Page 99 of Compromise & Consequence
“Yes. Your uncle safely delivered Jane and the boy to the Gardiners.”
Her brow furrowed.
“Jane is in town?”
“Bennet decided to take the whole family to Bath, and Jane did not wish to be parted from a certain cousin of mine.”
“Bath! Uncle has never wanted to go to Bath. He has always said it is a place where people with no brains go to drink brackish water in the vain hope it will cure all their ills.”
“Primarily, this ploy was to distract his wife from asking why you and I, along with Richard left so early without so much as a fond farewell. He suggested a holiday in Bath because your aunt and youngest cousin have always expressed a desire to go sea-bathing. They are unaware Bath is landlocked. Also, he needed a valid reason for coming to London to drop off the lad who agreed to act as a decoy.”
They had barely taken their seats when Burke opened the door and announced, “Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, and Miss Bennet.”
“Thank you, Burke,” Fitzwilliam said. “Please let Mrs. Whittaker know there are three more for tea this afternoon.”
“We were not expecting you.” Elizabeth looked to Uncle Gardiner while Jane sat in the chair closest to her. “Why have you come now? Everything is set for tomorrow.”
“Richard suggested we bring Jeb tonight so that he is on the premises. This way, if anyone is watching the house, there will not be unexpected activity tomorrow morning before your normal walking hour.”
“You are not worried they will notice one of your servants is not with you when you leave?”
“Truthfully, Lizzy – who notices servants?”
“A sad but true observation.” She brightened as the dooropened and the tea cart was wheeled in. “Thank you, Mrs. Whittaker.”
The housekeeper acknowledged her mistress with a polite smile, which met her eyes this time, and Elizabeth felt a moment of small satisfaction. She waited until the door had closed and the family was left alone before she brought up the next point which worried her to no end.
“What if they do not take the bait?”
“We will repeat the procedure the next day, and the next. We know it will be this week, we just do not know the day.” William said and reached for one of the cookies she had made. She noted the kitchen had put them on a very elaborate plate and knew they were trying to mark this occasion. Jane also placed a cookie on her plate.
“Given the men are still operating under her original orders and plans, and Lady de Bourgh’s impatience for any task she sets before her inferiors, I can almost guarantee these men will make note of where Elizabeth walks and her behavior patterns the first day and implement their plan the second day – weather permitting. They do not want to be seen loitering about the park.”
“It would not surprise me in the least if one of their men appears as a gentleman. What better way to get closer without giving rise to suspicion?”
“Jeb will have to keep his chin down and the bonnet secure. We will have to tie the ribbon in such a way as to hide his Adam’s apple.” Aunt Madeline said and Elizabeth appreciated her practical side making its appearance.
“Lizzy,” Jane said suddenly and Elizabeth worried that her sweet cousin was becoming overwhelmed by all the talk of nefarious men and dark deeds. She reached over and placed herhand on Jane’s as a form of comfort.
“Are you uncomfortable with this discussion?”
“What? Oh! – No. No, indeed.” Jane looked around at all the expectant faces and then covered her mouth with her fingers. Her eyes sparkled with humor. “These cookies taste just like the ones our cook makes.”
“Oh, Janie.” Elizabeth impulsively leaned over and gave her a quick hug. “They should as I used Mrs. Pruitt’s recipe this afternoon.”
“You made them?” Jane asked.
“I could not bear not knowing what was going on and had to do something with my hands as I could not go for a walk, and you know how I pestered Mrs. Pruitt on rainy days to take me in hand.”
“Yes, I do. You will be pleased to know Mary has begun learning how to make your bread recipe. She missed the loaves with the raisins in them.”
“That mistake had a delicious ending.”
They finished their tea and Jane and the Gardiners stayed to dine. All too soon they were left alone and William asked her if she would play for him before they retired for the night. She knew he was worried about the next chapter in this nightmare and decided to play music to soothe him. She began by playing Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14. William joined her on the piano bench and as she played, he gently pushed aside some errant wisps of curls and kissed the spot where her neck met her shoulder.
Her fingers stumbled at times, and when he nudged the edge of her gown aside and undid the buttons on the back of her dress so that it gaped slightly, allowing him access to the portion of her body she knew he had a fascination with, she gave up completelyand turned in his arms. He slanted his mouth over hers and drove all sane thoughts from her mind. Reluctantly, he dragged his mouth from hers and touched her forehead with his.
“May I come to you tonight?” he asked, his voice deep and hoarse.
