Page 81 of Shields and Roses

"Ah, yes, Collins. Our least favorite clergyman is staying at an inn about 10 miles down the road. It seems Wickham had his horse tethered in the walnut grove and had walked to the point where he lay in wait to intercept Miss Elizabeth. We will have to rescue the horse when we get back. We cannot just leave him out there. After all, Uncle George provided him with a far finer animal than Wickham ever deserved. Anyway, the plan was to drag Miss Elizabeth to the horse. He would tie her up and ride with her over the fields to where he had a closed carriage that he had hired waiting. Mr. Bennet, I sent one of your men off to meet up with the driver of the carriage and get all the information needed to find him again during the court martial investigation. The fact that Wickham hired the carriage will weigh heavily against him even if there is no proof of criminal intent or likelihood Wickham planned to desert."

"Yes, it certainly shows he did not expect Lizzy to go willingly," Mr. Bennet said wearily.

"No," Richard agreed, "Nor would she. Knocking her out was the only way Wickham was going to succeed in carrying her off. Once he did, however, the plan was to deliver her to Collins to be his bride - after Collins ruined her, claiming she had run off for immoral purposes, that is. The idea was to first ruin the family name and prevent the wedding between Sir Barnaby and your oldest daughter. Aunt Catherine wanted to make all the girls unmarriageable and drag your family name through the mud. Then Collins would claim his bride and keep her as basically a servant at Hunsford under the direct control of my aunt."

"What can we do about this Collins person?" Sir William asked.

"I have not figured that out yet," Richard said. "He has, as of yet, committed no crime, although he would have given the chance. That limits our options, although personally, I would not mind dropping him in a rose bush as well."

"Or using some other form of excessive force," Darcy added.

"Hmm, yes," Richard said. "There are so many possibilities, none of them legal. I wonder if we could manage to deliver him to a press gang. I know they do not take landlubbers by choice, no matter what the rumors say, but if I claimed to be sent from Aunt Catherine with new orders and dragged him off to one of the ports, I might be able get rid of him that way."

"He is the heir to Longbourn," Bennet said softly. "We cannot do anything that looks like we are removing him to prevent him from inheriting. It could go poorly for the estate and my family if we did."

"Blast!" Richard said "I had forgotten that detail. No press gang, then. He would be food for the sharks before the first week at sea was up."

"There is also the problem of Aunt Catherine," Darcy said. Richard and Bennet both groaned.

"Later," said Bennet. "While I am satisfied that I came on this excursion, it is taking its toll, as is the medicine to help dull the pain. We have dealt with the most pressing problem today. I must defer further planning for when I have recovered somewhat."

"Very well, sir," Richard said. "Although that will not stop me from considering solutions while I go out and find that horse."

"Good idea," Bennet agreed. "You can stable it with my horses for the night, although I doubt you will be able to keep it for the long term."

Richard shrugged. "Spoils of war," he said mischievously.

"Richard," chided Bennet, "appearances?"

"Oh, I suppose you are correct," Richard replied with feigned reluctance. He winked at Darcy and Sir William, who both sat on the opposite bench.

Clearly, he was teasing in an attempt to distract Bennet from the pain of the ride, but Darcy could also tell it was not working very well. Richard must have realized that as well. He turned his attention to Sir William.

"How is Miss Lucas in truth? I know you explained in only the most general terms to Colonel Forster."

Sir William repeated the assessment Mr. Jones had provided regarding the injuries to both ladies. Richard was clearly relieved, just as Darcy had been, to hear that matters were not so bad as he had feared.

"Miss Elizabeth will hate not being able to speak freely for a time," Richard observed.

"At least she is still able to breathe freely," said Darcy. "I only had a brief experience when you had me in that choke hold. I still found it frightening, despite knowing you were not trying to hurt me, and it was only meant for show."

"Be sure you tell her about that experience when you discuss our little interview with Colonel Forster," Bennet said. His eyes had remained closed for most of the trip, but he had obviously paid attention to the conversation.

"If I ever get the chance to converse with her, I shall tell her," Darcy said, a little dispiritedly.

"Your chance will come," Bennet said simply.

Nodding even though he knew Bennet could not see him, Darcy fell silent. Sir William took advantage of the remainder of the trip to ask Richard questions about his return from the continent and his future plans. Richard was obviously trying to keep his answers vague, but Darcy could see it was hard work deflecting Sir William's interest. There was no doubt Miss Lucas's father knew and approved of Richard's affection for her.

On their arrival at Longbourn, Richard and Darcy worked together to help Bennet gently down from the carriage and into the house. It seemed Mrs. Bennet, or one of her daughters on her behalf, had been watching for their return. As soon as they entered, she came to the door of the parlor and asked solicitously after Mr. Bennet.

"I will be fine, my dear," he said, "although I think I shall forgo coming down for dinner this evening. These two strong young men will help me up to my room and then Mr. Hill can help me into my bed. You can have a small tray sent up for me."

"Well, if you are certain," she said. "Perhaps Lizzy can join you for dinner. I told her not to come down either. You know how she is. If she is in company, she will talk."

Darcy thought that was more of a self-description from the Bennet matron, but he said nothing. While he would have been unlikely to have conversed with Miss Elizabeth during or after dinner because of her injury and the company, he still felt sorry he would not be able to see her.

"I am just going up to check on my Charlotte," Sir William told Mrs. Bennet. "I will not stay long."