Both women gasped at his easy acquiescence to Madame Amelia's terms. While Elizabeth sat in silence, her mouth gaping like that of a fish stranded upon the shore, the madame gathered herself quickly to resumed the negotiations, most likely attempting to seize the opportunity before he had the time to change his mind. "Very well. She will, of course, remain here with us until such time as our transaction can be completed."
"Of course. I shall return in no more than two hours. I wish her fed and rested in the interim; she is of no use to me famished and weak. She is not to be removed from this chamber nor touched by another while I am away. If she is, I shall consider the contract broken and will resume my search elsewhere. Have I made myself clear, madam?"
"Perfectly, Sir."
"And please see that she is brought a respectable gown in which to dress."
Madame Amelia bowed her head in acknowledgement and removed herself to attend to his demands. As the door closed behind her, Mr. Darcy turned back towards the bed and began buttoning his waistcoat. Seeing the disquiet in her eyes, he rushed to reassure her and finally convey his intentions before they could be interrupted again.
"I wish I did not have to leave you here for even a moment, but I assure you I will return as swiftly as I can. We will remove to my townhouse where I shall have my doctor fetched to attend to you. Try as you may, madam, I am not ignorant of the pain you are clearly suffering under." He paused to take in the becoming blush that colored her cheeks at having her deception so easily discerned. "It is my understanding you have an uncle who resides in town?"
Her eyes snapped back to his, and he watched as they once again began to shine with the unshed tears pooling within them. "Yes, Sir!"
"If you will provide me with his name and address, I shall seek him out once you are settled in the safety of my home. It is my hope that we will be able to arrange a return to your family at the earliest possible moment and without drawing any unwanted attention in doing so."
"Oh, Sir! Thank you!" The tears choking her voice conveyed the great depth of gratitude and relief this information had stirred within her. He was enchanted by the vision of her eyes as they glistened and once again a hint of the sparkle which had nearly been extinguished by this horrid place returned to her eyes.
They watched each other in silence for a few moments before he finally withdrew to the mirror to begin retying his cravat. He had been taken unawares by the ease with which the negotiations had been conducted and that they were done with such rapidity. He had been uncertain how much the madame would demand, but he had been prepared to pay any price to set her free. While he was not in any way at ease with the prospect of leaving her here for even an hour or two, he had been realistic in his expectations. Why would a woman of business allow a precious commodity to leave her sight before the money had changed hands? No, he knew that he would have to leave Elizabeth's side however breifly, and he meant it when he said he would return as quickly as possible.
As he was putting the finishing touches on his cravat, a knock upon the door drew him from the mirror. Quietly he watched as the madame returned, followed by another young woman carrying a tray of food. He noted that this selection was of much better quality than that which had been served the night before, not to mention with more than enough for two. The madame also held within her hands a gown and undergarments for Elizabeth to dress.
Setting the garments on the bed, she turned her attention to the gentleman and once again smiled graciously, "Is there anything else I can do for you, Sir?"
"Yes, have a cab hailed for me and alert me when it is ready."
"As you wish," and with a curtsey she was gone.
Donning his tailcoat and then lifting his overcoat from where it had spent the night on the floor, he shook it out repeatedly before shrugging into it. "Pray, avail yourself of the tray. I will not tarry and hope to return for you within two hours. Is there any other comfort I can request for you before I go? Do you need someone to assist you to dress?"
"No, Sir. I would rather not have anyone attend me." She cast her eyes about the room for a few moments as she hugged the bed sheets closer. "I do not know how I will ever be able to repay your kindness, Sir. Nor such a sum as you are-"
"Pray, do not make yourself uneasy, Miss Bennet. A great wrong has been perpetrated against you, and I am immensely grateful to be able to assist you in escaping from this torment. There is nothing which need be repaid."
"But Sir! Five hun-" But she was again prevented from saying any more as he again interrupted.
"Pray, think on it no more, madam. Seeing you safely restored to your family is all the reparation I require." He was then drawn to the door by another discreet knock. Upon being informed a carriage was awaiting him, he turned to look once more at Elizabeth, leaning back against the headboard with the sheets wrapped securely about her and her waves of chocolate curls cascading about her shoulders. It was an image he was sure he would never forget for as long as he drew breath.
Smiling gently, he quit the room and silently followed Madame Amelia back through the hallway and down the servants' stairs. Resolutely avoiding any further conversation with the woman, he pulled the brim of his beaver further down over his brow as they walked to the door, and saying only enough to reassure her that he would return shortly, he made his way out the house and quickly into the waiting carriage.
The first stop he needed to make was a return to his home in order to change into more presentable attire and to set his staff to work preparing for Elizabeth's arrival. However, he had no desire for the cab driver, who most certainly knew what type of establishment he had just exited from, to be alerted to his address and therefore his identity. Directing the man to take him only a few streets away, he watched in silence as they crossed back into a respectable business district before knocking on the ceiling and requested to be let out. Once the carriage was out of view, he promptly waved down another cab to complete his journey back to Berkeley Square.
The spectacle of the master returning home in the early hours of the morning, smelling strongly of perfume and drink, was certainly a scene to behold and one which would fuel the gossip among the servants for days to come. Unlike much of the Ton who so often engaged in raucous and debauched behavior, serving as the fodder for gossip and scandal, the Master was known by his staff to be an upstanding, principled gentleman who enjoyed a quiet and staid life. Always mindful in his selection of friends and social engagements, he was never one to stay out too late nor find himself entangled in the intrigues which Society thrived upon. While many servants to the First Circle were so often to be heard lamenting the trials of working under such wild and erratic personages, the servants for the Darcys were always so very grateful and content in their service to a family so stable and peaceful. So, it was a quite a shock indeed to see the Master return home in such a state of dishevelment!
Handing his great coat and hat to the footman, he inquired as to the whereabouts of Mrs. Chadwick.
"I believe she is overseeing the preparations for Miss Darcy's arrival, Sir," answered Mr. Hawkins, the Darcys' butler. "Shall I summons her, Sir?"
"Yes, and Mr. Fletcher as well. Also, have the servants' carriage prepared." Ignoring the look of astonishment that even the stoic Mr. Hawkins could not entirely mask, he continued, "I have an important matter to attend to and do not wish to draw attention to my movements." Signaling for the butler to follow him as he made for the stairs, he explained further. "This is a very delicate matter and discretion is of the utmost importance. The reputation of an innocent young woman is at stake, and I will rely upon you and Mrs. Chadwick to quell all gossip among the staff and ensure the young lady is treated with the utmost respect and dignity which she is due."
"Of course, Sir!" Mr. Hawkins exclaimed, offended at the implication that any guest of Mr. Darcy's would be treated otherwise no matter how she came to be at the house.
However, Mr. Darcy was determined to do all he could to protect Miss Bennet, even if it meant shocking his household with her arrival. "She has been the victim of a most heinous betrayal, and I do not wish what anyone bears witness to today to cloud their judgment of this young lady or set tongues wagging belowstairs. She is a gentleman's daughter and a woman of superior sense and character."
"Of course, Sir. There is not one among us who would expect any differently from an acquaintance of yours, Sir."
"Very well. Pray, ensure the carriage is ready to leave within the quarter hour and ask Mrs. Chadwick to await me in my study."
Making his way to his chamber, he was not surprised to find that Fletcher was already waiting for him, having anticipated his master's intentions. Always impeccable in both dress and manner, his trusted valet hid his curiosity at the sight of his master so disordered well. As he was repeatedly instructed to hurry in preparing his employer for the day, the task was executed in such a manner as to have Mr. Darcy on his way to his study within fifteen minutes.
Arriving at the door, he found Mrs. Chadwick waiting for him, and silently she followed him into the room.
"Mrs. Chadwick, I do not have time to explain, but I need you to see to it that a chamber is readied immediately for a guest. It is my hope to return with her within an hour or so. I have already spoken with Mr. Hawkins, but I will require your assistance as well."
Taking a quick breath, he repeated his instructions concerning the treatment the young lady was to receive and warned against allowing the servants under her direction to speak ill of or gossip about her. As he spoke however, he did not fail to notice the subtle hints of censure filling the eyes of his faithful housekeeper. Her unmarried master was to bring an unchaperoned young woman into the townhouse in the early hours of the morning after he had been out all night. And, demanded a bed chamber be readied for her!
"I assure you, Mrs. Chadwick, there is nothing untoward about to occur under your roof." Unable to resist the temptation to do so, he employed the smile which had serve to spare him from numerous punishments as a young boy. Living under the watchful eye of the formidable housekeepers, Mrs. Reynold's at Pemberely and Mrs. Chadwick in London, there was never much mischief the young Master Darcy could get away with as a growing boy. And although he was now a grown man and master of the house, that still seemed to mean little in the face of either's disapprobation.
A slight shift in her demeanor told him the smile had once again served him well, but he grew serious as he continued, "She is a most honorable and kind young lady, and I intend no harm or dishonor against her. She is in need of a safe haven until we can return her to her family."
After surveying him for a few moments longer, the housekeeper finally relented and bowed her head in recognition of his wishes.
"Thank you, Mrs. Chadwick."
Upon leaving the housekeeper to her task, he made his way to the courtyard and was relieved to see the carriage ready for his departure. Calling the coachman away from the grooms, he drew the man far enough away to ensure their conversation would not be overhead.
"Our first stop will be the bank, and I shall be carrying on my person a considerable sum. Have you your pistol?"
"As always, Sir."
"Excellent. What shall happen next you are not to repeat. To do so will result in immediate dismissal from my service." He paused for a moment as the coachman's eyes grew wide in response and he shifted nervously from one foot to another in his unease. "This is a situation requiring a great deal of discretion, and you are the only one who shall ever know where we are about to travel. You are never to repeat where we have been. Your years of excellent service to this family leave me in no doubt of your prudence and I assure you it is merely the direness of this situation which would lead me to say as much."
After the coachmen nodded his understanding, and stood a little taller at the expression of trust and appreciation received from his master, he bowed and mounted the carriage. Following closely behind, Mr. Darcy boarded as well and settled back against the cushions as the carriage lurched forward, set off with all due haste for the bank.
