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He closed the trunk with a bang and locked it. Shrugging on his coat, he rushed out of the room.
Twenty minutes later he was on the doorstep of Radnor house. Elizabeth and Mrs. Radnor, hastily gathered to the drawing room by his arrival, seemed surprised at such an early visit. Had he interrupted their breakfast? If so, they were most gracious. Mrs. Radnor gestured him to one of her ornate upholstered chairs, but he remained standing.
“Mr. Darcy, what a pleasure to see you again,” Elizabeth said, although her voice betrayed some anxiety at the sight of his agitated mien.
“I have come on a matter of great urgency,” He responded somewhat breathlessly. Elizabeth had gathered some embroidery, but it fell, forgotten, into her lap at his response. “England has declared war on France.”
Elizabeth’s hands flew to her mouth in horror. “What!” cried Mrs. Radnor. “When?”
“I believe the treaty was broken yesterday. But, I received the news only this morning.”
“So that is why Alexandre was called to meet with the Emperor,” Madame mused. She settled back on the couch, but her hands twisted in her lap anxiously. Elizabeth absently retrieved her embroidery while her eyes, wide with shock, were fixed on Darcy.
Darcy addressed Elizabeth. “It will not be safe for English citizens to remain in the country. Colonel Fitzwilliam and his compatriots have already departed. I have a carriage awaiting me at the inn, but I first wished to make you aware of the news.” H
e tried to calm the nervous energy flooding his body; it was all he could do not to grab Elizabeth’s hand and drag her out the door to ensure her safety.
Elizabeth appeared deep in thought, but murmured, “I thank you. I appreciate your delaying your departure for my sake.” Irrelevantly Darcy admired her calm reaction to the news. What a wonderful Mistress of Pemberley she would be!
Mrs. Radnor spoke slowly and thoughtfully. “I cannot leave without my husband…and the emperor will not wish him to leave….I must remain behind.”
“But, Madame – “ Elizabeth started to protest.
“No, Miss Bennet, we will be safe here. The Emperor holds my husband in high esteem. However, you must leave as soon as possible.” Mrs. Radnor’s face appeared serene, but she was compulsively straightening the folds of her dress.
“Agreed. But how is such a feat to be accomplished?” For the first time Elizabeth’s countenance betrayed anxiety.
“I am afraid I do not know. My husband has our carriage and we will have need of it. We could send you by post, but those carriages are likely to be full already.”
“What about the Gardiners?” Elizabeth asked.
“I thought about them,” Darcy responded. “When they hear the news, the will undoubtedly return to collect you. But they are better off departing immediately for Calais. They are much closer in Rouen than they would be here.”
“No, they should not return!” cried Elizabeth. “I would not have them expose themselves to danger for my sake!”
“They will return for you unless they are aware you have already departed,” Mrs. Radnor said firmly. “I know them.” Elizabeth said nothing, but her eyes revealed that she recognized the truth in the other woman’s statement.
“May offer a solution to this dilemma?” The conversation had arrived where Darcy had expected it to. “I can take Miss Bennet with me to Calais in the carriage I have hired. She will be quite safe.” Holding his breath, Darcy awaited the two women’s reaction. What he was proposing was highly improper under the normal rules of propriety, but he had no desire to follow such strictures if the alternative was leaving Elizabeth in danger.
Mrs. Radnor shook her head emphatically. “I appreciate the offer. But, I have been given responsibility for Miss Bennet’s reputation as well as her safety. I cannot allow her to travel unescorted with an unmarried man.”
Inwardly Darcy cursed the dictates of propriety, but he had also anticipated this objection. “Perhaps, you could spare a maid who might accompany us to Calais? I would gladly pay for her return passage on the post chaise.”
The woman thought for a moment. “Yes, yes, that might do. I could send Celeste; she would probably like a little adventure – and Miss Bennet is familiar with her. That would do quite nicely.” She stood abruptly and rang for a servant. “Excellent! We have a plan. Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I will have Marguerite pack Miss Bennet’s trunk and will make sure Celeste prepares herself.” The butler appeared in the doorway and she exited into the hallway to talk with him.
Now standing, Elizabeth gazed at Darcy awkwardly. “Thank you for your generous offer.” Elizabeth’s eyes met Darcy’s without flinching, but he saw a slow blush creep over her face. He had no doubt she was grateful, but the prospect of sharing a carriage with him did give her some unease. Darcy understood completely; he had no doubt he would find the trip most disconcerting.
“Do not be anxious. I will ensure your safety.” Closing the short distance between them, he took her hand in both of his and attempted to appear reassuring.
“I am not anxious. Not for myself. But, if something should happen to the Gardiners – they have four children and Mr. Gardiner’s business employees a number of people. It would be a tragedy if….” Her voice trailed away.
How like Elizabeth to think of others in a situation like this! “Perhaps you should send them an express explaining the circumstances,” he suggested. “They must not return to Paris in search of you.”
“Yes, indeed! That is an excellent thought.” Elizabeth withdrew her hand from his and left the room hastily.
Within half an hour they had departed in a hackney coach for Darcy’s lodgings, accompanied by Mrs. Radnor’s maid. However, once they arrived, Darcy discovered the carriage he had hired was no longer to be found. “I begged him to stay,” the innkeeper explained. “But the other travelers offered him so much money, he did not wish to refuse.”
Darcy swore with frustration, realized Elizabeth was standing next to him and swore more softly. “I would have gladly doubled their offer if he had given me the opportunity!” He turned to Elizabeth. “I apologize for this inconvenience. I did not realize the carriage driver was so untrustworthy.”
