Mr. Bennet shook his head. “Now, do not speak of such things before it is time. I do not know what I shall do without my favorite daughter, and I refuse to anticipate an event which will surely lead to her departure.”
Lord Matlock rested his hand on the father’s shoulder, his voice grave. “Do not trouble yourself yet. We have yet to find them, and when we do, I know Darcy too well. It will take a great deal of persuasion to convince my bull-headed nephew that he has not ruined his chances beyond repair.”
The colonel bunched his cheeks and nodded agreement. “Beyond redemption. Those were the words he used.”
The same words Nick often used on himself. He had more in common with Darcy than he thought. He preferred determined and tenacious rather than bull-headed, but Nick supposed they had that in common, too.
Colonel Fitzwilliam asked, “Any promising leads regarding Miss Bennet?”
Mr. Bennet frowned. “We have inquired at every stable and post inn near the location of the abduction, and Gardiner has sent as many of his workers as he can spare to ask at the turnpikes.” He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. “But there are still a few more places left to ask, and I trust that, with Lord Matlock’s assistance, we shall find her.” He glanced at Mr. Gardiner. “We should go. If we leave now, we can stop at The Swan with Two Necks. There is the Wild Boar and the Royal Hawk at Arms—
He could have gone on longer, and that was when Nick took a closer look at the gentleman—at his sleep-lacking, red-rimmed eyes and his pale complexion. Mr. Gardiner interrupted Mr. Bennet, “Mrs. Gardiner expects us to return with news. You cannot continue without rest.”
Mr. Bennet’s forehead furrowed. “All my life, all I have done is seek peace, rest. I have had my fill and shall rest again when I lie in my grave. My Lizzy is missing, and I was standing rightnext to her.” His shoulders slumped. “I was standingright there, and I did not know she was in danger until she was gone.”
“We shall go to The Swan, and then I am taking you back to Gracechurch Street for a proper meal and a quick rest.”
Witnessing the father’s concern for his daughter, and seeing how he placed her welfare above his own need for rest and nourishment kindled a fire under Nick. Whoever had kidnapped Miss Bennet deserved a solid lashing.
Lord Matlock’s tone was firm. “We shall find Miss Bennet. And my nephew. I have hired a small army to see them safely returned to us.”
“Thank you, My Lord,” Mr. Bennet responded, but there was no feeling in his words. “I am grateful for your assistance, but until Lizzy is returned, I simply cannot be reassured.”
“I understand,” Lord Matlock said, and they all agreed. Nick did not know Miss Bennet or Darcy, but he saw how their loss affected their families. It was strange that Miss Bennet should disappear so soon after Darcy. It made him wonder if the same person was responsible. He sensed that finding one would lead them directly to the other, but he had no proof beyond his own instinct and the suggestive timing of events.
Still, it was worth pursuing.
After overhearing the colonel and his father report on their findings of the morning—clues, clues, and more clues, but no Darcy or Miss Bennet—Nickdetermined it was time for him to try things his way. “There’re places I can go, people I can talk to that’re too dangerous for ye.”
He heard a gasp behind him, and he turned to see Georgiana.
Nick felt wretched. Had he known she was standing there, he’d have waited until he, the colonel, and Lord Matlock were in the study, far away from listening ears. Smiling softly at her, he said, “I’ll be with me own kind, love. They’ll talk to me. I know how to make ‘em talk.” He looked away from Georgiana, cursing his blasted tongue.
“Only do not go to The Devil’s Tavern.” Lord Matlock leveled his steady gaze first at the colonel, then at Nick.
Nick felt his hackles rise. Grinding his teeth, he took a deep breath and reminded himself that he was a guest in His Lordship’s house. This washisship, Lord Matlock was the commander, and Nick would do well to remember that.
Still, it grated his every nerve to take orders from another man—even one he respected. With a curt nod, Nick acknowledged the command, though he took care not to agree with it or give his word to comply completely. The best chance they had of learning anything was in the same tavern where Darcy was last seen.
“If you were to appear, they would think you are Darcy, and anyone who had beeninvolved in his capture would create more trouble,” Lord Matlock explained.
Nick held in a snort. He was well aware of the danger, and it was of little concern to him. He could manage himself.
“My men and several others have made inquiries, and there is nothing there to be learned,” he added.
Nick bit his tongue. The folks who frequented spots such as that had a nose for sniffing out the law and anyone associated with it. They would have closed ranks and protected their own, no matter the cost.
“Richard shall accompany you,” Lord Matlock concluded.
Drat. It was a direct order, and Nick knew better than to complain. While he would defy His Lordship’s wishes if it uncovered a path leading him to Darcy, he could not endanger the colonel or ask him to act against his own father.
Blast.
Struggling to contain the mutiny threatening to overpower him, Nick excused himself to change into clothing more appropriate for the occasion. He suggested the colonel do the same. They could not poke around the underbelly of the wharf looking like wealthy targets.
Hopkins looked on in dismay as Nick donned his old clothes. “Wishing ye’d burned ‘em while ye had the chance?”
“Precisely, sir,” was the valet’s grim reply.
