Page 39 of Until My Last Breath

“Oh! At least, some good news!” his mother said in relief.

He took a deep breath and lowered his gaze to his empty glass. “We also found a small missive left behind that revealed Darcy is alive, and under the care of a local doctor, and that Miss Elizabeth is also well.”

Jane kept her inquisitive eyes on him as she sat beside him. “Colonel, please tell me all.”

Her pleading eyes broke his heart. As he could not find words, he just reached for his pocket and grabbed the small piece of paper, giving it to her.

Jane took it with trembling hands and raised her eyes in search of any sign of hope. Instead, her gaze was met by Richard’s sombre expression. She slowly opened the letter and read it.

A deep sob escaped her mouth and she dropped the paper on the floor, putting both hands over her mouth to muffle her cry. Her entire body shook violently.

Once more, the sight of Jane’s despair moved Richard into action. Forgetting about everything else, he embraced her, resting her head on his chest, wishing he could take her pain away.

If his mother was shocked by such intimacy, she did not demonstrateit. Instead, she bent down and retrieved the small piece of paper and read it. A shadow filled her eyes. She gave the missive to Georgiana, who was now standing and fidgeting from one foot to the other beside her.

There was a knock on the door and the butler entered. Lady Madeleine looked at her faithful servant with an air of reproof but trusted her man enough to know he would not intrude such a family gathering without a good reason.

“I beg your pardon, milady, but there is a messenger from Detective Duncan. He said he should deliver the message personally to Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

Richard, hearing his name, gently cupped Jane’s face drying her wet cheeks with his thumbs. “Please, Miss Bennet, keep your courage. I beg you.”

She nodded. “Please, sir, go. I shall be well,” she said, fetching her handkerchief.

“Well, then. Let him in,” Lady Madeleine said.

“Colonel,” the messenger said once inside the room. “Detective Duncan asked you to come to the Magistrates’ Court as soon as possible. They have found Mr Brown.”

~ ♥ ~

Richard was fetching his hat and gloves when Jane approached him. “Please, Colonel, let me go with you. I cannot stay here any longer. I need to do something. Please.”

Richard looked at his mother.

Lady Madeleine regarded Jane for a second, her delicate brows coming together. Then she sighed. “Oh, propriety can go hang. You can join him, Miss Bennet. But please, promise me that you will not put yourself in any danger. I will stay here with Georgiana waiting for your news. And you, Richard, look after her.”

Richard nodded, kissing his mother’s cheek. “I will. Thank you.”

It did not take them long to arrive at their destination. Richard helped Jane out of the carriage, keeping her hand on his arm as they entered the crowded and smelly building of the Magistrates’ Courts. All sorts of criminals and women of questionable reputation filled the place, shouting mocking invitations and shrieking laughs. But Jane kept her eyes fixed ahead of her.

Richard thought again how admirable she was.

“Thank you for coming to my aid, Colonel,” Jane said meeting his eyes. “I am very sorry. I am not usually this tearful, but it seems I cannot control myself lately — not since we learnt that Elizabeth was taken.”

“There is no reason to be sorry, Miss Bennet. You are—”

Mr Duncan met them, ending the conversation. Beside him there was another older man they had not met yet. “Colonel, Miss Bennet. This way, please.” Mr Duncan took them to a small room. “Allow me to present Mr Huxtable. Mr Huxtable has been recently promoted from the constabulary of Sussex and has very interesting news to share. Mr Huxtable?”

“Of course. About an hour ago, I received this.” He produced a letter. “An express from the Sussex police. They have come across a couple who we believe to be your cousin and your sister.”

Jane looked at the colonel, holding her breath.

“They are both being held as hostages in a cottage in the surrounding area of Eastbourne. The local doctor was summoned to attend what was reported as a hunting accident, but the man’s injury was not consistent with it. Apparently, let me read it again… Ah. Yes. It was your sister’s silent message asking for help that really raised the doctor’s suspicion. I know the man. He used to work for the army. Very clever fellow. He shared his suspicions with the constable, and here we are.”

Jane reached for the colonel’s hand and squeezed it; a spark of hope grew in her red eyes.

“And how are they?” Richard asked, squeezing Jane’s hand back.

“Fortunately, both of them are well. According to the doctor, Mr Darcy sustains a nasty lump on his head and a flesh wound between his neck and shoulder. He also lost a considerable amount of blood but isalready out of danger and recovering. This was thanks to Miss Elizabeth, who attended to his wound — and that, according to the doctor, was the main reason Mr Darcy has survived. Had he been alone… well, he would most likely have bled to death.”

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