Chapter Seventeen

Elizabeth

A s the carriage sped back towards the inn, a sense of urgency enveloped Elizabeth. The rhythmic clattering of hooves against the cobblestones echoed in her ears, but it was drowned out by the thumping of her heart, quickening with each passing moment. A disquieting tension gripped her chest, mingling with an overwhelming sense of dread.

Upon disembarking, Elizabeth’s eyes were immediately drawn to Mrs Annesley, who rushed towards them with an anxious expression that sent a jolt of apprehension coursing through Elizabeth’s veins. Mr Darcy stepped protectively beside her, his tall form casting a reassuring shadow, yet even he could not dispel the icy tendrils of fear creeping along her spine.

“Mrs Annesley!” Elizabeth called out, her voice trembling slightly, betraying her agitation. The woman’s distressed visage deepened her unease, and she braced herself for the news she dreaded.

“Miss Bennet! Mr Darcy!” Mrs Annesley gasped, her breath hitching as she halted before them. “I fear there is grave news! Georgiana has just informed me of everything that has transpired in Meryton—the reason for your company here, and the unfortunate circumstance surrounding Maggie.”

A chill gripped Elizabeth’s heart at the mention of Maggie. She could hardly bear the thought of the child being caught in a web of danger, innocent as she was. “What do you mean?” Elizabeth pressed, her voice nearly cracking under the weight of her anxiety. “Pray, what is this news?”

Mrs Annesley darted her gaze around the bustling inn, her eyes wide with concern as if the very walls might betray them. “A man came into the inn not long after you departed,” she said, her voice low and hurried. “He enquired specifically after you, Miss Bennet, and the child. The innkeeper, of course, stated that there was no Miss Bennet registered here, but…” She hesitated, glancing nervously at Mr Darcy, whose jaw had tightened with growing concern.

“But what?” Mr Darcy urged, his tone firm yet edged with a hint of trepidation.

“I put the pieces together and realised that they are searching for you, Miss Bennet,” Mrs Annesley continued, her words falling like stones in the quiet air. “The only reason they did not discover your presence is because Mr Darcy is registered as Mr Darcy and company.”

Elizabeth felt her breath hitch, a mixture of relief and panic washing over her like a cold wave. The very thought of being hunted sent shivers coursing through her. Yet, before she could process the implications of Mrs Annesley’s revelation, Georgiana emerged from the inn, her face pale, lips pressed together in a line of determination.

“I have just spoken to the innkeeper,” she announced, urgency threading her voice. “He confirmed that he does not know this man, but there have been troubling reports of child abductions in the area. It has mostly affected the poorer families, but just the other day, one of the local peers was nearly involved—his son was almost taken!”

At this disconcerting information, Elizabeth felt her stomach lurch, a knot tightening in her gut as fear coiled around her heart. “We cannot return to my aunt and uncle’s home, then!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with urgency. “It is too dangerous. We must find a way to keep Maggie safe!”

Mr Darcy stepped closer, his brow furrowing as he assessed the situation with a piercing gaze. “I agree, Miss Bennet. Returning to your relatives’ home is not wise. We must act swiftly and take refuge elsewhere until we ascertain that it is safe to return.”

As the small group stood in the inn’s courtyard, the air was thick with tension, charged with the danger lurking just beyond the confines of their immediate surroundings. The men who had come to Longbourn were indeed after Maggie and their goals were nefarious.

Her mother had been right to send them away, and she had been right to seek Mr Darcy’s help. If not for him, who knew what would have happened? But what now? She could not impose on him any longer, could she? She was putting him in danger as well as in companions. Yet, what choice did she have?

Just as Mr Darcy was about to voice a new plan, a shrill scream pierced the air, shattering the fragile calm that had settled over them. Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat, and instinctively, she turned, her heart dropping into her stomach. There, amid the bustling inn, stood a man—hastily retreating from the scene, clutching a struggling Maggie in his arms. Elizabeth berated herself, how had she taken her eyes of the child when she was the one who was so in danger? How foolish, how reckless!

“Maggie!” Elizabeth cried, her voice raw with desperation as she watched the child’s terrified face twist with confusion and fear. She felt her heart lurch at the sight of the little girl flailing helplessly against the man’s grip.

Mr Darcy’s reaction was instantaneous, he surged forward with a single-minded determination that spoke to the depths of his character. “Stay here!” he commanded Elizabeth, but the urgency in his voice was lost on her. She could only watch in horror as he sprinted after the man, his tall figure a beacon of resolve amidst the chaos.

“Stop him!” Elizabeth shouted, but the world around her had descended into a blur, her senses heightened by panic. The sounds of the inn faded into oblivion; all she could see was Maggie’s frightened face and the brutish figure of the man carrying her away.

But just as Mr Darcy was closing in on the bandit, the innkeeper—a burly fellow with a red face and strong arms—spotted the unfolding drama. With remarkable agility, he lunged towards the man, catching him by the shoulder and spinning him around with a fierce determination.

“Let that girl go, you scoundrel!” the innkeeper roared, his voice booming across the courtyard. Elizabeth watched, heart pounding, as the two men grappled in a flurry of limbs, the bandit’s grip on Maggie loosening just enough for her to break free.

“Let her go!” Mr Darcy bellowed and snatched Maggie from the chaos, his expression a mix of fierce protectiveness and suppressed rage.

“Maggie!” Elizabeth breathed, relief flooding through her as she rushed towards them. Yet her relief was short-lived, as the man, realising his advantage was slipping away, pushed back against the innkeeper with a ferocity born of desperation. In the ensuing scuffle, blows were exchanged, fists pounding against flesh, the sounds of a violent struggle echoing in the courtyard.

“Maggie!” Elizabeth cried again, her heart in her throat as she fought the urge to rush towards the girl. But she felt trapped in place, fear chaining her to the ground as she watched the drama unfold before her eyes.

Then, just as Mr Darcy had managed to pull Maggie into the safety of his embrace, the bandit broke free from the innkeeper’s grasp, darting away into the streets with a speed that left Elizabeth gasping in disbelief. The innkeeper, panting and enraged, swore loudly, gesturing in frustration as the man disappeared into the throng of townspeople.

“Maggie!” Elizabeth’s voice broke, the sight of the child clinging to Mr Darcy, her small body trembling with fright, sent a jolt of panic through her. “Oh, thank heavens you’re safe!” She sank to her knees, gathering Maggie into her arms, the warmth of the child grounding her amidst the turmoil.

Maggie sobbed, burying her face into Elizabeth’s shoulder, her tiny frame shaking violently. Elizabeth felt tears prick at her own eyes, the fear she had been trying to suppress surfacing in a torrent.

“Shush, my dear, you are safe now,” Elizabeth whispered, her own voice trembling as she stroked the child’s hair, wishing she could erase the terror from her mind. “You are safe.”

Mr Darcy wore a look of grim determination as he surveyed the scene, the adrenaline of the chase still coursing through his veins. “Everyone, back inside the inn!” he commanded, his voice low but firm, slicing through the chaos like a knife. The urgency in his tone galvanised the onlookers, who began to scatter and retreat, a few still glancing back with expressions of shock and concern.

Once they were back inside, Mr Darcy turned sharply to Mrs Annesley, his brow furrowing in thought. “We must devise a plan at once,” he declared, his voice steady but urgent.

“Are you both well?” Mr Darcy asked, his concern palpable as he crouched beside them, his gaze flicking from Elizabeth’s troubled expression to Maggie’s tear-streaked face.

“I am… I am fine,” Elizabeth replied, though the tremor in her voice belied her attempt at composure. She held Maggie tightly, wishing she could shield her from all harm. “But poor Maggie…”

Mr Darcy’s eyes softened as he looked at the child, who clung to Elizabeth, her tiny body still shuddering with fear. “It was a near escape,” he said. “But we shall ensure it does not happen again.”

“I cannot fathom how this came to pass,” Elizabeth murmured, her heart heavy for the poor child. “We were foolish, far too engrossed in our conversation to see her led astray.”

“You did nothing wrong,” Mr Darcy assured her, his gaze steady. “The fault lies with that vile man alone.” He straightened, his expression transforming into one of fierce resolve. “We must remain vigilant and take swift action. Miss Bennet,” he said, glancing up from the parchment, “I require your assistance. We must send a letter to your father without delay.”

Elizabeth’s brow furrowed in confusion. “But what shall I write?”

“Warn him of the danger without disclosing our location,” Mr Darcy instructed, his tone brisk. “We cannot risk the bandits learning of your whereabouts. They are clearly intent on finding you, and we cannot allow that to happen.”

Nodding, Elizabeth set to work, the scratch of the quill against the paper filling the room with a sense of purpose. As she wrote, her heart raced with each word, and she felt an overwhelming surge of protectiveness towards Maggie. This child, so full of light, must never be subjected to such terror again.

“What of Georgiana?” Elizabeth asked, glancing up from her writing. “What shall we do to ensure her safety?”

Mr Darcy’s expression darkened for a moment, and he turned his gaze towards Georgiana, who remained pale and silent at the edge of the room, her eyes downcast. “She and Mrs Annesley shall go to London. I have family there, and Bingley will offer them his protection.”

“Town? But if they found us here, they will find us at Darcy House,” Georgiana said.

“You will not stay at Darcy House. I will write to Bingley explaining everything. He and the Hursts will take you into Grosvenor House. Nobody will bother you there. Bingley thinks of you as his own family, you know this.”

He turned to Mrs Annesley. “You will travel in a hired coach. Can you find me a trusted messenger who can relay Miss Bennet’s message to her father?”

“Of course, sir,” she said. “My brother can do it or one of his sons. They are reliable. I shall fetch them now.” After the woman had left, Mr Darcy looked at Elizabeth.

“We must part ways with Georgiana and Mrs Annesley, it is safer hat way. You and I will continue on with Maggie,” he said.

“But what if they follow us? They will know what your carriage looks like by now,” she pointed out.

“That is precisely why I intend to use my carriage to lead them astray. My coachman will take the carriage to Pemberley,” Mr Darcy explained, his brow furrowing with concentration. “It shall travel empty, to draw their attention away from us. They will likely believe we are heading there. By the time they know we are not there, a safe distance will have passed.”

“And your coachman? Will he be safe?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said, touched that she cared. “He is a military man who can handle himself. Besides, I will hire someone to travel with him.”

Elizabeth felt her heart race at the audacity of his plan, yet she couldn’t help but admire his bravery. “And what of us?” she pressed, her brow furrowing.

“We shall take a different route to Matlock,” he said, meeting her gaze with a fierce intensity. “It is the safest course of action.”

“Matlock?” she asked and he nodded.

“My uncle’s estate. My uncle will protect us, and we shall not remain in danger for long.”

Elizabeth looked into his eyes, seeing the determination and strength that radiated from him. In that moment, she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for his unwavering protection. “Thank you, Mr Darcy,” she whispered, her heart swelling with appreciation. “You are doing much more for us than I could ever dare ask.”

He nodded, his expression softening as he regarded her with warmth. “We are in this together, Miss Bennet. I will not let anything happen to you or Maggie.”

At once, they began to put Mr Darcy’s plan into action. Elizabeth’s heart raced as they moved, each moment stretching out before them like an eternity. They would not be broken by fear, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead together.

***

An hour later, the preparations were completed. Mrs Annesley’s brother had left to deliver the message to Mr Bennet, while Mrs Annesley’s nephew had been hired to accompany the carriage to Pemberley. Another two nephews would accompany Mrs Annesley and Georgiana as far as London for their safety.

As they prepared to depart, Elizabeth felt a surge of gratitude wash over her for the man who stood beside her, unwavering and fierce in his protection. “I am grateful for your strength, Mr Darcy,” she whispered, her heart racing.

“I will always protect those I care for,” he replied softly, his eyes searching hers with a depth of sincerity that made her heart flutter.

As they moved outside, the cool winter air greeted them, invigorating and refreshing despite the danger that loomed nearby. Elizabeth felt a renewed sense of determination as she took Maggie’s hand once more, pulling her close. They would face this threat together, and they would emerge stronger for it.

“Maggie, there is no need to fret. Mr Darcy will take us to a lovely place, you will see,” Elizabeth whispered, her heart steadying as they climbed into the carriage. “Trust me. It will be a grand adventure.”

Maggie placed her hand into Elizabeth’s and walked closer to her, as if in silent agreement.

As they settled in, Mr Darcy directed the coachman with calm authority, his voice steady as he gave instructions. “We must move swiftly and quietly. Our priority is safety.”

With a final glance back at the inn, she steeled herself for the journey ahead. They were bound for Matlock, where safety and security awaited them. Or so she hoped.