Page 83 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Georgiana opened Camden to the page she had marked with a slip of paper, while Elizabeth returned to her own volume. Soon all three bent to their reading.

About twenty minutes later, Mr. Darcy bent his head nearer. “Miss Elizabeth, you did not note that when he was rescued, Tam Lin returned to the very wood from which he had been taken. You should also note that his rescue could occur only at the appointed time, midnight on the seventh Halloween.”

Elizabeth considered his remarks, then said, “In the Sir Orpheus tale, his wife vanished at a particular tree.”

Mr. Darcy added, “As did Thomas the Rhymer; he lay beneath the Eildon Tree when the Queen of Elfland took him.”

Elizabeth stared at Mr. Darcy, surprised he had devoted any thought to her quest. It might all prove nothing more than a collection of faradiddles, but he cared enough to offer his thoughts.

“Sir, you have considered these old tales.”

“Yes, ma’am. Georgiana and I discussed them on our way home to Pemberley, and you know how the mind works. Before long, one finds oneself trying to make sense of a thing.”

“Yes, sir. The accounts of disappearances from Arbor Low all occurred on the eve of December 21, on the eve of the winter solstice. Whereas in these three tales, the place holds particular importance, but no single time connects them, and fairies or elves play a part.”

“Of what importance are these accounts or folk tales, Miss Elizabeth?”

“Perhaps none at all, sir, but my father believed all stories, whether written or of the oral tradition, began with some truth. It falls to us to seek out the kernel of truth or the principle within and learn what we may from it.”

“And what do you think the truth might be?” he asked.

“I do not know, sir. Perhaps I never shall, but I intend to read through these books, take notes, and discover whether any patterns emerge.”

“I already see patterns,” Georgiana said. “Fitzwilliam has pointed out several. The clearest concerns the place itself. In the folk tales, the disappearances all involve trees, whereas at Arbor Low there are no trees, only stones and earthworks.”

Mr. Darcy asked, “What do you hope to find, Miss Elizabeth?”

Elizabeth did not answer. She could not trust him with the truth, not now. He would think her fanciful, or worse, a pagan or a witch, perhaps even someone who might lead his sister into the dark arts. She was doing no such thing, but how to convince him of her innocence? No, she would not trust him. She kept her purpose to herself.

“I hope to finish the studies my father and I set for ourselves at the new year, when he still lived, and all was well in my world.”

At the other side of the room, Mr. Gardiner rose and excused himself and his wife. “We must rise early if we are to leave on time. We shall retire now.”

The Darcys also rose and made their farewells. Elizabeth and the Radcliffs accompanied them to the door.

The two young women walked behind the others, and Georgiana leaned into her friend, speaking in a low voice. “Lizzy, we shall meet you at the gate in the morning. What time shall we come for you?”

Elizabeth asked, “Is seven o’clock too early?”

“No. There will be ample light by then to ride with safety. We shall meet you at the gate at seven.”

The two friends embraced, and the Darcys departed.

Chapter 32: Friends

Elizabeth held her wrap close about her shoulders as she hurried along the path from the house to the edge of the open moor. The sky had already begun to lighten, and two horsemen appeared in the distance. She recognized Mr. Darcy immediately. A surge of pleasure rose in her breast at the sight of him.

She removed the wrap, tucked it into her canvas bag, and hung the bag from the hawthorn tree. Then she unbuttoned her pelisse and ran toward the Darcys.

When they drew near enough to hear her, she raised her hand. “Good morning.”

They brought their mounts alongside her, one on either side.

“You need not hold back. As long as you stay within shouting distance, I shall be safe, for there is no one about.”

Mr. Darcy touched the brim of his hat and called to his sister. “Come, Georgiana. Let us ride to the brook and meet Miss Elizabeth at the stone circle.”

They rode away to the left while Elizabeth continued toward the henge, hoping to see the sunrise from the hilltop.