The declaration was appreciated, but probably unnecessary. The rough man looked almost apologetic, and if Elizabeth were to guess, she doubted that he was a hardened criminal, merely desperate. She, at least, had been offered no violence, despite being felled unconscious in the scuffle.
Elizabeth said, “I pity your sister’s misfortune, but we all must look to our own first.”
Was his sister the woman who had helped her before? That would explain her presence on the boat.
MrDarcy had managed to right himself into an inelegant position. “Yours is not the first sister that Wickham has ruined, but the desire to protect my own family from his lies has stopped me from exposing him.”
What?
“What do you mean?” the man asked.
MrDarcy said, “I have a younger sister. Wickham threatened to claim that they were lovers. A rumour is enough to ruin a reputation, even when it is false, and so I could not expose him while she is vulnerable.”
No wonder MrDarcy had nothing good to say about MrWickham, yet never defended himself from MrWickham’s claims!
“I can hardly fault you for that, though I might have wished for a warning before I embarrassed myself defending the man,” Elizabeth said.
His smile was genuine this time.
Their captor frowned. “You’ve been the one left to clean up his tangles, then. How?”
“I’ve purchased his debts. If a woman must leave and is willing to work, I offer a position at Pemberley. A year or twoin service on my estate, and they can leave with a character reference that will see them hired anywhere they like.”
MrDarcy’s solution was a good one for any young lady used to working.
Of course, there was something that both men were forgetting. Elizabeth asked, “What does your sister want to do?”
The man sighed. “She’d like to keep the babe. Can’t fault her for that, but it means we’ve got to find enough money to set her up as a widow where no one knows her, instead of just enough money to get her married before it becomes obvious.”
The sun slid below the horizon, leaving the grey of twilight. Other voices began to call out, perhaps readying the boat to leave.
MrDarcy shifted. “My bank has a standing order that any withdrawal greater than one hundred pounds requires either an account of what it is for or an investigation. Even if I withdraw it in person, the authorities will be notified, and the risk to your family is considerable. May I propose an alternative, Mister...?”
“Mr Smith, to you.”
MrDarcy nodded. “MrSmith, then. I know a proprietor who is opening an inn. He is the son of one of my tenants and is seeking a wife. I can recommend your sister as a widow with limited support. I will even make good the sum Wickham owes you, and a small dowry for your sister.”
That was far more generous than needed. MrSmith seemed to think so as well. “What is it you want in exchange?”
“Promise you will not hurt Miss Bennet.” MrDarcy drew himself up, conveying confidence that Elizabeth could only admire. “Come with me to the War Office in London and testify that MrWickham tried to incite you to kidnap me for ransom, but you warned me instead. The debts I hold will show motive, and no one need know the truth.”
Elizabeth blinked. “That is a rather detailed plan for so sudden a circumstance.”
MrDarcy turned his head. “I have held Wickham’s debts for years, but this is the first time he has descended to criminal behaviour that I can prove with the testimony of witnesses. Charming a girl with empty promises is unfortunately not against the law.”
MrSmith still looked suspicious. “Why the War Office?”
“Wickham is an officer of the militia, however minute honour he gives his uniform. I had already approached his colonel, but Colonel Forster did not credit me with honesty. In such circumstances, I could pass the situation to the War Office to find Colonel Forster’s superior without suspicion. Conduct Unbecoming an Officer is an offence for which he can be court-martialled.”
Another man approached. “We can sail to London before dawn.”
Perhaps all hope was not lost. “My uncle Gardiner has warehouses by the docks. If your sister acts as a companion, we can claim that I wished to warn my family of MrWickham’s true nature urgently and accepted a kind offer of transportation after your warning of the proposed kidnapping.”
MrSmith turned to another man. “Run. Tell her to pack a bag. Be quick about it. We’re not lingering while we have the tide and wind.”
MrDarcy was hauled to his feet, and Elizabeth lifted somewhat more considerately. Then they were escorted below decks. “You’ll forgive us for not risking you running off until the bargain is upheld.”
At least the situation afforded them some privacy to speak freely. Hopefully, MrDarcy would be as reluctant to speak of the ordeal as Elizabeth was, and Miss Smith would be willing to ensure that they were chaperoned the entire time. “Are you well,MrDarcy? I am not sure there is much I can do for the bruises now, but do you have any other injuries?”
