Notes: Having completed the translation of The Heiress, I am now working on translating this new story.
Late November – December 1811
Pale and incredulous, Darcy read Mrs. Reynolds's note for the second time. The news was devastating: his sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, was expecting a child, and it seemed she had left Pemberley. Despite an exhaustive search of the house and the surrounding estate, no trace of her had been found, heightening the sense of urgency and despair.
He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white under the strain, and closed his eyes, struggling to process the enormity of the situation. Previously, he had dismissed Wickham's claim that he should marry Georgiana to avoid potential repercussions; it now seemed Wickham had not been lying. The revelation raised further troubling questions: Had Georgiana fled Pemberley of her own accord, or had she been abducted? Had Mrs. Annesley, as Georgiana's companion, deceived him, as had happened with Georgiana's previous companion?
Within an hour of receiving the note, Darcy departed for Pemberley. The journey was arduous and fraught with inclement weather, causing the trip to stretch nearly four days. Upon his arrival, Mrs. Reynolds and Mrs. Annesley met him at the door, both of whom bore expressions of deep concern and sorrow.
Once Darcy was informed that there was still no news of Georgiana, he convened with Mrs. Reynolds and Mrs. Annesley in his study. The room, usually a sanctuary of quiet contemplation, now felt oppressive with the weight of unanswered questions and mounting anxiety. Without preamble, Darcy addressed Mrs. Annesley directly, his voice laced with urgency and a controlled edge. "Mrs. Annesley, could you please clarify your whereabouts on the night my sister disappeared?"
"Mr. Darcy," Mrs. Annesley began, her voice quivering with anxiety, "Miss Darcy vanished on the night of November 24th, during a period when most of the servants were asleep. I was in my quarters at that time, following my usual routine. I did not leave my room that night."
"Did no servant witness her departure from the house?"
Mrs. Reynolds shook her head, her frustration palpable. "I questioned the footmen on duty that night, and none reported seeing Miss Darcy leave or hearing any unusual noises. They observed nothing out of the ordinary. It seems Miss Darcy must have exited through one of the service passages, which are less frequently monitored and not as rigorously secured."
She paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "I am uncertain if this detail is directly relevant to Miss Darcy's disappearance, but it should be noted that in the month preceding her vanishing, she was notably distressed about her situation. A few days before her disappearance, she received a letter from a woman, which visibly unsettled her."
As Darcy absorbed this information, his mind raced with the implications: if Georgiana had sought Wickham's assistance, it would explain her abrupt departure. Wickham, who was intimately familiar with Pemberley, including its seldom-used servant passages and obscure corners, would have had ample opportunity to facilitate her escape. If Georgiana had fled with him, it was highly likely that he would soon receive a notification of their marriage.
Turning his gaze to Mrs. Annesley, Darcy's voice carried the weight of finality. "Given the failure to prevent such a serious situation and the breach of your duties, I find it necessary to terminate your employment without a reference. You are to pack your belongings and vacate Pemberley by this afternoon."
Mrs. Annesley responded with a subdued nod, her face a mask of resignation and quiet sorrow. Although her conscience was clear, she had nonetheless failed in her duties as a companion, which had led to this unfortunate and distressing situation. With her savings sufficient to support herself for a few years, she should need to seek another position or consider residing with her brother.Top of Form