Chapter Seventeen
RESCUE
London
The Same Day
Gardiner’s Study
“Edward, may I come in?” Mrs. Gardiner asked as she tapped lightly on the door.
“Yes, my dear. Come right ahead. I am about to leave for Darcy House. It is good Mr. Darcy is back in Town. I pray the colonel will have some positive news for us this afternoon.”
“I hope so, too. I tell you, Edward, I cannot help but be excessively worried for Elizabeth and the child. Just knowing what Miss Darcy has suffered and that Mrs. Younge is dead, makes me ill.”
“I agree. We must not lose faith, my dear. Mr. Wickham will most likely contact Darcy soon, which should make the prospect of a quick resolution more hopeful.”
At that moment there was a knock at the door. “Come,” Mr. Gardiner called out.
It was Daniels. “Sir, there is a beggar woman at the back door. She is asking to see you regarding Mrs. Darcy and says it is urgent.”
“Bring her here; I will see her.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh Edward, do you think it wise?”
“I hope so. Let us see what she has to say.”
Daniels returned with the woman and admitted her to the study. Her clothes were threadbare and her shoes were quite worn through. The poor woman was exceptionally thin, and it was apparent to the Gardiners her struggles were many.
“My servant said you asked to see me. I am Mr. Gardiner, and you are?”
“Mrs. McCaughey, sir. I be bringin’ a message from me daughter who be workin’ at the house in Wapping where Mrs. Darcy and the little ‘un be kept.” Nervously twisting her hands, she continued, “I am to say ‘Elizabeth sent me’.”
Mr. Gardiner arched a brow, wondering if that was the same boarding house his man had discovered. “Wapping, you say?”
“Yes, it be close to Old Stairs by Oliver’s Warf.”
He nodded in affirmation. “I know that area well.”
“Me girl says ye best take me to Mr. Darcy so I can tell ’em everything. She says Mr. George come ‘round this morning sayin’ the house be watched so they be plannin’ to move Mrs. Darcy an’ the child tonight as soon as it be dark.”
“This is wonderful news! I will be more than happy to take you to Mr. Darcy. He will be very grateful for this information. We all are. Daniels, have the carriage brought around. And Madeline, perhaps you could have cook pack a small basket for Mrs. McCaughey before we leave.”
“Of course.”
“Thank ye, kind sir.”
Darcy House
An Hour Later
The Study
“Mrs. McCaughey,” William said, after hearing all she had to say, “I cannot thank you enough for coming to us with your daughter’s message.
My cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam will be here momentarily and we shall take care of everything.
You have done well, and I wish to repay you for your kindness.
To begin with, one of my servants will take you home with a basket from my housekeeper.
You and your daughter have risked much, and I appreciate your generosity.
Once we have settled this business, I should like to further assist you and your family. ”
“Thank ye, sir. Me daughter say Mrs. Darcy be tellin’ her the same.” She reached into her pocket and pulled forth Anna’s ribbon. “I am to give ye this so ye know that Mrs. Darcy an’ the child be well. Yer wife say it be a keepsake for ye ‘til ye can come for her an’ the little one.”
William was overcome when he saw Anna’s ribbon and could barely utter a response. “Thank you again, Mrs. McCaughey.” His voice was husky with emotion. “I promise, your kindness will not be forgotten.”
After sending for the butler, William asked him to make the arrangements for Mrs. McCaughey and to get all of the particulars about her family and where they lived. Before the woman left, he presented her with a small purse of coins.
Still holding Anna’s ribbon clutched firmly in his hand, William went to the sideboard to pour himself a drink. “Gardiner, would you care for something?” he asked.
“A small glass will suffice while we wait.”
“Hopefully Richard will be here before too long.” After carefully folding the ribbon and placing it in his breast pocket, William proceeded to pour two short glasses of brandy. Handing one to Mr. Gardiner, he added, “Forgive me, I am not quite myself.”
“It is perfectly understandable, although I do feel encouraged by the woman’s information. We shall find them. I know it.”
Not long after, Richard arrived with his man, Bowden.
“Darcy, Gardiner, it looks like we have a positive lead on Wickham. He was seen going in the boarding house earlier this morning, and my watchers tell me there is increased security about the house. It is probable your wife and daughter are there.”
“It is more than probable,” William said. “We have had confirmation. Elizabeth has befriended one of the young maids, and her mother was here not too long ago with a message.”
“And this is someone you can trust?” Richard asked with caution.
“Yes,” William responded, taking Anna’s ribbon from his pocket. “This belongs to my daughter, and Elizabeth sent it so I would know the truth of the matter.”
“Mrs. McCaughey perfectly described the location we have been watching,” Gardiner added. “She said Elizabeth and Anna are in an attic room on the south side of the building facing the alley. Obviously that would be too high to facilitate a rescue from the outside.”
“Still, this is excellent news!” Richard exclaimed.
“Richard, there is more to consider,” continued William. “The young maid told her mother she overheard Wickham making arrangements to move Elizabeth and Anna after dusk since he knows the house is being watched.”
“I am not surprised he knows of our watchers. That man has eyes everywhere, even though he can ill afford to pay his lackeys. Nightfall may prove to be the best opportunity for us, as well. Wickham has much at stake and will oversee their removal himself. I am confident we can rescue your wife and daughter while apprehending Wickham at the same time.”
“Gardiner and I have talked it through,” added William, “and nightfall does seem our best option, though I can hardly abide the wait.”
“You are not to worry, Cousin. Let us send Bowden on ahead to begin assembling our men. Last night one of his agents posed as a client and was able to get the lay of the building. There are three floors, and from what he said, the poorly-lit stairwells are somewhat convoluted. With all the activity going on in the house, I suspect Wickham will bring down your wife and daughter by the servants’ entrance to a carriage in the alley for transport.
Nevertheless, we shall have all entrances secured.
“Gardiner, your warehouse near the wharf is not far from the boarding house in Wapping. Darcy, what say the two of you meet the rest of us there at six o’clock?
Dusk is not until around ten, and I shall have extra men in place at the boarding house well before then.
If any new information comes forth, we can add that to what we already know. ”
William nodded. “I am counting on you, Cousin.”
“I will not let you down.”
The Boarding House
Later in the Day
The Attic Room
Elizabeth was happy to see Jenny, who had just come in with a fresh pitcher of water, some bread, cheese and a small apple.
Elizabeth quickly broke the cheese and bread apart and handed the plate to Anna, who was very hungry.
Jenny had not been by since earlier in the morning when she gave Elizabeth the news about Wickham’s plans to move them at dusk.
Thankfully she was able to give that added information to her mother, who by now should have seen Mr. Gardiner and gone on to Grosvenor Square to inform William.
Before they had finished eating, however, the attic door was unlocked. As it was flung open, Wickham motioned to the housemaid saying, “Get out! Take all of these things and be quick about it.”
Based on the information Jenny had relayed, Elizabeth had not expected to see Wickham until later. He was followed by two brawny men each toting an odd-sized wooden crate.
“What is the meaning of this?” Elizabeth demanded, shielding Anna from the men.
“The meaning, my dear?” Wickham laughed. “The meaning is Colonel Fitzwilliam and his men are getting far too close for my liking. My initial plan was to move you at dusk. I have since changed my mind, however, and deem that now is the perfect time for us to depart.”
“Surely you do not mean to take us in these crates. It is inhumane!”
“Inhumane, but convenient, and you shall be none the wiser once the two of you drink this elixir.”
“And just where do you intend to take us?”
“The less said the better, my dear. Let us just say somewhere where your husband and the good colonel cannot so easily find you until I am paid in full.”
“Mama,” Anna began to whimper as one of the men moved towards her, reaching for her arm.
“Stay away from my daughter; you will NOT touch her!” She swatted at the man, who in turn forcibly grabbed Elizabeth’s hand and twisted it, causing her to wince under the pain and Anna to cry out in alarm.
“Now, now, Mrs. Darcy,” chided Wickham, waving off his man. “As soon as the two of you drink from this bottle, we shall pack you up and be on our way. Our ship leaves later tonight, and I will not have you spoil my plans. Est-ce que vous comprenez?”
“Your ship?! Are you mad? Of course I understand! Surely you do not intend to take us to France, and in these crates of all things? We are at war!”
“True, some of us ARE at war. Still, there are many who are in the profession of smuggling so we need not worry. Now, you and the child drink this, or I shall force it down your pretty throats.”
Wickham handed Elizabeth the bottle. Removing the stopper, she took a whiff of the contents and exclaimed, “This is laudanum! My daughter shall not drink this vile stuff! Too much and it might kill her.” With that she threw the bottle to the floor where it immediately shattered.