Page 41 of Losing Lizzy
They had traveled to Rosings Park at a less frantic pace than the ones they had both employed the day before to reach Queenborough. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Liles and Mr. Ruffe, the two smugglers he had trusted with Elizabeth’s life, had made an early appearance at the inn with Sidney Townsend in tow.
“That was quick, gentlemen.” Darcy had asked the men to wait until Elizabeth escorted their daughter on a walk into Queenborough before he met with the men. He would not have Lizzy Anne encounter the scoundrel again.
“We seen no reason not to enjoy a hunt,” Liles said with a grin. “With the storm, there be no other employment to kept usbusy.”
Darcy glanced to Townsend, who sported more than one bruise and laceration upon his person. “It appears your prey put up a fight.”
Mr. Ruffe shrugged his shoulders in an act of dismissal. “Not much of one. None of us believe a man should take a child from its mother. You possess a fine lady, sir, if’n you don’t mind me sayin’ so. She be very kind to us, last eve. Made certain we had a meal at the inn and all.”
Darcy smiled easily.HisElizabeth had enchanted two of the North Kent gang. “I am blessed as a man may be.” He looked to Townsend. “I fear I do not have enough coins with me to pay for your services, gentlemen, and I assume you would not wish a bank note.”
Mr. Liles presented Darcy a toothy smile. “Ruffe and me thought we might carry an express to that colonel you mentioned. Been awhile since either of us be in London. You said he could see us properly paid.”
“Excellent plan. Allow me to send my servant to fetch the local magistrate while I write instructions to my cousin and my housekeeper to see you also are fed a proper meal.” He paused to calculate in his head. “I, too, hope to be in London later today or tomorrow, at the latest. It may not be necessary for you to speak to the colonel, if you wish to delay just a bit. After all, it is Saturday, and the banks are closed.”
“We cud wait to travel,” Liles reasoned, “if’n it mean we continue to deal with you.”
“If I were at my home, you would be easily presented admittance, and I have access to funds my cousin does not,” he explained.
“Then we travel later today, not wishin’ to travel on the Sabbath.”
“Neither do I,” Darcy explained. “Such is the reason I mean to reach Rochester soon and be done with the madness that has plagued my family for four years. You may call on me after services tomorrow. For now, allow me to offer you these coins ingood faith.”
Darcy gestured Jasper forward. He instructed, “Please ask the magistrate to join me here.”
“Yes, sir.” Jasper rushed away to do Darcy’s biding.
“If’n you not mind, we best leave before the magistrate arrives. Wouldn’t want to permit him to know we had anything to do with this.”
Darcy understood. The men before him likely had had more than one run-in with the law. “We will meet again tomorrow.” Liles and Ruffe nodded and then disappeared into the busy town.
“Don’t I possess any rights?” Townsend protested.
“Not of which I am aware,” Darcy said casually. “In case my aunt did not tell you, I am a rich man, and money can purchase anything—even the gallows upon which you will swing for your crime of kidnapping my child.”
“Her ladyship is rich also,” Townsend protested. “She will see to my release.”
“Although I believe it a poor system, in England, aman’swealth always outweighs awoman’s,” Darcy declared. “And if you think Lady Catherine holds honor and will not place this caper upon yours and Harwood’s shoulders, you are a fool. Moreover, I possess plans for her ladyship. Her reign of power is coming quickly to an end.”
“She is your family,” Townsend argued. “You would not wish your family’s name brought into account.”
Darcy leaned forward to press his point. “My family has grown smaller in the last month. I have even cut anearlfrom those I call ‘family.’ If I can banish an earl, I will have no qualms in bringing down my wrath upon the widow of a common baronet.”
Townsend’s brows burrowed. “You would not,” he protested.
“I would,” Darcy declared. “My allegiance is to the woman you know as ‘Mrs. Dartmore’ and my child.”
“Your bast—” Townsend began.
But Darcy’s fist arrived before the loggerhead could finish the word. He yanked Townsend’s head upward by the hair of the man’s head. “Listen to me,” he hissed. “Do not even think that word in relation to my child. It would suit me just as well to place a bullet between your eyes, and, if you think I am too deep into Society’s pockets to make good on my threat, you should know I survived four years uponThe Lost Sparrow, one of the most dangerous and ruthless pirate ships on the sea.” He noted how Townsend’s pupils dilated in surprise. “Now, here is how we are going to finish this. You will be presented the choice of hanging for your crimes or knowing transportation. While you are contemplating your decision, you should consider the fact that three members ofThe Lost Sparrow, which is now in dock and under the authority of the British Royal Navy, have already provided the government signed statements implicating Lady Catherine de Bourgh in my kidnapping. My aunt has no hope of escaping my vengeance and neither do you.”
Chapter Fourteen
It had taken longerfor them to depart Queenborough than Elizabeth would have liked—not that she was anticipating their upcoming confrontation with Lady Catherine de Bourgh, but because of the total devastation marking Fitzwilliam Darcy’s countenance. The time he had spent with the magistrate laying out the charges against Townsend had taken an obvious toll upon him. Mr. Darcy had set himself the task of discovering who had betrayed him and who had stolen away his child. Now, it would be necessary for him to divorce himself from all those he had once trusted. His world had gotten smaller, and she knew he had executed all this for her.
As they looked on while the gentleman bid his farewells to the magistrate and his men, Sheffield whispered, “The master’s whole life has been turned upon its head. Only you can restore his strength—his will to continue on.”
“Yet, will he not view what we did as another betrayal?” she pleaded.
