“We have received news of Mary.”
Jane reached for Elizabeth’s hand, and both sisters remained silent, bracing themselves for the worst.
“A letter addressed to my mother arrived this afternoon. It was written by one of the men belonging to the Aldington Gang. They abducted your sister and hold her for ransom until certain goods stolen from them by a rival gang are returned. Somehow, my mother became entangled in the affair, and they seized Mary, believing she was the daughter of the house.”
Horror drained the color from Jane’s face.
Elizabeth pressed her hand against her mouth. “Mary.”
Anne continued, “Richard believes the smugglers intend to exchange her for the missing contraband. We must keep this matter secret. If word spreads and the authorities descend upon the district before Mary is recovered, her life may be endangered.”
Both sisters looked stricken. “Then what are we to do?”
“Richard means to continue negotiations while searching for the stolen goods. He believes secrecy offers Mary the greatest protection.”
Elizabeth struggled to her feet. “Mr. Darcy must be recalled.”
“Yes,” Anne said. “An express shall be sent immediately. We dare not summon the customs officers until Mrs. Collins has been safely recovered.”
Chapter 29: Captive
She was shivering, and pain throbbed along her arm. Mary reached across and touched it. Her fingers came away sticky.
The room lay in darkness save for a single candle flickering upon a table. A pitcher and glass stood beside it.
Mary pushed herself upright, but dizziness swept over her. She shut her eyes and pressed her hands against her aching head. More than the pain, it was thirst that tormented her.
She reached for the pitcher and felt grateful to whoever had thought to leave her water. She drank two glasses before examining her arm through the dim shadows.
The sleeve of her gown was sticky.
Blood.
She pushed the fabric back and discovered a gash nearly three inches long running down the side of her arm.
The wound needed cleaning.
She rose and found the dizziness had passed. Carrying the candle, she examined the room. It was large, with stone walls like those of an ancient castle. Bare stone walls. No carpets covered the floor, no paintings adorned the walls, though the bedstead appeared fashioned from costly wood and was imposing in size.
She crossed toward a darker area of the room, where she discovered another chamber beyond. Perhaps it was a dressing room.
Inside, several gowns hung from wooden pegs. She searched through them and found two heavy cloaks. Taking the darker one, she wrapped it about herself and welcomed the warmth.
Her search continued until she discovered a cabinet against the far wall. Within one of the drawers lay a chemise. It was clean, but from the style and pattern, plainly very old. She tore it into strips and set one aside to clean the laceration.
Continuing her examination of the chamber, she discovered three trunks stacked in one corner.
The upper two trunks held old clothing, undergarments, shoes, an outdated pelisse, and petticoats. She lifted the top trunks aside and searched through the bottom one.
It was filled with spirits.
She removed several bottles. If one could be opened, she might clean the gash as Dr. Edgerton had taught them to do over the years. He cleansed his surgical instruments, bullet wounds, and flesh injuries before stitching them closed.
She examined one bottle and discovered it contained cognac. There was also gin, champagne, and wine.
Eventually, her captors would bring food, or so she hoped. When they did, she might persuade one of them to open a bottle so she could clean her wound. Perhaps her captor would drink the spirits and become drunk or insensible; she might escape.
Mary carried the bottles into the main bedchamber one by one. She arranged them in orderly rows upon the table where her meal would likely be served. Others she lined beneath the table, though still plainly visible.
