Fitzwilliam ignored him and showed several pound notes to the guard. “Can we come to an agreement, do you think, hmmm?”
The second guard came over to them, and they began to talk about taking it, though the one said he would require the same amount for himself. Fitzwilliam smiled and nodded. When he pulled out more money, Darcy walked over to him. “No, you wait your turn like we all do!”
“This is not your business, move along,” Fitzwilliam shrugged as he handed the bills over to the guards.
Another man, one of Bayard’s decoys, stepped out of the line. “You heard him! Wait your turn Englishman!”
Fitzwilliam pushed the man, who pushed back, and a few of the others in line gathered around the shouting match. Darcy made sure he positioned himself close to the guard not engaged in the conversation with Fitzwilliam, talking loudly and blocking his view.
A terrified Mr. Collins felt a firm grip on his arm and was ushered around the fighting group by the two recently freed young men of their party and forcefully pulled to the other side of the gates. An officer dressed in a heavily decorated uniform standing outside the gates said, “Run, there,” and pointed down the dusty lane. Collins and the other two did not waste a moment and took off in that direction.
As soon as they had turned the corner and were out of sight, the heavily decorated officer by the gate whistled loudly into the crowd. “Break it up, break it up!” he said with authority, as he grabbed Darcy from the crowd and told the two guards to bring Fitzwilliam over as well. “I tell you what, Englishman; you will also have to pay me the same amount!”
“But,” Darcy began to object again.
“Hold on there, countryman!” the officer admonished Darcy. Fitzwilliam smiled haughtily and handed over more money.
“Why are you up in arms?” the officer turned and asked Darcy. “This nice Englishman just paid for you to go first, didn’t he? Go on now.”
Darcy looked at Fitzwilliam. “Ha!” he said and walked through the gates.
“Hold on just a minute!” cried Fitzwilliam.
“You want to be arrested for causing a disturbance, Englishman, or do you want to pay for yourself to pass?” asked the officer.
Fitzwilliam angrily pulled out his money pouch and again handed over the same amount to the guards and officer.
“And I believe these poor folks are in need of a bit of refreshment after this delay you caused them. Is that right, my good countrymen?” he asked the group waiting in line.
“Yes!” they shouted in reply.
After nearly emptying his pouch to provide “refreshment money” to those in line, Fitzwilliam was finally allowed to be on his way, leaving a happy group behind him.
The heavily decorated officer bid adieu to the soldiers guarding the gate. Instead of heading to the pub as he had insinuated was his destination, he headed to the waterfront to prepare for the next phase of Bayard’s plan.
Chapter Twenty-Six
When Fitzwilliam reached the designated barn a ways down the dusty lane, a modest Mr. Collins was changing out of his frock and into farming clothes. Darcy and the two other men had their backs to him in a semicircle, providing privacy.
“So far, so good!” said Fitzwilliam as he entered. “We have less than half an hour before darkness falls, and we can only hope the guards at the prison are still asleep. How much of the powder did you give them?”
“I put all that was in my ring into one of the guard’s cups, and Bingley put all of his into another,” Darcy answered.
“Really, the whole of it? I guess that was one thing I forgot to mention. About a quarter of that amount for each is the usual dose.”
“What? Will it kill them?”
“No, no, of course not! But they will be hard to wake before two days’ time has gone by. Collins, are you done yet?”
“Yes, I am once again presentable.”
“Good, we must be on our way at the moment darkness falls. There should be some bread and water left for us somewhere. Oh, yes, here is the bucket and there is some bread and cheese besides! Let us feast, my weary men, but be quick about it.”
As they were enjoying their dinner, the door opened and two men who had been in line at the gate and whom Fitzwilliam had been forced to give refreshment money to, entered the barn.
“Mind if we join you, rich Englishman? Seems you aint in such a hurry after all. Hands above your heads!” said one with a pistol in his hand.
“Well, well, what do we have here? Why is the Frenchie you was fighting here with ye?
What sort of game are you fellas playing at?” asked the other.
“There is a simple explanation,” Fitzwilliam began.
“You know what? I don’t care to hear it. Yann here is going to get the money pouches from each of you, one at a time. Anyone moves gets shot, and I have a feeling the law would give us a medal if we did. There be something fishy going on here.”
Fitzwilliam was ordered up front first, and handed over his near empty pouch to one of the men, with the other pointing the pistol at him all the while. Next Darcy was called over and then Collins. Mr. Collins had bulging cheeks from having stuffed a huge piece of cheese and crusty bread into his mouth a moment before the men had arrived.
“Where is it, you fat pig?”
Mr. Collins was trying his best to chew and swallow the mouth full of food in order to tell the man that his money was with his clothes that he had changed out of, but was not being successful.
“He said, ‘Where is it?’” yelled the man with the pistol.
The frustrated first man reached around and began to pat down Collin’s waist looking for his money pouch. In doing so, he came into contact with Mr. Collin’s particularly ticklish spot.
Collins could not control his reaction. Jerking forward he opened his mouth wide with laughter and moved his hands down to protect his stomach. Doing so caused the contents of his mouth to fly forcefully into the other man’s face. The man yelled out disgustedly, wiping his face. As his accomplice instantly moved closer towards Collins, the parson realized he still had his dagger in his hand, having used it to cut the hard bread. He automatically lifted it, stabbing the man’s arm holding the pistol, causing him to drop the weapon and yell out. The other men quickly rushed forward to help. Fitzwilliam picked up the pistol, and he and Darcy guarded the two would -be thieves. The others quickly used their daggers to tear Collin’s discarded parson clothes into strips, which they used to tie the men up tightly and gag them. Just as darkness enveloped the area, they left to make their way to the waterfront. They still had a long night ahead of them.
***********************
Bingley sat with Mr. and Mrs. Du Pont and their daughter on the vessel that would carry them home, a few miles from the banks where they first started out in a smaller row boat.
He turned towards the parents, trying to comfort their frightened daughter. When his eyes met theirs, it was easy to see she was not the only one who was concerned. He allowed his thoughts to go to the last time he had seen Jane. He knew she too was worried, but she had not hesitated when Fitzwilliam had explained the dire situation to her and the need to help the du Ponts. Alone in their rooms, he had begun to speak, but had she stopped him with a kiss. How brave she was, and she had the most loving heart he had ever known. He knew if she were there now, seeing what agony these parents and the young wife were going through, she would go out of her way to ease their minds, no matter what thoughts were occupying her own.
“They could not be in any better hands than Fitzwilliam and Darcy, you know,” Bingley began. “Each on their own is the most reliable sort, but I have heard many a story of their growing up together, and they seemed to always make a fine team. I should not be surprised to see them joining us at any moment.” He then began to tell them a story he had heard about the cousins getting into a scrape when they were just schoolboys and how they had cleverly talked their way out of it, which at least brought smiles to their worried faces. “By the w
ay, did Alex ever tell you the story about him and Fitzwilliam and a monkey?”
Just as he finished the humorous telling, with wide eyes the young wife pointed out to the open sea. Everyone turned to look in that direction and all could make out the dim light of a lantern coming towards them. Before long, they heard the sound for which they had been waiting for what felt like a lifetime.
“Are you there, Bingley?” came Darcy’s familiar voice.
“Yes, we are all here!” was the happy reply.
As the row boat drew closer and the five men were helped aboard the somewhat larger vessel, Fitzwilliam said, “What do you say we get out of here?”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Everyone at Bethany House had finally been able to sleep well on the night of the men’s safe return.
After breakfast the next morning, the men had quite the story to tell, and all who had been waiting for them were ready to hear it. Fitzwilliam had pledged never to reveal the identity of the Leader of the elite group of rescuers to anyone outside of those who absolutely had to know. All of the men who had shared the experience took that secret very seriously and never did share the information with anyone.
“So the burly man who caused the distraction in the town square and the peasant with the potato cart were both your Leader’s men?” asked Jane.
“And they were both in on the plan the entire time?” Kitty asked.
“Yes, they were all The Leader’s men, along with two or three in line at the gate when Darcy and I were arguing,” Fitzwilliam explained. They helped provide a distraction so that Collins and the younger du Pont and his brother-in-law Marcelle could pass through the gates without showing their papers, which they did not have. Bingley and the senior Mr. du Pont needed the papers, since the senior du Pont was the most recognizable of their family.”
“And the highly decorated officer was on our side as well,” added the young Jacques du Pont.
“Did all of you know then that they were all your allies?” asked Lizzy.
“I am going to guess that my husband did not know of it,” laughed Charlotte. “I do not think he would have been able to play his role as well as he did, had he been aware of it.”
Bingley joined in the laughter as well. “I do not think I would have been able to play mine either had I known. It was a day of confusion to be sure. But we had an excellent leader to follow.”
“Indeed we did! Colonel Fitzwilliam could be a great stage actor, if he wanted to follow that vocation. He had me completely fooled more than once,” added Mr. Collins.
“There are no truer words, to be sure. But wait until you hear the rest. Fitzwilliam was not the only one who surprised us when we least expected it!” Darcy grinned at Mr. Collins.
“That is a fact, Darcy,” replied Fitzwilliam. “The victory could not possibly have come by any one man’s hands. It required a few good men!”
Alex, having arrived just a day before the others returned, put a hand on his mother’s shoulder. “How thankful we are to you all,” he said before giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“So, have you decided where you will settle, Mr. du Pont?” Mr. Hurst asked the senior member of the family.
“I have been a farmer all my life. I know nothing else and love nothing as I do the land. As an occupation, I mean of course,” he clarified as he smiled at his family.”
“If that is what you would truly prefer, then I can certainly help you out there. Pemberley can always use another pair of experienced hands. I understand that Alex and Georgiana will be settling in the neighborhood as well?”
Georgiana looked up at Darcy. “Yes, we will, Brother. Next to Pemberley, I have always fancied the Carlyle estate, with its many bay windows overlooking the lovely meadow. My husband put in an offer when we first heard of its availability a month ago, and it has been accepted. Perhaps you would consider staying with us instead, Mr. du Pont? There will be much to occupy your time if you are in want of an occupation.”
The senior du Pont looked at his wife and could easily read her wish to accept the offer. “You will call us ‘Mama’ and ‘Papa,’ Georgiana? Good, good, then we have a deal. After all, we want to be there to spoil our grandchild!”
Georgiana’s face turned crimson as her eyes met her brother’s. “Am I to be an uncle?” he asked with surprise.
Georgiana could only smile and barely nod before Darcy gently embraced her and kissed her forehead as he used to do when she was younger. As he released her, she looked up at him with love in her eyes and said, “It is good to be back with all you dear ones.”
“Now, shall I tell you all of how Collins saved our hides?” asked Fitzwilliam.
Charlotte looked at her husband inquisitively. “Well, it was nothing,” Mr. Collins began.
“It was something indeed!” replied Fitzwilliam, who went on to enthusiastically relate the story to everyone’s delight. The afternoon continued with all enjoying the details of the mission and voyage home, each silently thankful for the return of their loved ones.
Mrs. du Pont asked in broken English, “When your parents are expected, Mrs. Bingley? I will like to see your mama again.”
“My parents sent word that they are due to arrive any time now. They will certainly be here before afternoon tea. My sister and brother, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph, are traveling with them, as well.”
“I cannot help but wonder at their unexpected visit, Jane. Papa has turned up at both of our homes without warning but never Mama or the Josephs,” Elizabeth mused.
Fitzwilliam stood up. “Ah, I believe I may have an idea on that score.”
Kitty, along with all the others, looked at him in surprise. “Do you?”
“They are coming for their daughter’s wedding.”
“What are you talking about, Fitzwilliam?” Darcy asked. “I thought your wedding to Kitty was to take place next month at Longbourn?”
“There has been a slight change of plans. My family will be arriving soon as well. Before we docked, our host, Mr. Bingley, was kind enough to agree to my request and extend the invitation. I sent word to both of our parents as soon as I set foot back on English soil. Mrs. Wickham and her daughter have been at Longbourn for nearly a week already to begin their annual visit with her parents, so they are in the coach as well. Everyone who is most important to us will be here. I consulted Mrs. Wilson last night, and she was gracious enough to handle the wedding supper and has the cake cooling as we speak. Butterfly Orchard is at its finest at this time of year, and Mr. Collins has agreed to perform the ceremony in that beautiful location.”
He looked at Kitty and spoke with more seriousness and sincerity than she had ever heard him speak with before. “I am ready to settle down and begin my life with you. I do not want to waste another day without you by my side as my wife. Will you marry me today and make me the happiest of men?”
“Yes! Yes, I will!”
The women moved quickly and excitedly to dress for and help the bride prepare for the day. It was not long before Mrs. Bennet arrived and took charge. While she had looked forward to hosting her last daughter’s wedding, she was a romantic at heart. She would repeat with relish the details of the colonel’s second proposal, and all that he did to ensure his marriage to her daughter. It was the most beautiful ceremony there ever was, with all the wisteria in bloom and butterflies all around. It was a small affair to be sure but that just added to the charm. She told all of her neighbors that the bride had never looked so lovely and she meant it. The bride had never been so radiant, which stemmed from her happy relief on her beloved’s return to her.
Mrs. Wilson made a feast for the wedding supper, and dancing into the night followed. The children all formed a circle and danced around the newly married couple. It was an enchanting sight.
“To think our worry of two days ago has been so rapidly replaced by this…,” Elizabeth said as she gestured with her free hand to the dancing figures. “I believe I may mark this to be one of my life’s happiest moments.”
Darcy reached over and took Elizabeth’s hand, bringing it to his lips. “Life is beautiful indeed, Mrs. Darcy. You know, with all of our sisters now married, the next time a family member has a wedding, it will likely be one of the children.”
“I had not thought of that. I am glad that is a long time off, but it certainly will be interesting to see if any of those present in this room will pair up.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Two days later the Bingley’s bid their guests farewell. It had been fortuitous that they had all been together during what was meant to be a special time for the children. All in their group who knew and had experienced the events, the worry, and the waiting for news of their loved ones knew that their lives were bound together more than ever before.
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and The Scarlet Pimpernel Page 12
