happily, for many years to come.”
“It is our estate, my love. You are my wife, and what is mine, is yours. It
is your home, do not forget that.” Darcy said as he kissed Elizabeth’s lips, with
his cousin watching in shock. Richard would never have thought it possible
that his strict and proper cousin would behave in such a manner outside the
privacy of his home.
“Mrs Darcy, I do believe I have already witnessed a tremendous change
in my cousin’s behavior, and I am very pleased with what I have seen. I fully
support you and William, and pray you have a long and happy life together.”
~~ ** ~~
The feel of the carriage coming to a halt woke Darcy from the nap he
had unexpectedly taken. The feel of his wife’s warm body cuddled into him, as
his head rested on top of her hair, gave Darcy a sense of comfort he had never
known before meeting Elizabeth. A soft chuckle was heard from across the
carriage.
“You two have such an appearance of love. If I did not know better, I
would have thought you had been married for years.” Richard smiled as he
watched his cousin.
“With Elizabeth, I can speak openly, be myself. We have had our
misunderstandings, but have been able to talk about them and learned of our
mistaken beliefs. I feel as if I finally am whole, now that she is in my life.”
“I envy you, Wills. For the first time in my life, I wish I were you. I have
never wished for your money, or property, my family has its share of wealth
and things. But to be loved, to have a beautiful woman who cares for you in
such a way as Elizabeth obviously cares for you, that is the greatest treasure in
the world.”
“You are completely correct in that, cousin.” Darcy said as the door
opened on the carriage. Richard exited from inside first, and Darcy picked up
his wife in his arms, carrying her to the house. Inside the door, the butler and
housekeeper of Darcy House were waiting for them. “Mrs Whitaker, I hope
the Mistress’s suite is ready for my wife. She is exhausted, and I will take her
upstairs. I will then meet with you and Mr Crossman in my study. Richard,
you will join us, will you not?”
“Of course. I wish to send a message to Mother, so I will head to the
study to write it.” Richard walked quickly down the hall, while Darcy took the
stairs leading to the second floor, and down the hallway to the family wing.
~~ ** ~~
“So, Mrs Younge has vanished as well?” Darcy asked his housekeeper.
“Yes, Sir, we have had no word from your sister’s companion since the
abduction. When I searched Mrs Younge’s rooms, after we received the letter
from Mr Wickham, I have discovered most of her belongings are missing.
Yesterday, Mr Crossman saw her carrying a rather large box out of the house.
When he asked her if she needed assistance, she declined. Mrs Younge stated
the box contained several gifts for her sister and her children. When Mr
Crossman informed me of this, I thought it was peculiar, as I remember Mrs
Younge telling me, when I interviewed her, she had no family. She told me
that she had one sister, but that she had died five years ago, in a fire at her
family’s home. The sister, her husband and their three children were said to
have perished. That is not something I would easily forget, so when I heard
what Mrs Younge told Mr Crossman, I was instantly concerned.”
“Very good, Mrs Whitaker. And are any of my sister’s belongings
missing?”
“No, Sir. Laney looked through her mistress’s belongings, and the only
items missing are the clothes Miss Georgiana was wearing. Even Miss
Georgiana’s reticule was in her room.”
“We will need to keep a close watch over the house and the
neighborhood.” Richard declared. “It is certain that Wickham has someone
watching the house, waiting for your arrival, William. I would not be
surprised to see a message arrive soon from Wickham.”
“Richard, we will need to downplay your involvement in this matter, as
Wickham fears
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