Page 38 of Until My Last Breath

Richard remembered Tommy’s comment about the man’s face.

“Did he say where he was going?” Mr Bennet addressed her for the first time, squeezing his hat.

“Yes… well, no… He received a message from a Mr Brown and soon after sending his reply, he left. When I asked him where he was going, he said he was going ‘to sell his soul to the devil’. I swear that was what he said.”

The gentlemen looked at each other. Mr Duncan turned to her again. “I’d like to see his bedroom. Please, take us there.”

Fortunately, the lodging was quite empty, and Mrs Younge was quick in finding the keys, asking them to follow her upstairs. After opening thedoor, the gentlemen entered the room and started looking everywhere.

It did not take long for Mr Bennet to find a crushed piece of paper on the floor and read it. He lost his balance, needing Richard’s assistance to reach a chair.

“Mr Bennet? What is it?” Richard asked, taking the paper from Mr Bennet’s trembling hands.

11thApril

Wickham,

Doctor came today and said the dandy will recover. It was a wound flesh. I believe tomorrow we’ll be able to proceed with our plans, but we can’t keep the lass.

I want you to meet Digory tomorrow, at noon, in Seven Dial. He’ll be waiting for you in front of the bookshop. Do as he says. I own those pirates some money and a lady of quality like this one is what they are paying for. It can cover most of your debts as well, so be careful.

And don’t worry. He’ll recognise you.

I expect you tomorrow.

Brown

Richard’s feelings were overwhelming. On one hand, he was relieved to know that Darcy had survived and was under the care of a doctor, whoever he was; on the other, the message was unmistakable. They were planning to sell Elizabeth to someone, and that was not a very comforting thought. Wickham must be really desperate.

Richard showed the message to his father and Mr Duncan. “It is dated yesterday,” he said. “That is probably why Wickham left this morning. He was going to meet this man.”

Taking his pocket watch, Richard saw the time. Almost two o’clock. “It is too late to follow him there. By this time, he could be anywhere.”

“Good Lord!” Lord Matlock said, raising his hand to his head andrubbing it. “I never imagined those kidnappings were related to what… human trade? We were believing, as it had been in the past, that some passionate young men were behind all this, encouraging others to do the same. But pirates? Are we seeing a revival of what happened here by the hands of the Ottomans? Where are they taking those young ladies? Gentlemen, we need to stop it.”

“Well, at least we know that both of ’em are alive. I’m sorry, Mr Bennet, but try to focus on that. I need to go now.” Mr Duncan walked towards the door then turned to look over his shoulder. “I need to send the news of this Digory and his possible activity to the officers investigating those disappearances. See you later, gentlemen.”

Richard cursed Wickham under his breath. If the devil was buying that miscreant’s soul, he would make sure that Wickham would meet with his new master as soon as possible.

~ ♥ ~

The three men left the lodge, and after another silent journey, they reached Lord Matlock’s residence. Mr Bennet did not look well, and as soon as they entered the house, Richard invited him to a guest room, seeing personally to his comfort. He offered him some brandy, which Mr Bennet gladly accepted, despite the early hour; it seemed the old man needed something strong to calm his nerves.

In his own chamber, Richard succumbed to his bed and brought both hands to his face. He would need all his strength before facing Miss Bennet with such dreadful news. Mr Bennet could not be trusted with that task now. The man was devastated and by the amount of brandy he had gulped, he would probably be asleep.

After washing and changing into fresh clothes, Richard went to Mr Bennet’s chamber and found the man sleeping in his bed.

He went downstairs. As soon as he stepped into the drawing room, three pairs of expectant eyes turned to him.

“Son, your father has gone to conclude some ‘unfinished business’, refusing to give us any further detail,” Lady Madeleine said with a frustrated expression. “He said you would tell us what happened.”

Richard sighed. Lord Matlock had left the frontline of the battle for him to fight alone. The man could face a Parliament full of Lords but could not face a drawing room full of anxious ladies. He met Miss Bennet’s eyes. She and Georgiana were on a sofa, hands together. Waiting.

He served himself half a glass of brandy, which he took in one gulp, and then sat down on the empty sofa.

“Well, son, are you going to say something, or are you waiting for one of us to die of anticipation?”

“We found Wickham’s hiding place, but he was not there,” Richard finally began. “Detective Duncan ordered a man to stay behind and watch the place. If he comes back, we have him.”

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