Page 36 of Until My Last Breath

The doctor hit the carriage roof and they started moving. He looked up to the house. “Yes, Constable. As I said yesterday, it is not possible for a gun to cause such a wound from the distance they have described. No, no. It was a point-blank shot. I have seen plenty of wounds in the battlefield to be sure of it. Something about the angle does not fit. And the story about hunting? We are not even in season. Unfortunately, I cannot fathom the real reason. What I am sure of, however, is that the pair up there is in real trouble. I am quite sure they are not even married.”

“Why do you say that?”

“After spending some time with them in that room, I realised the lady — Mrs Smith, as she calls herself, although I do not believe that is her real name — cannot be married to the man, even if she is treating him with realcare. Betrothed, would suit the situation better. Yesterday, when I took his shirt off, she was blushing like a piece of burning coal. Her relief was immediate when I asked her to go to the adjoining room to refresh herself as we changed the man’s clothes. It was unmistakable. And this morning, the young man suggested the very same thing again. He needed to use the chamber pot. What a situation.”

“Why do you think they are being kept here?”

“I can only suspect that the man was taken against his will. Perhaps kidnapped. I thought about that when I noticed he had a signet ring, which suggests he is from a noble or wealthy family. And the ‘friend’, Mr Brown… I am quite sure that Brown and Smith are false names, they are too common, easy to disguise… I am not sure, however, if Mr Wickham is aware of that…” The doctor was lost again in his own thoughts.

“Doctor,” the constable called.

“Oh, yes, yes. That man, Mr Brown, is always around while I attend the young man. He would not take his eyes off the lady either, as if watching her.”

“If that is the case, Doctor, we need to act fast. I will send an express to the London Magistrates immediately asking if there is any request for a missing couple. Huxtable is there. When are you due to go back?”

“I told them I would return tonight. Do you think you will have a response by then?”

“I believe it is possible,” said the constable thoughtfully. “In the meantime, I will have a man watch the house, so we do not lose them. I can only hope, if your suspicious are correct, that we have enough time to act.”

~ ♥ ~

Richard woke up very early and asked for some food to be brought to his chamber, as he prepared for the day ahead. He was returning to London and had invited Mr and Miss Bennet to accompany him. The invitation had been sent first thing that morning. Miss Bennet would be an invaluablehelp with Georgiana.

Well, that, and his growing desire to be close to her.

He stopped in the middle of the room, his mind reviving the moment he had taken her in his arms. Her tearful eyes so full of pain had given him no other option. He had to do something. But what had surprised him was that she had done the same for him when he needed it. She had tried to comfort him; the soft touch of her hands soothed him as nothing else had done before. And now, he felt connected to her in a strange way.

His reverie was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was a message informing him that Mr Duncan had arrived and was ready to leave, and Mr Wilfred would be welcome to accompany him in his small carriage.

Finishing his breakfast, Richard rang the bell and asked Wilfred to help him to dress before leaving; he would wear his civilian clothes today.

Once ready, his thoughts returned to Miss Bennet.Jane. She was the most beautiful and kindest person he had ever met.

An old, nagging doubt came back to him.

Richard shook his head, dismissing the feeling, persuading himself that this sudden attraction to Miss Bennet was nothing more than a natural reaction of a distressed man to a beautiful and kind woman.

Sadness squeezed his chest and he sat on the bed.

Would he ever be able to think of Jane Bennet, or any other woman? As an army man, his allegiance was to his country and to his king. There was no space in his life for a wife. He could not marry and just leave — not without knowing if he could ever return. But who could foresee whether another dictator would rise? Wars, whatever the reason, were always around. No woman deserved to be abandoned, especially Miss Bennet. The kindness in her heart could easily turn into a bitter loneliness until the day she would be informed of his sad demise. Despite his small inheritance left to him by his grandmother, he was only a second son; he did not have the means to support a wife. In other words, he was doomed to a lonely and loveless life.

He thought about Bingley again. The only word coming out of his mouth was “fool”.

In any case, he could not be distracted while Darcy was still somewhere out there, hanging between life and death.

For now, his cousin’s recovery was his priority. He would think about his situation when these terrible affairs were resolved.

With both carriages loaded, Richard went to his aunt to say goodbye, and reassure her of his commitment, promising to keep her informed.

“Oh, Fitzwilliam. You will find Darcy, will you not?” Aunt Catherine pleaded with moist eyes.

“I shall do whatever is needed, Aunt. I promise.”

Mr and Miss Bennet were already waiting when Richard’s carriage arrived. He tried to avoid looking at Miss Bennet, but his rebellious eyes kept betraying him. He felt his heart tighten when he noticed the dark circles underneath her eyes.

There were no other words beyond their formal greeting as they boarded the carriage, and in a few minutes, they left for London.

“Mr Bennet, Miss Bennet, thank you for accompanying me. Apart for having the pleasure of your company, I believe Miss Bennet will again be an important help.”

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