Page 33 of Bella Darcy is on the Run

Elizabeth let out a little cry beside him and Darcy reached immediately for her hand, grasping it tightly. He did not particularly care for the phrase with his life, which indicated a very real threat to his daughter's life, but the conviction with which Brown had spoken offered some small comfort.

"That is reassuring," Elizabeth said, although her voice shook. "But you must understand that we shall not rest easy until our daughter is back in our care."

"I understand entirely, Mrs Darcy. We have men searching every property we know to be connected with Trevethan, and others are watching the roads and harbour. If they are still in Falmouth, we mean to find them."

"You had better," Darcy said grimly.

Brown opened his mouth to answer, but at that moment the same young clerk who had greeted them rushed into the room without knocking. His face was blotchy from exertion. "Collector, I am very sorry to burst in unannounced, but one of the men at the quay was handed..." He stopped to catch his breath and held out a small bundle. "I think you ought to see this."

Brown took it from him and glanced at the writing on the front. His expression darkened immediately. "I believe this is for you, sir."

Darcy stood as Brown passed the packet across the desk. The name on the front had been printed in a plain, nondescript hand.

Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley.

The packet itself was bound with a length of dirty ivory ribbon.

Lydia gasped and clutched her hands to her chest.

"What is it?" Elizabeth asked.

"That ribbon." Lydia had gone very pale. "Bella wore it in her hair at dinner. I know she did. We spent half the afternoon pulling ribbons and lace from that gown because she said it made her look like an over-decorated wedding cake. But she thought the ribbon was pretty and I suggested we save some for her hair." She reached towards it but stopped short of touching it. "That is Bella's."

Darcy's fingers tightened around the packet. He traced the length of the ribbon wound around the papers. His daughter had touched it and they had ripped it from her. If they had so much as harmed a hair on her head, he would kill them, happily with a song in his heart and not care whatsoever for the state of his immortal soul. He untied the ribbon with shaking fingers.

Mr Darcy,

Your daughter, Miss Arabella Darcy of Pemberley, is presently in my care. She is quite unharmed and will remain so provided you act with good sense.

Darcy angled the page so that Elizabeth could read the words written there.

All Customs activity in and around Falmouth harbour is to cease at eight o'clock tomorrow evening and remain suspended for the following twenty-four hours. There are to be no searches of warehouses, vessels or cargo during that time, and no interference with any ship entering or leaving the harbour.

At the conclusion of that period, the sum of twenty thousand pounds is to be placed in a leather case and left beneath the old stone arch on Penryn Road at nine o'clock the same evening. The money is to be provided in Bank of England notes and sovereigns, in denominations that may be easily transported. You will come alone, leave the case where instructed and depart immediately.

If I have been permitted to conduct my business unmolested for those twenty-four hours, and the payment is found to be in order, you will receive word of where your daughter may be found.

Any attempt to disregard these terms, involve additional authorities or interfere with my business will place your daughter's safety in peril.

I have no quarrel with Miss Darcy. Whether she remains unharmed is entirely in your hands.

Yours,

A concerned citizen of Falmouth

There was no signature. "Twenty thousand pounds," Elizabeth whispered as she read over his shoulder. She passed the letter to Lydia who read it hurriedly and offered the note to Collector Brown.

"He can have it," Darcy said immediately. "Every penny. There is a branch of my bank in Truro, I think. I can have the money brought here."

"Darcy, you cannot give in to such a bully," Lydia began, but he shook his head.

"He can have twice that if he wishes. I do not care. He could have Pemberley if it meant she were safe." His voice cracked as he spoke the final words.

Brown's expression had become grave. "The money is only part of what he is asking for, sir. And if I may be so bold, a man who finds he can extract twenty thousand pounds from you may very well decide he would like more. Very much more."

Darcy's jaw tightened. "That is my concern. But what else can I do?"

"The rest is mine." Brown tapped one finger against Trevethan's letter. "He is asking this office to withdraw from the harbour entirely. I cannot simply order my men to look the other way while contraband passes beneath their noses."