Chapter 28 Taken
Mary was returning from the parsonage. She had collected her laundry, and unfortunately, Mr. Collins was suffering from a jealous humor.
“I observed Mr. Darcy paying pointed attentions to my cousin. Why does Elizabeth not send him away?”
“I do not understand what you expect her to do, sir. Would you have her give the gentleman the cut direct? My sister conducts herself with perfect propriety toward Mr. Darcy and every member of the family.”
“He pays no such attention to you, does he, Mrs. Collins?”
“No, sir. Mr. Darcy has little to say to me. He is a respectable gentleman, and neither my sisters nor I has anything to fear from him. Now, unless you have further questions, I shall return to Rosings.”
“Very well. I shall call at Rosings in the morning, provided Lady Catherine is still with us. From what I observed today, she stands very near the end of her life.”
Mary curtsied, collected her satchel, and left the house.
She was thinking of her husband's jealousy when her arm was seized with such force that pain shot through her shoulder. Her body slammed against an unknown assailant. Agony exploded through her head, and darkness swallowed her whole.
Elizabeth woke to long shadows stretching across the room and realized it was already late afternoon. She looked about, but saw neither Jane nor Mary.
She pushed herself upright, and a violent fit of coughing overtook her. When it passed, she crossed to the washstand, poured herself a glass of water, and drank deeply. Then she rang for assistance.
Sarah answered the summons.
“Where are my sisters?”
“Mrs. Collins left for the parsonage nearly three hours ago and has not returned. Miss Bennet remains below stairs with the family.”
“Sarah, I wish to see Jane.”
“Yes, miss. I shall send her up.”
When Jane arrived, she admitted she had not seen Mary since her return to the parsonage.
Unease tightened in Elizabeth’s chest.
“Something is wrong, Jane. Mary had no intention of remaining long at the parsonage. I believe a footman ought to be sent to inquire after her.”
“What do you fear, Lizzy?”
“Mary has developed an aversion to Mr. Collins. She claims he is safe, I fear for her. Perhaps she has not told me everything. I only wish for assurance that she remains well and that he has not harmed her.”
“Of course. I shall see to it.”
Elizabeth laid her hand over Jane’s. “Do not go yourself, sister. I do not believe he may be trusted in the company of a beautiful woman.”
Jane appeared alarmed, though she offered no reply. “I shall ring for Sarah.”
Twenty minutes later, the footman returned carrying Mary’s satchel, which he discovered abandoned upon the green. There was no other sign of her.
They sent word to Richard at once, and he rode to the parsonage to question the rector.
Mr. Collins appeared concerned.
“Sir, Mrs. Collins departed the parsonage four hours ago, carrying her satchel. I do not know where she may have gone. Have the gardeners or servants been questioned?”
“Not yet, though I shall see to it immediately. Tell me only what hour it was when you last saw her.”
“It was two o’clock. I had only just sat down to a late luncheon when she arrived. She refused refreshments, collected her clean laundry, and departed the house.”
“Very well, sir. I shall question the servants and dispatch men to search the estate. Will you assist us?”
“Yes, certainly. I will search the grounds surrounding the parsonage.”
“We have reason to believe she was taken somewhere within the estate. A brown satchel was discovered abandoned upon the green. Both Jane and Elizabeth identified it as belonging to your wife.”
“Then I shall search the road skirting the estate. Perhaps she was carried away in some sort of equipage.”
“I wish to assure you, sir, that every servant upon the estate shall assist in the search for your wife.”
“Thank you, Colonel. That is a great comfort.”
In the end, the search scarcely commenced before it came to an abrupt halt.
The servant charged with collecting the post from Hunsford returned less than thirty minutes after the search had begun. While sorting the letters, the butler discovered one written upon coarse paper in an undistinguished hand scarcely legible enough to read. It was directed to her ladyship.
Drake carried the note to Colonel Fitzwilliam, who was searching the grove with Anne beside him.
Richard broke the seal. It was from a member of the Aldington Gang.
The message was brief.
Richard read it to Anne.
“Your ladyship, we have your daughter, who will be unharmed, provided the goods stolen from us are returned. You must respond within twenty-four hours, or we shall kill your daughter and descend upon your residence. Address your reply in care of A.G. and leave it at the Westerham post office. Do not attempt to trace us through the post office. Many in this district owe allegiance to us and will protect our anonymity.”
Anne pressed her hand to her mouth. “The gang seized Mary for ransom, believing she was the daughter of the house. Richard, I have seen no barrels, crates, or hidden goods anywhere upon the estate. I cannot imagine where such contraband might be concealed.”
Richard drew Anne into his arms and held her close. “You might have been taken, Annie. They may have watched the house for weeks.” He fell silent for a moment before asking, “Might Benny possess some knowledge of this?”
“He may. I shall send for him. Richard, what are we to tell her sisters?”
“The truth, though no one else must learn of this.” He bent and pressed a kiss upon the top of Anne’s head. “Mr. Collins must be informed.”
“Yes, the rector must be informed. But will he keep the matter to himself?”
“He must. If he does not, we shall send him to his father-in-law until this business concludes. But what explanation shall we offer for ending the search?” Richard took Anne’s hand, drew it through his arm, and led her back toward the house.
Anne said, “We may say Mrs. Collins fell ill and collapsed in Elizabeth’s dressing room. Elizabeth slept at the time and knew nothing of it.”
“That explanation will serve better than any other. The entire affair strains belief. Who would imagine our elderly relative was involved with a smuggling gang? She never sought our assistance.”
“Richard, let me inform her sisters of the truth. Once they are past the shock of it, they will assist us in concealing it.”
“I shall wait a quarter hour and then call the search party off with the news that Mrs. Collins has been found, though dangerously ill.”
“Very well. I shall go to them at once. What of Mr. Collins?”
“I will go to him now.”
“Richard, ask him to remain at home. I do not believe any of the Bennet sisters think well of him. Besides, I have caught him staring at Lizzy, and I do not trust him.”
A quarter hour later, Anne sat in the bedchamber with the two Bennet sisters before speaking.
“We have received news of Mary.”
Jane reached for Elizabeth’s hand, and both sisters remained silent, bracing themselves for the worst.
“A letter addressed to my mother arrived this afternoon. It was written by one of the men belonging to the Aldington Gang. They abducted your sister and hold her for ransom until certain goods stolen from them by a rival gang are returned. Somehow, my mother became entangled in the affair, and they seized Mary, believing she was the daughter of the house.”
Horror drained the color from Jane’s face.
Elizabeth pressed her hand against her mouth. “Mary.”
Anne continued, “Richard believes the smugglers intend to exchange her for the missing contraband. We must keep this matter secret. If word spreads and the authorities descend upon the district before Mary is recovered, her life may be endangered.”
Both sisters looked stricken. “Then what are we to do?”
“Richard means to continue negotiations while searching for the stolen goods. He believes secrecy offers Mary the greatest protection.”
Elizabeth struggled to her feet. “Mr. Darcy must be recalled.”
“Yes,” Anne said. “An express shall be sent immediately. We dare not summon the customs officers until Mrs. Collins has been safely recovered.”