Page 106 of Ashes and Understanding
His voice broke through her foggy mind, and she realized that Benjamin was screaming from his bed. She rushed over to the cradle and snatched him into her arms, frantically checking him for injury.
He was fine.
Angry at be awakened so harshly in the middle of the night, but unharmed.
She let out a slow breath of relief and held him tightly to her as more servants swarmed in the room, along with her father. Mr.Bennet began barking orders for Mr. Jones to be summoned, as well as a magistrate. He then moved to his daughter’s side.
“Elizabeth, what on earth is going on?”
“There was someone in the nursery,” she choked out. “He tried to get to Benjamin.”
Mr. Bennet’s face was pale white. “Why on earth would someone do that? What in heaven’s name is going on? First the Gardiners, now us…”
Elizabeth bit her lip, and Mr. Bennet’s face grew severe. “Elizabeth Rose, you will tell me what you know this instant.”
She hesitated. “Papa… I… I cannot. At least, not right this moment. Could… could you send a note to Netherfield for Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy? They can explain things better than I can.”
His frown deepened. “You mean to tell me that two wealthy, single young men know more than I do of a matter that involves my household—mydaughter—and you say that I must consultthem?”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened. She had never seen her father so angry before.
“Please, Papa,” she whispered. “I cannot—”
Her voice broke, and her eyes filled with tears as the sheer magnitude of what had occurred caught up with her. His face softened, and he sighed heavily. “Very well, my dear. I will send them a message immediately, demanding their presence here as soon as it is light. But be assured that Iwillget answers, Elizabeth.”
“Yes, sir.”
He sighed again. “Now, you ladies all return to your beds. Mr. and Mrs. Hill can manage the servants, and I will send for Sir William.”
“Are they… are they dead?” she asked, craning her head to look past her father at the nurse and maid on the ground.
“Looks like a blow to the head each,” Mr. Hill said from his position on the floor, examining them. “But they are both breathing.”
“Send for Mr. Jones, then,” Mr. Bennet said. “Now, Lizzy, put Benjamin back in his cradle and return to your room.”
She clutched the crying child tightly to her chest. “I cannot leave him! It is not safe, especially with Nurse and Sally unconscious.”
He frowned. “Very well. Have Jimmy move the cradle to your room for the night. He can stay with you until we get it all sorted out. I will have Jimmy stay outside your door until your friends from Netherfield arrive.”
She nodded in agreement, and Jimmy—the burly footman who had been the first to enter the room—came to her side.
“What is this?” he asked, looking inside at the bedding.
He held something up, and Elizabeth let out a horrified gasp.
It was a single black crow feather.
Chapter 24
Darcy walked beside Elizabeth through a mist-draped forest, their hands brushing now and then as they followed a well-worn path. The filtered light made her eyes seem almost golden, her laugh like birdsong in the distance. She turned to say something, her expression radiant. Her face was full of trust and something deeper, something fragile and precious.
“Darcy… Darcy…wake up…”
He shook his head.Why is Elizabeth telling me to wake up? We are walking together.
She grabbed him by the arm, shaking him.
“Darcy!” she shouted.
