Vignette for Mr. Darcy’s Bite

Pemberley during the full moon – Mr. Darcy has transformed into a werewolf and is roaming Pemberley’s woods. Elizabeth remains at the manor house.

“Ma’am, there is a gentleman in the foyer by the name of Mr. Jagger asking to speak with Mr. Darcy,” Jackson told his mistress and handed her the man’s card.

“Do you know this Mr. Jagger?” Elizabeth Darcy asked her butler, one of the trusted few who knew of Mr. Darcy’s altered state.

“No, I do not. But because Mr. Darcy is not here, my inclination is to send him away and have him return at another time.”

“That was my first reaction as well, but I think it would be better if we knew his purpose. He may be as harmless as the parson we happened upon at the Gowland’s safe house on the road between Longbourn and Pemberley.” After hesitating for some time, Elizabeth made her decision. “I shall meet with Mr. Jagger in Mr. Darcy’s study, but I want you to listen to our conversation from the hidden room.”

“Very well, ma’am.”

When Elizabeth went into the study, she gestured for her visitor to sit in the chair closest to the fire so she might observe him closely. Fearing she might give something away by her expression, she positioned herself in such a way that she was in the shadows. After waiting for the man to remove his great coat, she began. “How may I help you, Mr. Jagger?”

“Is Mr. Darcy not at home?” the gentleman asked.

“No, he is away on business. I do not expect him for at least a week.”

“How disappointing, but then the full moon is the best time to travel, isn’t it?”

Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of the full moon, and she thought of her beloved William roaming the woods of Pemberley. “The journey was scheduled at exactly this time for reasons of safety. The roads are dangerous enough without my husband traveling in the dark.”

“Yes, of course.”

Elizabeth studied the man, and she did not like what she was seeing. Although finely dressed, there was a roughness about him that was not in keeping with his being a gentleman. There was also a hint of an accent that she could not place, but he was definitely not British.

“May I ask what business you have with my husband?”

“We have an acquaintance in common, and I merely wanted to pass on my friend’s good wishes for Mr. Darcy’s health. My friend lives in Kington in Herefordshire.”

“Are you a native of Herefordshire, Mr. Jagger?”

“No, I am not. But business called me there. While I was in Kington, there was a bit of excitement. You may have heard about it. A pack of wolves was sighted very near to the Welsh border. It has alarmed the population as it was believed that wolves had been exterminated throughout the British Isles centuries ago. A hunt is now in progress as members of local gentry have offered a bounty for any wolf killed.”

With racing heart, Elizabeth struggled for a way to respond. She knew from Mr. Darcy that there was a pack of wolves in Herefordshire waiting for transportation to British North America where they would be released into the wilds near Hudson Bay. That was serious enough, but there was also a pack of werewolves who mingled amongst their lupine cousins for protection during their transformations. If even one were to be captured, the entire population would be in danger, including Mr. Darcy.

“I wonder if such a story can be true,” Elizabeth answered in a voice dismissing such a notion. “Since I was a girl, I have heard fright tales of wolves roaming the woods near my home in Hertfordshire. In one case, the “wolf” was caught, and it turned out to be a black Labrador who was much in need of some food and water.”

“But black Labradors don’t run in packs, now do they, Ma’am?” Mr. Jagger asked and then rose from the chair. “Mrs. Darcy I shall not take up any more of your time. I am on my way to Scotland. Upon my return, with your permission, I will call again.”

By the time Mr. Jagger had put on his great coat, Jackson had made his way around to the foyer and was waiting to show the man to his carriage. After seeing the man safely off the property, Elizabeth turned to her servant to ask what he thought about their visitor.

“I think we should have Cubbins follow the man to find out what he is up to? I don’t trust him.”

“Why?” Elizabeth asked, as she felt bile rising in her throat.

“For one thing, the man is German. He had trouble pronouncing ‘th’ and ‘w.’”

“But Mr. Darcy has acquaintances who are German.”

“Yes, he does. But the man’s name is ‘Jagger,” and in German, jäger means ‘hunter.’”

 

I hope this will pique your interest and you will want to read Mr. Darcy’s Bite. Your comments are always appreciated.

I also hope that you will come back tomorrow when I launch Captain Wentworth Home from the Sea. Of course, there will be a giveaway.