Page 62 of I Thee Wed
Darcy obeyed, still troubled. Lady Catherine followed slowly, a handkerchief pressed to her mouth, her head bowed as if in grief.
Anne, meanwhile, concentrated on her part. She heard the steady beat of Richard’s heart as he carried her and caught the faint scent of shaving soap and cologne. The strength of his arms was a pleasure she had not anticipated, yet she quickly turned her thoughts to her task, keeping her neck slack so her head lolled with each step, and letting her arm hang limply at her side.
He placed her on the improvised bed and drew a blanket over her. Before rising, he bent close. “You, my dear cousin, are not to entertain any man’s addresses but mine.”
She whispered back, eyes still closed. “Cousin, I have been an independent woman for years. I am not used to taking orders from anyone, much less a man.”
He chuckled softly. “Then it is fortunate that I am neither officious nor high-handed. We should get on very well. But be safe, Anne. Do nothing to draw notice.”
She squeezed his hand. “I will. Thank you, Richard.”
Darcy, by this time, had helped Lady Catherine into the carriage. She leaned heavily on his arm, her eyes narrowed as though in tears. Once settled with Mrs. Jenkinson across from her and a blanket tucked about her knees, she looked the picture of maternal anxiety.
Darcy rejoined Richard outside. He pressed his hand to his cousin’s shoulder. “Take care. When do you travel to London?”
“I shall look about Westerham first, to learn more of this mason and his trade,” Richard answered. “Then I mean to ride to Romney Marsh and on to Rye. Aunt Catherine has heard those places named often by gossiping parishioners.”
Darcy frowned. “I am concerned for Anne. Should I stop for a doctor?”
Richard stifled a laugh and whispered, “It is all part of the ruse, Darcy. Anne is perfectly well. Now go. If you set out now, you will be in London in time for dinner and a night’s rest.”
“Very well. Send your correspondence to me in London, and it shall be forwarded to me in Scotland. I mean to remain at Blair Atholl for only a week, then I will return to you.”
With that, Darcy mounted his horse, and the little cavalcade departed.
They reached London that evening. Darcy wished to remain at Darcy House for several days to rest and attend to his affairs, but his aunt refused.
“Fitzwilliam, we must not linger here in town. Every hour we remain here puts us in further danger. I must insist that we be on the road tomorrow as early as possible so that we can put miles between us and the gang.”
Darcy agreed to do as she asked, and all three women were seated in the carriage by eight o’clock the following morning. Darcy placed a basket of food on the seat next to Mrs. Jenkinson.
“Lady Catherine, we will not stop at a coaching inn to eat. I think it would be best to pause somewhere along the road where there are no people to see us.”
He mounted his horse and they departed London.
Chapter 44: The Douglas Family
When the de Bourgh ladies descended the stairs at Darcy House the next morning, Darcy looked up in surprise. Both were arrayed in black silk, veiled as women in deep mourning. Mrs. Jenkinson followed behind, dressed in her usual gray bombazine gown.
Darcy halted at the foot of the staircase. “Aunt, what is this?”
Lady Catherine raised her chin. “It is what prudence requires. We travel as mourners. No one looks too closely at a grieving family. It is safer.”
Anne’s eyes glimmered behind her veil. “I own it makes us rather funereal, Cousin, but Mother insists.”
Darcy inclined his head. “Very well. You have thought it out. But what am I to be, if not myself?”
“You will be Mr. Drummond, our relation from another branch who is not in mourning.” Lady Catherine returned firmly. “I shall be Mrs. Douglas, and Anne will be Miss Douglas. Every innkeeper from here to Scotland shall know us by those names.”
Darcy gave a short laugh. “So be it. Mr. Drummond is at your service. Let us be thankful the roads are dry. It is late November now, and one good storm will mire us.”
“Then we must press on,” Lady Catherine said. “No delays. We leave before sunrise each morning and do not stop until nightfall.”
Darcy nodded. “Ten hours upon the road each day will suffice. With fortune, we shall reach Blair Atholl before the weather breaks.”
Anne grinned and whispered as she passed him, “At least you are grateful for dry roads, William. Mother has found little else to praise since we set out.”
So they travelled, day after day, veiled and silent in their disguise. At each inn, Darcy used false names, and Lady Catherine held her tongue and kept her head bowed down, as though overcome by grief.
