Page 56

“I cannot say. His only condition was that I was never to reveal his name.”

Watching Elizabeth trying to make sense of this information, she swiftly added, “I am so pleased, for you impressed me all along as the one who should take over my shop. I did not wish to entrust it to someone who would not take the same care of my customers as I have all these years.”

Tears rushed to Elizabeth’s eyes, and she struggled to keep them from escaping. “I-I do not know what to say, except I thank you. This is a dream come true for me and for Lydia.”

“When will Lydia come to Lambton?”

“Just as soon as I can write to her.” Elizabeth stood. “If you will excuse me, I should like to return to my room at the inn and compose a letter straightaway.”

“Of course, but first you must sign the agreement to purchase the shop.”

“I had completely forgotten that little detail,” Elizabeth replied, smiling at last.

It took so little time to handle the paperwork that Elizabeth had returned to her room at the inn within an hour and was explaining to Mr. Hill how everything had worked out. So excited was she that she considered going to Pemberley to tell Colonel Fitzwilliam of her good fortune before deciding the hour was too late.

She was certain to hear from him soon regarding how the Stevensons were faring. They had been warmly welcomed to Pemberley by the housekeeper and given rooms in the servants’ quarters until Mr. Stevenson decided whether he would stay there with Jesse or go to his brother’s. Her good news could wait until then.

Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, Drago and Sully had followed her and Richard to Goodwin on horseback and had hidden in a copse across from the cottage where the Stevensons were found. Convinced that the old man and boy must know something about the murders since Colonel Fitzwilliam was apparently moving them to another place, Sully had suggested killing all the occupants of the carriage before they could return to Lambton.

Drago instantly put an end to his cohort’s foolish prattle. “We cannot possibly kill all of them by ourselves, even should we surprise them on the road. That officer will not be an easy mark, and, in my opinion, neither will the old man. He carried a rifle inside the vehicle, and I am willing to bet that he can hit anything within fifty yards with little to no effort. That is how most impoverished men his age feed themselves—with squirrels, rabbits and a stray pig or two.”

“There was once a time when you thought nothing of robbing a carriage, no matter how many men were aboard. You would shoot the largest one and dare the others to respond.”

“That was when I was young and foolish. I had rather let the man and boy alone, for I have plans to leave England before an inquiry could even question them. If we kidnap Lord Addison’s lady, I am certain he will pay dearly for her release, and I intend to demand three-thousand pounds.”

Sully let go a low whistle. “I dare say that would be enough for us to start anew in another country.”

Not bothering to correct Sully’s assumption that he would share the ransom, Drago said, “Which is why I intend to concentrate on what is important. Once Colonel Fitzwilliam returns to London, we will make our move.”

“How do you know he will return to London?”

Disgusted at Sully’s lack of discernment, Drago shook his head. “He will have to report to his superiors at some point. That is how I know.”

At Sully’s sudden look of understanding, he added, “Let us return to the inn. I need to pay for the room for another week and speak with the maid who was to hold our mail. I believe she will keep me abreast of Miss Bennet’s comings and goings for a few more coins. Meanwhile, we can form a plan to take her.”

London

Lady Cargile’s Townhouse

As Wickham surveyed the elegance of the drawing room in which he waited to see Lord Addison, the splendour of it impressed him. At least he should have enough to easily pay my price.

All thoughts vanished, however, the instant the butler reappeared in the doorway. “The master will see you now. Follow me.”

After going up the grand staircase and down a long hall, the butler stopped in front of an elaborately carved door and knocked.

“Come!” a gruff voice called.

The butler opened the door and stepped inside, saying, “Mr. George Wickham to see you, sir.”

Wickham, who was tall enough to look over the butler’s head, saw Lord Addison nod and stand as the butler left, closing the door behind him.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Mr. Wickham?” Addison asked, though he did not sound welcoming. “The note you sent up said that you possessed information I would wish to know.”

“Yes, your lordship. A day or so ago I became aware that you had hired two acquaintances of mine to follow a certain woman,” Wickham pronounced with a conspiratorial smile.

Lord Addison did not return his smile. Instead, an angry expression crossed his face. “Just what are you implying?”

“It will gain you no favours to play coy with me, sir. What occupies Drago’s time is always an evil scheme for ill-gotten gain, and Sully follows wherever he leads. The only thing that was necessary for me to take advantage of the situation was to find out for whom they worked. Fortunately, I happened across a letter meant for them whilst I was staying in Lambton.”