Chapter 23

M r Gardiner quivered on his steed at the last words of his wife. For a mile or so, he even forgot about Elizabeth being missing, ruminating on his wife’s revelation about what had happened in Kent, which made his task at Pemberley all the more complicated. His ire flared at his wife for withholding such news from him. If Elizabeth was not betrothed, she must have rejected the proposal. But then he remembered Bath, and all became impossible to understand asthey had not behaved like people who hated each other.

What is wrong with that girl? he mused, vexed that this was the second offer she had refused. But Elizabeth’s smile soon flooded his thoughts, and all rancour dissolved into anxiety. He would pardon any and all caprices of hers, past or future, so long as he could see her again safe and unharmed.

What am I going to tell them at Longbourn ? he asked himself again, like a terrible refrain, consumed by desperation. Even though he knew it was only another two miles to Pemberley, the ride seemed not be never-ending. When he finally arrived at the crossroads, the fear that he had accumulated in the last hours left him with a painful sigh that brought tears to his eyes. He was a man of action, and feeling so weak was not helping him in that situation. Suddenly, it did not matter any longer that he barely knew the master of Pemberley or what had passed between him and Elizabeth. All that mattered was mustering enough men to search for his niece.

Situated on the opposite side of a valley, where the road with some abruptness wound, Mr Gardiner discovered a large, handsome stone building, standing well on rising ground and backed by a ridge of high woody hills. It was magnificent, and he wondered again why Elizabeth had refused the gentleman.

Upon descending towards the majestic house, he felt confident for the first time; he had arrived at the right destination. Mr Darcy must have at least a dozen footmen to attend to such an abode.

He arrived in front of the house just as Mr Darcy was dismounting.

“Mr Gardiner!” Darcy exclaimed, profoundly surprised but sensibly obliging. “I did not know you had arrived in the country.”

But as they approached and bowed, Darcy was struck by the worry he could read on the man’s face.

“What happened?” he asked, looking around, perhaps hoping to see Elizabeth. “Is Miss Elizabeth with you?” he continued, and beyond his worry that clouded his reality, Mr Gardiner could discern the trace of hope on the young man’s countenance.

Mr Gardiner breathed a sigh of relief—the gentleman’s interest in his niece was the best sign. That much was undeniable, even if Mr Darcy attempted to recover his indifferent countenance after a moment.

“Mr Darcy, I shall be brief, for the situation is dire. We suffered an accident. We lost a wheel some miles back. Elizabeth went for a walk while we worked to repair the carriage…and she never came back! She vanished into the surrounding woods!” he exclaimed with such despair that Darcy’s feigned nonchalance evaporated from his visage. “Please, I implore you! We need your help to find her!”

“She is lost in the woods?” Darcy asked, still confused.

“No,” the poor man exclaimed, “I hope I am wrong, but something has happened to her. We searched for her for two hours.”

“Oh my God!” Darcy cried, and within moments, he began to give orders, almost bellowing as he attempted to calm his racing heart.

“We shall take rested horses and dispatch a carriage forthwith. The doctor will meet us on the road. My butler will go to Lambton to fetch him.”

“Thank you, sir. My wife awaits us, and I pray we shall find Elizabeth unscathed upon our arrival.”

As they prepared to depart, Mrs Barstow emerged upon the steps, brought out by the commotion that engulfed the whole house. She said something, and Darcy cried, “Aunt, prepare to welcome our guests! ”

They did not stop to give her details, but someone would surely know what to tell her.

Mr Gardiner felt nothing but gratitude for the gentleman. He cared not if he did not harbour the same deep feelings for Elizabeth; what mattered was his incredible response to their distress.

But as they rode, hardly keeping pace with the younger man, Mr Gardiner, despite his worry for Elizabeth, felt a tinge of regret. The gentleman in front of him was a person of character. He would have run to help anyone in danger. Then why did Elizabeth not like him?

Like a horrible wave, the despair mounted in him—to answer any question regarding Elizabeth, they would have to find her safe and unharmed.