A Royal Bennet

by Melanie Schertz

  The young man pulled a velvet pouch from his coat pocket and opened it. Pouring the items from the pouch onto the top of the table, the young man started shifting items about.

  Almost instantly, Darcy recognized the garnet necklace which was amongst the items. “Richard, I believe your mother would enjoy that cross there. She loves garnets and it appears to be in fairly good shape.”

  Richard picked up the piece and nearly gasped. On the back of the setting was an etching which was a royal emblem, from Brunswick. He had seen the emblem before, having been on military escort for Princess Augusta several times when she was in England. The only way this piece of jewelry could be in the possession of this young man was if it were stolen from someone of the royal family of Brunswick.

  “How much for this piece?” Richard asked. “Ah, you have picked my best piece. It is quite nice. I will let it go for ten shillings.” The young man puffed himself up as he spoke.

  “Very good, I will take it.” Richard said as he stood and acted as if he were reaching for his money in his pocket. Instead, Richard reached behind him and pulled his pistol. “Now, I suggest you place your hands on the table and make no sudden moves.”

  The young man’s expression deflated instantly. “What is the meaning of this? Are you robbing me?” “No, we are arresting you for robbery and the kidnapping of a member of the royal family. If I were you, I would begin explaining how you came to be in possession of this piece of jewelry. It was the property of a member of the royal family.”

  Darcy was confused, but he did not say as much. He recognized the garnet cross as Elizabeth’s, as she wore it nearly every time he saw her. What was his cousin rambling on about it belonging to a member of the royal family? Was this his attempt to frighten the suspect into confessing the information they required?

  “I know nothing of no royal, I swear to you. It was taken from a lady on a post carriage. No royal would be on a post carriage. You must be mistaken.”

  “As a colonel in His Majesty’s army, I am placing you under arrest for the robbery and kidnapping of a member of the royal family. Do you see this mark on the back of the setting? That is the emblem used by the family of the Duke of Brunswick. This emblem on the necklace can only mean the piece was stolen from a member of their family. As such, it is within my authority to have you arrested and tried for your crimes. The penalty for abducting a royal is death. I would be within my rights to carry out your sentence immediately. Do I make myself clear?”

  The young man nervously nodded his head. Darcy took hold of the garnet cross, looking carefully at the back of the setting. He was sure it was Elizabeth’s, but how could that be if it belonged to a member of the royal family of Brunswick?

  “Now, what is your name?” Colonel Fitzwilliam demanded.

  “My name is Artie…Artie Campbell.”

  “And where are the men who assisted you in the crimes?” “They said they would go to Liverpool. They was going to sell the two ladies they took from the carriage. I never knew they was gonna take ladies, or I would not be part of this. The leader, Caspen, he is a nutter. He was the one to insist on takin’ the ladies. But they be worth more untouched, Caspen told all of us they were not to touch the ladies or he would kill anyone who did.”

  “Caspen was smart. If any of you had harmed a royal in such a manner, you would all be hung without a trial. No upstanding soldier would think twice before running you through, so you would not have even made it to the gallows.”

  “Please, I been helpin’ you. Please, I beg for mercy.” Artie was sobbing. “Tell me where you are to meet with the rest of the men? Do not lie, I am certain they expect a portion of what you would get from selling these items. Where were you to meet with them?”

  Darcy had taken out the map from his pocket, laying it out on the table before Artie. The young man pointed to the map. “Here. We be meetin’ here. Caspen has a shack near here.”

  ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

  Chapter 4 Elizabeth woke with a headache. The past days had been a nightmare, especially the last twenty four hours. The men who had abducted her and Lucy had not harmed them, as she would have expected. She overheard the men speaking in the room adjacent to the one in which the ladies were housed, and learned the reason that the men had not violated them. According to the man who was apparently in charge, women who are still maids could bring a higher price when sold. She heard them speaking of ships which sailed to Antigua and Brazil. The man in charge, Caspen, from what Elizabeth overheard, spoke of when they would arrive in Liverpool and where they would stay while finding the best deal with the captains of the ships. She knew they would need to escape, and the best place to do so would be in Liverpool. There would be enough people in the area to cover the trail of two young ladies, and with fewer men guarding them, as several of the men would be attempting to find a way to sell them. Fewer guards, easier to escape.

  Liverpool was known as a shipping port, especially slave ships coming from Africa, bound for the Americas. She had also heard tales of young Caucasian ladies being deemed valuable in some destinations. The chances of being sold to some ship’s captain to sell in those destinations was a possibility she did not wish to become a fact. Elizabeth had been successful in keeping Lucy calm, but the young maid began to lose hope of escaping the men, so she spent most of the time sitting, with her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs, rocking back and forth while trembling.

  The man who was left to guard Elizabeth and Lucy was nearly as nervous as the ladies. He had only recently joined the group, having known Artie for a couple years. The others were out of the shack, some to find a ship’s captain willing to take the ladies, and others to find food. Luck was on the side of the ladies, and Elizabeth took her chances to free herself and the young maid.

  Convincing the man that Lucy had become ill, and was having some sort of seizure, the man entered the room. As he stepped closer to Elizabeth’s side, she turned, swinging the pitcher of water, striking him in the head. He fell to the ground, unconscious. Elizabeth took hold of Lucy’s arm and pulled her from the room, rushing to escape the shack.

  ~~ ** ~~ It had been nearly twenty four hours since they escaped, and Elizabeth was attempting to find assistance for Lucy and herself. They needed food and lodging, and were in a strange town, filled with unknown people.

  Elizabeth realized she had left some coins in one of her shoes, a trick her father had taught her years before, when Elizabeth would travel by post to Town to visit the Gardiners. “Lizzy, most robbers would not think of a young lady putting money in their shoes. My mother had a pocket sewn to the bottom of her petticoats so she could hide valuables in it when she traveled.”

  Those coins allowed her to purchase some bread and cheese. There was enough left to pay for an express to be sent, but to whom to send it? Had her aunt and uncle already left Town to meet her in Lambton? Her father would not be able to come to Liverpool. Not only because her mother would know where she was and demand coming with Mr Bennet, but Elizabeth knew her father had great difficulty traveling the past year. He had suffered from a fall from a horse which wrenched his back, causing him great discomfort if he rode any distance by carriage.

  Elizabeth finally decided to write the express and send it to Mrs Lackney. Though she had never met the lady, the Gardiner family would soon be arriving at Lambton and would expect to find Elizabeth with the dressmaker. Mrs Lackney would surely notify Mr and Mrs Gardiner of the express.

  Mrs Lackney, We have not been introduced, but I am Elizabeth Bennet, niece of Mrs Helen Gardiner. My aunt had given me a letter to hand to you when I arrived in Lambton, but, unfortunately, my carriage was robbed and I was taken prisoner, along with my aunt’s maid. It had been my aunt’s hope that you would allow me and my aunt’s maid to stay with you until the Gardiners arrived in Lambton. To make a long story short, I am in a difficult situation. The maid, Lucy, and I were able to escape from our captors, and are hiding in Liverpool. I had a few coin
s hidden on me, so I was able to purchase some food, but I do not have much left for lodging for several days, and have no means of paying for our transportation to Lambton from here. My aunt and uncle should be in Lambton any day, if they are not there already. Would you please notify them of where I am currently? I regret having to ask such from someone I have never met. The reason for my writing to you is that I am certain my aunt and uncle are already traveling towards you and would not receive my letter. Knowing they thought I had arrived in Lambton and would be staying with you, and they would contact you as soon as possible after arriving, I felt it was the quickest way of notifying them. We are currently staying at the Mallard Inn on Plymouth Street, near the docks of Liverpool. I am hopeful we will be able to stay here for two or three days, but I am certain the men who took us will begin to search for us. Lucy and I are remaining in our room, but I fear the men will discover us. I pray you will forgive me for involving you in this matter. You will have my undying appreciation for any assistance you can give us. Miss Elizabeth Bennet

  Once sending the message by express, Elizabeth went to speak with the innkeeper. “Mr Barkow is out at the moment, Miss. Might I be able to assist you?” The lady behind the counter asked. “I am Mrs Barkow.”

  “Mrs Barkow, I have a desperate situation which has happened. I have just sent an express to my family, but I know it will be several days before anyone can come here to assist me.”

  “My goodness, what has happened?” Mrs Barkow was a kind lady, though she was cautious. There had been many sob stories told to her over the years which had led the innkeepers to nearly lose their establishment.

  “I was traveling to Lambton, with my aunt’s maid, when the carriage was robbed. The highwaymen did not find enough to pilfer, so they kidnapped Lucy and myself. They were planning to sell us to one of the ship captains, to be sold again in the islands or South America. We were able to escape, and found ourselves here. I had hidden some coins in my shoe before we entered the carriage, though it was not a tremendous amount. I believe I have enough to pay for lodging for two nights, and perhaps some bread to eat. Hopefully, by then my family will receive my express and come for us.”

  “My goodness. Were either of you injured?” Mrs Barkow asked, looking over the young lady, trying to determine if she was speaking the truth of the situation.

  Elizabeth smiled. “Fortunately, we are unharmed. The man in charge told the others they would fetch a higher price if we were unharmed and untouched. I am concerned that the men will attempt to locate us. Can you keep our whereabouts secret? The men do not know our names, they only know our

  descriptions. My name is Elizabeth Bennet. My father owns an estate in Hertfordshire, near Meryton.”

  “I have a cousin who lives near Meryton. She works for a Mrs Goulding of Haye Park.” Elizabeth was excited. “What is her name?” “Bertha Wallace. She is the…”

  “Cook for the Gouldings. I know her. Her lemon tarts are famous in our neighborhood.” Elizabeth smiled at the memory of eating said tarts.

  Mrs Barkow knew the young lady was genuine from that statement. She knew her cousin’s lemon tarts had won the lady a prize at a fair in the neighborhood where she lived. “Miss Bennet, I will do what I can to assist you. I will see that trays are brought up to your rooms, so you will not run the risk of being seen by anyone. As for your stay, the coins you have will do for the time being. We will not evict you, I will not allow it. You may stay here until your relations come to collect you. The relations who will come, are they also named Bennet?”

  “It would most likely be Gardiner. My father’s health would most likely prevent his coming. My uncle is Mr Edward Gardiner.”

  “Very good. Now, scoot up the stairs and into your rooms. Is there anything else you need? Some clothing or something to read?” Mrs Barkow was searching her mind for some way to assist the young lady.

  “I would not wish to put you to further trouble, Mrs Barkow. You have been far kinder than I could have expected. With just Lucy and myself being in the room, we can wash our clothing and hang it by the fireplace to dry. Once my family arrives, we will be able to obtain more clothing.”

  “Well, if there is anything you need, please let me know.”

  ~~ ** ~~ Darcy and Richard were standing next to their horses, having just stopped at an inn to rest their mounts. “Richard, what was all that talk of the necklace being from someone of the royal family? I know it belonged to Miss Elizabeth, I saw her wear it constantly.”

  “I am telling you that the etching on the back of the setting is that of the royal family of Brunswick. I have seen the emblem on Princess Augusta’s belongings, and she is married to the Duke of Brunswick. Princess Caroline has also had the emblem on items. If Miss Elizabeth has this emblem on the necklace, she must be part of the royal family.”

  “But her father is a country squire, with a small estate in Hertfordshire. Elizabeth has a twin sister, and the sister did not wear a necklace such as this. Why would only one of the sisters be given a piece of jewelry with a royal emblem, and the other did not?”

  “You do not know that the sister does not have such a piece, do you? Perhaps the sister does not wish to wear her jewelry. But I can tell you for certain, that piece belongs to a royal family member.”

  So many thoughts raced through Darcy’s mind. How can this be? How can Elizabeth have jewelry from a royal family? She is not royal, for if she were, she would not be living at Longbourn. Look at the way the Bennet family lives. No, if they were royals, they would not live in such a manner as they did in Hertfordshire. Could the necklace have been presented to Mr Bennet as some sort of reward for service to the crown? But it was from Brunswick. Had Mr Bennet traveled to the continent, and performed some sort of service to the royal family?

  All of this does not matter, all that matters is that Elizabeth is found. He could not think of what those men would do to her, it was far too painful a thought.

  Darcy reached inside his coat pocket and pulled out the handkerchief which had been Elizabeth’s. He held it tightly in his hand, praying that he would find Elizabeth, and that he would have a chance to tell her how he truly felt for her.

  ~~ ** ~~ Elizabeth was trying to put her feelings in order. The past week had been a jumble of emotions which she had not been able to sort through, as there were so many new emotions piled up on top of the previous ones.

  Starting with the day she made a hasty departure from London, Elizabeth looked over each event. Seeing Darcy at the park, seeing the men who were attempting to rob him, and helping him to his home was strange for her. She remembered the feelings which coursed through her at his touch, with his arm over her shoulder, and leaning against her small body. The memory sent tingling fire throughout her body. She prayed he was well and that the injuries he had received were minor. But she also felt the same as when she spoke to the butler. Mr Darcy would not wish to find her. He did not like her. Elizabeth was positive of that. And he would, most likely, be embarrassed that, of all the people in London, Elizabeth Bennet had been the one person to come to his aid.

  Her mind continued to return to what the butler told her. He spoke highly of his employer, but was that due to his being paid by the Darcy family? Did he speak his true feelings towards the family or did he say what was expected of him?

  Elizabeth looked at Lucy, who was curled up on the bed. The poor maid was so filled with fear, she literally could not function. It was all Elizabeth could do to coax her to take any nourishment or drink anything. This was another reason she prayed the men did not find them, for Lucy was in no condition to walk, let alone run, to escape anyone. Sitting on the side of the bed, Elizabeth spoke softly as she caressed Lucy’s hair. Whenever Elizabeth had been sad or ill, Jane had done such to her and it was always soothing.

  As she attempted to keep Lucy calm, Elizabeth prayed that her aunt and uncle would be able to come soon. Though Mrs Barkow had promised to assist them, who knew for certain what was to come.

 
~~ ** ~~ Mr Bennet rarely left his home, and it had been over ten years since he had last traveled further than ten miles. But after the Gardiners stopped there on their way north, explaining the express they had received from Darcy explaining the abduction, Mr Bennet could not imagine staying home while his beloved daughter was in danger. The Gardiner children had been left in Town with their nanny and the housekeeper, leaving room for Mr Bennet to share the carriage with them. It was clear to see the pain the gentleman had as the carriage traveled along. Each bump was like a needle being thrust into his back.

  “What did Mr Darcy say in his letter? It amazes me that the letter was from him. When he was in the neighborhood last autumn, he rarely even spoke.”

  “Mr Darcy stated that the post carriage was robbed, and, when the men found very little to steal, they took Elizabeth and our young maid, Lucy. There was talk of the men taking them to sell to a ship for Antigua. The elderly lady who had been on the carriage with them stated that she had heard that information as the men prepared to leave. Mr Darcy and his cousin were to leave his home of Pemberley, taking with them some of his men, to search for Lizzy and Lucy. They planned to head for Liverpool, and if they cannot find them there, they would determine a new destination.” Mr Gardiner stated.

  “Mr and Miss Darcy came to our house and were sad that Lizzy had already left for Lambton.” Mrs Gardiner said. “It is my opinion Mr Darcy is in love with our Lizzy.”

  “But he declared her not handsome enough to tempt him even to dance. Elizabeth heard him declare those very words at the assembly.” Mr Bennet shook his head. “How could he change his opinion so easily?”

  “From what I know of the family, Mr Darcy is much like his father. Mr Gerald Darcy was very shy when he was in large groups or with people who are unknown to him. The son is similar, according to what my friend has written to me. He is well known in Lambton, but everyone is aware of the shy nature of both he and his sister.”