She nodded, her lips almost blue in the orange light of the lantern. He helped her crawl out of the hideaway, then retrieved the lantern and wrapped an arm around her waist, guiding her through the woods until they got to the edge of the gardens. Once there, he held the lantern up, signalling to the others for help.
Fitzwilliam was the first to reach them. Darcy handed over his lantern, then swung Elizabeth up in his arms. She snuggled her face into his neck, her skin sending shivers down his spine. Darcy felt a terror that went deeper than the cold. Ifshe had been left exposed to the elements any longer, he might have lost her for good.
“I need to get Elizabeth inside where it is warm,” Darcy said grimly.
Fitzwilliam nodded. “You handle your wife — I shall handle the servants and the search. And I will tell them to keep a weather eye out for Wickham. He may be more dangerous than ever now.”
“Yes, do,” Darcy agreed, feeling rage rise up in him at the thought of what Wickham had done to Elizabeth. “Come what may, he will face justice for this. I want to know the minute Wickham is found.”
Elizabeth lifted her head, as though the hateful name had cut through her daze and brought her back to herself. “Mr Wickham is already married,” she said, her voice trailing off.
“I know,” Darcy said. “Eva told us about the letter she gave you.” Darcy tightened his grasp on her and hurried up the steps and into the house.
Though Darcy had intended to bring Elizabeth up to her rooms at once, the shock and relief of the ladies on seeing her returned to them was too much to admit an immediate removal.
“Elizabeth, thank the heavens!” Georgiana exclaimed.
“Bring her near the hearth, Darcy,” Lady Catherine ordered him. Anne shifted over to give Elizabeth the nearest place.As Darcy was of much the same mind, he promptly obeyed.
“Have any of you seen Wickham?” he asked them.
Lady Catherine snorted. “We’ve not seen hide nor hair of him since this morning. I doubt we’ll ever see him again, after the information we’ve learned today.”
As the fire warmed her, Elizabeth had begun to look a little more alert. She sat up straighter and turned to Georgiana. “I am sorry to tell you this, Georgiana, but Mr Wickham is already married.”
“I know. We spoke to Eva,” she said, her voice catching in her throat. “Do you have the letter?”
“No. Mr Wickham took it from me and burned it before he dragged me out into the woods.” She looked at Darcy. He felt the tension coiled around his heart ease a little, profoundly relieved that she had revived enough to meet his gaze. “Thank you, Will. I would be close to death now if you had not found me.”
“I cannot imagine that was his intention,” Georgiana protested, tears standing in her eyes. “He has always been so gentle with me.”
Darcy turned to her in shock. After all they had learned, after all Wickham had done, how could she still defend him?
“He would have killed her, Georgiana. Surely you can see his true character now?” he asked, unable to keep the bite out of his tone.
She bowed her head. “You are quite right. I am sorry. I — I — please do excuse me.” Even as Georgiana hurried away, the tears in her eyes were falling. They let her go, understanding how badly Mrs Wickham — now once again Georgiana Darcy, as she had been all along — must need a moment alone to grieve.
For several minutes, those who remained around the hearth sat in silence. Darcy reached for Elizabeth’s hands. They were not quite as cold as they had been, but she would not be out of danger for several days yet. After such an ordeal, Elizabeth would be at great risk of falling prey to illness.
“We must call for the authorities,” Lady Catherine declared. “Wickham ought to be hanged. And he shall be, if I have anything to say about it.”
“And what of his other wife?” Anne put in. “Elaine Wickham was the name on the letter, was it not? We have to warn her of his true character.”
Darcy let out a derisive grunt. “If she has been married to him for any length of time, I am sure she has an inkling of it.”
Though Elizabeth attempted to look strong and alert, her weariness was obvious. After the third yawn in as many minutes, Darcy laid down the law.
“You must go up to your rooms and rest now,” he said, gently but implacably. “If you like, you shall come down for supper after you have warmed yourself. Though I think it might be wiser for you to spend the evening in bed and have a tray brought up.”
If he had had any doubt of his judgement, it was proven correct when Elizabeth did not even try to protest. “Yes, you are right. I should like to lie down,” she admitted.
Darcy stood at once. “Very good, but it is not safe for you to go alone. You are too weak yet. Wrap your arms around my neck.”
“I am able to walk now, I think,” she protested, though rather unconvincingly, to Darcy’s mind.
“Nonsense. I would not want you to injure yourself,” he said.
She did as he asked as he scooped her up into his arms. Lady Catherine and Anne followed them out into the foyer, where they were met by Colonel Fitzwilliam.
