Darcy watched as Elizabeth moved through the room, speaking calmly with the servants and examining the damage with a practical eye.
They continued toward the book-room. Elizabeth slowed as they reached the doorway. The door had been burned through and stood open. The smell of smoke was stronger here. Very little was left. The books were either burned or ruined from water.
Elizabeth gave a small sob as she surveyed the blackened room. Darcy took her hand but did not speak. He simply stood beside her. “Papa will be devastated. All his books are gone.”
She turned and continued to her writing room. This room, other than the smell of smoke, had not been touched by the fire. She began to pull ledgers out of the drawers and stack them on the desk. Millie came in with two crates, and between them they quickly packed the ledgers.
Elizabeth pointed to her writing desk. “I have room for this in my room at Netherfield. The men can bring this back on one of their trips.”
Darcy picked up one of the crates.
Elizabeth smiled. “You do not have to do that.”
Darcy shrugged. “I am already here. I may as well be of use.”
“Thank you. Your support has been much appreciated.”
The three of them started to walk out of the house.
***
They had only just left Longbourn when a carriage appeared coming down the lane. When it stopped, Sir William Lucas and Mr. Harding, the blacksmith, stepped out.
Sir William raised his hat. “Miss Elizabeth, I hope you will forgive the interruption. In my capacity as magistrate, I felt it my duty to speak with you.”
“Of course, Sir William. What is the matter?”
Sir William gestured toward the blacksmith. “Mr. Harding has recalled something which may be of interest regarding the events of yesterday.”
Harding shifted his cap in his hands. “Well, miss, I do not know as it means much, but I thought it best to mention it.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Please do.”
“I saw Mr. Wickham in Meryton the day he first came to town. He was speaking with you in the street, miss. When he walked away, he looked in a rare temper.”
Darcy’s expression became very still.
Harding continued, “I am sorry, miss. I meant to come and tell you, but then I was distracted when old Mr. MacDonald fell in the mess in the street.”
He paused briefly. “But after hearing about the fire, it came back to me.”
Sir William added gravely, “It may be nothing at all, but I believed it prudent that the matter should be noted.”
Elizabeth took a deep breath. “Mr. Wickham was here yesterday afternoon. He wished to speak with me. When I asked him to leave, he grabbed my wrist.”
Darcy’s hand closed into a fist at his side.
Elizabeth continued, “My father saw him from the book-room window and had the grooms haul him away. They locked him in the coal shed until the militia could retrieve him, which they did soon after.”
She looked at Darcy. “With the fire and all that followed, I gave it no further thought.”
His expression softened slightly. “Of course. You have had much on your mind.”
Sir William nodded. “I will go and speak with Colonel Foster.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Thank you, Sir William. And I appreciate your assistance, Mr. Harding.”
Darcy said in a low voice, “Mr. Wickham’s conduct is entirely consistent with what I have long known of him.”
