Mr. Darcy's Valentine Baby: a Pride and Prejudice Variation by April Floyd

Author:April Floyd [Floyd, April]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-02-14T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Elizabeth was having an early breakfast with Mr. Darcy, well before the guests who had stayed with them after the ball arose, when Nanny came rushing into the room breathless.

“Mr. Darcy, sir,” she said, her countenance one of grave concern. Elizabeth looked to her husband, worry marring her brow that had been smooth only moments before. He cleared his throat and placed his coffee cup on the spotless white tablecloth.

“Nanny, is all well with the children?” His voice betrayed not a hint of the consternation his wife apparently felt as her eyes went from his face to the woman standing before them.

“Yes sir, that is, all is well with those in the nursery. Beth is missing, sir. She was there last evening with the others. But when I awoke this morning, her little bed was empty. I do not know how that could be since I sleep right beside her.” Nanny began to wring her hands as her voice faltered.

Mr. Darcy stood and pulled the bell over the fireplace. “I will have the footmen search the house. Have you checked with Miss Darcy?”

Nanny nodded. “I went to her rooms first, sir. She has come to take Beth with her some nights, but there was no answer to my knocks this morning.”

Elizabeth had not known that Miss Darcy brought the child to her rooms at night and she rose swiftly from her seat. “I will go now and see whether the child is asleep with Georgie.”

Mr. Darcy agreed as the butler entered the breakfast room. Nanny went with Elizabeth and left her in the hallway before Miss Darcy’s door. “I must see to the children of your guests, ma’am. Please send a maid up to me when Beth is found. I will worry terribly until then.”

“Thank you, Nanny. I am sure Beth is with Miss Darcy but I will send up a maid to ease your mind. We are most grateful for your devoted care of our Beth.” Elizabeth could see the poor woman was genuinely concerned for her young charge.

Waiting until Nanny left her in the hallway, Elizabeth turned to Miss Darcy’s door and opened it quietly. She did not call out nor make unnecessary noise in case young Beth was in bed with Miss Darcy. It was still quite early.

Crossing the small sitting room, Elizabeth moved slowly as she noticed the usually tidy room in some disarray. Several books were on the floor instead of the table by the sofa and articles of clothing were strewn about as if discarded in haste.

It was unusual indeed to find the room in such a state. Worry growing in her breast, Elizabeth pushed open the door leading from the sitting room into the bedchamber. The fire burned low in the fireplace and the room had grown colder since a maid had not been in yet to feed the fire.

Her eyes went immediately to the bed as she hugged herself against the chill in the room. It sat empty without the bedclothes ever having been rumpled.

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