“Poor Lady Amesbury,” said Lydia privately to her sister. “Between Lady Gordon’s jewel, and Mr Darcy’s blue ribbons, our hostess has been quite eclipsed this evening.”
Lydia was not wrong, Elizabeth thought as she watched Lady Amesbury shoot daggers at Lady Gordon with her eyes from across the room. The ladies of their party had been appallingly direct about stealing the focus of the night for Mr Darcy with their ribbons, and the excitement and speculation about the blood red jewel had put an end to any notice or talk of the party arrangements. At least there would still be the fireworks later, Elizabeth thought. Lady Amesbury ought to still receive a certain amount of acclaim for that. Everyone at the party was looking forward to them. However, Lord Amesbury said they were to be set off very late, after the rest of the town was likely in their beds.
When they returned to the ballrooms, Elizabeth and the younger ladies took seats by the side of the room. “Eliza,” said Caroline Bingley, coming up alongside them. When she used the appellation now, it was with sincere affection, and as a private joke between the ladies, Elizabeth now used the nameCarowhen referring to her friend in all sincerity “Eliza, is that not the officer everyone made a fuss over in Meryton?”
Elizabeth looked up in time to see Wickham skirt through the edge of the room, and out one of the doors leading to the hall. “Where did he come from?” she gasped.
“He came in the French doors from the gardens only moments ago,” answered Caroline, “He was looking across the room at Lord Amesbury, who nodded to him, and then left by that same door with Colonel Allen.”
“Do not leave this spot,” Elizabeth commanded Georgiana and Lydia. She rose and left the young ladies with Caroline and Mrs Annesley as she followed Lieutenant Wickham into the great hall. As she entered the hall, she looked down to her left, and saw Wickham go down another hall. She followed the man down two darkened halls, obviously part of the house that guests were not meant to visit tonight, and stopped in front of the door that Wickham had entered.
“I cannot believe the night has arrived,” she heard Lord Amesbury say. “Huggins says that the castle has been watched enough to be certain that there are few servants, and they are all very old. I do not know what they seek there, but the fireworks will cover enough of the sound of the landing, and create enough of a distraction for the French to get at least most of the way to the castle before the residents realise what is happening. The fireworks are the signal that nothing is suspected and it is safe to come ashore. Even once it is realised, once the landing is achieved, the sheer numbers of the landing party will prevent the townspeople or even the militia posing too much of a challenge. You are certain that they will not attack this house?”
“They will not attack any house completely surrounded with well lit torches,” promised Wickham. “That is the signal Huggins gave you. The other great houses in the area will be lit, of course, but yours will be the only one completely surroundedwith torches. They will have been told to look for that, and they will leave at least two or three other houses nearby untouched, in order to ensure you are not suspected.”
“What is the situation at the tower, Allen?” asked Lord Amesbury.
“There is always a sentry at the top, watching the waters, and ready to light the beacon if there is any sign of invasion. The man I placed there tonight is a drunkard; I ensured that he would gain access to a bottle earlier this evening, and that another would magically appear at his post. He is notoriously weak willed; I assure you he will be unconscious by the landing, and he is incredibly difficult to wake when he is in his cups, I have experienced. He should sleep through the entire event. When are we expecting our visitors?”
“Within two hours, I would say,” answered Wickham. “They will want to come in on the low tide, so they can see any obstacles, and the men can wade ashore.”
“Have you received your payment?” asked Colonel Allen.
“Huggins delivered it today. More than enough to solve my present difficulties, and save my heir from marrying that sickly heiress out there,” answered Lord Amesbury.
“He should marry her anyway,” Wickham advised. “I have known her since childhood, and it is certain that she will not live to a great age. Childbirth would certainly finish her off. He could have a possible heir, an estate, a fortune, and be widowed and as rich as Croesus in a few short years.”
“But if she had a sickly child,” considered Lord Amesbury.
“She has not always been ill,” said Wickham. “Her heart was weakened by scarlet fever. No reason her child might not be healthy.”
“Hmmm… I will tell Bexley to take that under advisement,” said Lord Amesbury. “Have you taken care of everything on your end?”
“I have several loose ends that must be tied up yet, and they are scattered all over town,” spat Wickham. “I have been given a rather difficult task and there really doesn’t seem to be any way to manage it. I have to lead a great deal of the French to Bourne House and attack it, and while some of my targets are there, the rest of them are here, save one.”
“Have you not done away with him yet?” said Allen scathingly. “And you saidBexleywas squeamish.”
“Bexleyissqueamish, I should know,” said the man in question’s father.
“You never know when Darcy could come in handy,” scoffed Wickham. “I am not one to squander my resources.”
Suddenly there was scuffing of wood across the floor, the sound of chairs being pulled back. Elizabeth rushed several feet down the hall, in the opposite way from which she had come, and hid in a convenient alcove. The door opened, and she surreptitiously watched the men leave Lord Amesbury’s study and return back down the hall to the party. Before she could move to follow them back, a warm hand grasped her arm.
CHAPTER 50
Smothering a shriek, Elizabeth nearly jumped out other skin to find thecomtestanding right next to her. “Do not follow,mademoiselle. There is another way.” She followed him down the hall, then another, then another. Then suddenly they were back in the great hall.
“Excuse me, I must go,” Elizabeth said in agitation, desperate to find Ashley and Lady Catherine.
“Wait,mademoiselle,” thecomteadvised. “I heard the same conversation that you did. Do not run off without your head.”
“You? How?” Elizabeth asked in surprise.
“There is a grate in the wall on the other side of the room,” thecomteanswered. “Now, you have the answer, do you not, about your beau?”
Elizabeth considered. “He is still alive,” she said.
“The traitor’s targets are his family. The children are at Bourne House, the rest of them are here, save one?” thecomtesaid, reminding her of Wickham’s words.
