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Now that she was away from her tormentor, Elizabeth wished with all her heart that she had never spoken to him of William. So incensed that he would think she would meekly accept her fate, she had lashed out with all the anger accumulated from years of abuse. In doing so, she had boasted of William’s constancy, hoping the threat might persuade Stefano to abandon her.

There was only one thing in which she could glory—as this horror had unfolded, she had not slipped back into the abyss of despair that had swallowed her before. In the midst of all the turmoil, a sweet peace had surrounded her heart, and innately she knew that William’s love had given her the strength to endure! It was now in her power to face whatever came without being overwhelmed. Tears filled her eyes at the thought of her true love.

Oh, my dearest! How could I have been deceived by Cecile’s lies? And now, instead of protecting you, I have endangered your life.

The last thing she remembered before falling into a fitful sleep, still sitting bound to the chair, were their words of devotion they shared before William left for London.

“You have not left and already I am dreading it. Please come back to me as soon as possible. I am only alive when I am in your arms.”

“As I am only alive in yours. I promise to return as fast as humanly possible.”

Liverpool

Barnwell’s Boarding House

Late that evening

The men were exhausted. William and Mr. Williamson were just settling into their rooms when Richard entered the sitting room situated between their bedchambers. He had taken a smaller room directly across the hall, allowing the older man and his cousin to have the larger suite. No sooner had he closed the door than there was a knock.

“I will see to it,” Richard called out, assuming it was someone from the staff.

“Evan!” Richard exclaimed, shocked to find his cousin standing in the hallway. He opened the door wider to allow him access. “Come in, come in!”

The loud greeting caused William to walk back into the shared sitting room and Mr. Williamson to move to the doorway to see who had arrived. William was equally as surprised to find his brother standing there, dressed rather unkemptly and smiling widely as though he had just discovered gold while ploughing a field.

“Richard! Darcy! I could not believe it when I saw the Darcy crest on the coach in the stable,” Evan declared, shaking first one then the other’s hand. “I was counting on Darcy to analyse the situation and come here from London, but to find both of you here is excellent news indeed! I have been in Liverpool since early morning with three of my men.” He nodded at William. “And two of yours from Pemberley—Mr. Judson, the farrier, and Mr. Allgood, a groom, I believe.”

Richard looked perplexed, glancing over to William who was still digesting what Evan had said. “How is it you are in Liverpool? And at this very inn? You could not have received our express from London and journeyed here that quickly. And why are you dressed like a tenant?”

“One question at a time!” Evan chuckled. “You are correct in your assumption that I never got your express. After I learned what Cecile had perpetrated—taking Elizabeth from Pemberley—I simply decided that I would find them and bring her back. I had my men scout the roads around Derbyshire and learned that a fine coach had left Lambton on the road to Liverpool. As for being at this inn, it was strictly a coincidence. We had elected to stay on the outskirts of town, hoping to remain unnoticed. I trust you agree with me that Cecile probably did not act alone. I was unsure what we were facing.”

William broke in, “Our express would have explained that some woman was working with George Wickham and Stefano to take Elizabeth from Pemberley, but we had no idea it was your sister! I swear I would like to—”

“She crossed my mind,” Richard declared, interrupting William’s search for some punishment harsh enough to exact upon her. “I have never trusted that spider.” He glanced uncomfortably at Evan. “My apologies. She is your sister.”

“Not as far as I am concerned!” Evan exclaimed. “I guessed Stefano was involved, but Wickham! It never occurred to me that that ne’er-do-well would have the nerve to do such a thing. But, on second thought, I do not know why I am surprised. He was always trying to wring more money out of you, Brother, and trouble always seemed to follow him.”

William was bewildered. “What could have possibly possessed her to help Wickham – or Stefano, for that matter? Jealousy? Money? And why would Elizabeth agree to go with her?”

“Of course, she was jealous of Elizabeth, Darce, but my guess is that if she is in league with Wickham, it involves gambling. Word about London is that many influential women are indebted to him because they love to bet on the horses. As for getting Elizabeth to agree, all it would take is for Cecile to tell her that Stefano would harm you if she stayed.”

“She may be your sister, Evan, but if Elizabeth is hurt, so help me God, I will see Cecile Preston hang!” William barked, hitting the wall with his fist.

Evan sympathized. “I would feel the same if it were Ana.” Quickly he changed the subject, hoping to calm his brother. “I reserved a small dining room downstairs where we can discuss what we learned with all the men. The minute I saw your coach, I knew you would want to be included. How soon can you be ready?”

“If we can dress like you, we have no need to get ready,” Richard smirked.

“Oh yes, my appearance.” Evan spread his arms and turned in a complete circle. “You would be surprised how much I have learned dressed in this manner. It seems no one is afraid to speak to a poor farm hand,” he chuckled, “or order him about. Already today I made a shilling for loading a large box onto one gentleman’s coach.”

Mr. Williamson walked into the room. “At least you have managed to earn honest wages, and you would certainly fit in any pub in that outfit.”

William turned to face him. “I am sorry, Vicar. I completely forgot about you.”

“Understandable, given the circumstances,” Williamson replied, laying one hand on William’s shoulder as he passed him on the way to shake Evan’s outstretched hand. Meanwhile, Evan assessed the tall, lanky fellow with the kind eyes, while William recovered his manners.

“Evan Ingram, my sister’s husband,” William declared, waving towards his brother. “And this is a new friend of mine and an old friend of Elizabeth’s from Meryton—Mr. Williamson. He was the vicar there for many years and knows Elizabeth well. In fact, he christened her.”

Evan shook the hand even more vigorously. “It is a pleasure to meet any friend of Elizabeth’s. She seems to have had so few people in her life who have truly cared for her well-being.”