Page 76 of Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship

I signalled my driver to stop and shifted forwards to address Mr. Nicholson. “Are you absolutely certain that man is one of the highwaymen?”

“Yes, there can be no mistake, and he has one of our stolen horses.”

I retrieved the box hidden under my seat, removed the pistol from inside, and slipped the gun into my right coat pocket. I gave Miss Nicholson a serious look. “Remain here with your father.”

“Very well. Please be careful!” She cowered against Mr. Nicholson.

“Do not be frightened. All will be well.” I stayed Hunter with a hand cue and stepped down from the carriage.

Harry jumped from his seat and joined me. “What are we doing ’ere, sir?”

“One of the highwaymen is over there.” I moved my head to indicate the man. “I shall confront him alone, but I want you to remain nearby.”

His lips curled into a sneer as he shot the robber a quick look. “Yes, sir.” He held back and feigned an inspection of the harnesses.

The area bustled with activity: people strolled by the businesses on foot, and others traversed the street on horseback or in carriages; thus, I must avoid drawing my pistol if possible. Furthermore, such a rare instance meant I should abandon the rules of gentlemanly conduct in the interest of public safety. I approached the dark-haired man at a leisurely pace. “Mr. Baker, what a coincidence it is to find you here.”

Although the man stood taller than average, he had to look slightly upwards to meet my gaze. He glanced right and left, and his small eyes narrowed. “You’ve got the wrong man. I’ve never seen you afore.” A film of dust covered him, and a dark stain tainted his lapel. Based upon the foul odour emanating from him, he had not washed in weeks.

“Indeed? Well, pardon me, but the resemblance is remarkable.” I fought the inclination to scowl at the miscreant who had attacked and robbed the Nicholsons.

In a hurried motion, he reached over to close the saddlebag, revealing a holster inside his unbuttoned coat. “Well, I’m in a rush.” He displayed an unpleasant smile. “So if you don’t mind—”

“Yes, of course.” I feinted back as though to retreat, then lunged forwards, pummelling the blackguard in consecutive blows, striking his cheek, jaw, and temple with a series ofresultant thuds. Taken by surprise, he grunted, and his head jounced with each hit.

A woman’s scream rent the air from somewhere behind me.

The man staggered as though ready to fall, and I halted. But he righted himself and emitted a piercing bellow as he threw a wild swing at me. I swerved to avoid him and cast another right-handed hit to his temple, plus a final one with my left fist, punching him in the nose.

As the lout reeled sideways, I gripped his cravat and removed the pistol from his holster, dropping the weapon into my left coat pocket. When I released him, he tumbled to his knees and fell forwards to the ground. I glanced back at Harry. “Fetch ropes to bind his hands and feet.”

“Yes, sir.”

A small crowd gathered within a ten-foot radius of me and the robber, who moaned and lay prone. Harry appeared and tied the man’s wrists together. My left hand smarted, and I flexed and unflexed my fingers: in my haste, I had been careless with my form. At least my right hand appeared to be unscathed.

I beckoned to a skinny blond lad dressed in tattered clothing who stood nearby. “You there. Fetch the constable for me, and I shall give you a sixpence.”

His eyes opened wide. “I seen the magistrate at the post office. Will ’e do?”

“That is even better. Go on and get him.”

“Yes, sir!” The boy darted away.

Harry stood from the bandit, who now sat in a slouched position, his eyes half-shut, wrists and ankles bound. “Sir, ’e’s not going anywhere.”

“Good work, Harry.” I returned to the coach and opened the door nearest to Mr. Nicholson, who grinned at me.

“Your use of pugilism to subdue that criminal was admirable and appropriate for the circumstances. I commend you, Mr. Darcy. Few men could have handled the situation as well.”

“Thank you.”

Miss Nicholson leaned forwards to meet my gaze. “You have my deepest gratitude, Mr. Darcy. I never thought we should see any of our stolen property again, so it is a relief to have Rusty returned.”

“It is my pleasure to be of service. My driver will take you to the surgeon’s office and bring your horse as well. I shall wait here for the magistrate and join you later.” I parted from them, gave Harry my instructions, and returned to the reprobate.

Soon enough, a short, slight, bald-headed man pushed through the crowd alongside the blond urchin. The newcomer stopped to peer at the captive robber before he accosted me. “I am the magistrate, Mr. Plowman. What has gone on here?”

I introduced myself and recounted the Nicholsons’ plight and their identification of the fiend. The blond boy crept his way to my side, and I gave him the promised coin. “And the suspect carried this fire-arm.” I passed the seized pistol to Mr. Plowman. “This may be one of the weapons stolen from Mr. Nicholson today.”

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