Chapter 26

At Darcy House, a carriage pulled up in front sometime after dinner, and Theodora Patterson presented herself at the door for Lord and Lady Darcy with all urgency.

"Is Lydia here?" she said after she was announced the drawing room. "Lady Darcy, Lydia went to her Greek lesson some hours ago, and neither she nor her carriage have returned. I have been to her office, and no one has had any word of her. I know her dowry is safe; she has told me that. But that may not prevent someone from attempting to ransom her."

Elizabeth was alarmed indeed by this news, particularly after their experiences with Kitty, and she rang for Will, who had been working very hard in his study all day. She explained the situation to him, and he laughed. "Just a moment, Elizabeth. I have the answer." He left the room only to return a few moments later with an incredibly tiny, and incredibly wobbly old man. "This is Mr Carter, Lydia's Greek tutor."

"Isss a pleazzure to make your acquaintance, Lady Darrrrccy," Mr Carter bowed low and lost his balance, as Darcy pulled him up by the back of his collar and set him back on his feet.

"Mr Carter arrived some hours ago, and confessed to locking Lydia and Dorian in his parlour, and then leaving them alone in his house entirely." Darcy smiled. "Considering what I know of the matter, I thought it might be best to give it some time before we rescue them, so I have been hiding Mr Carter in my study all afternoon and all evening. He has become quite friendly with the contents of my brandy decanter in that time, and could now do with an escort home."

"Finnne brannndyy," Mr Carter slurred. "Top notch, Darcyyy."

"If Lydia and Dorian have settled their differences when we arrive at your home, you will receive a bottle of it every Christmas," promised Darcy. "Or perhaps even if they have not. It was a fine effort."

"I agree, but now that my sister has been quite alone in a house with a man for some hours, may we not hasten there now to retrieve her?" Elizabeth demanded.

Darcy agreed, and since Theodora's carriage was waiting, they took it to Cheapside. Mr Carter fell quite asleep on the way, and when they entered the hall of Mr Carter's house, Darcy was mostly carrying him. The parlour door came off its hinges just as they entered the hall, and Lydia peered out around Dorian's shoulders to find them all there.

"Lydia, do tell me that you are finally engaged," Elizabeth said.

"I will be, Lizzy," Lydia promised. "Tomorrow."