Fitzwilliam Darcy, Master Spy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (Dimensions of Darcy Book 6) by Jennifer Joy

Author:Jennifer Joy [Joy, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

Darcy’s pulse thundered in his ears. Mr. Bennet—disappeared. On his watch.

Miss Elizabeth rested a hand on her mother’s shoulder. “Are you certain Papa is not merely ensconced in his book room?” She did not appear overly concerned on hearing her mother’s claim. Perhaps Mrs. Bennet frequently made outrageous outbursts. Perhaps Mr. Bennet was not gone at all.

Mrs. Bennet huffed. “Of course, I looked there first, Lizzy. Your father prefers books to people most of the time. It is a wonder you have any suitors at all⁠—”

Darcy pretended not to hear, though she looked directly at him. He pitied the man who would have such an outspoken woman for a mother-in-law.

Miss Elizabeth interrupted before her mother could continue. “Mama, we must find Papa. Have you looked in every room of the house?”

“Hill and Sarah searched with me from top to bottom.”

“Are all the horses accounted for in the stable?”

“All except for one.”

Richard turned to the door. “I will speak to the groom and stableboy.”

“There you are. Papa has gone for a ride and will return any moment.” Miss Elizabeth’s tone was hopeful.

“Your father does not ride for pleasure. You know that as well as I do, Lizzy.”

“Perhaps there is another explanation for the missing horse.”

“It is not the horse I wish to find; it is your father!”

“Might he have gone for a walk?”

Mrs. Bennet’s vexation toward Mr. Bennet turned to her daughter. “Have you ever known your father to go for long walks? Unless there is a library or bookshop to walk to, he prefers to sit with his nose in a book.” She raised a finger. “And before you suggest that he might have walked into Meryton to the circulating library, the gardener did not see him go out of doors, and Mr. Hill has not seen him since last night. Neither has his valet. If he left on horseback, he did it alone and during the night, and why would he do that?”

Miss Elizabeth’s shoulders visibly fell, as they would if one’s final hope was dashed. She now looked as concerned as her mother appeared irate. Mrs. Bennet’s nonsensical claim was no longer easily dismissed.

The pounding in Darcy’s skull resumed.

“Hill told me your father had not taken any breakfast this morning or asked for the newspaper Mr. Bingley so thoughtfully brought from town.” Mrs. Bennet’s face crumpled, her anger spent. “He returned to London without me. He has left us! Oh, Lizzy, what am I to do with five unmarried daughters out in the country? Why did he bring us out here to suffer?”

Miss Elizabeth wrapped her arm around her mother’s shaking shoulders, and Darcy took the matron’s elbow. Her dramatics aside, Darcy sympathized with Mrs. Bennet’s plight. If Mr. Bennet was truly gone, she had every reason to worry.

As did Darcy. Where was the gentleman, and how had Darcy allowed him to disappear while under his protection?

Together, they led Mrs. Bennet to the nearest kitchen chair so she might sob in greater comfort. The cook put on the kettle.

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