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Lizzy scurried to the servants’ hall for dinner, first checking the hallway was clear before running down the servants’ stairs. Once she entered “below stairs,” she relaxed. Surely Darcy did not come down here.
She was not able to eat a lot of the boiled fowl with celery sauce, nor much of the apple pudding for dessert. She just hoped the other servants would not notice.
But it seemed that they were consumed by their master’s return.
“Quite unexpected,” Mrs. Reynolds said as she finished her dessert. “But I am glad for Miss Darcy. She gets lonely when he is gone for too long.”
“I do not think I would ever be lonely if all this belonged to me.” The pinch-faced maid gestured upward with her hands.
“But apart from Mrs. Annesley, Miss Darcy does not have anyone to talk to,” Mrs. Reynolds said. “Except for you, Miss Brown.”
“Pardon?” Startled, Lizzy looked up from the piece of pudding she had been toying with.
“Miss Darcy seems to have taken a liking to you,” the housekeeper explained.
“I am glad.” Lizzy smiled briefly, guilt squeezing her heart. Darcy’s sister was a lovely girl, and every day Lizzy had been here, she had felt awful that she was deceiving her.
“I wish I was a la-di-da lady’s maid,” the pinch-faced girl muttered.
“Then you would need to enjoy going for long walks,” Lizzy replied, “for that is what Miss Darcy likes doing.”
“No thanks.” The pinch-faced girl scowled.
“This house is better than a lot of them,” Nora spoke up. “Just you remember that.” She glanced at the pinch-faced girl.
“A lady’s maid works just as much as you do, my girl.” Mrs. Reynolds spoke, looking at the pinch-faced maid. “It’s different work, that is all. If you really want to become a lady’s maid, there are ways to achieve that, aren’t there, Miss Brown?”
“Oh – yes,” Lizzy replied, startled, hoping no one asked her for details on how she had become a lady’s maid.
The pinch-faced girl subsided with a frown, scraping her pudding bowl until there was not a speck left.
After dinner, Lizzy excused herself and escaped to her room, checking the hallway twice before emerging from the servants’ staircase and racing to her room. She just hoped Miss Darcy or Mrs. Annesley did not see her do so, and wonder what was amiss.
When Miss Darcy summoned her that evening, Lizzy walked to the young lady’s room as if she were meeting her executioner.
Surely Darcy would not be in his sister’s bedchamber?
When Lizzy pushed open the door, she breathed a sigh of relief. Only Miss Darcy occupied the room, sitting at the dressing table.
“Oh, Miss Brown, you’ll never guess!” Miss Darcy beamed at her. “My brother has returned home unexpectedly! Is that not wonderful?”
“It is indeed, Miss Darcy,” Lizzy uttered, crossing to the dressing table and picking up the hair brush. “I ... I trust he had a good journey?”
“Yes, he had very fast horses,” Miss Darcy told her as Lizzy began to brush her hair. Thank goodness the young girl had her eyes closed and did not see Lizzy’s hand tremble on the silver brush.
“He has accomplished everything he had to do in London,” Miss Darcy continued, “so he will be staying here for a while.” She sounded delighted.
“I’m happy for you,” Lizzy managed to make her voice sound as if she were truly happy.
“You must meet him,” Miss Darcy said. “I have told him so much about you already!”
“You – you have?” Lizzy paused and stared down at the girl in horror.
“Oh yes,” Miss Darcy assured her. “He laughed when I told him we have both read The Mysteries of Udolpho. You see, he cannot abide what he calls “horrid” novels. But he is glad that I have someone who shares my taste in reading.”
“Oh.” Lizzy relaxed slightly. She doubted Mr. Darcy would suspect that Miss Harriet Brown of dubious reading tastes was really Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
“I shall be very busy tomorrow morning,” Miss Darcy said happily. “I will be riding with Fitzwilliam before breakfast, and then afterward, we can still go for a walk on the estate.” She opened her eyes and looked at Lizzy through the mirror’s reflection. “I know how you enjoy your walks, Miss Brown.”
“You are very kind,” Lizzy murmured, touched at the girl’s thoughtfulness.
But oh, what would happen if Miss Darcy found out who she really was? Once again, she felt guilty at deceiving Darcy’s sweet sister, but what else could she do? Sally might be out there somewhere, in the wilds of Derbyshire, in need of help.
Lizzy would just have to make sure that Darcy did not catch a glimpse of her while she continued her deception.
***
THE NEXT MORNING, LIZZY helped Miss Darcy into her riding habit, melting away before she bumped into Mr. Darcy.
She could barely eat anything at breakfast – not even a slice of toast could tempt her – while Miss Darcy and her brother enjoyed riding on the estate.
He must not discover her! His presence made her scheme to find Sally even more important. If she could find Hill’s niece in the next couple of days, then she could leave for Longbourn as soon as possible, even if it meant travelling on her own. Surely that would be better than Darcy discovering the truth!
But if she found Sally, then what? Lizzy realized she had not worked that part out – not with Darcy now in residence. She could alert Mrs. Reynolds, who surely would know what to do. And once Lizzy knew Sally was in safe hands, she would just vanish. Once she was far enough away, she could send a letter to Miss Darcy, apologizing for leaving so abruptly. Yes, that should work.
Satisfied with her reasoning, Lizzy put on her half boots, ready for Miss Darcy’s summons when she returned from her ride. She had tried to beg off their morning walk earlier, but Miss Darcy was convinced Miss Brown would be disappointed if they did not take their morning ramble on the estate.
Lizzy would just have to be careful that she didn’t run into Darcy, that was all.
She heard noises downstairs, signifying that Miss Darcy and her brother had returned. First, they would have breakfast, and then afterward, Miss Darcy would most likely call her and say they were now going to explore the estate.
Lizzy tried to concentrate on Evelina, since she had no more sewing to do and had already tidied Miss Darcy’s room, but she could not settle. Any second now, she was sure there would be a knock on her door – or not even a knock. Darcy would just barge in and then ...
She told herself not to be silly. He was too well-mannered to burst into a servant’s bedroom – she hoped so, at any rate.
“Miss Brown!” There was a knock on the door. Miss Darcy’s voice.
Lizzy crossed to the door and opened it. Miss Darcy stood before her in her walking dress, wearing elegant half boots that put Lizzy’s to shame. Her face was lit up.
“Are you ready for our walk?”
“Of course, Miss Darcy.” Lizzy tried to smile as she followed the other girl down the grand staircase.
“I thought we could walk in the topiary garden today.” Miss Darcy skipped ahead to the front door.
“How was your ride?” Lizzy asked, wondering if something was up. Miss Darcy seemed very animated. Was it because she had spent time with her brother that morning – or was there more to it?
“Splendid,” she enthused, as she walked briskly down the front steps and around the corner.
Lizzy hurried to keep up. They usually did not walk so quickly.
“Fitzwilliam says he will take me to the next local assembly,” Miss Darcy said as they walked past a clipped bush. “Is that not wonderful? It is only two weeks away!”
“I am very happy for you,” Lizzy said truthfully as she maintained the quick pace her mistress set. “May I enquire as to why we are walking so – oh!”
Lizzy froze.
Mr. Darcy stood before her, looking every inch the well-dressed gentleman in a blue waistcoat, cravat, breeches, and a morning coat.
Miss Darcy giggled, almost jumping up and down.
“Surprise, Miss Brown! I was determined that my brother should meet you. Now I am introducing two of my favorite people!”
“Miss Bennet?” Darcy gazed at her in shock.
“No, this is Miss Harriet Brown, my lady’s maid.” Miss Darcy laughed. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet gave her a glowing reference. You have gotten mixed up, Fitzwilliam.”
“Ex – excuse me.” Lizzy whirled around and raced toward the house. She could not bluff her way through this encounter. Darcy had recognized her immediately! And why should he not? She had not altered her appearance, apart from wearing one of her oldest gowns.
“Miss Bennet! Wait!” Darcy’s voice held an air of command, but she ignored it. She had to escape!
But he was faster than she. Before Lizzy could exit the garden, he caught up with her, grasping her arms in a desperate attempt to halt her flight.
She closed her eyes in despair as she skidded to a halt, a breath shuddering through her, before opening them and staring up at him.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded in a low tone.
She turned her head slightly. Miss Darcy stood a short distance away, looking utterly astounded.
“I do not think you will understand,” she said finally. How could she explain her scheme to him?
“You are my sister’s new lady’s maid? Have your circumstances been so reduced that you must seek employment?”
“Of course not!” She straightened her spine and looked at him full in the face. “If you must know, I am here undercover.”
“Undercover?” His grasp on her arms loosened slightly as he frowned. “Are you checking the working conditions for lady’s maids in the country?”
“As I said, I do not expect you to understand,” she replied as haughtily as she could. She freed her arms. “I will pack my belongings and depart immediately.”
“Wait.” He touched her shoulder as she spun on her heel. “You must realize you owe myself – and my sister – an explanation. You have come here under false pretenses, after all.”
“You are right.” She turned to face him, her face falling. “However important my reasons for being here, I should not have lied – to anyone.” The enormity of what she had done sank in like never before. “I am truly sorry for disturbing your sister – and yourself.”
“My sister can’t stop talking about you.” Reluctant warmth crept into Darcy’s face.
“I think she is lonely here,” Lizzy said impulsively. When his expression closed, she added, “Forgive me for speaking out of turn.”
After a long moment, he sighed. “I do not like to think you are right. My business in London took longer than I expected, but I thought she would be fine here with Mrs. Annesley to keep her company. But after hearing how you – Miss Brown – you – accompanied her on the walks she loves and shares some of her reading tastes, I realized she needs to have companions closer to her own age.”
“She is a most delightful girl,” Lizzy said, swiftly blinking back faint tear pricks. “You have no idea how sorry I was to deceive her – but I felt I had no choice.”
“Will you not tell me why you are here? And acting as a lady’s maid?” He looked at her intently. “Perhaps I can help.”
“As you are the master of this estate, it is your right to know,” Lizzy said with a composure she did not feel. “But I also owe an explanation to your sister, who has been nothing but kind and thoughtful to me.”
“Very well.” He nodded. “Georgiana,” he called.
When his sister reached them, Lizzy curtsied to her.
“I must beg your forgiveness, Miss Darcy,” Lizzy said.
Puzzlement flashed across Miss Darcy’s face.
“I am afraid I am not really Miss Brown.” Lizzy spoke quickly, hoping to get it over with. “I am in fact Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
“Miss Bennet?” Miss Darcy widened her eyes. “But I do not understand. You wrote the reference.”
“I am afraid I wrote it for myself,” Lizzy replied. “You see—” she looked at both of them, hoping they would understand her reasons, “—our maid at home, Hill, has a niece called Sally—”
“The Sally who worked here,” Miss Darcy breathed.
“Yes.” Lizzy nodded. “Hill was very upset. She’d received a letter that Sally had gone missing and the staff had not been able to find her.”
“That is why you were asking about Sally!” Miss Darcy stared at her.
“Exactly. I thought the only way to discover what had happened to Sally was to come up here and investigate. And to do that, I—” Lizzy swallowed “—pretended to be a lady’s maid. Hill said you were in need of one.”
“You were not perturbed at seeing me again?” Mr. Darcy queried.
Lizzy flushed. “Hill told me you were not in residence.”
“Why would she be perturbed, Fitzwilliam?” Miss Darcy asked.
Mr. Darcy shook his head, as if he did not wish to answer.
“But ... what about the stories you told me – about the sisters?” Miss Darcy asked.
“They were true,” Lizzy replied. “I have four sisters and we help each other dress and try out new hairstyles, visit friends, and walk to Meryton.”
Darcy looked a little discomfited. Lizzy wasn’t sure if it was the mention of dressing and hairstyles, or the fact that he was reminded she had sisters, some of whom he did not approve.
“But surely this Sally has run off somewhere of her own accord,” Darcy commented.
“I do not think so.” Lizzy shook her head. “Hill told me she does not have a beau and that she was happy here. Her parents live on a farm nearby and she was last seen leaving Pemberley on her day off to visit her mother. There has been no sign of her since.”
“It is just like a novel!” Miss Darcy exclaimed. “You have come here in disguise to search for Sally. How thrilling!”
“I hope you do not get any ideas about doing something like this in the future.” Darcy looked severely at his sister.
“No, Fitzwilliam,” Miss Darcy said solemnly, but Lizzy thought she spied a hint of laughter lurking in that lady’s light brown eyes.
“I have been looking for traces of Sally during my time off,” Lizzy continued. “I retraced her steps toward the farm, but I’m afraid I have not had time to explore the whole distance. I have also searched part of the forest, but so far I have found nothing.” Discouragement colored her voice.
“What can we do to help?” Miss Darcy asked her.
“The servants should have searched for her,” Darcy said firmly.
“Mrs. Reynolds said they did,” Lizzy replied. “But I do not think they searched far enough. They put down her disappearance to running off to a better job, but where would a housemaid get a better position in the immediate district? It is not as if there is a grand house right next door. And,” Lizzy continued, “she left her belongings behind in her room. Why would she do that if she did not plan to return?
“You have a point,” Darcy said thoughtfully.
Lizzy hesitated. Should she mention the white slavers theory? Glancing at Miss Darcy, she decided not to say anything for now. She did not wish to cause the younger girl any further concern.
“Then we will search for her again,” Darcy said firmly.
“Yes!” Miss Darcy agreed. “Perhaps she is lying hurt in a ditch somewhere.”
“I hope not,” Lizzy murmured, although that thought had crossed her mind. She just hoped they found Sally in good health if – when –they discovered her.
“I shall send the men out immediately,” Darcy said, heading for the house.
“Wait, Fitzwilliam.” Miss Darcy put a hand on her brother’s arm. “What about Miss Bennet? She must stay here as our guest, must she not?” His sister turned an appealing face up to him.
His brown-eyed gaze flickered from his hopeful-looking sister to Lizzy and back again.
“If you wish it,” he replied after a moment.
“Thank you!” Miss Darcy beamed at him, then linked her arm through Lizzy’s. “You must stay with us, Miss Bennet!”
Lizzy looked at Darcy’s departing figure, striding to the house.
“You do not hate me for deceiving you?” she asked, returning her attention to his sister.
“No.” Miss Darcy shook her head. “I admit I was a little puzzled at first, but now I see that it was a very brave thing to do. I’m sure when we find Sally that she will be most grateful that you took the trouble to investigate her disappearance.”
“You are very kind,” Lizzy said, smiling genuinely at the younger girl. “Let us hope we do find Sally.”
“Yes.” Miss Darcy sobered.