Lord Matlock could see the anger dwelling behind his nephew’s eyes, as the younger man thought of his own family’s tragedy. “We have come to believe that the fire at Pemberley was, indeed, arson. My sister’s death lies on the head of Ashby, as he attempted to purchase Pemberley.”
“I will kill the man with my bare hands.” Richard exclaimed.
“You will have to wait in line, for there are many who wish for the man’s demise. I am at the top of the list, for he not only murdered my mother and many others at Pemberley, destroyed my family estate, led to my father’s ultimate death out of grief, he has made multiple attempts on the life of my wife. Now he has Wickham holding my sister, demanding I trade Elizabeth for Georgiana. No, I will see that blackguard’s life brought to a halt.” Darcy spoke in a voice that chilled his relations to the bone. Both men knew he would carry through with his words.
~~**~~
Wickham was pacing in the shack which was near the home which had belonged to his aunt. He owned the property, as his aunt had left it to him, but the house was falling apart out of neglect, and the land where the shack was located had been sold to pay the taxes owed. If he had been able to sell the house, he would have, but there had been no interest. The floorboards were damaged, there were holes in the walls and window, the roof was caving in, and even the fireplace bricks were crumbling. No one had lived there in twenty years. Even in his youth, he remembered the house needing repairs. It did not come as a shock when his aunt had been found dead in the house, having fallen down the stairs which had loose boards.
From the corner of the shack, Wickham was being watched by three pairs of feminine eyes. The ladies were bound and gagged, and had been sitting on the floor for hours. They feared the man who held their futures, as they watched him partaking from the bottle he had with him. The more he drank, the worse his temper grew.
“It is all your brother’s fault that I am in this predicament. He should have given me a more fitting inheritance from your father. My godfather would have wanted me to have a better life, far better than the mere four thousand pounds your brother gave me. Mr Darcy wished for me to have a good living. How could Fitzwilliam cheat me from my inheritance? He should have given me what is proper. Because I have no funds, I fell on hard times. If not for my situation, I would never have fallen in with the likes of Ashby. Never have I met such a heartless and evil man. And he insists on your new sister’s death. That is why I have had to resort to such measures. You would be safe and sound, still at Pemberley, had your brother not been foolish enough to marry the chit. If I do not carry out his wishes, the next person to die will be me. I refuse to forfeit my life for that nobody.”
Looking at Georgiana, he sneered. “You are still just a baby, coddled by your brother. I should take my pleasure of you, as it would destroy your brother. Not only losing his bride, but having a sister ruined, the grand gentleman would be devastated.”
All three ladies were fearful. Wickham pulled a knife from his boot, testing the point to check its sharpness. He looked back at the women, his eyes were glassy from intoxication. Taking a step towards them, the board under his foot broke, trapping his foot, propelling him forward, landing face down with his knife inserting into his chest.
Through her gag, Georgiana Darcy screamed from the terror.
~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~
Chapter 16
The convoy came to a halt in front of the Foxwood Inn. The innkeeper came rushing out to meet the carriages and wagon.
“Welcome, welcome, I am Mr Jenkins. Are you the family of young man I have as my guest?”
“I am Lord Matlock, father of Viscount Tilton. My family and I have come to see to his care. Might I inquire as to his well-being?” His lordship had stepped down from the carriage, turning back to assist his wife. After Lady Matlock, Darcy stepped down and handed his wife down.
“The physician, Mr Lee, has been taking care of the viscount’s wound. Fortunately, there has been no fever, as the carriage driver was carrying a flask of whiskey and used it to clean the wound. Mr Lee, applauded the man’s quick thinking, even going so far as to say it might have saved the gentleman’s life.”
Giving his nephew a look, he alerted the younger man to a silent request to speak to the driver.
Colonel Fitzwilliam rode up to the group, dismounting his horse. He listened as Darcy inquired of the whereabouts of the men who had transported the viscount to the inn.
“They be in the barn. I have cots there for the men, as they refused to take rooms in the inn. The driver, Rogers, stated the rooms should be prepared for his master and relations. Right good man, he has been doin’ any chore Mr Lee needed and had the other men aid my wife with toten the water to heat, stokin’ the fires. Been right nice for the help, extra hands is a relief.”
“As long as we are here, the men will continue to assist as needed.” Darcy stated. “Richard, will you accompany me to the barn?”
The colonel nodded his head. Taking a few steps in the direction of the barn, Darcy turned back to his wife. “Lizzy, do you require my assistance, before I speak with the men?”
Elizabeth’s courage rose. “I am able to make my way. Find out what you can, so we can find Georgiana.”
Lady Matlock draped an arm around her niece’s shoulders. “Have no fear, William. Henry and I will make certain she arrives upstairs.”
Darcy sighed. He was torn between his wife’s need and recovering his sister. Before he could leave the room, Darcy heard his wife’s voice. “William, promise me that you will not leave without me. Please, promise me.”
His head nodded, while his eyes dropped to the floor. Darcy knew Elizabeth would never forgive him if he went against her wishes. Lady Matlock had been correct, they needed to be honest with each other, no matter what else happened.
“I promise you, my love. You may count on my word.”
“And I will see that all of you will return, safe and sound. The two of you, Georgiana and her servants, no harm will come to you while on my watch.” Richard guaranteed his oath to his relations. “Come, William, let us speak to the men.”
The men made their way from the inn, while the couple and their niece took to the stairs, with the couple assisting the young lady until they reached the landing.
Lady Matlock was anxious to see her eldest son. When the door opened, Rogers moved to the side to allow her ladyship to enter. The grand lady gave a grateful nod to the man, who, according to the innkeeper, had done what he could to save the gentleman on the bed. The gentleman she would always think of as her little boy. No matter how old he and his brother were, they would always be her babies, her children.
“Lord and Lady Matlock, this is Mr Lee, the physician from Banbury. Mr Lee, these are the parents of your patient.” Rogers made his way to the hall, leaving room for the Fitzwilliams to step closer to their son.
In the hall, he noticed the new Mrs Darcy. “Ma’am, is there anything I can do for you? Do you wish for some water and towels to freshen up? I can fetch them for you.”
“Mr Rogers, you have done this family a great service. My husband is very pleased with all that you have done for our cousin. Mr Jenkins stated that your efforts likely saved the viscount’s life.”
“Mrs Darcy, I would have taken the bullet meself if I cudda. The Master is the best of employers, and I would die for him or his family. Includin’ yourself.”
A light blush brightened Elizabeth’s cheeks. “Was Miss Darcy harmed in the abduction?”
“No, Ma’am. She and the others, they stayed in the carriage. But I fear for them when that scoundrel arrived where they be gone.”
“I do as well. My husband is worried for his sister and the other ladies. We will do everything we can to see they are returned.”
“If there is no need o’ me, I remain here. Help out with the viscount.”
Elizabeth nodded her head. “Mr Darcy will be grateful to know you are here while he has to leave.”
“You take care, Missus.
Mr Darcy cannot lose you. You have been a balm to his soul. The look on his face the day you wed, that be the look every man should have.”
Feeling a tear welling in the corners of her eyes, Elizabeth made her way down the hall, to the door of the room she had been instructed was to be hers. After wiping her eyes, so no one would know she was crying, the young lady moved to the window of the room. Elizabeth could see her husband and Richard speaking with the men. Not long after, two of the men took to their horses, and were off to parts unknown. Her husband left Richard with the men, as it was clear they were making battle plans for the following day.
A knock came to her door and Elizabeth called for the person to enter. Seeing her husband, she gave him a smile.
Darcy took three long strides to reach the other side of the room, wrapping his wife into his embrace. “I requested a light repast sent up. You must be famished, as you hardly ate a bite this morning.”
“I am fearful of what will happen. What if Georgiana has been harmed? How will I ever forgive myself? How could you ever forgive me? William, I wish you had never saved me from the horses that day. If I had been killed, none of this would be happening.”
“My life would have ended that day, as I knew, from the moment we met in your uncle’s office at the warehouse, that you would be the only woman I could ever fully love. We were blessed that day, to find one another, and I will never regret having met you or having married you. Please believe me, you are my life, Lizzy. Georgiana will be recovered, and we will return to Town. I will enjoy listening to my ladies perform on the pianoforte in the evenings, and listen to your beautiful voice as you sing. And every night, I wish to make love to you, and fall asleep in your arms.” Placing a kiss on the top of her head, Darcy then pulled back. “Now, we need to have something to eat and then rest. Tomorrow will be a difficult day, and we will have much to do.”
~~**~~
“Mr Bennet, Mr Bennet, have you heard the news? Purvis Lodge has been purchased at last.” Mrs Bennet called as she made her way to her husband’s study. Entering the room, it was plain to see she had been rushing about, as her cheeks were quite flushed. “A family of wealth is to take possession within the month.”
“I have heard the news, from Sir William Lucas. And why would such news have you in a fluster?”
“Why, for our girls. We must find advantageous marriages for our daughters.”
“My dear, we have nothing to fret about. As I told you, Lizzy’s husband has already made provisions for you and our other daughters upon my death.”
Mrs Bennet scoffed. “Oh, yes, your precious Lizzy. Why you allowed for her to have a simple wedding, in Town, and so quickly, I will never understand. If he is so wealthy and part of the ton, he would have wished for a proper wedding, and there should have been an elegant wedding breakfast that we would invite all the neighbors. No, I do not for one moment believe he is what you claim.”
“Then I suggest you speak to your brother, as he has known the gentleman for many years. Lizzy was saved from being trampled, but in doing so, she was compromised. To keep the matter from ruining her, and all of our other daughters, it was determined to have a quiet, quick wedding, by special license. The marriage was performed by Mr Darcy’s godfather, who is an archbishop, and it took place in the home of the Earl of Matlock. All anyone needs to know is that they met while Lizzy was living at your brother’s home, and they fell in love.”
The news that her daughter had been married, by special license, and in the home of an earl gave Mrs Bennet great delight. The bragging rights this would give her with those in the neighborhood were priceless.
Immediately, the Mistress of Longbourn’s thoughts turned to which of her friends to visit first. As she prepared to leave her husband’s sanctuary, she remembered her original purpose of speaking to him. “Mr Bennet, do you know who purchased Purvis Lodge?”
“It is a Mr Bingley. He is new to being a part of the landed gentry, as his wealth is from trade. From what Sir William stated, the gentleman and his son will be taking up the estate. His daughter has recently married, and will likely visit with her husband.”
“Mr Bingley…I am certain he will be perfect for our Jane.”
~~**~~
Edwin Gardiner received a note, delivered by a servant from a grand house. Breaking the elegant seal, he began reading.
Mr Gardiner,
I beg your pardon for writing, as we have not been introduced. I recently met with Lord Matlock and Mr Darcy, and, as they are away from Town, Lord Matlock gave me your address in case there was any developments.
Last night, Lord Ashton was seen at Whites, and had imbibed a bit too much. What he was overheard saying has confirmed many of my suspicions. And he was nearly bragging that soon an obstacle in his way would be eliminated.
He had also bragged about purchasing Netherfield Park, which, I believe, is the estate near your brother-in-law’s home. When one of the men commented on Ashby’s comments being inappropriate in light of Viscount Dimpsy’s entire family being killed, the earl gave the man a cold hard glare, stating the man had best keep his opinion to himself, least an accident befalls his family.
I have spoken with the magistrate, and we determined to delay having the earl arrested, until Mr and Mrs Darcy return. We wish to confront Ashby with your niece, where she can identify him as the man she saw the night of the fire at Netherfield. Please send word to me when you know the Darcys have returned. Hopefully their mission meets with success.
Griffin
Mr Gardiner was relieved. Finally, there was hope to have the matter over and those guilty, pay for their crimes. He had not liked the thought of his niece and her husband having to travel to recover Miss Darcy. A message had arrived, updating him of their arrival, and news that the viscount was healing. Though they had been forced to travel on a Sunday, they did not wish to delay informing Mr Gardiner of their news. Darcy had promised to keep his new uncle updated daily, and when any major events happened. The businessman had wished to join the party in their journey, to lend any assistance he could, but Mr Gardiner was needed to remain in Town. Colonel Fitzwilliam was concerned for the Gardiner household, in the event that Lord Ashton determined a need to punish them for their protection of Elizabeth.
Mrs Gardiner did her best to remain calm, but her husband knew that neither of them would feel safe until Ashby and Wickham were stopped. The Gardiner children were kept indoors, though they begged to play in the park. Their entire family would be better, the sooner Lord Ashton was no longer a threat.
Mr Gardiner penned a letter to Darcy, and would have it express delivery Monday morning.
~~~~~~~**~~~~~~~
Chapter 17
“William, the men have returned. Duncan wishes to speak with us.” Richard informed his cousin. “Mr Jenkins says there is a private dining room we can use.”
Darcy nodded his head. As he walked towards the door, Elizabeth made to follow him. “Lizzy, it would be best if you remained here, and rest. I promise to tell you everything that is discovered. Please.”
His pleading was replied with a nod of Elizabeth’s head. She squeezed his hand, then released it, after placing a kiss on his knuckles.
The cousins made their way to the private room, where Duncan and the other men were waiting. Mr Jenkins had sent food and drink, as Richard had requested, and the men were pleased with the repast.
Seeing the two men enter, Duncan and Foster, both soldiers in Richard’s unit, stood at attention. The men Darcy had employed followed suit, and waited for their employer to take a seat, before returning to their meal.
“Duncan, what can you tell us about location? Were you able to see my sister inside the house?”
“No, sir. The house was empty. I can understand the reason the scoundrel chose that house, as there is a steep hillside behind, which keeps anyone from approaching the back. There is a door on front and the north. We moved carefully, to ensure no one was watching the house. Finding no one outside, we mo
ved closer.” Duncan took a drink from his cup. “Finally, we entered and searched the interior. There was no sign that anyone has been inside in a long time, due to the amount of dirt and dust, which was undisturbed. And I must add, the house is not fit for man or beast. It is surprising building has not collapsed.”
“Where could they be? Wickham is not one to enjoy in nature. As a child, when we wished to sleep outdoors, he would find any reason possible to return indoors.” Richard stated. “Where would he be able to hold up, with three women? I doubt he would be able to convince the women to do his bidding and not attempt escape, if they were at an or someone’s home.”
“Was there any barns or stables nearby?” Darcy asked. He had been so young when he had been there, and he could barely remember how it appeared. The two boys had stayed at Wickham’s aunt’s home for two days, while Mr Wickham assisted his sister, before they made their way to Town. Since receiving the ransom note from his childhood friend, Darcy had dredge through his memories. A sudden thought returned to him. “A shack. There was a shack. To the north, nearly a mile from the house. I remember Wickham claiming his uncle had used the shack to store a treasure he had brought back from his days as a sailor. Of course, we had to explore the shack. Wickham claimed his uncle had a hidden area in the shack, so no one could find his ill-gotten gains.”
Foster made his way to the window and looked at the sky. “We should have enough time to search the area before night falls. Thompkins, Lincoln, have our horses prepared. I will see to some lanterns, in case we have need of them.”
The men hurried to finish their food and guzzle down the last drops of their drink, before moving to fulfill their instructions.
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