Page 25 of Georgiana
“Oh no!” Lizzy rushed down the hall to Georgiana’s room, followed closely by Darcy. Anna stood by the fireplace, her face a picture of worry. Other than the bedclothes strewn about the floor in an untidy heap, nothing was out of place.
Darcy almost ran to the adjoining sitting room and immediately noted the balcony doors were wide open, the curtains swaying in the gentle breeze. A thick rope, tied to the largest pillar, dangled over the rail, pooling into a small puddle on the ground.
He gripped the balustrade and cursed.
“Fitz, come here.”
Darcy re-entered Georgiana’s bedroom and Lizzy handed him a smaller rope.
“I found this on the floor.”
“They must have used this to tie her up and then lowered her over the railing. Like an animal.” Whoever did this to his sister would pay and pay dearly.
“Do you think they took her for ransom?”
“That would be an obvious answer, however, the prize might be her dowry. It all depends on who is desperate enough to go to such lengths.” Darcy turned to Hutchins. “Have a footman take a note to Matlock House, and use someone who has great discretion. There is no need for this to go beyond our families.”
“Yes, sir.” Hutchins gave him a slight bow and disappeared down the hall.
“Anna, did you see anything unusual this evening?”
In his mixture of anger and fright, Darcy had forgotten about Georgiana’s lady’s maid. Thank the good Lord for Lizzy’s clear thinking. He waited alongside his wife for her answer.
“No, Mrs. Darcy. Miss Georgiana said she was too excited to go to sleep right away, so I offered to make a cup of warm milk.” She waved her hand toward the desk where an abandoned cup of milk sat cooling. “When I returned, this is how I found the bedchamber.” Anna fished a handkerchief out of her pocket and wiped at the tears streaming down her face. “I was only gone for about a half hour.”
“It took you a half hour to warm up some milk!” Darcy exploded and took a step toward the maid, his anger getting the best of him. Lizzy’s hand on his forearm stopped him. At the sight of Anna’s eyes, wide with fear, he drew himself up straight. “My apologies, Anna. I’m beside myself with worry.”
“I understand, sir. I had to hang up her ball gown first.”
“Anna, you may go to your room and we will speak further in the morning. Please do not speak of this to anyone.” Lizzy soothed, tugging Darcy back to her side.
“Not a word will pass my lips, and thank you, Mrs. Darcy.” Anna curtsied and hurried from the room.
Lizzy faced Darcy, cupping his face with her palm.
“We will find her, Fitz. Now go, write that note and I’ll canvas a few other servants who were awake to see if they noticed anything out of the ordinary.”
He turned his face to kiss her palm. “What would I do if I lost you, my Lizzy?”
“That is something you never have to worry about.” She placed her hands on his shoulders and gently turned him around to face the door. “Now go.”
By the time Darcy had penned a letter and sent a footman to Matlock House, Hutchins attended the study with one of the stable boys.
“Mr. Darcy, Clive is one of our stable boys and he may have some information.”
“What do you know, Clive?”
“I saw a large gray carriage on the street. It were there fer a couple of hours.”
“Did you see who was in the carriage?”
“No, but I kept a look-see, ‘cause the driver were watching the ‘ouse.”
“That was very astute of you, Clive.”
The boy flushed, “Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”
“When was the last time you saw the carriage.”
