Darcy took the pin. He recognized it at once. It was the miniature dagger he had purchased for Georgiana’s protection.
“Thank you, Mrs. Nichols. I believe I know where my sister may be hiding. She is still in this house and hiding from Mr. Wickham.” He turned to Higgins. “Thank you for managing matters here.”
Elizabeth asked, “Is the house secure, Higgins? Do we know how Mr. Wickham gained entrance?”
“Mistress, we found the library doors ajar. We believe they had been left unlocked and that he entered there.”
“That is entirely my fault,” Darcy said. “I almost always enter by that door.”
He placed an arm around Elizabeth. “Come, darling. Let us go and find Georgiana. Higgins, remain here and await the physician. Notify me once he has examined Wickham.”
“Yes, sir.”
Darcy led Elizabeth to the library. Taking up a branch of candles, they entered. He checked the French doors and found them locked. Then he crossed to the far side of the library and felt along the bookcase until his fingers located the concealed lever. It was locked.
Now he knew with certainty that Georgiana had taken refuge there. He felt a rush of relief. He searched the adjoining bookcase until he found the volume he sought. Opening it, he removed a key concealed within a hollow cut into the pages. He unlocked the lever, worked it, and pushed open the secret door.
He raised the branch of candles. They saw the cot and Georgiana sleeping soundly upon it. Darcy raised a finger to his lips, and together they withdrew from the room.
After he closed the door behind them, he asked quietly, “Shall I leave her there? She is fast asleep.”
Elizabeth said, “I believe I should remain with her. She may wake from a night terror. At least for this first night, and since she lies in such a strange hiding place, I do not think she should be left alone.”
He agreed. They went upstairs and prepared for bed before he escorted Elizabeth back down to the library. He placed the key in her hand.
“There is a second cot and several blankets. Take these candles with you and lock the door behind you.”
He kissed her, and then Elizabeth slipped into the secret room.
Elizabeth squeezed her eyes shut, but the noise persisted. Someone was rapping upon the door.
She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. It was unfamiliar. Where was Fitzwilliam? She reached toward his side of the bed and overshot the narrow cot upon which she lay. She tumbled to the floor.
Then she remembered where she was.
She looked toward the other cot and saw Georgiana’s curls spread across the pillow. Rising quickly, she hurried to the door.
“Elizabeth?”
“Coming. Let me find the key.”
She unlocked the door and stepped aside to admit him.
“How did you sleep?” he asked.
“Very Well. I did not wake once.”
“And Georgiana?”
“She is well.”
He glanced over her shoulder. His sister still slept tucked beneath the blankets.
“Richard is on his way. We are going to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital to check on Wickham. I intend to pay officers to guard him day and night until he is returned to custody. I have learned of a transport ship, theSomersetshire, sailing for Australia in late June. Should Wickham survive his injury, he shall be aboard it.”
“So, his injury was grave?”
“Yes, it was severe. When I purchased the little dagger for Georgiana, I had no notion it could prove such a deadly weapon. The wound was very nearly fatal, and over the next few days, we shall learn whether it has, in fact, proved fatal.”