Chapter 34
Mr. Darcy's irritation grew. By the early hours of the morning the ball was over and their guests had departed, but Elizabeth was nowhere to be seen. Her maid had confirmed she was not in her room and the room was unchanged. One of the footmen said he had seen her leave the house and walk towards the rose garden, but no one could recall her returning. Staff were sent to look for her outside, but still there was no sign of her.
The family gathered in the drawing room. Kitty and Georgiana were on the verge of tears. Mrs. Gardiner, Lady Trentham and Mrs. Bingley were all looking equally anxious.
"If she has gone for a walk perhaps she has fallen," suggested Mrs. Gardiner.
"I have had people searching the grounds, but there is no trace of her," said Darcy.
"This is not like Lizzy," said Mrs. Bingley quietly, "But she was upset…"
"Could she be hiding somewhere?" asked Charles Bingley.
"No. Elizabeth would not do that," said Mr. Gardiner. "My niece has always liked walking, especially if she was upset, but she would not deliberately stay away and worry us all."
"Then she must have fallen," said Mrs. Gardiner. "There can be no other explanation."
"Perhaps she has walked beyond the grounds of Pemberley," said Georgiana, putting her arm around Kitty.
"Well, they cannot find her. It is dark. We can continue the search when it is light," said Mr. Darcy who unlike Mr. Gardiner thought Elizabeth might indeed be hiding in the building. The Wilmingtons behaviour had been shocking, but there had been no need for her to disappear.
"But they must keep searching for her now," said Lady Trentham fretfully, "Fitzwilliam, this is not like Elizabeth and in her condition if she has been hurt she may need attention."
"What do you mean, Lady Trentham?" asked Mrs. Bingley.
Anne looked embarrassed as all eyes were turned upon her.
"What do you mean, Anne? Elizabeth's condition…?"
Anne's face was troubled as she stared at her cousin. "Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth is expecting a child."
All members of them looked at each other. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm certain of it. She has not told me, but I know it. She has been feeling unwell, she has been off her food and there have been other signs. Elizabeth would never run away and endanger her child. You must keep searching for her."
Darcy didn't know what to say. A child? A child? For a moment his heart leapt with joy, but then he realised the implications of what Anne had said. Elizabeth was out there somewhere, alone. She could be injured.
"Fitzwilliam… the search."
Mr. Darcy looked at Anne. He could hardly take in what she had said.
"The search… it must be continued."
"Of course… we must find her." He almost stumbled towards the door.
"Darcy, wait," called Bingley. "You cannot go alone. We must consult with others."
Darcy said nothing, but left the room quickly followed by his friend.
Tears rained silently down Kitty's face and she gripped onto Georgiana. A baby? Where was Elizabeth. They all felt terrified for her.
Mr. Darcy found it increasingly difficult to control himself as the night progressed and there was no word of Elizabeth. He and Bingley went out and searched the grounds, while others went out beyond the walls of Pemberley, but there was still no sign of her. Mr. Gardiner had taken charge inside of Pemberley and insisted that every room was searched again. Still no sign. Mrs. Gardiner checked her room again with Betsey, but her maid insisted not a single item was missing.
After three hours of searching, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy returned to the house. Exhausted they sat down in the library. The house was quieter as Mr. Gardiner had encouraged everyone to retire to bed. Kitty had wanted to stay up until Elizabeth was found, but Georgiana had taken her by the hand and led her away, telling her they could share her room.
"We will have a drink, Bingley, then we must go out again. She must be found."
"Darcy, we must get some rest," said his friend, who was beginning to suffer from the effects of too much good food, wine and dancing. He too was anxious about Mrs. Darcy, but he did feel weary.
"You rest, Bingley. I cannot contemplate it," said Darcy.
"There is nothing that can be done right now," said Bingley. "Harlow has sent out word. At first light we will be joined by more people to search. Nothing is to be served by wandering aimlessly in the grounds."
Mr. Darcy knew his friend was right, but he could not contemplate sleeping while Elizabeth was still missing. "But Bingley, she is with child…"
Bingley didn't know what to say. He did not want to upset his friend, but he was curious to why Mrs. Darcy had not told his friend she was expecting a child.
"We will find her…" he said.
"But if she has fallen…" He could not finish the sentence.
Bingley clapped him on the shoulder. "Darcy, we will all be out again in a matter of hours. We must have faith that Elizabeth will be found unharmed. She is a strong woman."
Darcy knew there was some truth in what his friend said, but this was different. How he wished she was there with him. He had been so cruel and now he was paying for it. If she lost the child he could only blame himself.
"Darcy. You should try and sleep," suggested Bingley.
"No… I cannot sleep. Bingley go. Take your rest."
"I will go and speak to Mrs. Bingley, but I will re-join you if I may."
Darcy nodded as he stared out at the grounds. Elizabeth was out there somewhere and he could not rest until she returned. He would never forgive himself if she came to harm.
Mr. Gardiner later joined them. "Darcy… do you think Elizabeth's disappearance has anything to do with what happened earlier…?"
"Lord Wilmington? No… the man was angry. He is bitter at Lord Campbell giving the Westborough seat to me… and he dislikes that I have been critical of him throwing workers off his land, but harm my wife? No. He would not do that."
"Are you sure?" asked Mr. Gardiner.
Darcy thought for a moment. Lord Wilmington had always been erratic and hot tempered, but harm his wife? No. "Wilmington was already gone before Elizabeth disappeared."
"It was just a thought," said Mr. Gardiner. "That scene was quite extraordinary."
"It was embarrassing," said Darcy, sitting down and stretching out his tired legs. "He clearly set out to damage me."
"And has he?"
"No. Neither Lord Campbell nor Mr. Tillerson were concerned. They knew he was talking nonsense."
"And my niece?" asked Mr. Gardiner.
"I do not know," said Mr. Darcy sadly.