“Pfft,” Aldry huffed. “No faith in our abilities. We have three pistols in addition to our own, andtwobored rifles. Between those, our own weapons, and the pistols you and Lightcliffe wear, no one shall go without, I assure you.”
Laying a hand on the man’s shoulder, Richard smiled, “I never should have doubted you. Now then, it is time we plan our attack.”
∞∞∞
Checking and loading every weapon at their disposal, distributing ammunition, and reiterating what each man would be expected to do and when, the five men prepared to attack; one from the front, two from the side, and two further using rifles and high ground to cover them.
A middling plan at best, but they could do no better. Not if they wanted to keep their attack secret. Any minute the town turned mob might arrive and with them new danger to Mary and Elizabeth–this plan would have to suffice.
“We all know what to do,” Richard reminded them. “Our goal is clear, and each of us knows the risks. May God be with us.”
“May God be with us,” they agreed, the weapons of all five turning toward the horses as two figures rode near.
“Mr. Bennet?” Darcy questioned, “Whatever are you doing here? And… Bingley?!”
Breath coming hard and fast as he dismounted, Mr. Bennet, unused to physical exertion, leaned on his knees, “I. I was on my way here when. When Mr. Bingley came upon me.”
“I heard what happened,” Bingley interjected, his gaze drawing past them to the ruins beyond, “It is as I feared. This morning in town I witnessed Wickham hiring a farm wagon and was puzzled; after all, you have each said how Wickham was likely involved in the kidnapping of Miss Mary and Fitz. Still, I never thought the man would have the gall to try such a thing again, truly, I assumed it some means to flee before being discovered.”
“You feared this?” Peters questioned, his brow furrowed. “And yet, you assumed it a means to get away?”
“Well,” Bingley answered slowly, “I feared that what I had heard about this second kidnapping actually was true. The wagon, though odd, would hardly have made me think the man would try another.”
“No, I supposeyouwould not,” Aldry remarked.
Studying Bingley, Richard’s head pulled to one side, the man’s great coat dirty on the sleeves and his boots caked in mud and leaves. “However did you get in such a state, Bingley? I recall you always being exacting in your appearance; at least in London.”
“London is far cleaner,” he laughed, “and I find autumn a particularly filthy time of year when out walking, as I was earlier. Now then, what might I do to help? It is time we weed Wickham from his hiding place. I for one am ready for a fight,” he said as he drew his pistol, “and the man deserves to pay, first preying on Miss Darcy as he did and then kidnapping in the hopes of taking more money from you. That man knows nothing but greed and misery.”
Stepping forward, Darcy’s eyes narrowed as he ripped the weapon from Bingley’s hand, “How did you know of my sister? I told few people, and none of them you.”
“Darcy, what is this?” Bingley cried, his hands lifting as though puzzled. “We are friends.”
“We have been… but I want an answer. How did you know?”
“I overheard it, naturally.”
“Where? When? With whom was I speaking?”
“I… It was here, or rather, my home, Netherfield. I could not tell you the exact day, but it was sometime before you left to retrieve your cousin and Miss Mary.”
“And to whom did I speak?”
“Oh, it was with, umm, one of the men. Aldry maybe, or Lightcliffe? It is difficult to say given the distance I was at the time.”
Cocking the gun and taking a step back, Darcy shook his head. “I only ever told Elizabeth. Surely, you could not mistake her voice for a man’s? Nor could you be so confused as to date to not recall that those men were not even yet in your house. You, sir, have proved a liar, and given we know Wickham has been to Netherfield, and there is every reason to believe you also saw him in town, I would say he is the only one who could have told you about my sister.”
“Trying to settle all the blame on Wickham?” Richard snarled. “Did you plan to kill him and anyone else who might recognize you? Yes, to join us was your plan all along, but we have a better one… and if you want a trial instead of Wickham or one of your men accidentally shooting you, I suggest you cooperate.”
Eyes blazing hot hatred, Bingley spat on Richard’s boot, “You want me to save those Bennet chits? Then you better be prepared to pay. Wickham and those idiots with him are a pathetic threat.”
The man paling as Richard set his knife to his throat, Bingley stared wide eyed as Richard growled, “If either Mary or Elizabeth come to any harm, you will find a threat worth fearing. Now, are you prepared to cooperate, or would you care to have a sampling of what you can expect?”
Chapter 19
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy in Hertfordshire
Following Bingley with weapons at the ready, Darcy and Fitz made their way through the leaves at the base of the slope, Darcy’s hands twitching any time the man made a sudden move.
