Page 31 of Losing Lizzy
Chapter Eleven
Darcy knew exhaustion whenhe laid out upon the thin mattress in the room he had claimed in the inn on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells. It had been both a frustrating, as well as a fulfilling day. As he had expected, Mr. Harwood had followed Darcy’s carriage at a respectable distance until Darcy led the man to the local blacksmith shop. When he entered the establishment, he introduced himself and explained to the proprietor, “A man has followed me from Brighton, and I think it best if the local constable speaks to him to learn his intent.”
“Are you certain he means mischief?” the blacksmith asked in obvious concern.
Darcy kept his countenance sincere. “I noted him when I entered my coach in Brighton, and he has been behind me ever since. The man is on horse and has had multiple opportunities to overtake me and proceed forward to his business in the area, if that was his purpose. Instead, he sits upon his horse, at this very moment, overlooking your front door. Why do you not step outside and pretend to examine my team and have a look for yourself?”
The man appeared suspicious, but he did as Darcy suggested, returning a few minutes later. “Roan-colored horse in the tree line off to the left.”
“That is the one,” Darcy confirmed. “The thing is if I attempt to capture him, he will simply ride away; however, ashe has proven to be so determined, I suspect he will return. I certainly would not want to lead him to my family’s door. I do not wish to place you and yours in danger, but do you have a means to summon the local sheriff or magistrate to arrest the man without setting up an alarm?”
The blacksmith sent his son with a note and instructions to the local sheriff to come around the back road on Mr. Cooper’s land, which backed up to the blacksmith’s place, so he would come up behind the fellow.
It had cost Darcy several hours and ten pounds between rewarding the sheriff and the blacksmith for their service, but he had convinced the sheriff to detain Mr. Harwood for three days to permit Darcy time to depart the area. After all, until Harwood committed an actual crime, he had as much right to be on the road as did Darcy, or so Darcy was told by the sheriff. Obviously, when Harwood was brought before the magistrate, he invoked Lady Catherine’s name; yet, Darcy swore he had never encountered Harwood in the last four years upon his aunt’s estate. “Not a lie,” he told himself as he turned upon his side, searching for a more comfortable position upon the bed. He already missed holding Elizabeth in his arms. “One night was not enough.”
Unfortunately, his search for Townsend had been equally twofold as his dealings with Harwood. Even so, he finally had learned Townsend had returned to his mother’s home near Pantiles. “I will call upon the house early tomorrow morning and pray Townsend and Elizabeth Anne are there or someone within knows where to find the man.”
* * *
They had departed Sussex early, pausing briefly at an inn on the far side of Tunbridge Wells for a late meal, a change of horses, and, more importantly, a message, left especially for them by Mr. Darcy. They had waited until they returned to the coach before reading the note.
My dearest Elizabeth,
I pray your journey to Tunbridge Wells was a safe one. Pleaseknow you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.
She felt a bit awkward reading Mr. Darcy’s more intimate words to Mr. Sheffield, but her friend simply nodded his head to encourage her to continue.
I made progress with Harwood in that the local sheriff has agreed to detain the man for three days to permit me time to leave the area. Most assuredly, Harwood protested against my complaints, but was placed in the local gaol, nevertheless. Lady Catherine should have no warning of your intended call upon Rosings Park.
“Such should prove to our benefit,” Sheffield observed.
Elizabeth admitted, “I have worried over Lady Catherine expecting our call. I do not want her to take over the encounter before I have a chance to speak my disdain.”
I have located and called upon Townsend’s mother this morning. The woman, initially, was not cooperative, but I proved most persuasive. Although she could not say for certain whether her son had a child with him, neither could she deny it. When he returns to Kent, Townsend essentially stays in what would be a worker’s hut on his mother’s small property. The woman provided me permission to view the hut, and there was a small clue left behind: the tip of a green ribbon, as if the ribbon had begun to unravel. You said Elizabeth Anne had green ribbons tying back her braids. This provides me hope, and I pray it will you, as well. Our daughter may be frightened, but it appears Townsend is tending to her needs for there were dirty plates on the table with relatively fresh remnants of food on them.
“I wonder what Mr. Darcy offered Mrs. Townsend to secure her cooperation,” Elizabeth mused.
“The master’s late father taught his son well,” Sheffield assured. “Mr. Darcy knows when to use a heavy hand, as with Mr. Harwood, or when to extend his promise of assistance, and when his warning of dire circumstance for an opponent’s refusalis appropriate. He is not a hard man, but I pity those who cross him.”
Elizabeth sighed heavily. “Whatever it takes to bring Lizzy home is fine. Just as long as my child is safe.”
As Mrs. Townsend was not certain of her son’s destination, I plan to travel eastward, parallel to the coast and then turn northward to meet with you in Higham. Be cautious around my aunt, as we are both aware, her ladyship will not be an easy foe to fell. If I learn anything, I will send word by express to inform you of any changes to my plans.
She stopped there as Mr. Darcy added a private message that brought a flush of color to her cheeks and tears to her eyes.
Although she was certain Mr. Sheffield took notice of her reaction to Mr. Darcy’s message, he said, “Then we continue on to Rosings Park as we planned.”
* * *
Darcy attempted to trace Mr. Townsend across Kent, but there had been no sightings of a man or Darcy’s daughter. “It seems to me a man traveling with a small child would be required to stop periodically,” he grumbled as he again stepped down before an inn.
“Should we change out the horses, Mr. Darcy?” Mr. Farrin asked.
“I am beginning to think we chase a ghost,” he admitted reluctantly. “Change out the horses. We should set a course for Rosings Park. I do not want Elizabeth to encounter Lady Catherine alone.”
“Certainly, sir.” Mr. Farrin climbed down from the seat to see to the team.
“I will ask of Townsend inside.” Darcy’s steps had become heavier with each denial of Townsend’s presence.
