and then come inside.”

“Yes, Caroline,” Bingley said. “Do go inside.”

Darcy crossed the threshold and lost the thread of their dialogue. He took off his hat and gloves, put them on the side table in the entrance hall, and hurriedly climbed the stairs to his sister’s bedchamber. He thought she must have been petrified.

And I was not here! If only Georgiana had slept through the entire incident. Darcy drew in a deep breath, then another, calming himself. Hoping for what has not occurred serves no good purpose. In spite of his personal admonition, he further chastised himself. It was a foolish mistake not to send her back to London as soon as she got here.

Darcy forced down his self-recriminations and knocked lightly on her door. He heard movement inside and waited until the key turned in the lock and the door opened, revealing Farley. The bedchamber behind her had every candle and lamp lit.

“Sir,” she whispered, curtsying slightly. Opening the door wide, Farley stepped to one side. “The poor lamb has fallen asleep at last, sir.”