“You are not to worry, sweetheart,” Elizabeth said, picking up the child and walking through the door and down the dimly-lit hallway towards the balcony which overlooked the barnyard. “Their bedding was very close to the door, and I am sure Mr. Jackson would have seen them to safety.”
“I hope so.”
“My goodness,” Elizabeth said, as they continued. “I can smell the smoke from here. It is so strong it hurts my eyes.”
“It hurts my eyes, too, Mama.”
“We will not stay long.” On reaching the end of the hallway and stepping outside onto the balcony, both Elizabeth and Anna cried out when they saw how extensive the flames were.
Holding Anna even closer, Elizabeth said, “The smoke is getting stronger. Let us return to my room and pray that no one will be hurt in such a blaze. It looks quite dangerous. I know you are concerned for the kittens, but it is best we stay in the house for now. Papa would not be pleased if we went out to the barn and were in harm’s way.”
“No, Papa would not be pleased, not one bit!” A sardonic laugh filled the hallway as an unknown man approached Elizabeth and Anna.
Elizabeth quickly put Anna down, telling her not to say a word, and stood in front of the child shielding her from the man. “And who might you be?” she said with force.
“Me? Why I am George Wickham, at your service, Mrs. Darcy. Surely your HUSBAND has spoken of me.” Again he laughed, though his eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared.
Elizabeth gasped. “You!”
“Ah, I see my reputation precedes me,” he sneered. “Since I was recently deprived of Georgiana’s dowry, I am here for the child.”
“You are mad and will keep away from my daughter!”
“Your daughter,” he drawled. “Ha! Too bad she looks nothing like my Anne. From what I could see in this darkness, that child is sadly the spitting image of Georgiana. I suppose that idiot dotes on her just as he does his sister.”
When Wickham attempted to push Elizabeth to the side and grab the child by the wrist, Elizabeth pushed back at him, slapping his face. “You will keep your distance, sir!”
Stunned, Wickham let out another laugh, saying, “I see Darcy chose a spirited wife this time! I should think a bit of your skirt might be quite pleasurable.”
“You would not dare! My husband would kill you!”
“I doubt that, my dear,” he drawled, stepping closer and running his finger down her cheek until she pushed it away.“Still, I doubt he would be willing to pay my full price if he knew you were infected with the French Disease.” He laughed ruthlessly. Then, reaching for his knife, he stated, “Very well. At the present, I have no time for flirtations. Nevertheless, you will both be coming with me, and so much the better, since that will double my price.” Again he waved his knife. “Be forewarned, Mrs. Darcy, I killed Georgiana’s companion with this weapon and will have no issue using it again if you do not cooperate. Do you understand?”
Elizabeth nodded, not saying another word.
“Bring the child and take me to your rooms. We shall need funds for where we are going.”
Turning and bending over Anna, Elizabeth whispered that Papa would come and that she must be brave. Having concealed the emerald cross down the front of Anna’s high-necked dress and hidden her wedding ring along with the broach into the child’s pocket, she picked up her daughter. Holding her close and praying he would not discover her hidden jewellery, she curtly said, “This way.”
Wickham followed Elizabeth into her bedroom where she stated with defiance, “What little money and jewellery I have are in the top drawer of the dresser. Most of my belongings were left at Darcy House.”
“Get it, and be quick.”
“Mama,” Anna whimpered.
“You must be quiet, sweet one.”
Twirling his knife as he spoke, Wickham said, “Put her down and do as I say, or I shall not hesitate to use this!”
Whispering more words of comfort, Elizabeth placed Anna on the vanity chair, where the little girl immediately reached for her dolls and held them tight. Walking to the dresser, Elizabeth did as he requested, putting everything on the bed for him to inspect.
“Darcy is as rich as Midas, and you mean to tell me this is all he has given you?”
“As I said, we had not planned to stay long, and most of our things are back in Town.”
Wickham pulled a small sack from his jacket and quickly filled it with what Elizabeth had put on the bed. As she moved to where Anna was sitting, he said, “Not so fast, next we go to Darcy’s room. Bring the child.”
Amongst William’s personal belongings, Wickham found a purse containing some coins along with a little paper currency, though it was nothing he would call substantial. He rummaged through several drawers, strewing the contents on the floor and found no more than a few cuff links and a watch fob.
