Blinking as her aunt began assuring that tea would not be long in coming, Elizabeth’s plans to direct the conversation were forced to wait, for once begun Mrs. Phillips could keep a rapid pace.
“...And that, you see, is why I prefer to keep my tea under lock and key, for one never knows do they? I find the same is true with spices; it was the habit of my mother and her mother before her to keep a careful eye on such precious commodities, and I feel I owe it to them to maintain the tradition. Ah, here is the tea at last, how do you take yours Mr. Darcy?”
“With a little cream, Aunt,” Elizabeth supplied, “unstirred if you please; you know how I take mine. Now, if…”
“That reminds me of my late cousin, you remember him, do you not? No, I suppose not, given how young you were. In any case, he had a great fondness for cream, yet he would brook no one stirring it in for him. Granted, he preferred coffee, but when he took tea it was always thus. Here, Mr. Darcy,” she said, holding out the cup. “Where was I?”
“Aunt,” Elizabeth hurried, the woman’s mouth having opened to begin another long-winded profession, “Mr. Darcy has expressed an interest in learning more about our small town. I thought you might impart any insights into recent visitors to the area, or odd behaviors amongst our residences?”
Face bright as she gave a knowing look, she answered, “Of course. I would be happy to. Well, as you know a great many men have come with the regiment. Colonel Forster, who has a young pretty wife named Harriet, they are newly married. Then there are ever so many others, though Wickham is the talk of all the ladies, a charmer that one, except…” she hesitated, a deep furrow forming on her brow.
“Except?” Elizabeth pressed, her aunt never one to waver.
“Knowing the mercantile had a new shipment in, I began to make my way from here to have a look, yet, as I neared the alley, I heard Mr. Wickham talking to another man. Not wanting to disturb them, I came to a halt where I was. Though one hates to eavesdrop of course, I could not help but overhear something rather odd. Wickham said how it would not be long now–revenge and money. ‘Mr. Pounds’ would pay, or else.” Gaze lowering, she paused. “Then there was such a change in Wickham’s tone I could scarcely countenance it, for whoever the other man was, Wickham began to threaten them. Warning them not to keep information or money from him. The other man–I am certain I have heard his voice before–he sounded even more fierce when he asked if Wickham was threatening him, then I heard a loud thud and a hiss.” Eyes wide, Aunt Phillips paused as she took a shaky sip of tea. “I made certain my back was pressed against the wall, what, with such talk of violence. And well I did, for Wickham held a bloodied handkerchief to his face when he appeared… I shudder to think what might have happened had I been seen!”
“Did you see the other man?” Darcy inquired softly. “Perhaps I might help apprehend him?”
Fanning herself with her handkerchief, she shook her head, “The other man I never saw, for I returned home, all thoughts of shopping forgotten! No. I am thankful I did not see him, though your offer is to your credit.” Turning to Elizabeth she smiled, “Handsome and brave, is he not, Lizzy?”
Stirring her tea, Elizabeth could feel her face pink, though the twinkle in Mr. Darcy’s eyes at her unease agitated and amused her in turn.Still, her discomfort had served its purpose well. Wickham was as they suspected, a villain… If only Aunt might have seen the other, or been certain of his voice?
Yet, any subsequent questions in regard to the incident were met with little success, her aunt naming at least ten local men who might have matched the voice she had heard, the men ranging in accent and age to such an extent as to make identification an impossibility.
Taking their leave after listening to Aunt’s opinion on everything from footwear to parliament, they made their way to the alley which had, for the second time, proven a safe haven for misdeeds.
“This is where you found your sister’s handkerchief?” Darcy asked as he moved to the barrels she had spoken of.
Lips thinned, she answered simply, “It is,” her heart and mind awhirl with fear and worries.
“Wickham has grown bold if he chose here to meet that other man. Surely, one or the other of the two realized this location is known to us.” Tapping his chin he considered the ground as if it might provide new insights. “What most surprises me is that whoever the other man proves to be, he has come or is already from here–I know Aldry and Peters were inclined to that thought, but it is unsettling to know he is nearby.”
Hand lifting to her throat, Elizabeth nodded. “That someone or another of our neighbours could be involved in all this is more than unsettling; and that they have a connection to your family as well is equally puzzling. As far as I know, no one has traveled to Derbyshire, and aside from my father, Sir Lucas, and a few other gentlemen from the area, few have spent any time in London–and in the case of my father, it is only when family requires it. No, it is strange indeed.”
Speaking softly as he leaned in closer, Elizabeth felt her heart race at his voice, “Can you think of anyone who would do such a thing?”
Eyes lifting up to his, she gulped.Now was not the time for romantic fancies. Romantic?she considered, her gaze wandering his person incredulously, though she already knew the truth.Their animosity had shifted into friendship early on, a further change could hardly surprise her in truth. But did he return her affections?
That,she considered, lips thinned,she could not yet determine, butshe might hope, and indeed, imagine she had witnessed it in his eyes.
Forcing her mind to his question rather than his handsome features and closeness, she answered, “No. Mr. Jeram has a small estate five miles from here, but he is as quiet and confirmed an old bachelor as ever was; I could not even begin to guess when he last left his home for London. Mr. Owens is a gentleman farmer with a large family; he only ever goes to London to buy or sell, and has always been against violence. Sir Lucas has a fondness for London of course, but he is remarkably jovial and I cannot envision him being involved in violence. Father would never endanger Mary, and I dare say he would not be long enough away from his study for intrigue–besides which, I can promise he has not been to London and I would fight you considerably if you deemed him a suspect.” Sighing, she appraised any and all of their acquaintance, “Aside from them, only Mr. Bingley would have the wealth to lease a property of that size in London… and only he and Sir Lucas were in London at that time as far as I am aware. Perhaps whoever it is is merely passing through to check on Wickham’s progress?”
Removing his hat, Darcy raked his fingers through his hair as he began to pace, his features growing more dispirited with each dust raising step.
“I apologize if you hoped for more names,” Elizabeth interjected, his knit features pulling on her heart.
Planting his feet in place, he lifted worried eyes toward her. “It is not the lack of names but the presence of one which concerns me–Bingley. We have long been friends, but what if?”
His words left hanging in the air, Elizabeth moved to his side. “As you say, he is your friend. Surely, he is beyond suspicion; after all, he has been courting Jane and no man in his right mind would kidnap the sister of the woman he hopes to make his wife. No. In my mind he is as unlikely as Sir Lucas to be our man. I am more inclined to believe whoever it is has no connection to Meryton, aside from his hand in the kidnapping naturally. A stranger would not be as hesitant to speak with Wickham.”
“And what of your aunt’s assertions that she recognized the voice?”
“She provided half the town as possible candidates, remember,” Elizabeth teased, her laughter dying as the all too familiar feel of being watched took over.
“That is true,” Darcy answered as he returned his hat to his head. “Though we may wish to hire someone to observe this alley; they may not be foolish enough to use it as a meeting place again, but it may prove valuable nonetheless.”
Hair standing on her neck, she motioned for them to be on their way, the feel of Darcy’s arm under hers providing some small amount of relief as they walked toward Longbourn.
If only Aunt had seen the man, these dangers might be over, Elizabeth considered as she looked back, every instinct insisting they were being followed in spite of the empty road.If only.
