Page 47 of Until My Last Breath
“Yes, sir. One of the men heard Lieutenant Carter’s moans and ran to him, just in time to see a man and a woman, both on the same horse, riding down the road towards the village. He could not see the man’s face, but someone suggested it could have been Mr Darcy and the lady escaping. But if Mr Darcy is still here... Captain Owen rode after them anyway.”
“Wickham!” Richard breathed between gritted teeth. “Fetch a candle and go down these stairs and see if you can find anything. I need to see what is going on,” he said, running down the main stairs.
“Carter!” Richard called when he saw his man was already on his feet. “How are you?”
“I am well, Colonel,” Carter replied, rubbing his neck.
The younger officer appeared behind Richard, shaking his head. “There was nothing there, sir.”
“Colonel,” another officer shouted from outside. “There is a rider approaching.”
They all went outside, keeping their eyes on the road as the sound of a horse’s hooves became louder. Pointed pistols welcomed the approaching figure.
“Hey! Put your guns down. It’s me,” Captain Owen shouted, still panting. “I lost track of them in the fog. I am sorry, Colonel. Instead, I found him.”
The messenger, weary to his bones and still breathless, was already dismounting and looking for the colonel. “Thank God I found you, Colonel,” he sighed. “I have a message from your father, sir. Sorry for the delay — the fog. I could not find the house until I recognised the captain riding in this direction and followed him.”
Richard thanked the boy and read the message.
Dear Richard,
We found out that a ship loaded with contraband (and, unfortunately, some young ladies) is supposedly leaving England in two days’ time, on the 14th April, from Portsmouth. I hope this information is already irrelevant and the rescue attempt successful.
If by any chance you still need anything else, feel free to do whatever you need, at any cost. The Prime Minister has allowed me to do everything necessary to find Darcy, and to arrest those bloody mercenaries and pirates. We are already sending reinforcements to Portsmouth.
Please, send word as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Father
“At least I know where to hunt you,” Richard muttered. “James! Find Mr Huxtable and inform him that Wickham managed to enter the house and… kidnap Miss Elizabeth, again. Give Mr Huxtable this letter and ask him to send word to London, to my father and Detective Duncan, telling them I am going to Portsmouth straight away, and hope to meet the reinforcements there as soon as possible. And someone, prepare my horse,” he shouted to no one in particular.
Returning to the house, Richard quickly went upstairs. Dr Alden was helping some of the soldiers to tie up several blankets and bring his unconscious patient downstairs.
“Dr Alden, please, wait,” Richard said in a lower voice, kneeling down beside his cousin. “Forgive me, Darcy. But I swear on my life I will not come back home until I have Miss Elizabeth safe and sound with me.” He raised his eyes. “Take good care of him, Doctor.”
Richard gave his cousin one last look, and before Dr Alden could voice a reply, he ran downstairs again asking for his horse. He could not fail his cousin or Mr Bennet, but especially, he could not fail Miss Bennet.
“Colonel,” Captain Owen shouted as he quickly approached Richard. “You cannot possibly be planning to ride this time of night and with this fog, sir. I could barely see my way coming back. And by these winds, I believe a storm is coming.”
“Owen,” Richard said angrily, “if that scoundrel Wickham can ride his horse holding Miss Elizabeth atop of it with him, I can certainly do the same myself.” He turned and left, without looking back.
Captain Owen was not finished and ran after him. “Colonel, I ask permission then to accompany you on this trip. Sir.”
Richard paused and, finally, sighed, nodding. “Very well. Get ready then. It will be good to have a friend with me.”
“Thank you, sir,” Captain Owen said, already running towards his horse and preparing everything for their trip.
Richard called for Carter, giving him specific instructions to reach London as safely and as quickly as possible, preferably, leaving before therain. His cousin’s health and safety should be his priority.
As they mounted their horses, Captain Owen looked at Richard. “Portsmouth then, Colonel?”
“Yes, Owen. And may God help us on this long journey.”
Some minutes later, the two riders were engulfed by the dark and foggy night as they headed to an uncertain fate.
Chapter 8
