The next morning, Mrs. Hurst turned a critical eye to every room she entered. She would open a door, look inside, close the door, then move on to the next room. Each time, the frown on her face only deepened. And now she did it as she entered the study where the gentlemen sat. Her husband, having seen her earlier actions, raised an inquiring eyebrow.
"There is nothing of Zibby here. Something needs to be done, Wes," was her tearful response. "She does not have a place in her own homes." She explained to the others. "Zibby was still in the nursery both here and at Raber Hill. She does not even have her own room. When the other children left the nursery, we let them choose their room and together we refurbished it to their tastes. I so enjoyed doing that with Tessa. I would love to do that with Zibby."
Mr. Hurst looked around. "There is very little of us here, either. We have barely been in London other than right after Zibby disappeared. We were in Warwickshire or Oxfordshire with Tessa and Henry. This is more David and Louisa's home now."
"And Miss Bingley's." Her wrinkled nose illustrated her distaste for the lady.
"Caroline will not be returning here." David would not yield on that decision, made only a few days ago. "She has been particularly unkind regarding Elizabeth's recovery. And this is Elizabeth's home first."
"What did she do? I will not have her causing any trouble. I will not have it." Mrs. Hurst ground out the words through clenched teeth.
"Caroline is nothing but trouble, but it is for Bingley to work out." David responded, not wishing to related Caroline's foul words.
This is the first Mr. Bennet had heard of this. He knew there was no love lost between the two ladies, but he also knew Elizabeth did not need any outside disturbances at this time. As he made to ask about what had occurred, the door opened. The butler escorted Darcy into the room.
Sensing but not understanding the tension in the room, Darcy offered to return at a more appropriate time.
"No, Darcy. It is fine. Caroline was our most recent topic of conversation." Darcy could well comprehend the mood of the room, given that information. "You have met my parents, I believe."
"Yes, of course, though it has been some time." Darcy had last met Mr. Hurst at a horse sale. Darcy was with his father; it was just shortly before his death. Another earlier meeting, at a ball of a mutual acquaintance, included Mrs. Hurst.
"Mr. Darcy. Thank you for your assistance. David has told me how much he appreciates the support of both you and Bingley." He gestured for Darcy to take a seat.
"I have done nothing of note. However, I have been considering your situation. May I ask you a few questions?" Curious as to what the man might ask, Mr. Hurst gave him leave to do so.
"I can well understand how things might have been missed at Wymondham, emotions were very high. But David has indicated you contacted the Bow Street Runners. What came of that?"
"Nothing, to our great dismay. We went to the Runners almost immediately. They agreed to investigate though they had a heavy caseload. They did not consider it a priority. They recommended we engage an independent investigator as well. So that is what we did.
"One of their runners would examine the papers looking for word of Zibby and search the foundling homes and pursue other leads in London. The investigator would go into Norfolk and re-interview the people in Wymondham and follow the different roads from the town, stopping at inns, seeing if anybody saw Zibby. He had our consent to do whatever else he thought necessary. We would fund it."
"Did they provide you with any reports? Either one of them?" Darcy asked.
"Both of them did. We received regular reports. They are at Raber Hill. Should I send for them?"
"Not at this time. You said the runner would check the papers. Did you do that as well?"
"I did not. It always takes a few days for the papers to make their way to us. I do not think I could have read them at the time. It was so hard just to get out of bed everyday. Since the runner was in London, he could follow up more easily. Meanwhile, we went home to Warwickshire. We thought if somebody was looking for her home they come there. We seldom went to London, but Zibby knew the name of our estate. We never conceived her words would not be clear. We understood her just fine, but then we were used to how she spoke.
"When my sister, Georgiana, was little if she referred to Pemberley it sounded like Embery. If you knew what she intended, it was clear as day." Darcy affirmed Mr. Hurst's statement. "How long did you retain them?"
"We still do and we receive reports from both men. Just not as frequently as we once did." Mr. Hurst admitted.
"I suspect you are still paying them as well." Darcy's suspicions were mounting.
"Those blaggards. They would not." Mr. Bennet had discerned where Darcy's questions were leading.
"Such corruption is not unheard of, Mr. Bennet. It is best to confirm. If you will allow me, I would like to check into the men. I can stay in London and see to it. You have more pleasant activities to pursue."
All three Hursts were stunned. The thought that the men they trusted to find their Zibby may have taken advantage of their family left them outraged. Father and son looked to each other and came to an agreement.
"If you would, Darcy, we would be most grateful." David responded.
"If you can provide their names, and those of any subsequent investigators, I shall get on it directly." Once the information was in hand, Darcy took his leave.
"Good man, that Darcy. I confess, the thought never occurred to me that our efforts to find Zibby might have backfired on us," Mr. Hurst said. He shook his head, as if shaking the thought away. "Mr. Bennet, where do we go from here? We are both satisfied that Elizabeth Bennet is actually Elizabeth Hurst. I appreciate the upheaval this will cause in her life, but I am anxious to see my daughter. Can you send an express to see if Zibby would be willing to join us in London? Of course, we would be willing to go to Meryton, but I wonder if that is best. It is everything that is familiar and comfortable. She will be reminded of everything she will be leaving, everything she will miss. Meeting here, or at least in London, might help her look to the future."
"I agree. I will write immediately. We should also discuss what Lizzy brings with her. Lizzy has her dowry."
"You have done so much for Zibby, for us. It is not necessary. And you must provide for your other daughters."
"It is but four thousand pounds. Mrs. Bennet and I would like for her to have it. It would be our honor to do this one last thing for her. If we must, let us merely think of it as a gift. Her portion of her mother's settlement will be divided among my other girls."
Mr. Hurst respected the offer and accepted it as the gesture of love it represented. "We invested Zibby's dowry. It was originally ten thousand. I have not looked at the returns lately. She and Tessa also inherited five thousand from my parents. That has been put in a trust which I oversee. With your contribution, she will have a handsome dowry."
"Do not forget that my parents plan to settle funds on each of the children," Mrs. Hurst added. "We have also saved the pin money she would have received. That is a tidy sum she may have right now. Does Zibby like to shop? That is always a wonderful way to get to know someone. It is much better than balls and dinner parties and polite calls during receiving hours. We do not have clubs like you men do."
"I will write Elizabeth and ask if she is amenable to coming to London. Her mother can accompany her. And I will return home."
"Would Miss Bennet not like to come as well, especially if shopping is involved."
"As it happens, my Jane has a very promising admirer who is tied to Meryton for the time being. This situation has consumed us all, but I do not expect Jane to put her life on hold for Lizzy's sake, as much as she would be willing to do so. Jane is a good girl and deserves her courtship and should not have to wait for it. Lizzy and Jane will not be separated for long." Mr. Bennet chuckled.
"I had not thought of that when I barred Caroline from this house. But I cannot relent" David said. Realizing his parents did not know what he was referring to, he explained. "The very promising admirer is none other than Louisa's brother, Charles. Bingley cannot leave Caroline alone at Netherfield. But he cannot bring her to London since they stay with us while they are in town. He will have to find his own London home, establish Caroline in her own establishment, or foist her off on someone else before he can come back to town.
"Oh, Zibby and Jane will become sisters again," exclaimed Mrs. Hurst. "Zibby to David to Louisa to Mr. Bingley to Miss Bennet. It is all getting rather complicated is it not?"
"It is indeed, my dear, but in the most delightful ways," her husband replied.