Page 116 of Shields and Roses

"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.