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“Perhaps we should have an early supper and retire for the night, dearest?” She said, smiling enticingly. Very well, Darcy thought. If that will ease some of her distress, I am happy to oblige.
He smiled down at her. “I do not know, my love…” His voice took on a teasing quality. “Having ejected two people from my house today, I am becoming quite practiced at it. Perhaps we should simply stay in the drawing room and await the appearance of someone else we can banish.”
Now it was Elizabeth’s turn to smile. “I doubt we could find another person so capable of giving offense. Mr. Collins is still in Kent!” They shared a laugh.
They passed a quiet evening at home. The following morning, Darcy worked on estate matters and Elizabeth kept him company in the study. After luncheon, Darcy returned to work and Elizabeth took her usual afternoon stroll, deciding to visit Hyde Park.
It was a beautiful day and Elizabeth tipped her head back so the sun could shine on her face. Her mother would tell her she should avoid getting a tan, but the warmth felt so lovely, she could not forgo it. She had visited Hyde Park many times already and was quite familiar with the route. The day was rather warm so the street was traversed by few other travelers.
A block from the park, Elizabeth found her way unexpectedly blocked by a rather big man. She attempted to navigate around him, but he grabbed her arm to stop her. His grip was like an iron shackle on Elizabeth’s upper arm; she could not pull it free. Outraged, Elizabeth looked up and saw that her captor was Wickham!
Before she could say anything – before she could barely form a thought – he covered her mouth with his hand. She struggled fiercely to break free from him, but even as she did so, another man approached behind her and clamped her arms tightly by her side – effectively paralyzing her. Together the two men lifted her as if she weighed nothing and pushed her through the open door of a carriage that was waiting by the curb. Wickham did not remove his hand from her mouth until the coach had started to move, by which time any screams Elizabeth made were drowned out by the clatter of the carriage. The entire occurrence had taken less than a minute and nobody on the street had noticed anything untoward.
Chapter 14
It was around five o’clock when Colonel Fitzwilliam responded to an urgent summons to Darcy House. He found his cousin glaring at a map of London spread on a table in the house’s front hall – one glance at Darcy and the Colonel knew something was seriously wrong. His cousin’s usually impeccable hair was a mess and his cravat was untied while his face was gray with anguish.
Losing no time on greetings, Fitzwilliam asked, “What is it?”
“Elizabeth is missing! She went for a walk this afternoon and never returned.” Darcy’s voice was harsh with anxiety.
“Perhaps she lost track of the time or went to visit a friend?” Fitzwilliam inquired, attempted to restrain his own sense of panic.
Darcy shook his head vigorously. “She knows few people in London beyond the Gardiners and they have not seen her today. My men and I have combed Hyde Park for her to no avail. She would never be so irresponsible as to remain away this long without sending word.” Darcy turned back to the map, clutching the edge desperately. “I have not the faintest idea where to begin searching for her. She could be anywhere! I am only hoping she is still in London.” He banged his fist on the table so hard that a vase of flowers quivered.
“I will summon some of my friends from the garrison to help,” Fitzwilliam said at once.
Darcy shot him a grateful look. “Thank you. I have asked for assistance from the Bow Street Runners, but they do not have many men and there is a lot of city to search.” The Colonel scribbled a hasty note and Darcy rang for a footman to take it.
Fitzwilliam regarded Darcy, who was peering intently at the map; one hand tightened convulsively around a corner of the paper, crushing it. “Why did I not send a footman with her?” He moaned.
Fitzwilliam spoke levelly. “We must think rationally. If she is not with friends or on her own, we must consider the possibility of foul play.”
Darcy’s expression darkened, but he did not glance up from the map. “Believe me, I have.”
His cousin continued in a measured tone. “It is doubtful she would be subject to random violence between here and Hyde Park during daylight hours. I suppose a careful abduction might be conducted without raising suspicions. But who?”
“I cannot imagine. No one knows of our marriage, so she unlikely to be the target of a ransom demand.” Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “Of course, Aunt Catherine is in town.”
Fitzwilliam grinned. “I think she would have trouble overpowering Elizabeth. Although, she is desperate over your ‘engagement’ she might hire someone.”
Darcy shook his head slowly. “No, I do not believe she could be involved in something so nefarious.”
“Who else, then?”
“Wickham!” Darcy exclaimed.
“Wickham is in town?” Fitzwilliam cried. “Why did you not tell me?”
“I saw him yesterday,” Darcy said tersely. “I am attempting to persuade him to marry Lydia Bennet. But, what would he have to gain by kidnapping Elizabeth?”
“I can think of three dozen things off the top of my head. Beginning with the opportunity to avenge himself on the man he has always hated and ending with the likelihood that you would pay him any amount of money to recover Elizabeth.”
Darcy’s grimace confirmed that statement, but then he shook his head. “I find it difficult to believe Wickham is capable of this kind of evil. He might lie and cheat – or take an opportunity that comes his way, but he has never stooped to actual criminal behavior.”
“Maybe he encountered Elizabeth on the street and seized an opportunity for mischief.” Darcy was still shaking his head. “He is the most plausible perpetrator. It is either him or a completely unknown villain. At least with Wickham we have some ideas where he could be found.”
Darcy ran his hands over his face. “I suppose. I could pay Mrs. Younge a call and discover if she knows where he might be.”
