Chapter 52 Escape #2
"That will not be a problem," Lizzy said. "When Uncle Edward arrives, he will be happy to go out with you and share the gear he keeps here. He loves fishing and knows all the best spots. Trout is frequently on the menu during his summer visits."
"I look forward to meeting him," Martin said before turning the conversation to other matters that kept them occupied for some time.
~o~
Although they had made no firm plans, Darcy was determined to arrive at Longbourn the next day early enough to spend some quiet time with Lizzy in the garden.
He knew the day would be filled with family arrivals and plenty of company.
Before he could handle that, he needed a little private fortification.
Because he did not want to oversleep, Darcy excused himself early that evening.
The whole party from Netherfield had returned there for dinner and used the meal as an opportunity to talk over all their various experiences.
After the separation, Darcy declined to join the rest to talk some more or hear the ladies play, hoping to get enough sleep to avoid a repeat of his late morning.
Of course, because he was concerned, he woke up even earlier than he had intended. He did not let that bother him, instead taking time over his clothes and easing into the morning until he felt it was time that he could leave.
Darcy had asked one of the grooms to have his horse ready just before dawn. The groom was just finishing checking the tack as Darcy came out. Thanking the man for his trouble with a small monetary tip, Darcy mounted and headed off to Longbourn using the now-familiar path over the fields.
As he had hoped, by the time he had left his horse in the Longbourn stable and walked around to their favorite bench in the garden, Lizzy had just arrived. He smiled broadly as he realized she must have expected him that morning to judge by the second cup she carried.
Knowing they could be observed, he settled for a quick, chaste kiss in greeting before accepting the cup of hot coffee she offered. They sat side by side on the bench, a little closer than was strictly proper.
"I know you did not promise to be here," she said as he took the first sip of his drink, "As you can see, I hoped."
"I am glad to fulfil your hopes," he replied. "We had so little private time yesterday, and I knew today was likely to be the same."
"It was certainly a busy day for everyone yesterday. I know when they arrive my young cousins will want plenty of attention. I usually bring them out here for a romp before they have to head off to the nursery."
"May I join you?" Darcy asked.
Lizzy looked at him curiously. "Are you much for playing with children?" she asked him.
"I often played with Georgiana when she was younger. Surely I am not so old that I cannot play chase with a child or a game of hide-and-seek."
"You have surprised me. You usually appear so formal. I look forward to seeing you with my cousins."
They lapsed into silence, both taking small sips of their drinks while watching the sky lighten and listening to the birdsong.
The day was a great deal cloudier than the previous few had been, but Darcy doubted it would rain until probably much later in the day.
He hoped it would hold off until well after the Gardiners arrived.
Lizzy must have still been thinking about the children, because after a time she asked him what it was like to have only one sibling who was so much younger than he.
"The hardest part, really, was losing my mother while Georgiana was still very young," he said.
"It might have been because he knew he would probably not live until my sister reached adulthood, but my father always made sure I knew Georgiana relied on me to guide and protect her.
I think sometimes a large age gap will divide siblings, as happened with Richard and his older brother.
Somehow for the two of us, it made us a little closer. "
"Richard rarely speaks of his brother and even more rarely says anything good about him. James Fitzwilliam only visited here once that I can remember, and he complained nearly the whole time about how unfair his father was in stopping here on their return trip from school."
"That sounds like James," Darcy admitted. "Richard, on the other hand, always enjoyed his visits here, although I never understood it at the time, nor did I ever think I would change my mind on the subject."
"Does that mean you have changed your mind?" Lizzy asked teasingly.
"Very much so," Darcy replied, returning her smile. "Richard tried to tell me, but I was too headstrong to listen. Now, I would say Longbourn is one of my favorite places, so long as you are here as well."
"Very well said," Lizzy told him in a teasing tone.
Darcy thought she was about to say something more, but she stopped suddenly, her attention riveted on the hill where the road wound down towards the house.
He followed her gaze to spot a man on horseback just coming over the top of the ridge.
The rider was not known to him, but the red coat that was obviously a military uniform and the speed at which he traveled did not bode well.
"I think Mrs. Hill will have to forgive us this once," he said, standing and setting his cup down on the bench before offering Lizzy his arm. "We should probably see what the rider wants before he has to wake the rest of the house.
She also stood and placed her cup down. Leaving the dishes there, together they quickly made their way around to the front of the house, arriving just as the rider slowed his horse. Darcy looked to Lizzy, but she did not recognize the man any more than he had.
"I understand Colonel Fitzwilliam has gone to London," the man said as he dismounted near the couple. "Is Mr. Darcy or Mr. Bennet here?"
"I am Mr. Darcy. This lady is Miss Elizabeth Bennet."
"Ah, good. You will need to hear my message as well, I think, Miss," the man said. "I am Captain Jackson, an acquaintance of Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the man charged with arranging the court-martial for George Wickham, also known as Lieutenant Brickham."
"My cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, has spoken of you." Seeing the look on the other man's face, Darcy continued, "Is there a problem?"
"I am afraid there is, Mr. Darcy. As you know, we have had Mr. Wickham held under guard since you brought him in last week.
Sometime early this morning, whether with the collusion of his guard or not, Wickham escaped custody and is now on the loose.
He has stolen a horse, and we think he is headed to London, but he might still be in the area, or he might double back to take his revenge upon you.
He struck me as the kind of man who believes in revenge whether it is warranted or not.
I thought it important to warn you and the Bennet family as quickly as possible. "
"I thank you for that," Darcy said. "Have you any idea how he escaped? It sounds like you think he might have had help."
"That is my opinion, yes, although I am not sure from what level the assistance may have come," Captain Jackson said. "The guard claims he was hit from behind and knocked out. When he came to, Wickham was long gone."
"But you doubt the story?" Lizzy said.
"Yes, Miss Bennet, although I do not have enough proof yet."
"My father and Mr. Darcy's uncle, the Colonel's father, are inside and will probably have the same questions for you that we have. Will you join us for some coffee or tea and perhaps some breakfast while we question you?"
"I would be most grateful, Miss Bennet. It has been a long morning already and I have had no chance to break my fast and no idea when I would."
They brought Captain Jackson into the breakfast room where Bennet, Peter and Martin were all enjoying breakfast. After introductions, Captain Jackson once again shared the bad news. Over breakfast, the group covered every detail the captain knew about Wickham's escape.
After hearing all the news, Peter said, "I had already planned to leave this morning for Kent. This news makes a frank discussion with my sister all the more imperative."
"Your sister, sir?" Captain Jackson asked.
"We believe some, if not all, of Wickham's actions were done under the direction of or in expectation of financial incentive from my sister, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She holds a long-standing and entirely unreasonable grudge against both Bennet and me."
"What do you think you can do to stop her?"
"I have recently gained some leverage over her that I never had before. It is currently a family secret, so I would rather not be explicit, but I may now have a way to at least keep her in check."
"I wish you good fortune then," Captain Jackson said, standing. "I thank you for breakfast, Mr. Bennet, but I really must get back to the search for Wickham. Please be sure you and all your family take precautions to remain safe. I will keep you posted."
Peter left soon after Captain Jackson. His hope was to have an interview with Lady Catherine that afternoon, stay the night somewhere near Rosings Park, or in London if he could get that far, and then return in time for the dinner party on Friday.
After some discussion, Sir Phillip went along with him.
As heir to Rosings Park and the last male representative of the de Bourgh family, he had an interest in the discussion.
In addition, Darcy, Bennet, Anne and Martin all felt it was best if Peter did not travel or confront his sister alone.
Anne, in particular, had warned him to be very careful not to underestimate her mother's cunning.
With return warnings for everyone in the household to take care, Peter and Sir Phillip were on their way.