As promised the return of Mr. Bingley.
While Georgiana was finishing with her maid Mr. Darcy was receiving Mr. Bingley in his study. Colonel Fitzwilliam sat with his cousin. Both men welcomed Mr. Bingley. The younger man looked haggard. The cousins shared a concerned look.
"Bingley, are you well?" Mr. Darcy asked.
"I am at my wits' end, Darcy." Mr. Bingley said. "I have made every argument, every threat, I could think of yet Caroline refused to comply." He ran his hands through his hair. "I asked the coachman. He could not recall the exact address. I searched her room myself for a letter or scrap of paper that might hold the information of Jane's location. I found nothing."
"You searched your sister's room?" Colonel Fitzwilliam said.
"I did." Mr. Bingley said. "I feel terrible for invading her personal space but I am not sorry for it. I believed it made her see that I was serious."
"I commend you for your determination, my friend." Mr. Darcy said.
"I thank you but it did little good. I arrive before you empty handed. I asked her again this morning for the address and she refused. I told her I would send her out on her own. Her dowry is enough that it can sustain her. I said she could stay with the Hursts, our aunt, or hire a companion."
"I am sure she was not pleased to hear that."
"Neither was Louisa. She does not mind siding with Caroline but she does not like her residing in her home. Caroline is as happy to disparage Hurst's home as she is any other. She is forever saying how her house will be superior when she marries."
"So Mrs. Hurst refused to take her?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.
"Not outright. She said Caroline should stay in town for the rest of the season. She said there is a chance she can still catch a husband before everyone departs London for the summer."
"I highly doubt that."
"As do I but I feel I must give her the chance. I informed them they were all welcome to stay in my townhouse until the close of the season." Mr. Bingley said. "I also told them I would not share a roof with them so I packed a portmanteau and left. I informed my valet that I would send word where I was staying when I figured it out and he could bring my trunk."
"You are welcome to stay here, Bingley." Mr. Darcy said.
Mr. Bingley smiled.
"I was hoping you would offer. Now I only need to find out how to discover Miss Bennet's whereabouts."
"If we had her uncle's name it would not be hard." Colonel Fitzwilliam remarked.
"I could not even get that. I even spoke to Louisa after Caroline left the room. She said she did not know the family's name or address. Caroline visited on her own."
"Perhaps we could ride up and down Gracechurch Street and hope that Miss Bennet sees us." the colonel said.
"I am not sure that would be a fruitful endeavor." Mr. Darcy said.
Suddenly a rapid knocking came at the study door.
"Enter."
Georgiana burst into the room. The gentlemen all rose.
"I found the address." Georgiana said quickly. "Miss Elizabeth confirmed it is the right one."
"She is awake?"
Georgiana stopped abruptly realizing there were more people in the room than she expected.
"Miss Elizabeth is here?" Mr. Bingley asked.
Mr. Darcy nodded to his cousin who shut the door.
"Miss Elizabeth arrived here from Kent unconscious." Mr. Darcy said.
"How did she arrive if she was unconscious? And why here rather than her relations?"
"She was in her trunk." Georgiana said. "Anne sent it here so we could take care of her and protect her. It is likely she did not know the address of Elizabeth's relations either."
"But Miss Elizabeth told you their address?" Mr. Bingley asked hopefully.
"I found her letters. They were in a pocket sewn into the trunk's lid." She laid the letters on her brother's desk. "She confirmed that the address is her uncle's home and that his name is Gardiner."
"When did she wake? Why was I not informed?" Mr. Darcy asked.
"I think she may have been awake for sometime. Perhaps since she first arrived."
"What do you mean?"
"The twitching was her way of trying to communicate."
"Georgiana..."
"I know what you are going to say, brother, but it is not wishful thinking. I spoke to her last night."
"Last night? Why did you not inform me then?"
"You had already retired..."
"I would not have minded being woke."
"Miss Elizabeth agreed you needed your rest."
"Georgiana, are you sure you are not just seeing what you wish to see?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.
"Come with me and I will prove it." Georgiana said collecting Elizabeth's letters.
She turned and left the room. The three men wasted no time in following.
Once admitted to Elizabeth's room Georgiana moved to Elizabeth's side. Mrs. Taylor followed the group that moved towards the bed.
"I told him, Miss Elizabeth." Georgiana said. "But he does not seem to believe me. You shall have to help me make him see the truth."
Elizabeth's finger moved.
"See she agrees."
"It may only be coincidence." her brother commented.
"Miss Elizabeth, can you hear us?"
Her finger moved.
"Do you think my brother should believe me?"
Another movement.
"Would you like to ask her a question?"
Mr. Darcy thought for a moment. He glanced at the letters in his sister's hand.
"What is the second number in your uncle's address?"
Elizabeth's finger moved counting out the number three.
"Astonishing." Mrs. Taylor said.
"Did you read my letter?" Mr. Darcy asked.
Her finger twitched.
"Did you believe me?"
Another twitch. He was quiet for a moment.
"Were you awake this morning?"
Her finger moved again.
"Will I be scolded?"
No movement.
"I told you she would forgive." Mrs. Taylor remarked.
Georgiana shared the conversation she had with Elizabeth the previous night with them.
"It shall be an interesting conversation with your uncle." Mr. Darcy said.
"An even more interesting one with her father." Colonel Fitzwilliam remarked.
"Perhaps you should make your visit to Gracechurch Street now." Georgiana said. "I am sure Elizabeth's family are worried for her."
"Indeed." her brother replied. "We shall return soon."
Mr. Darcy spoke with Mrs. Taylor about a room for Mr. Bingley while his cousin called for the carriage. The older woman assured him his friend's things would be settled into his room. Mr. Bingley wrote a quick note to his valet. It was sent to his home with one of the Darcy's footmen and strict instructions that it be given to no one but his valet or housekeeper. When the carriage was announced the three men were quick to depart. During the journey Mr. Bingley was filled in on all the details of Elizabeth's presence at Mr. Darcy's home. By the time they reached their destination a silence had descended on them as they considered what must be shared with the young lady's relatives. The carriage rolled to a stop and they stepped down. Their knock was answered by a stern looking man.
"We wish to speak with Mr. Gardiner." Mr. Darcy stated.
"I am afraid the family is not accepting visitors today. You may leave your card."
"It is imperative that we speak with him. The matter concerns his niece."
"Which niece, sir? The master has several."
"Miss Elizabeth Bennet."
The butler straightened. He opened the door further allowing the gentlemen inside.
"If you would kindly wait here I will inform Mr. Gardiner of your desire to speak with him."
Mr. Darcy nodded.
"Do you think they know she is missing?" Mr. Bingley asked quietly.
"Yes. I believe she was due to return to London on Saturday." Colonel Fitzwilliam replied. "That was the day she arrived at Darcy's."
Mr. Darcy nodded. They waited in silence a minute more before the butler returned.
"Mr. Gardiner will see you."
I hope you all enjoyed this. Please leave a review and let me know what you think.