Pride and Prejudice 00 General Regency AU

Best Laid Plans Go Awry

Previously:

"You know those gossipy women and my own mother are going to say I planned all of this." Anne shook her head.

"Let them." Lady Lucas shook her head. "I no longer care what people in those groups say. "I left them, all I want is to see my daughter again."

Assassination Attempt

Ch. 19

Charlotte's hair was thicker and longer than it had been for a considerable time. Part of this change was due to the hormonal shifts accompanying the new life growing within her, and part was simply because she had adopted her husband's eccentric habits. This explained why she now sat with legs crossed in a bay window, savoring fresh fruit. She was dressed in a white gown with a chemise draped over it. Her gaze swept across the lawns of Hayden's friend's estate, which caused her to miss the moment her husband rolled over and opened his eyes.

Hayden spoke not a word. The new baron had quickly learned that when he was home, his wife's custom was to spend the early morning hours, before her duties beckoned, near or, in this case, within the window that overlooked nature. The gentleman had never imagined one could become so deeply connected to another soul as swiftly as he had with Charlotte. That is why he remained silent upon awakening and relished simply watching her as she watched the animals waking up.

"Good-natured? Level-headed? As much as I respect your wife and, indeed, she has won our hearts, just wait until she is carrying your little one. Then you will sing a different tune," Aran laughed.

Mr. Mackenzie had been correct to an extent. Charlotte's moods had been erratic. However, with a significant age difference between himself, his sister, and brother, Hayden remembered how his father had managed his mother's temperament compared to some of his uncles. Thus, since Lady Bryce remained as loyal and faithful to him as ever, he chose to address her mood swings with humor, patience and an attitude of 'this too shall pass'. Dismissing Aran's claims, Hayden rose to put on his house coat.

Lady Bryce's husband rushed to her side for one primary reason: the bowl she had been holding slipped from her grasp, and she gasped. That was what propelled him to her side in an instant.

"What is wrong?"

"The shadow its moving…" Charlotte did not need to finish her sentence, nor did she have to; Hayden saw the same thing. Instant recognition dawned, and without hesitation, his previous military training took over, and he had his wife on the ground in mere seconds. It was fortunate, for the sound of a gunshot rang out, and glass shattered above their heads.

Footsteps thundered toward the door, and servants, including Sir Thomas, burst into the room. For a moment, they were aghast, fearing the Baron and his wife had been shot. However, when Hayden sat up with Charlotte, both very much alive though the lady was visibly shaken. They all exhaled a collective sigh of relief.

"Get men out there!" bellowed Lord Bryce. Ignoring his usual self-perception as simply Hayden, he snapped with a volume and tone that matched the old baron in such a situation. "Landon just took a shot at my wife! I know his shadow like the back of my own hand!"

Hayden stood and assisted Charlotte to a chair. The poor lady was still trembling. Hayden vowed that if his wife lost their child over this stress, that man would face severe consequences, blood relation notwithstanding.

"Check on my sister. If she is alright, take my wife to her," Hayden commanded as he donned his clothes and seized his gun.

Men had already raced out the door and onto the grounds, but Hayden was not content to stand idly by. Consequently, he was nowhere in sight when Lady Bryce was shown into a small, darkened room.

"I am right here," Charlotte could only discern where her sister sat because the servant had not dropped the curtain until the two women were seated side by side.

The room was actually a small alcove. There was nothing but a round, cushioned bench beneath an oval window that would have offered a view of the outside if the glass had been clear and if Aileen had not let the curtain fall back down as soon as her sister was ushered into the alcove.

"Do you think Hayden is correct?" Charlotte asked her sister. "Do you believe it is Mr. Bryce out there doing the shooting?"

"I wish I could say no, but considering the papers you found and turned over to my father."

"But Hayden told him it was he who did it. Why shoot at me?"

"Because you are the means to destroy our big brother's estate, the one Landon attempted to acquire illegally."

The two discussed the vastness of the estate. It spanned more acreage than most could wrap their minds around. Plus, the older Lord Bryce had acquired two others. One, situated closer to Dumfries, was currently leased out, and the other nestled in the hills of Dunn; not to mention one smaller had just been purchased by purchased outside of York.

"I dare say Landon coveted the entirety without exerting any effort," Aileen wrapped her opinions up.

Throughout the conversation, Charlotte had been inhaling deeply, striving to maintain her composure and fervently hoping she would not miscarry Hayden's child. Upon voicing this concern, Aileen expressed empathy but suggested a change in her phrasing.

"What do you mean?" Charlotte inquired.

"The child is not solely Hayden's; it is yours as well."

"Yes, but it is his heir. He could, if he so desired, expel me and retain his heir."

"I would rather meet my demise than commit such a heinous act against the child's own mother," Hayden declared as he drew back the curtain. He smiled wide when Charlotte embraced his waist with astonishing swiftness.

"Have they located him?"

"No, but the accomplices have been detained. Sir Thomas has ordered his servants to scour the backwoods of the estate for an additional thirty minutes. Regrettably, they remain silent. However, the silver lining is that these men had outstanding warrants and are now in custody. We are departing for your parents' residence forthwith, unbeknownst to the search party. That was Thomas's suggestion."

"Why?"

"Although I have yet to read your parents' response, Sir Thomas suspects a traitor among the searchers. He insists we depart before their return; that is the true reason behind prolonging the search. If they say no, we will simply return home taking a different route."

With that, the women and Hayden boarded an unmarked carriage, descending the drive away from Sir Thomas's estate. Lord Bryce then read two letters conveying a similar sentiment:

It is of no consequence where you hail from, or that your union was by handfasting. Please, bring Charlotte home, even if only for a short visit. We comprehend that you, Lord Bryce, most likely have commitments elsewhere that would prevent a lengther one .