Chapter 18 #2
“The lay is as we expected,” he began a minute later, “though it may be our route has been limited. The whole of the right back corner is still standing, as are parts of the right wall, and the slope dropping from the rear is steeper than I would have supposed; they may be able to escape that way, as dangerous as that would be, but there is no opportunity for us to use it in our approach. No. Either we move in from the front or the left side–there are no other options.”
“Fewer options, but better ones,” Richard remarked, “for neither require us to journey as long. Once Aldry and Peters arrive, we shall be five, that is a lot of men to move quietly through dead branches and leaves. Was there nothing else? Were there other men? Other features?”
Eyes drifting toward the distant ruins, Lightcliffe frowned, “There was a small, old well on the right side, but… I could have sworn I observed a figure walking near the base of the slope as I moved further back. At first I assumed it to be one of those who took Mary and Elizabeth, or another of their men placed inside before they arrived, only the ground leading down appeared undisturbed, and there is no way one of us would not have seen them leaving. With the high walls and our vantage, a figure scampering through openings or scaling walls would be easily spotted.”
“Then who do you think they are?” Darcy questioned, his eyes narrowed as he observed the ruins. “As you said, they could have had men here already, and while ascending the slope is not an option, they may have placed a man down there in any case.”
Nodding, Lightcliffe wiped his dirty hands on his breeches, “It is possible. Still, the way the man behaved, as though sneaking away from the area, did not lend the appearance of a patrol, and he never once looked back at me. I doubt my presence in particular would account for his behavior, and to my mind any man not involved in the kidnapping would have no reason to skulk away.”
“No. Unless a man from town were hoping to help free the ladies–and to arrive from below would be peculiar–then I agree,” Darcy said. “I only wish there was an explanation for it.”
“Agreed,” Richard added before turning to Lightcliffe, “Were you able to determine how many men are within the ruin?”
“I neared an opening after I had completed my examination of the external layout, and at least three men were inside; the sisters are tied and one man sits facing them, his weapon in hand as he waits. The other two I saw guarded the space, and there could well be more, for I startled a bird, drawing the attention of the men my way, and though, after waiting several minutes pressed against a tree, no one fired a shot or went to investigate, I knew I had to return if we hoped to keep our presence here a secret.”
Forcing away the image of Mary bound and endangered, Richard mulled over the information they had.
Three men, or even more, were not too large of numbers to be overcome…
the issue was not knowing how those men would react.
Would they fight back? Run? Or would they harm the sisters?
Even using them as shields against the five of them?
Gulping, the cold of the day seeped into his bones in one, sudden chill, his eyes wide as every wretched possibility flashed through his mind.
Ignore it, he warned himself as he took a slow, deep breath. You will be no good to either of them if you panic. Strategy. Logic. Use these to do what you have been trained to do.
A clopping of hooves sounding, Richard and Lightcliffe cocked their pistols as they turned around, their weapon lowering almost immediately as they awaited Aldry and Peters to tie their horses.
“Where have you two been?” Darcy asked, his hushed tone filled with irritation. “Already Lightcliffe has scouted the area.”
“Convincing Mr. Bennet and the townsfolk to wait proved no easy task; as soon as word spread, all of the men gathered up arms and were ready to march on this place. Four hours they promised, though I doubt we have that before they grow impatient–even two may prove a challenge.”
Rubbing his brow, Richard balked at the ache which formed. “That is all we require; an angry mob. Did you manage to bring more weapons, Darcy will need one, if nothing else.”
“Pfft,” Aldry huffed. “No faith in our abilities. We have three pistols in addition to our own, and two bored rifles. Between those, our own weapons, and the pistols you and Lightcliffe wear, no one shall go without, I assure you.”
Laying a hand on the man’s shoulder, Richard smiled, “I never should have doubted you. Now then, it is time we plan our attack.”
∞∞∞
Checking and loading every weapon at their disposal, distributing ammunition, and reiterating what each man would be expected to do and when, the five men prepared to attack; one from the front, two from the side, and two further using rifles and high ground to cover them.
A middling plan at best, but they could do no better. Not if they wanted to keep their attack secret. Any minute the town turned mob might arrive and with them new danger to Mary and Elizabeth–this plan would have to suffice.
“We all know what to do,” Richard reminded them. “Our goal is clear, and each of us knows the risks. May God be with us.”
“May God be with us,” they agreed, the weapons of all five turning toward the horses as two figures rode near.
“Mr. Bennet?” Darcy questioned, “Whatever are you doing here? And… Bingley?!”
Breath coming hard and fast as he dismounted, Mr. Bennet, unused to physical exertion, leaned on his knees, “I. I was on my way here when. When Mr. Bingley came upon me.”
“I heard what happened,” Bingley interjected, his gaze drawing past them to the ruins beyond, “It is as I feared. This morning in town I witnessed Wickham hiring a farm wagon and was puzzled; after all, you have each said how Wickham was likely involved in the kidnapping of Miss Mary and Fitz. Still, I never thought the man would have the gall to try such a thing again, truly, I assumed it some means to flee before being discovered.”
“You feared this?” Peters questioned, his brow furrowed. “And yet, you assumed it a means to get away?”
“Well,” Bingley answered slowly, “I feared that what I had heard about this second kidnapping actually was true. The wagon, though odd, would hardly have made me think the man would try another.”
“No, I suppose you would not,” Aldry remarked.
Studying Bingley, Richard’s head pulled to one side, the man’s great coat dirty on the sleeves and his boots caked in mud and leaves. “However did you get in such a state, Bingley? I recall you always being exacting in your appearance; at least in London.”
“London is far cleaner,” he laughed, “and I find autumn a particularly filthy time of year when out walking, as I was earlier. Now then, what might I do to help? It is time we weed Wickham from his hiding place. I for one am ready for a fight,” he said as he drew his pistol, “and the man deserves to pay, first preying on Miss Darcy as he did and then kidnapping in the hopes of taking more money from you. That man knows nothing but greed and misery.”
Stepping forward, Darcy’s eyes narrowed as he ripped the weapon from Bingley’s hand, “How did you know of my sister? I told few people, and none of them you.”
“Darcy, what is this?” Bingley cried, his hands lifting as though puzzled. “We are friends.”
“We have been… but I want an answer. How did you know?”
“I overheard it, naturally.”
“Where? When? With whom was I speaking?”
“I… It was here, or rather, my home, Netherfield. I could not tell you the exact day, but it was sometime before you left to retrieve your cousin and Miss Mary.”
“And to whom did I speak?”
“Oh, it was with, umm, one of the men. Aldry maybe, or Lightcliffe? It is difficult to say given the distance I was at the time.”
Cocking the gun and taking a step back, Darcy shook his head.
“I only ever told Elizabeth. Surely, you could not mistake her voice for a man’s?
Nor could you be so confused as to date to not recall that those men were not even yet in your house.
You, sir, have proved a liar, and given we know Wickham has been to Netherfield, and there is every reason to believe you also saw him in town, I would say he is the only one who could have told you about my sister. ”
“Trying to settle all the blame on Wickham?” Richard snarled.
“Did you plan to kill him and anyone else who might recognize you? Yes, to join us was your plan all along, but we have a better one… and if you want a trial instead of Wickham or one of your men accidentally shooting you, I suggest you cooperate.”
Eyes blazing hot hatred, Bingley spat on Richard’s boot, “You want me to save those Bennet chits? Then you better be prepared to pay. Wickham and those idiots with him are a pathetic threat.”
The man paling as Richard set his knife to his throat, Bingley stared wide eyed as Richard growled, “If either Mary or Elizabeth come to any harm, you will find a threat worth fearing. Now, are you prepared to cooperate, or would you care to have a sampling of what you can expect?”