AU Not Cannon
Pride and Prejudice
They Called Him a Bennet Too
Rescuing Christina
Ch 4
Once again night had fallen. There were few people out and about other than ladies of the nights, gamblers and the poor huddled around fires attempting to stay warm. Edward Bryant had dismounted his horse just before he'd gotten to the edge of this particular neighborhood as not to draw attention -as had Joseph Malloy.
"Keep up, with me." Edward hissed. "Cause I'm not a slowing down."
"You are using horrible English."
" I don't care right now."
Edward had learned to use all kinds of language- slang included- in order to fit in, proper words weren't on any priority list at the moment. His eyes were keen even in the dark, a common joke - for those who knew him- was the gentleman was half cat. It was only when they came to 'the door' did they stop.
"Hope Richard's men have not arrived ahead of us." Joseph looked around just as Edward went to knock and stopped him.
"What's wrong?"
"Look over there." Joseph did not point only gave a slight nod of his head as if in general talk; Bryant took the hint and gave a sideward glance. "See what I see?"
"Yes, just stand here talking. I really don't want to start a fight tonight if we don't have to and... " Joseph's companion, who -most of the time- worked independently of any particular law group, pointed a finger at him. "Don't even think about gettin' on my case about my English tonight; I'll worry about that later. Just tell me when that stranger is gone." It wasn't long before the two men felt it safe to knock.
"What are you doing here?" Christina pulled back in fear and moved towards the bed.
"It's not ..." Edward felt shockwaves go through his system when he saw what, or should he say who, laid upon the lady's bed. "Who fathered that child?" His brain knew who the father was, but the other screamed no way.
"How can you even think to presume to cast such aspersions on my character? I was faithful to no one but my wedded lord and master. I had no idea I was carrying him when I fled to you. Nor when Mrs. Brown hired me. I was full of gratitude she did not dismiss me from her house. I am expected back in the morning. I did not know what I was going to tell her, for I saw the same thing as you, but..." Christina stood straight knowing all too well Edward Bryant was presuming she had slept with another man besides her late husband, any fragile look vanishing at once. "I promise, no one but Peter fathered my son. So, now, why are you waking me at such an insane hour?"
"First, I am sorry, Christina, but that boy looks so much like a man I have met and gotten to know quite well. People would think he sired him instead. I had planned on going to Longborne and informing him of a few things he needs to be aware of. It threw me into shock to see a baby looking so much like that gentleman." Edward rubbed his head. "Second, you can't stay here anymore. Richard has found out where you are at and have men coming after you." He wasn't shocked when her face paled.
"Where am I to go? I cannot go to my Peter's father's home, or my own, he killed all of them...I know he did even if I cannot prove it, just like he did Peter, again something I cannot prove. " She dropped to the bed and put her head in her hands.
"We know that. We now have someone who can testify to at least two of those deaths. Maybe, we can get him to crack to the others as well."
"What is going on?" A lady's voice startled everyone. Christina's head snapped up at the same time the men's head jerked around.
"Elizabeth! What are you doing here, and I promise... Curtis is not your father's son even if I did borrow his middle name. Yes, we met while you both were in London. Yes, he walked me home but that is only because a few drunks were bothering me, and he did not want me unprotected..." She looked between her son and her friend and repeated. "He is not your father's son." She spoke in a rush seeing her friend's own look of shock and horror upon seeing the sleeping baby.
"Did he come in here?" Elizabeth asked upset, yet still wanting to believe Christina who Victoria had said was as honest as the day was long.
"Yes, but only in the hallway and only because Travis, the worse drunk would not let up. He finally left."
"Excuse me? You know each other? You've met Mr. Bennet? You named Peter's son after him?" Edward and his friend asked at once, only Joseph did not use slang.
"Yes, to both, but I promise..." She glared at Joseph Malloy who looked as if he were beginning to doubt what Christina had just told his friend. "What I just said to you and Elizabeth is true, Curtis is not Mr. Bennet's son."
"We need to talk." Edward quickly filled Elizabeth in, not asking what had caused her to take such risks in coming so late -that could be discussed on the way back to Longborne-"So, you see our dilemma?"
"I have an idea." Elizabeth's sharp mind had been turning the whole time Bryant had been giving her details. If Lady Catherine and William Hamilton - a man who did business with 'only' the most 'elite' - no one with any real ethics trusted him- were going to try to take Longborne out of the Bennet family's control, or in Lady Catherine's case, was going to buy goods from the black market - thus giving William financial aid to succeed in his goal, and if that other Hamilton was after Christina than Elizabeth would not just stand idly by and just let it all happen.
"Tell us, but not here." The men let Christina put on a cloak and wrap up her baby, but that was it. They then hurried both women out to door relieved to see Elizabeth had brough a coach. Helping the two ladies in they climbed in themselves intending to get out where they had left their horses only to hear gunshots after they'd gone but a hundred yards.
"What..." Joseph looked through the window. "It is the stranger." Pulling out his gun, he jumped out, as did Edward but not before ordering Elizabeth to get Christina out of London and back to Longborne as fast as possible.
"Tell your father everything. Do not have Christina show her face to anyone 'til we get back." With that Edward was off and running after Jospeh who closing in on the stranger.
