The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy by Regina Jeffers

Author:Regina Jeffers [Jeffers, Regina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781612432045
Publisher: Ulysses Press

Edward kicked the partially closed courtyard door open, sending the door slamming against the Oriental wallpaper and leaving a gash in the design, but the colonel took little notice. Instead, he strode through the empty study to emerge into the main hall. “Barriton,” he bellowed. “Hannah. Sheffield.” Servants scrambled to respond.

“Yes, Colonel?” The butler responded from behind an ornate medieval shield.

Edward’s temper flared. It was not as if he walked about every day with a limp woman in his arms. “Mrs. Darcy requires a physician,” he barked. “Both she and Mr. Darcy will require hot baths.”

“Oh, my!” Hannah squealed as she rushed to her mistress’s side. “What happened?” she pleaded, as she gently touched Elizabeth’s hand.

Edward frowned deeply. “I am not certain. Darcy found her. He had carried Mrs. Darcy from the vicinity of the orchard and the lake. She is soaked,” he said as he climbed the stairs.

Hannah trailed behind him. “That be more than three quarters mile,” she declared in amazement.

“Explains Darcy’s complete exhaustion. I imagine it so. I have ordered a hot bath and have sent for Mr. Glover.” He hefted Elizabeth higher in his arms. “Go before me and see to Mrs. Darcy’s things.” Hannah darted around him and disappeared into the upper passageway.

Above him, Sheffield’s voice inquired, “You sought my services, Colonel?” Despite the valet’s usual unflappable attitude, concern crossed the man’s countenance.

“Mr. Darcy is injured. He is trailing me through the lower gardens. Your master requires your assistance immediately,” the colonel said over his shoulder. Sheffield did not respond verbally. Instead, the man scurried past him to seek Darcy. “Thank God some of the servants in this house recognize their duties,” he grumbled as he shouldered his way through the open door to Elizabeth’s bedchamber.

“Set her down here,” Hannah said as she draped a sheet over the small sofa.

“Do you require assistance?”

“I shall attend Mrs. Darcy.” The maid patted Elizabeth’s wrist. “The Mistress is so pale.”

Edward simply nodded. What could he say? He had never seen Elizabeth look so, and it worried him as much as it did the lady’s maid. “I will leave you to it. I will check on the warm water and assist Sheffield with Mr. Darcy. Knowing my cousin’s devotion to his wife, Darcy will be in here before you make your mistress comfortable.”

Elizabeth opened her eyes slowly. “Thank you...Colonel,” she said with difficulty. “See to...Mr. Darcy...if you please.”

“As always, my dear,” he said gallantly. Edward bent to kiss Elizabeth’s forehead. “Recover quickly, Mrs. Darcy. Your husband will be a bear until he knows no more worries over your health.” With that, he exited and closed the door to her room.

Edward skidded to a halt when he discovered his cousin slumped over in a chair in the study. Sheffield had wrestled the swollen leather from Darcy’s feet. Lacerations covered Darcy’s lower legs and blood dotted his stockings. Although it was midmorning, Edward shoved a brandy into Darcy’s hand. “My wife?” Darcy asked anxiously.

“Is in the capable hands of her maid,” Edward assured.

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