PP AU Non-Canon General Regency

Previously:

A collective gasp followed by an excited murmur swept through the room. Members of the de Bourgh and Bennet families and friends erupted into applause, and congratulations were offered with genuine warmth, even from those convinced the world had gone mad with such a union. The room buzzed with newfound energy, and the couple was immediately surrounded by well-wishers.

Attack on the Bryce's

Ch. 21

Celebrating a newly engaged couple was not on the Bryces' mind as their carriage rattled steadily along the winding roads which lead toward Rosings Park. The early fall landscape a blur of dark oranges and reds outside the window. Inside, Lord Hayden Bryce sat opposite Lady Charlotte, the steady rhythm of the wheels providing a comforting backdrop to their journey.

"It feels good to be on the final stretch, does it not, my dear?" Charlotte remarked, glancing at the colorful countryside. "Rosings Park is but a few hours away and, while I am not attempting to complain, I am quite tired of being in this carriage."

Hayden smiled warmly. "Indeed. I am eager to arrive. The air here is so crisp and invigorating; Alexander and I have much to discuss."

Their coachman, a loyal servant who had been with the Bryces for at least a decade-if not more, urged the horses onward, their pace quickening as the sun began its descent. However, the peaceful journey was abruptly interrupted when, around a secluded bend in the road, four hooded men emerged, holding guns, blocked their path.

"Whoa!" The coachman pulled the reins tight, bringing the carriage to a sudden halt.

Before Lord Bryce and Lady Charlotte could react, the doors were flung open and two masked figures grabbed them. The leader of the group, a tall man stepped forward.

"Hand over the documents," he demanded in a rough voice. "We know you carry important papers from Scotland."

Lord Bryce feigned surprise, knowing he could not let on he had expected something like this long before now. "What is the meaning of this? We carry nothing of value to you!"

"Do not play games with us," the leader hissed, pulling a dagger from his belt. "Give us the papers, or we will search the carriage ourselves."

Lady Charlotte clutched her shawl, her eyes wide with fear; quite a convincing act herself. Lord Bryce placed a reassuring hand on hers and, with a measured breath, reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a stack of papers he had prepared for just such an occasion.

"Here," he said, handing them over. "Take them and leave us in peace. Though what those papers will do for you, I have no clue; they are simply marriage and death certificates, nothing more."

The leader snatched the papers from Lord Bryce, rifling through them quickly. Satisfied, he tucked them into his own cloak. "Smart choice. These are definitely the real documents. I am glad you were not stupid enough to try to trick us."

As the attackers began to retreat, one of the younger men, evidently nervous, turned to the leader and muttered, "What if Lord Dawes finds out we let them go?"

The leader shot him a fierce look, but it was too late. The name had been said aloud. Lord Bryce was not surprised to hear the man's name uttered; he had heard the baron's name whispered in London.

"Lord Dawes?" Lady Charlotte asked, her voice calm despite the situation. "What does he have to do with this?"

The leader's eyes narrowed. "That is none of your concern. Be grateful you are unharmed. We were supposed to harm you, but I have no interest in hanging."

With that, the men melted back into the forest, leaving the carriage and its shaken occupants behind. The coachman quickly reassembled himself and the horses, readying them to continue their journey.

Lord Bryce leaned back in his seat, a contemplative look on his face. "It appears Sir Lewis pulled in more than simply Mr. Timmson." He then looked up at the coachman. "I thank you for not saying word about those papers, nor where the real ones are."

"I would not dream of it, my Lord, now let us get you to Rosings Park."

Lady Charlotte nodded, her grip on his hand loosening. "At least they did not get what they came for. We must inform Alexander as soon as we arrive."

"I plan on it."

The carriage resumed its journey, the atmosphere inside much tenser than before. The knowledge that Lord Dawes was somehow involved kept Hayden's mind occupied more than he would have liked. The gentleman was known for being a horrible classist, extremely egotistical and it would not surprise the Scottish baron if Robert had dealt heavily with the late Mr. Timmson Senior.

Hayden himself had met Mr. Bradley Timmons long before he had ever heard of anyone down in Hertfordshire, Kent, or even Derbyshire. He recalled the first meeting vividly; it was during a business luncheon in a private room of a prestigious London club. Timmons, with his hair done 'just right' and wearing the latest suit in fashion, had approached Hayden with a proposal too good to be true.

"Lord Bryce, I have an opportunity that guarantees returns most around us only dream of," Timmons had begun, his voice sounded as if honey were dripping far too thinly from his lips. He presented a portfolio filled with figures that were far too complicated to reasonably follow and obscure references that no one in their right mind would believe. Hayden, an investor of many years, noticed how Timmons expertly avoided direct questions, instead he craftily turned their conversation with grand promises. "Just trust me, my lord, the risks are minimal to anyone involved," Timmons had insisted, his smile never reaching his eyes. Crumb, they had never even reached his ears. Hayden, sensing the dishonest nature of the man, had courteously declined and walked away, never having the feeling of unease really go away until Mr. Timmons had left the room.

The baron had steadfastly remained away from being swayed by anymore of Timmons' propositions, even when presented by others. Despite their brief interaction, Timmons' reputation as an unscrupulous solicitor preceded him, so Alexander had not needed to say much, if anything, to have Lord Bryce have a backup plan in place while traveling through England even though the old man was dead.

Now, with an actual attack occurring, Lord Bryce's mind turned to Lady Catherine's late husband. The very fact that Sir Lewis would have engaged with Mr. Timmons Senior, a man known for his unethical practices, was more than perplexing—it was outright alarming. He hoped the papers they brought, along with what had been found would cement in whatever Sir Lewis had felt the need to conceal through his correspondence and dealings through Timmons.

Charlotte, upon seeing her husband stroking his beard, asked if everything was all right. "Just thinking about the documents we carry. They really should be the key pin that holds everything together as to proving Mr. Bennet's tie into the de Bourgh line as Lord de Bourgh as told us. At least as far as I can tell it does."

"Well, if it does not, I am sure the Earl will let us know, so, relax. There is nothing more we can do. Let us just pray there is no other attack for we have no more back up papers."