Rescuing Elizabeth Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Beauford, Kate

  Elizabeth stopped once again and strained her ears to listen. Several male voices talked all at once, at least two of them raised in irritation. A twinge of unease prickled at the back of her neck. Why would anyone stand among the trees and away from the path? And why so late in the evening? She struggled to hear if she recognised any of the voices, but she could not. To her alarm, one voice grew louder as it moved in her direction, along with the distinct sound of heavy feet marching through undergrowth.

  Before Elizabeth could move, strong arms grabbed her from behind, and a large hand covered her mouth. A voice whispered urgently in her ear, but Elizabeth panicked too much to hear what it said. Constrained as she was, she could neither cry out or struggle. She tried to control her panic as she was dragged back towards the trees, away from the voices. She tried to kick and found her mark once, but the man swore and held her tighter as he pulled her down with him behind a large thicket, well out of sight of the path.

  “Be quiet, Miss Bennet,” a low voice whispered in her ear. A voice that, through her panic, she thought was familiar. “They will hear you.”

  Elizabeth struggled to master her breathing as she fought for calm.

  “I will remove my hand from your mouth, but you must promise not to make a sound. Do you promise?”

  All Elizabeth could do was nod. The hand slowly moved away. Instantly, Elizabeth tried to jump to her feet, but the man caught her immediately and placed his hand over her mouth again. As he did, he pulled her around to face him. Her eyes widened in shock to find herself staring into the scowling face of Mr Darcy. Elizabeth was used to him scowling, but this was different to the ones he wore when he roamed around the assembly rooms, glaring at anyone who dared address him. This time he looked worried.

  “Please do not make a sound,” he whispered. “I do not know what is happening, but I know that whoever those men are, they do not mean well. Will you stay quiet if I release you? And try not to run away?”

  Elizabeth nodded. A ghost of a smile flickered over Darcy’s usually grim face.

  “Is that a real promise this time?”

  Despite her alarm, Elizabeth could not refrain from rolling her eyes. Even at a time like this, Darcy could still be provoking. Darcy slowly released her as if preparing to catch her again, then relaxed when she did not run.

  “What is happening?” she demanded.

  Darcy placed a finger to his lips and motioned for her to move closer to him. He parted some of the thickets when she did not and gestured that he wanted her to look through.

  “I think they are transporting stolen goods,” he murmured in her ear. Elizabeth gave a little start. She had not realised he was so close. “I overheard them talking.”

  “Who have they stolen from?”

  “I strongly suspect they stole from Netherfield. I think they came from that direction, and they mentioned an object that sounds like an antique in the drawing room. I did not get a chance to see them properly. Did you?”

  “I might have done if someone had not grasped me so suddenly. What did they take? Not the silver clock?”

  “I am sure that is what they referred to.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “That clock is a hundred years old. How could they get into the house?”

  “I do not know, but I have my suspicions. Bingley is preparing the house for the ball, and there have been workers coming in and out all week. Any of them might not be who they say they are —“ Darcy stopped suddenly, and tensed, his eyes alert. He pulled Elizabeth down beside him, so they both lay flat on the ground. Elizabeth stifled a cry of protest, both at his rough handling and at the thorns that pierced through her gown. Beside her, Darcy was as still as an animal, his dark eyes penetrating. Elizabeth peered through the bushes to see what he saw. The men had moved onto the road, pulling a small covered wagon.

  “Should we not go for help?” she whispered.

  “We cannot without being seen. I thought my time was better served discovering who they are.”

  Both fell silent as the men argued again. Elizabeth struggled to hear names or anything that might identify them, but it was impossible to hear over the roaring of the blood in her ears. She sent a silent prayer that they would leave and allow Elizabeth and Darcy to inform someone of what they had seen.

  “Do not move until they have left for several minutes,” Darcy whispered in her ear. The brush of his breath on her skin made her shiver slightly. “At least one has a pistol. If they —“

  A click behind them interrupted the rest of Darcy’s words.

  “Stay where you are,” a harsh voice ordered. “Now, turn. Slowly.”

  3

  Darcy and Elizabeth turned slowly and rose to their feet, their hands up where the man could see them. Darcy moved in front of Elizabeth.

  “Who are you?” he demanded in that imperious voice. Elizabeth winced. Surely now was not the time for Darcy to be so — so Darcy.

  “None of your concern. What are you doing here?”

  “What does it look like?” Darcy sounded indignant. “The lady and I were courting before you pulled a gun on us. I ask you to be on your way. I will not have the lady’s reputation ruined.”

  It was fortunate the man could not see Elizabeth’s face hidden as she was behind Darcy as they both stood out of the direct moonlight, or he would have noticed her expression of shocked outrage.

  The man stepped closer into a pool of moonlight. Elizabeth felt a jolt of recognition. It was the man who had winked at her at the stables at Netherfield. He was young and quite handsome in a dishevelled way. He might have been pleasant to look upon were it not for the weapon he aimed at them. He released a bark of laughter. To Elizabeth’s horror, more voices rose at the sound followed by the crash of heavy feet through undergrowth. Within moments they were surrounded by three men. Darcy reached a hand around to push Elizabeth further behind him, so she was positioned between him and a tree.

  “What is going on?” he demanded. “Whatever you are about, I ask that you continue on your way.”

  “What’s going on, Lawson?” one of the new arrivals asked.

  “We have interrupted a courtship.”

  The men burst out laughing. Elizabeth’s face burned with shame, but she felt a faint flicker of hope. None of them seemed to recognise Darcy in the dim light. If they believed his story, they might allow them to go free.

  Lawson rubbed his jaw with his free hand, keeping the pistol steady with the other.

  “Well, I suppose you must be on your way, then. And I beg your pardon a thousand times for the interruption, sir. I know you will not thank us for ruining what might have been a beautiful evening.” He gestured with his pistol.

  Darcy reached behind him to wrap his arm around Elizabeth and pull her close to his side, still keeping himself between her and the men.

  “Not that way,” Lawson snapped as Darcy and Elizabeth moved towards the trail. “Find another path.”

  Darcy gave Elizabeth a questioning look. He was not so familiar with these woods as she was. Elizabeth nodded and led him in a different direction, her heart pounding so loud she was sure it echoed through the trees. Her direction forced them to walk by one of the men. Too late, the man locked eyes with Darcy. Elizabeth recognised him as the man who had walked into the drawing-room that afternoon, claiming he had lost his way. Darcy tried to step around him, taking Elizabeth with him, but it was too late.

  “That’s Mr Darcy,” he cried. “Don’t let him go.”

  Darcy immediately swung Elizabeth around and pushed her away.

  “Go,” he snarled, then turned away to greet the man, who tried to grab him, with a bone-cracking punch to the jaw.

  Lawson was faster. He caught Elizabeth around the waist as she cried out, and held the gun under her chin.

  “Darcy,” he barked. Darcy had just landed another successful blow and was fighting off another man, and he turned when Lawson called his name a second time. He froze at once when he saw how he held Elizabeth. Immedi
ately, he held up his hands in surrender.

  “Let her go,” he ordered. “Take me wherever you will, but do not hurt the lady.”

  Lawson grinned and pressed his face close to Elizabeth’s.

  “I am more likely to hurt you and take her with us,” he said in a taunting tone. Elizabeth froze in horror. Darcy’s jaw set, and though he looked in control, his eyes when he met Elizabeth’s flashed with desperation just for a moment.

  “You do not need her, and she will not make it to town to alert anyone before you are on your way. You do not need to take us, and if you harm us, it just means another sentence to add if you are captured. Sparing us would go well in your favour if that were to happen. Tie us up somewhere we can be found in the morning so we cannot send anyone after you.”

  Lawson hesitated as he considered. The man who had walked into the drawing-room spoke again.

  “Lawson, this is Mr Darcy. I’ve heard them talk about him at the house. He owns half of Derbyshire. His family will pay a fortune for his safe return.”

  “I doubt it,” said Elizabeth. She was so nervous she was convinced her voice shook. She hoped she did not sound as frightened as she felt.

  “Oh?” Lawson pressed his face close to hers again. “Why is that?”

  Darcy also threw her a questioning look before smothering it over to look bland and indifferent.

  “Because Mr Darcy only has one sister in his close family, and she is but sixteen, not in a position to raise trouble to find her brother. His parents are dead, and he has no wife or children. If anything happens to him, a distant cousin will inherit. He will certainly not send money for Darcy’s safe return when his absence improves his condition in life so decidedly.”

  “And what does this cousin do that makes him so desperate to leave Darcy’s fate in our hands?”

  “He is a clergyman. A foolish, obsequious man who right now must pander to Mr Darcy’s aunt. He wants to rise in the world more than anything. He will not raise a finger to help his cousin, and he will convince himself there is no need, that surely Darcy is already dead so he might ease his conscience.” Elizabeth shrugged. “You will have to feed us and care for us. Taking us will cost you more and gain you nothing. The best course of action is the one Mr Darcy suggests. Look, you might tie us to any tree here, and we cannot send anyone in pursuit. You will be on your way long before we can alert anyone.”

  “My lady is correct, I am sorry to say,” said Darcy. “I will not be much use to you once my cousin believes I am out of his way.”

  The men all looked at one another in silence as they weighed up what they had just heard. Darcy looked at Elizabeth with a blazing approval and a faint smile at her quickness, and though Elizabeth disliked him, she could not help feeling a rush of pride.

  Finally, they came to a decision.

  “You will write to your family,” said Lawson. “Harper tells me your uncle is an earl. And your friend, Mr Bingley, is certainly wealthy. They will know you are alive, and they will pay for your release. I am sorry to say, Mr Darcy, that you are coming on a journey after all.”

  Darcy grimaced. “Very well. Release the lady, and I will go with you quietly.”

  “Oh, I do not think so. You display a great deal of concern for the lady, and you are courting her, as you told us. I think you will be much more trustworthy if her wellbeing depends on your good behaviour and cooperation.”

  Elizabeth trembled and pulled away from Lawson, who grabbed her tighter. Darcy’s eyes flashed with rage as he took a step towards them and stopped at once when Lawson pressed the gun under Elizabeth’s chin, the nozzle pressing into her skin. Lawson laughed.

  “Do you see how well he cooperates to assure your wellbeing?” he rumbled in her ear. “I am surprised that a man who takes a lady into the woods should prove so chivalrous, but I suppose we are all in love at some time or another.”

  “You are detestable,” said Elizabeth through clenched teeth.

  “You wound, my lady. I am sure I have never been called worse in my life.” Lawson jerked his head at his companions. “Get the rope. There is still room for them in the wagon.”

  “I don’t think there is,” said another man, this one hardly more than a boy. “We would have to throw something away if we are to bring both of them.”

  Lawson rolled his eyes. “Then do that. Throw away that ugly vase with the roses on it.”

  The boy’s face was wounded. “I like that vase. I planned to give it to my mother.”

  “Your mother already has to acknowledge you as her son. Do not make her suffer even more.”

  When the man still looked mulish, Lawson sighed. “Farlow, with the amount we will get from Darcy’s friends, you can buy your mother a hundred ugly vases. Just throw this one out so we can take a much better prize.”

  “Very well,” said Farlow, though there was still a note of ill-usage in his voice. “But it’s not ugly.”

  “You see what I must deal with?” Lawson whispered to Elizabeth. He pressed his mouth close to her ear, sending Darcy a provocative glance as he did so. Darcy could barely conceal his rage, but the gun aimed at Elizabeth rendered him helpless. “Now you understand, my lady, why I must take you. I have to take any opportunity that will enable me to be free of this lot. I hope you will forgive me.”

  “My sympathies. I am sure this situation is most difficult for you,” said Elizabeth through clenched teeth. Defiance and anger always rose in her when she was frightened, and it seemed a gun made little difference.

  Lawson laughed. “Such wit, even in these circumstances. I can see why you want her, Darcy. I suppose she is beneath you, and that is why you will not marry her?”

  “At least have the decency not to speak so,” said Darcy coldly. “Surely you have that much.”

  “I do not have a lot at all, I am afraid. I can be persuaded to use my limited resources when it suits me, though. Remember that.”

  Farlow returned with lengths of rope. Darcy’s hands were bound first, followed by Elizabeth’s. As soon as they were both tied, Lawson allowed Elizabeth to return to Darcy’s side.

  “Are you alright?” Darcy asked urgently.

  “As well as I can be,” she whispered.

  The men turned them and pushed them towards the trail where the covered wagon waited. Elizabeth could see no sign of the controversial vase, but she supposed Farlow must have hidden it out of sight. She cried out as the man called Harper caught her and flung her into the back among the various household goods, only some of which she recognised from Netherfield. A moment later, Darcy was at her side, having jumped in himself after her.

  4

  “Are you hurt?” he asked anxiously.

  “No. He took me by surprise, that is all,” said Elizabeth. Surprisingly, she could hear Lawson berating his companion for his rough treatment.

  Darcy did his best to help her into a comfortable position, which was difficult when their hands were tied. Outside the wagon, the men argued if they should gag them. Finally, they decided they could do that once they passed through towns and until then, the noise of the wagon would prevent them from being heard. Lawson leaned his head in to remind them that he had a gun if they made a hue and cry. Rather unnecessary, Elizabeth thought. She could still feel the place where he had pressed it into her neck.

  The back of the wagon was closed with a slam, leaving them in darkness. With a lurch that made Elizabeth keel to one side, it moved. Darcy lifted his bound hands to loop them over Elizabeth’s head and around her shoulders, then pulled her upright. He carefully removed his hands as she thanked him.

  “Do you have any idea where they might take us?” she asked.

  Even though the wagon was dark, she could feel Darcy’s tension at her question.

  “The coast,” he said finally. “I think that is what they said.”

  “The coast!”

  “Take comfort, Miss Bennet. That will allow us some time to escape. And we will escape. I promise you that.”

&nb
sp; Elizabeth leaned her head back against the rough wood.

  “I cannot believe this has happened. How did a simple stroll through the woods, something I have done countless times, lead to this?”

  “I have asked myself that same question.”

  Elizabeth twisted her head to look at him. As her eyes grew accustomed to the dark, she could see him better, a small thing that made her feel a little better.

  “What were you doing in the woods?”

  “The same as you. Walking.”

  “Walking? You?”

  “You think I dislike walking?”

  Elizabeth shrugged. “I never thought about it. I suppose I never imagined you would take much pleasure from nature.”

  “I do not know why you would suppose that. But yes, I was walking, and I almost came upon them. I recognised the man, Harper, as one of the workmen who had been in and out of Netherfield. I did not care for him. I warned Bingley on several occasions.”

  “Why?”

  “He did not seem trustworthy. I came upon him more than once in a part of the house he had no business being in. Bingley always sees the best in everyone, so he assumed there was a reasonable explanation. I heard Farlow mention the clock, and I drew back so I could hear them better. That was when you came along. You can imagine my horror. I thought you were about to walk straight into them.”

  “I suppose I should thank you, then.”

  Darcy shrugged. “I suppose it is while I was drawing you back I lost track of the other one. Lawson. He could not have come behind us otherwise.”

  His tone was clipped and irritated as he spoke of Lawson. Elizabeth felt a swell of indignation.