“I would like to take a turn on the water, but I am a little cold. Would you mind fetching my blue shawl?”
“But…I cannot leave you alone.”
“Nonsense. I am perfectly safe. Besides, I see an acquaintance of mine waiting in line with her mother. I shall keep company with her until you return.”
Martha turned reluctantly and began the long walk back towards Grosvenor Square. She was not an excellent walker, and the return would take quite some time to accomplish—especially considering that Mrs Gardiner had borrowed the aforementioned shawl.
Elizabeth waited until Martha was out of sight before she hastened in the opposite direction. She left by Hyde Park Corner, hired a hackney, and ordered it to Gracechurch Street by a circuitous route that avoided the main thoroughfares. The vehicle stopped three houses down from Mr Gardiner’s, and she paid the driver before skulking through the servants’ entrance and entering Lydia’s room undetected.
Her youngest sister was bent over the trunk Elizabeth had sent from Grosvenor Square, holding up gown after gown before tossing it into a growing pile on the floor.
“Lydia,” she whispered.
Her sister turned. “Why are you whispering?”
Elizabeth put her index finger to her lips. “Please, try not to notify anyone about my presence, and put my raiment back into the trunk.”
Lydia gathered the gowns and dropped them into the case. Elizabeth sighed. After her sister’s callous treatment they would all need pressing.
“I have a solution to your problem.”
Lydia brightened. “Thank the Lord! I was beginning to grow concerned that I would be shackled to the reprobate for the rest of my life.”
“It will not be easy,” Elizabeth hastened to caution her exuberant sister.
“I am intrigued. What do you have in mind?”
“What do you say to a sea voyage?” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows.
“I say yes!” Lydia clapped in glee. “Where to, Lizzy? America?”
“Lower your voice. No. To the cont—”
The door opened, and Mrs Gardiner entered with a stern expression on her face. “What is this, Elizabeth? Skulking through the servants’ entrance to lure your sister on a mad dash to who knows where?”
“Please, Aunt, I can explain.”
“Not without your uncle present.”
Mrs Gardiner’s pursed lips told Elizabeth that she could not be persuaded.
“No one must know that I am here,” she warned.
Mrs Gardiner nodded and looked out of the door to see whether any servants were about. There must not have been, because she waved them out and hastened them to Mr Gardiner’s study.
Her uncle looked surprised at the intrusion into his sanctuary, but he sobered quickly after studying their serious countenances. Elizabeth stepped forwards.
“I have a suggestion. Nay, a demand. Lydia and I must leave as soon as possible. We have not an instant to lose, and no one must know that I have been here. Tell everyone that Lydia escaped through her window during the night. You did not notify anyone immediately because you believed you could retrieve her without adding to the scandal. We must find a ship that can take us to Rendsburg under fictitious names. Perhaps I should act the lady and Lydia could be my maid?”
Lydia huffed but did not protest.
“What about Mr Darcy? Is he apprised of the scheme you have concocted?”
Mr Gardiner’s stare bore into her like a spear, and tears welled in her eyes.
“No,” she declared in a firm voice before drawing a fortifying breath and raising her chin. “Mr Darcy dallied with Miss Bingley at Lady Castlereagh’s ball last night.”
“How do you know?” Mr Gardiner asked sharply.
