A Royal Bennet (7 page)

The sky began to darken and the men returned to
the shack, tired and discouraged. They were also
frightened of Caspen, after watching him kill the
young man who had made a mistake, which allowed
the escape. They would all sleep with one eye open
that night, fearing what their leader’s fury might have
in store for them.

Mrs Lackney received the express from Elizabeth
and hurried to see the information was relayed to
Pemberley. Georgiana was pleased to know that Miss
Elizabeth was still in England, and had escaped her
captures, but she was frustrated to not be able to be
there to assist in bringing the young lady safely to
Pemberley. Knowing how dear Miss Elizabeth was to
her brother, Georgiana could hardly wait to meet her,
and she had been anxious since learning of the
kidnapping.

Her brother’s most valued courier was dispatched
immediately to Liverpool with the news. Georgiana
knew her brother planned to take rooms at the Rose
and Crown inn, as he had informed her prior to his
leaving.

If she could, Georgiana wished to follow after the
courier, but she had promised to remain at Pemberley
and Darcy would be furious if she disobeyed his
command. She prayed the men from Pemberley
would be able to find Miss Elizabeth and her maid,
and all would be well.

With the courier on his way, Georgiana decided to
spend some time practicing the new piece of music
she had purchased before leaving London. It was a
difficult piece, but she was looking forward to
learning it, having heard it played at a concert she and
her brother had attended only a week before he was
set upon by robbers in the park.

For the remainder of the day, Georgiana kept to
the music room, with her companion, Mrs Annesley,
sitting in a chair nearby, stitching on a sampler she
was making.

The men had searched everywhere in which they
could think, but they were afraid of Caspen’s wrath, so
they continued to look in other places they had not
thought to look. It had been three days of searching
and each day, Caspen’s fury grew and grew. He had
beaten one of the other men the day before, as the
man asked if they were going to give up the search.
Caspen was bent on locating the two young ladies.
His determination stemmed from his desire for
control. With the two ladies escaping, he had lost
control of the situation, and he could not allow it to go
unpunished. The other men were concerned for their
own welfare, but they were certain the ladies would
be brutally murdered when Caspen caught up with
them. To the men, it was better the ladies than
themselves.

Mrs Barkow had been kind to Elizabeth and Lucy,
as she could see the great need the young ladies had,
yet had refused to ask for more than shelter and some
bread and water. Because of their situation, and little
means to pay for more, Mrs Barkow was impressed
that they had not taken advantage of the kindness
offered. Elizabeth had been determined they would
not put Mrs Barkow, or her husband and staff, to any
difficulties.

But Mrs Barkow decided to make certain the
ladies had something substantial to eat, besides just
bread and water. She sent up stew and some biscuits,
some vegetables and some cake. Elizabeth had
thanked the innkeeper’s wife for her kindness,
grateful to the lady.

When Mrs Barkow offered on the second day to
have a bath drawn, Elizabeth’s eyes swam with
unshed tears. It had been a week or more since she
had bathed, and the thought of being able to sink into
the hot water and wash away the filth she had
acquired was more than she could comprehend.

“Mrs Barkow, though it would be heavenly to have
such a luxury, I could not put you out like that. I am
grateful for the food and the lodging, and you will be
paid for those services as soon as my family arrives. I
could not add to your burdens by accepting your staff
preparing a bath for me.”

“Miss Bennet, it is not a burden or a hardship for
me to have hot water prepared for a bath. I know you
will repay us for any services, but I am offering this as
a gift. You have had a difficult time, and I am certain
that you would enjoy being able to be clean. And I
have two night shifts which should fit you and Miss
Lucy, so your dresses can be washed properly and
dried. The bath can be readied for you in an hour, and
I can come up and sit with Miss Lucy while you
bathe.”

Elizabeth could hold back her tears no longer. The
strain of the past week finally erupted from her in
sobs, wrenching her body. Mrs Barkow wrapped her
arms about Elizabeth, pulling the younger lady into a
motherly embrace. The sobbing continued for several
moments, before Elizabeth was able to collect herself.
“Forgive my tears, Mrs Barkow. You have been so
generous to Lucy and myself. I will make certain you
are repaid for everything you have done for us.”

“There is nothing to fret over. As you are aware, I
know from where your family comes. I sent a letter to
my cousin. I expect to hear from her any day now.
Perhaps she will take the news to your family at
Longbourn.”

“I am certain my father cannot travel, it causes
Papa great pain when he has to ride in a carriage or
on horseback. And my mother would only come if
there is some sort of reward for her in doing so. No, I
am certain my aunt and uncle will be coming as soon
as they learn where I am.”

“At the very least, my cousin can reassure your
relations at Longbourn that you are safe in my care.
By now, they must know of what happened with the
post carriage.”

“I pray my father and my sister, Jane, are not
pained too much from the news. I would not wish to
cause them any grief.”

Mrs Barkow smiled. “Here you are, having
escaped from men who kidnapped you, intending to
sell you, and you are worried about how others will
be grieved over your situation. Miss Elizabeth Bennet,
you are too good to be true.”

Knowing her husband had left Longbourn after
learning Elizabeth was in danger, Mrs Bennet was
furious. She had always been angered at having to
pretend Elizabeth was her child, sharing status with
Jane. Fanny Bennet was of the opinion that her
daughters were far superior to the daughter who was
forced upon her. Jane was sweet natured, kind and
loving. She adored her “twin” sister and would never
say or do anything against Elizabeth.

Lydia, on the other hand, was her mother’s child.
Having lost two daughters and a son being stillborn,
Fanny took no chances when she was confined with
Lydia. She refrained from doing anything other than
keeping to her rooms, usually in bed, and refusing to
do any of her duties to the house or to Jane and
Elizabeth. When Lydia was born, alive and healthy,
Mrs Bennet doted on her constantly. The child was
never made to mind, as Mrs Bennet preferred to allow
her dearest child to enjoy her life.

This caused a great deal of tension between Mr
and Mrs Bennet. Usually, to preserve some peace in
the house, Mr Bennet gave up trying to tame his wife
and youngest daughter. Lydia was allowed to run
wild and unchecked, and when her sisters
complained, Mrs Bennet would scold them. “Lydia is
just a child, full of life and excitement. Just because
you lack the joy of living life does not give you cause
to dampen Lydia’s pleasure.”

But it had become clear that others in the
neighborhood did not approve of Lydia’s behavior
either. The young girls Lydia’s age rarely wished to
be with the youngest Bennet sister, which caused Mrs
Bennet to instill in Lydia that the girls were only
jealous of her. Invitations to dinners had begun
coming with direct instruction as to whom was
invited. Reading invitations for Mr and Mrs Bennet,
and their daughters, Elizabeth and Jane, infuriated
Fanny Bennet. How dare people prefer inviting
Elizabeth to Lydia?

And Elizabeth had refused to marry as Mrs Bennet
had commanded. Having one of the Bennet sisters
wed to Mr Collins would allow Mrs Bennet to remain
at Longbourn when her husband died. Jane and Lydia
were far too good to marry the likes of the repulsive
Mr Collins, but Elizabeth would be perfect for the
position. And Fanny was certain that Mr Collins
would allow her to remain as the Mistress of
Longbourn until her death, keeping Elizabeth
subservient to Mrs Bennet. It was one of the few
times Thomas Bennet had stood his grounds in the
past ten years. When he was younger, he was firm in
dealing with his wife. But nearly twenty years of
enduring Fanny’s nerves and fits had worn him down.

Now he was standing firm against a marriage
between Mr Leland and Elizabeth. Yes, Mr Leland was
old enough to be Elizabeth’s father, and he had a
terrible reputation, but he was wealthy and had his
own estate, which would be good enough to take care
of the Bennets when Mr Bennet was cold in his grave.
She thought on the matter long and hard. Why was
her husband preventing a union which would protect
his wife and daughters when he was gone?

Finally, Fanny’s ire had gotten the better of her
and she sent word to Mr Leland to join her at
Longbourn. She was determined to set off
immediately and see that Mr Leland and Elizabeth
were married before another week was past.

“Jane, Lydia, I will be going on a trip. As your
father insisted on traveling with my brother and his
wife, I will be following them. I am hopeful that Mr
Leland will accompany me, as we wish to finalize his
union with Elizabeth. Since she is away, it will be
acceptable for the wedding to be held away from
Longbourn. A message was sent to Mr Leland to join
me.”

Jane was concerned. “Mamma, Lizzy did not wish
to marry Mr Leland. And Papa declared that Lizzy
would not be forced to marry against her wishes.”

“Your father is a fool. With his traveling about,
who is to say he will live much longer. No, it is wisest
for us to settle this once and for all, and Mr Leland will
be pleased to have a new wife.”

“But, if Lizzy is to marry, she will wish all of us to
be there as well.” Lydia cried. “Please, Mamma, we
should make the journey with you. I have a new gown
to wear for the wedding too.”

“Lyddie, my pet, it would be best for you and Jane
to remain here. You would not like to be cooped up in
a carriage for such a long journey.” Mrs Bennet
attempted to soothe Lydia out of going.

“Mamma, I wish to be at the wedding. It is only
right to have the bride’s sisters at the ceremony.
Please Mamma, please. I will look so pretty in the
new gown you had made for me. The blue silk was
made for such a fine occasion.”

“I agree with Lydia, Mamma. If Lizzy is to marry,
she will wish me to be at her side. We promised each
other to be witness at our weddings. I must be there
for Lizzy.”

Aggravated, Mrs Bennet finally agreed. As the
ladies prepared to make the journey, a message
arrived from Mr Leland, stating he would be arriving
at Longbourn within an hour to collect Mrs Bennet to
journey north.

Darcy and his men began their search at the docks,
inquiring of any ships preparing to sail for Antigua or
Brazil, or any areas in those directions. One ship had
set sail the morning they arrived in Liverpool, but
Darcy was certain that Elizabeth was not on it. He did
not wish to dwell on Elizabeth’s being forced on a ship
filled with men, being sold as a servant to some
unknown man in another country.

Once they had checked the docks, the men began
to search inns and boarding houses, followed by
planting several of the men in pubs to be able to listen
to conversations. They hoped the culprits they were
tracking would visit one of the pubs, and after having
a few drinks, would be talkative of their exploits.

Richard was having a difficult time calming his
cousin. Every day which went by without finding the
young ladies, Darcy’s mood grew darker and darker.
It was becoming difficult to keep his spirits up, while
fear of losing the young lady to whom he had lost his
heart took hold of his heart.

“Darcy, perhaps we should offer a reward for the
safe return of Miss Elizabeth and her maid. People
always tell more when there is a reward.”

“They should do the right thing and turn the ladies
over, without any such incentive. Better yet, this
should never have happened in the first place. First I
am assaulted and nearly robbed, leaving me injured,
then Miss Elizabeth and her maid are robbed and
abducted from a post carriage. I shudder to think
what could be next. It is my dearest prayer that
Georgiana is safe and secure at Pemberley.”

“I am trying to keep my chin up, but it is difficult.”
Darcy stated. A knock on the door of the bedchamber
brought both of the men to attention. Opening the
door, Darcy recognized his courier, who was standing
there with a message in hand. Darcy quickly snatched
it and broke open the seal. Reading both the letter
from Georgiana and the one Elizabeth had written to
Mrs Lackney, Darcy was thrilled to learn the
whereabouts of the young ladies.

A knock on the bedchambers brought Elizabeth
from her wool-gathering. She opened the door to find
Mrs Barkow. Once inside the room, Mrs Barkow
began to speak. “Miss Elizabeth, it is best we move
you soon. We have noticed several shifty characters
loitering about, watching the inn. It is our belief that
they are looking for you.”

“But how could they have discovered us here? We
have been ever so careful to remain out of sight from
everyone.”

“Unfortunately, I was forced to dismiss one of my
maids only this morning. She was overheard
discussing the guests of this inn with some unknown
man.”