He found Mary and Georgiana playing a duet in the music room. It was a blessing the girls had developed such an easy friendship; he had hoped that the pious Mary would have a devout influence on Georgiana. A God-fearing woman would never agree to an elopement. He was still shocked that his sister had planned to ruin herself by running off with Wickham. With Mary as her friend, all such thoughts would be abandoned. It was a pity that Lydia listened to no one, or she could have been saved as well.
“Mary, do you remember the name of the town your grandmother is visiting? It begins with a C, I believe.”
“Do you mean Cuxhaven?” Mary replied with a smile.
“Yes, that was it. Thank you.” He could not help but grin. “Has your grandmother returned from the continent?”
“No, not as far as I know. It is highly unlikely as she has sworn never to set foot on another ship. Do you believe that is where Elizabeth has absconded with Lydia?”
“I am certain of it. Come, Richard, we have a voyage to plan.”
Richard groaned. “I am not that fond of sea voyages. I had better remain here and protect the ladies.”
“You have crossed the channel more times than I can count. Besides, Mrs Murray is here,” Darcy pointed out to his cousin.
“Mrs Murray is not a male relative. Remember, Wickham is still in town,” the colonel reminded him once they were out of earshot of the girls.
“As if I could ever forget… I can ask your mother to take on Georgiana, but I doubt she would accept Mary. Yes, you should stay here.”
It would not do for Mary to be persuaded to elope too. Not that he deemed her easy prey, even to that charming blackguard Wickham. The girl had more sense than that.
Richard’s grin was a bit too wide. Darcy’s cognac reserves would definitely be depleted upon his return.
He was lucky enough to find a merchant ship destined for Cuxhaven. Even during wartime, trade was a necessity. He boarded the ship and hoped for high winds to convey him quickly across the sea. He had not much time before the colonel must return to duty.
He arrived in Cuxhaven in a timely manner, only to discover that Elizabeth’s grandmother had long since left the area and no one was certain where she had travelled. The friend she had visited was not at home. He established that Ritterhof, another place he remembered being mentioned, was indeed near Rendsburg, but he had not the time to chase her across the country because he had to return before Richard left.
#
London, 4thJuly
It was a dejected Darcy who arrived home the same day as Richard had to report to his headquarters. He called for the girls once his cousin had departed and contemplated what to do next. There was one alternative he had yet to investigate, though another sea voyage did not tempt him. What he should have done was make arrangements for a longer absence before he left for Cuxhaven.
The girls entered with beaming faces. For some reason it irked him that they could be merry when he was deprived of all joy. Chasing all melancholy thoughts to the far recesses of his mind, he addressed the matter at hand.
“I am leaving on a long business trip and have been pondering what to do with you girls.” Mary frowned; he should not have called them girls but rather addressed them as ladies.
“Georgiana, you could stay with Lady Matlock. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances”—he looked intently at Mary—“that is not possible for Miss Bennet.”
“Perhaps Clarissa would welcome me for an extended stay,” Mary suggested.
“Judge Darcy and his family have left for Derbyshire.”
“Please do not send me away!” Mary implored. “I can stay and run the household while you are away. If Mrs Murray agrees, it would be entirely proper.”
“It is kind of you to offer, but with Wickham still in London, I cannot take that chance.”
Mary huffed. “Mr Wickham is no threat to me! I have more sense than to allow myself to be charmed by a libertine.”
Georgiana flinched.
“I have every respect for your excellent discernment,” Darcy mollified a distraught Mary. It was the first time he had seen her serenity crack—if he overlooked watching her sister be absconded by a rake.
“I shall strive to be useful. I would do anything! Run your house, plan the meals, arrange the flowers, entertain guests…”
“You must see that if Elizabeth does not return, you cannot stay here. It would not be proper.”
Mary’s face crumpled, and tears welled in her eyes. “Please, I beg of you. Do not send me back to Longbourn.”
