“Bingley,” Darcy’s tone stopped his friend from leaping to his feet. “Why are you disturbed?”
“I…I…” All the oxygen seemed to explode from Bingley until he slouched in his chair. “I think I know who did it and how it happened.”
“Oh?” Darcy’s intrigue began the instant his friend started the discussion. If he did not know that Richard was busy with his troops, he would suspect that it was he who arranged the rescue. That was his cousin’s style, in and out, with no evidence left behind. Even though the possibility was there, Bingley would recognize the colonel if he saw him.
Bingley stammered. “You know how often I was at Darcy House, right? Well, I saw him many times over the years. However, I’m not sure if we were ever formally introduced.”
“Bingley!” Darcy stared at his friend like he was a specimen pinned to a board.
“Yes, well, I was late returning from Longbourn two nights ago. Mrs. Bennet insisted I stay for cards. I was happy to spend more time with Jane, and?—”
“Bingley!”
Flustered, his friend cleared his throat. “As you are aware, the blacksmith shop is at the far end of Meryton. There is a small room at the back where the prisoner was held. That night, the full moon appeared low in the sky, looking like a man could reach out and touch it with his hands. Instead of turning toward Netherfield Park, I rode to the other end of town until I reached the top of the hill. Oh, I know I was being silly. The moon is still too faraway to actually feel it with my fingers.” Bingley’s face turned as red as a ripe tomato. “The last few steps toward the top, my horse started limping. I climbed down and moved to the side of the roadway to avoid the churned-up mud. I bent down to examine the hoof when three men hurried by. A broom was tied to the saddle of the last man who rode past me. The man in the middle was Mr. Anders. The man in the lead, whose face I could see clearly in the moonlight, was your former man of business. I do not recall his name.”
Darcy was shocked. “Simon Cole broke Wickham’s murderer out of jail?”
“I supposed he did. I also suppose that the broom on the third man’s saddle was used to cover their tracks until they entered the road where the marks of their hooves would join the multitudes already there.”
Darcy stared into the flames. “Two nights ago, did you say?”
“Yes. It was perhaps close to midnight.”
“Thank you for telling me, Bingley.” Darcy stood. “If you would please excuse me, I shall need to depart for London immediately. Perhaps Anders is not yet on a ship.”
“Do you mean to bring Anders back to stand trial?” Bingley looked confused.
“Absolutely not! Do you recall telling me that there will come a time when I will need to strike quickly so an opportunity does not pass me by?”
“I do. My father and grandfather were firm believers in looking for a man’s weakness and acting when they are most vulnerable.”
“That time for me is now. If I can catch Cole togetherwith Anders, then my case for charging him with breaking the laws of the land becomes stronger. I will need to check the London Dock Company records to see if passage has been purchased in Anders’ name.
It had been months since Darcy felt as energized as he was at that moment.
“Pray, inform the Bennets that I regret not being able to deliver their letters personally and thank you for so doing.”
Borrowing a fresh horse from Bingley, he was shortly riding hard to London. Finding Mr. Cinna or Anders would ensure Cole’s delivery to him. Justice would be served. Finally.
The day was wellalong by the time Darcy arrived in Town. London was dreary, muddy, and crowded.
His first order of business was to locate his cousin. On the way to the barracks, he studied every face, hoping to see Cole or Anders. Of course, Darcy had no desire to see Anders hang. Even so, he would have followed due process. He would have presented his argument to the circuit judge with an offer to transport. With the monumental amount of evidence he could provide that Wickham was in every way vile, justice would win the day. Anders would spend the rest of his days in Canada, America, or in one of the penal colonies in Australia.
Cole, taking matters into his own hands, was confusing. Darcy knew him to be a methodical man. Calculating odds and playing the numbers was Cole’s strength. When added to the fact that Anders did him a favor by killingWickham so Cole could inherit, it made no sense that Cole would endanger himself by getting involved in Anders’ future.
When the officer at the barracks told him that Richard had been gone for ten days, Darcy turned his horse toward Matlock House, which he would use as the center for his operation.
His body was weary. He ached for Elizabeth.
Handing his horse to his uncle’s groom, Darcy entered the house to find Richard sitting behind his father’s desk with his Hessians resting on the blotter.
Every inch of Darcy’s body relaxed until he feared his tired bones would melt. “Your father would slap those boots to the floor, Cousin.”
The familiar grin lit Richard’s face. “What he does not know will never hurt him or me.” On his own, he slid the soles of his boots from the desktop. Standing, he said, “I hope you are ready for a night on the town.”
“Not at all,” Darcy honestly replied. What he wanted was a warm bed, Elizabeth alongside him, and long hours of undisturbed rest.
“Come,” Richard said. “Yesterday evening, I am certain I saw Simon Cole on Drury Lane. Though I was close enough for clear recognition, I was too far away to follow him without causing a fracas. My intention tonight is to lie in wait to see whether he enters the theater via the front like most everyone else or the back alley. His attire was inappropriate for a public appearance.”
