“Yes, mama.” Georgiana walked in. “I’m sorry for listening to your conversation but I was curious what happened. I saw Mrs. Jenkinson speaking with Miss Carter and she was crying, and papa is here when he is supposed to be at Rosings. Can you tell me what is wrong?”
Lady Anne smiled and gathered her daughter in her arms, “You should not be eavesdropping but I understand your concerns, Georgie. Your Uncle Lewis is gone to heaven but we are concerned that Aunt Catherine might have done something to possibly harm your Cousin Anne.”
Georgiana’s eyes grew wide. “What do you mean? How can she harm her own daughter?”
“You know Anne has been ill all of her life and she tires very easily, Georgiana, but Aunt Catherine took her out of Rosings, took her away from her own home and disappeared this morning. If Mrs. Jenkinson had gone with them, we would not think so badly of it but because my sister tricked Anne’s companion to leave the house and left without taking Anne’s draughts or warmer clothes, we fear that Aunt Catherine is up to no good and that Anne might be in danger.”
Georgiana could only nod, as she could not understand how a mother could harm her own daughter. “What has been done so far? Is there no trace of where they might have been headed?” She looked at her father who was walking in with Mrs. Jenkinson.
Mrs. Jenkinson’s eyes were puffy and red from the many tears she had shed and she sat down while continuing to wipe her face.
Georgiana stood to sit next to the companion and rubbed her hand. “It was not your fault, Mrs. Jenkinson. Aunt Catherine always scared me and Lizzy always calls her the ‘Dragon Lady’ because she seems to breathe fire every time she speaks. Lizzy is not afraid of anything but she avoided my aunt the entire time she was at Rosings because she was worried that she might be tempted to put a frog down her dress.” The adults laughed and Mrs. Jenkinson finally relaxed. “I wish Lizzy were here. She would have looked for clues to discover what Lady Catherine might have been thinking and how long she had been planning this. She must have known Uncle Lewis was very ill and carried out her plan as soon as he passed. Where could they have gone? Did she have money to be able to travel far?”
Lady Anne covered her laugh. “Your summer with Lizzy has certainly turned you into quite an investigator, Georgie!”
“Yes, mama,” the young girl beamed. “She told me the story of the Despard Plot and how the Bow Street Runners captured Colonel Edward Despard for plotting to assassinate the King. She began to read Tom Jones but told me I have to wait longer to read it myself because it is too exciting.”
Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne smiled broadly and held each other’s hand. They turned to the companion when she suddenly gasped.
“Miss Darcy’s comment made me remember something, sir. Lady Catherine, she had a visitor about a month ago,” Mrs. Jenkinson spoke out after a moment of deep thought. “It was a man, I cannot recall the name, but he had come to inquire about employment. He said,” she closed her eyes to remember the details, “he said he was a family friend from years ago and Lady Catherine seemed to know him well. Miss Anne was not feeling well and could not venture downstairs so I went to the drawing room to alert Lady Catherine of it. I recall catching the last bit of the conversation when I was leaving that he was staying in London. That is all I know, sir.” She looked at Mr. Darcy. “If somehow Lady Catherine collaborated with this man, they might be in London now.”
Mr. Darcy nodded. “I do not know who this family friend could be. But at least we have a potential location. Do you recall anything else about the man? How old? Hair colour? Anything we could try to identify him?”
“He appeared to be over twenty years in age; not close to thirty, perhaps less than five and twenty. He spoke genteel and was very confident of himself, as if he received a good education and perhaps grew up a gentleman. He was tall, nearer to your height, sir, but not as tall as Ri... Major Fitzwilliam or young Mr. Darcy.” She blushed.
“I plan on speaking with your parents, Mrs. Jenkinson.” Mr. Darcy sat forward and smiled at the faithful companion. “I know them well and after my son told me of your... circumstances, I wish to help you. Your service to our niece has been invaluable and I know how happy Anne has been to have you care for her these past two years. And I know your family will wish to hear of your whereabouts. Although they do not speak of you, I saw the concern in your father’s eyes when I spoke to him last regarding your younger sister’s governess when I snatched Miss Carter from his employment.” Mr. Darcy smiled. “Miss Carter has been wonderful and shared with me in confidence that her sister cried at times because she missed you. It will be well, Mrs. Jenkinson.”
Anne de Bourgh’s companion nodded and smiled. “Thank you, sir. I only hope we can retrieve Miss Anne soon and I will do whatever I can to be of assistance. I see that you are aware of my... my history with your nephew and I promise I have no aspiration of becoming something I know I cannot. I do wish to apologise to my family; even if they do not accept me back, I wish to make it right. I dearly miss my sister and have always
