P & P

Hidden in Plain Sight

Previously:

Richard shot his own grin back and then gave his farewells, headed out the door, and climbed into the carriage. His mind now on Mr. MacDonald, Miss Thayne; he could not—even at this moment—risk thinking of them in connection with their true names. That would be done only in front of one man, and under certain conditions.

Visit to Longbourn

Ch. 23

Mr. Bennet's footsteps could be heard coming down the hall from his library, and the cooks were busy in the kitchen. Mary was busy writing letters at the dining room table, and her baby bump was barely beginning to show; her husband was answering the door as a knock had come.

It was a post from Elizabeth. There had been no luck in finding Kitty. A few signs of a lady's clothing, but none that were a definite sign of being their sister's. Mr. Bennet's face could not be read when he was handed the note.

"Do you think she will ever be found?" Mary asked softly.

Has she been allowed to be found? was a question Mr. Bennet kept to himself and was only asked because of the conversation which had occurred between himself and Anne. And if that was the case, why had she not been returned? Hearing wheels crunching gravel with every turn, Mr. Bennet and the others looked out the dining room window.

"I do not recognize the carriage, do you?" Mary asked from where she sat at the table.

"It is military." Mr. Bennet instantly recognized that fact. "And that is a colonel's insignia on the door." Sure enough, when the carriage stopped, Colonel Fitzwilliam could be seen stepping down onto the gravel and coming up the steps. "I wonder what he wants."

"Looks to be on a mission," Kyle spoke just as Richard knocked on the door.

"Hello, Colonel Fitzwilliam, come on in."

"Hello, Mr. Johnston. Thank you, but no thanks. I need to talk to Mr. Bennet, outside."

Mr. Bennet went, and his daughter's husband, along with Mary, shot each other quizzical looks. They watched the two men climb back into the carriage and drive off. It made them extremely curious, but knowing it would do them no good to stare out any window, they went back to their tasks.

Mr. Bennet, unconcerned about any tasks back at Longbourn, turned to Richard. "What is going on? Why could we not simply talk in my library?" It just seemed a bit odd to be talking in a carriage. "Is it really that imperative we take a ride while having our talk?"

"Maybe not," Richard sighed. "However, I could not risk what I have to say being overheard by anyone, and I mean no one." The colonel had been told by Anne what had transpired between her and Thomas in his library and spoke slowly. "I do not think you realize just how many mixed feelings that caused among our group."

"Why would it cause mixed feelings?" Thomas was not sure whether to be upset or not, and his contorted face showed it. "She is Jane's sister; personally, I want to thank the man for going up to try and save Kitty from harm. It is not like he kidnapped her."

"This thing has gotten crazy, fast!" James hollered at Richard as he got Iona onto a horse, along with other servants jumping onto theirs. "Iona and I will talk later; please, go and do what I cannot, speak on my behalf. I know where those men are going thanks The rest of us are going after those bastards and we will get Lord Ashford's grandson back too. You know how to get word to me!" The man shouted with flames licking the sky behind them as the group then raced away from the burning mansion. "Thank heavens no knew just how little that place was really used!"

The colonel shook the picture from his mind as he took a deep breath. "There are some things you have not been told, and Anne could not tell you, for your lady was not told all the details; though she figured things out and told me off. Please, do not get mad at her for not voicing those speculations to you at the time she was talking to you, and hear me out before deciding what you think."

"Fine, what is going on?"

Richard explained who, or what, Mr. Hurst really was, that alone almost dropped Mr. Bennet's jaw even- he had guessed law, but not that high of connections. "You must not admit what I just told you to anyone; I would not be telling it to you except the Chancellor gave me permission given the situation and, well, let me finish with the first part and then we will get to the other." The colonel explained what had happened at the restaurant with Kitty and the Foresters, of Mr. Dexter and his man. And what danger Kitty had, unwittingly, been put into simply because she had an exceptionally sharp eye and mind.

"So, Mr. Hurst had no choice but to stage a kidnapping?"

"We had no choice. Yes, he threw out the idea; however, if I am to be honest…it was one the whole group already had; James simply was the one to speak it first. And now? We are relieved we did."

"Why?" Again—when told—Mr. Bennet's jaw almost hit the carriage's floor. "I knew Kitty had a brain, realized she could pick things up fast; however, I must admit I did not realize just how quickly it could be done." He did not fail to notice Richard rubbing the reins more than usual. "What are you needing to tell me that you are dragging your feet on? What is so bad? Is she now dead?"

"Kitty was very much alive last time I saw her. However," The colonel sighed. "Apparently, those who have the Chancellor's grandson have gotten it into their heads to gun for not only Mr. Hurst; I cannot say the name he is going by, but your daughter as well. She cannot come home at this time any more than she could when Mr. Hurst got to Brighton. He really had hoped to get there sooner. He is worried you will not believe that."

"Considering everything you have just told me; I believe him. And, even if you had not told me of his true profession…" Thomas lifted a hand. "Seeing the fact he dropped his act, now that I know it was an act, and knowing my own past, I see no reason not to give him credit for going up to try and save Kitty." He then asked what else needed to be said.

"He well…" Richard sat up straight, figuring he might as well spit it out. If Thomas was going to be upset, well, there was nothing he could do about it. "He has finally admitted to himself his true feelings towards Kitty. He is going to talk to her about them. And he would like your permission to marry her. Unfortunately, considering the circumstances, he cannot ask you himself. Also, due to the way things are going—and seeing as to where James has figured out where Lord Ashford's grandson has been taken—would you still speak to them if they wed in Scotland?"

"They would have to be wed by irregular laws." Mr. Bennet stiffened and then loosened up. "I mean, after what you just told me- I cannot see banns being read."

"Most likely." Richard sighed. "He would prefer to have banns read, a regular church wedding, and a preacher. However, as stated, given the situation…it simply is not safe to do so. It would put a larger target on their backs then what is already there."

"He has my blessing as long as they have a regular marriage as soon as it is possible for them to do so if my daughter says yes," sighed Mr. Bennet. "I will keep quiet. However," Mr. Bennet laid a hand on the colonel's arm. "I beg of you, if I have to put on the act of a lifetime, promise me—if at all possible—have them send me something, anything, to let me know Kitty is really safe?"

"Fair enough. And, yes, you will have to continue acting as if you are in the same position as the rest of the family...I would tell you not to tell Anne but, like I just told you, she has already filled my ear. When asked about this visit, put on the gravest face and say Kitty's body has been badly burned up north. Tell them I was ordered to take you for a drive and tell you alone."

"I hope the ones causing all this headache burn and rot." Thomas could not help but snap and then sighed. "I just want to see Kitty." He did not fake the tears which began to slide down as the carriage turned around. "Here…" Taking his chain and pocket watch out of his vest, Mr. Bennet handed it to Colonel Fitzwilliam. "Give that to Kitty."

Mr. Bennet, when he was let out at Longbourn, did not stop his tears as he entered the front door. Mary, upon seeing her father's wet cheeks, hurried over to him. "The colonel was told to take me on a ride alone and inform me that Kitty's body was found badly burned up north."

Mary screamed and fainted, something Mr. Bennet was prepared for. Mr. Johnston hurried down the hallway and took over Mary's care and watched as her father walked silently down to his library, entered it, and shut the door.