P & P

Hidden in Plain Sight

Previously:

"The name's MacDonald and for both our sakes, do not mention the other." James grew alarmed, he knew Kitty Bennet was more observant than her sisters, but even he had not thought his change would be picked up that quickly. "We need to talk." He spoke just as the Forester's returned and persuaded the couple to join his table for dinner. Thankfully, they agreed as the other gentleman had never really quit watching Miss Bennet. As if doubting she was with 'that' old man. An illusion created by James shaving his hair off.

Passing on Information

Ch. 12

Mrs. Forester did not hide her fidgeting very well. Her hands twitched as they joined Mr. MacDonald's table. The flickering candlelight cast a warm glow over the polished mahogany surfaces, highlighting the intricate carvings on the chairs and the delicate lace tablecloths. The scent of Lavendar and beeswax polish mingled with the rich aromas of the evening's fare. Her twitching would have been worse if it were not for Colonel Fitzwilliam's presence. He was Mr. Darcy's cousin; therefore, the colonel was now Elizabeth's cousin by marriage. That connection, she supposed, was how this MacDonald fellow knew Kitty. It was an assumption by Mrs. Forester that the men let stand.

"I am sorry, Mrs. Forester," Mr. MacDonald spoke apologetically. "Tis my fault that Miss Bennet said nothing to you. My line of work takes me many places, and I was not certain I would even make it here today. I asked her, the colonel, and his lady, if I did, if we could share a meal, but asked them not to say a word, just in case I could not make it. And, please, say nothing to anyone else. We are just friends, nothing' more. It would be bad to give people the wrong idea. Please forgive me?"

"Yes, of course." Mrs. Forester relaxed greatly, as did her husband. The soft clinking of silverware and the murmur of conversations created a comforting backdrop as the restaurant's staff moved with ease between tables, refilling glasses of water, ale or whatever drink one had ordered and delivering steaming plates of food.

"Now, I suggest we enjoy our meal." Mr. MacDonald and the rest ate in peace, keeping their talk light. The flicker of the fireplace added a cozy warmth to the room, and the gentle hum of the musicians' strings filled the air. When the musicians started playing again, the gentleman asked, "Could I, without giving anyone the wrong idea, have this dance, Miss Bennet?"

"Yes, you may." Kitty was not stupid; James wanted to talk without Mrs. Forester hearing them. "Do not worry, Mrs. Forester." Mr. Bennet's daughter spoke reassuringly as the lady's hand began to twitch again. "As he said, we are just friends."

"I have heard people say that before," Mrs. Forester replied once the couple went onto the dance floor; those at the table with her said nothing. The dance floor was a swirl of color and movement, with ladies' gowns rustling and gentlemen's boots tapping in time with the lively music.

"So, who was that man coming towards me? His eyes held a dark look to them." Kitty asked. "And does his passing a note to a gentleman earlier today at lunch have something to do with your fake name and interrupting his beeline walk towards me?"

James about froze when she spoke. "He did what at lunch?"

"He and another gentleman came into where Mrs. Forester and I were eating. They sat down, and one slipped a piece of paper under a menu. The pockmarked fellow then slid it across to his shorter, smooth-skinned, red-headed partner as if they were doing nothing more than ordering a meal."

"They had to have known you saw them. I mean for him to be here, striding towards you like he did."

"I do not see how." Kitty shook her head. "I saw it all through the corner of my eye. I did not once turn my head towards them any more than when you picked up that piece of paper by Jane's fountain."

"So, you did see me. I wondered about that. And if he, like me, saw the same thing, then the gentleman could be wondering about what you did, or did not see."

"How? I did not turn my head."

"I noticed a ever slight pause in your actions. Plus I caught a glimpse of your eyes shifting -momentarily."

"Oh."

"However, I do commend you for controlling it and focusing back on your conversation with your sister; it was very much appreciated." James paused, for only a moment and then plowed ahead knowing what he was going to say would get him called mad by many. And would get his ears chewed out -most likely- by men like her father, Sir William and a few others. However, he had not been lying when he had told Lord Ashford the only way he had been able to pull off half the jobs in the past was with a rare partner by his side. No, Kitty did not have to be his wife to do that. However, surely, there was some -honorable- way for things to work.

"What is wrong, Mr..MacDonald?"

"We need to talk privately and what I have to say is... going to cause distress for the Foresters, which I do not relish; however, when you hear what I have to say- you will understand. For now...I suggest we go back to our friends. "

Mrs. Forester was relieved when Kitty came back and Mr. MacDonald said he had the colonel needed to step away for a bit. However; she was confused-as was her husband- though he did not admit it to his wife- when Mr. MacDonald begged him to promise not to allow any man to allow to dance with Kitty. That is until he explained his reasoning.

"No, we are not a couple, but I have explained to her about some men up here and, I am afraid, a few of them are here tonight. They are not shall we say...friendly towards me? They would use flattery with you all and then, just because she has danced with me, do her harm just to try and get to me."

"That is horrible." Gasped Mrs. Forester.

"I agree."

It was only when the two men were by themselves did James drop the accent and speak low. "Dexter was in Bath eating with that pockmarked fellow, Kitty saw them. It was his name our rat refused to give out; I just know it. I highly suspect that second fellow is wondering the same thing I did upon leaving Netherfield about Miss Bennet; which, by the way, I was correct. She just told me what my gut instincts knew already."

"Dexter is back in town? Thought he was still down south."

"Yes, you heard correctly."

James ignored what came out of the colonel's mouth. "She is not safe to go back to Meryton for he is sure to have been told of what she witnessed, but the Foresters have to." There was no way Mrs. Forester could handle the pressure, and no way Colonel Forester could afford to get dragged into the mess; his hands would have been tied anyway. Lord Ashford and he cand not stand each other.

"That poor couple, especially the Colonel's wife cannot be blamed for another Bennet...mess? And Miss Bennet?"

"It is like this."