Wednesday morning, Meryton to London, England
With a new wheel on their carriage, Anne and her companions made good time to London.
They made a quick stop at Darcy House, to unload their luggage and Tilly. Lady Clara had made the point that the carriage could transport six for a short journey but not seven. If all went well, they would need space for three Bennets later that morning.
Next stop was the Barracks where they sent in a footman with the note, which asked Richard to meet them at Mr Bingley's house on a matter of urgency regarding the Earl Fitzwilliam. The footman reported that Captain Fitzwilliam had returned to London and would be available soon. He had left the note, with the captain's batman, Sam.
On the journey from Meryton, Anne had expressed her worries about the propriety of calling on Mr Bingley at his bachelor residence.
"Under normal circumstances, it would never happen," agreed Lady Clara "but it is an unusual situation, and we really need help. It is fortunate that Darce lives there and, of course, I will come in with you both."
They sent Simpson in first to have a word with Bingley's butler. Clara and Anne were very relieved that the street was deserted as they were ushered up the stairs and into the foyer. Georgiana just wanted to see her brother.
Sadly, the butler immediately put a dampener on that.
"Mr Darcy is not here," said the butler "but Mr Bingley and Mr Avery are in the breakfast room."
In fact, the noise of their arrival brought a curious Mr Bingley out of the breakfast room, in time to hear that remark.
He was very surprised to see them but recovered and encouraged the ladies to join them for breakfast.
As the ladies moved towards the breakfast room, Bingley quietly asked his butler. "Did you say Darce is out, this early?"
"Yes sir. I believe he went out over an hour ago, possibly with the Earl Fitzwilliam"
"I see" said Bingley and followed the ladies.
In the breakfast room, the ladies found that tall quiet young man, Mr Avery, whom they had met several times. He stood and bowed and to their greetings he answered, smiling, "Lovely to see you again, ladies, however unexpected."
He addressed them all, but his gaze was on Georgiana, something Clara had noticed on previous occasions. Georgiana was oblivious, as the only male attention she craved at this stage of her life, was from her brother. Clara thought Georgie was looking a little downcast, no doubt at the absence of said brother. "Poor darling" thought Clara.
"We have a serious problem, Mr Avery," said Anne "otherwise we would not be here."
Avery nodded "May I guess that your uncle the earl is causing your problem, Miss de Bourgh?
"You may."
"Sit down, ladies, and tell us how we can help you" said Bingley.
Before they could sit, the door knocker went again and Richard Fitzwilliam, in full military dress, was there, to the delight of his cousins and Lady Clara. Once greetings were exchanged and introductions made - Richard had met Bingley before but not Avery - the ladies were able to tell their tale.
Richard was incredulous "You mean to tell me John and Edmund thought these ladies were you and Georgie?"
"It's understandable in a way" said Anne "I cannot recall the last time I was in company with them. It was a very long time ago. One of the Bennet sisters is tall and blonde, the other two are shorter and brunette. John and Edmund refused to listen to the Bennets. They just decided one was Georgie, the others me and a maid!"
"They are as arrogant and stupid as their father." said Richard, smiling. "Let us make a plan to rescue these ladies. How I will enjoy that!"
A little tea and food was fortifying. A simple plan was made. They would storm into Fitzwilliam House and rescue the Bennet sisters. Bingley ordered his carriage and soon they were away.
Fitzwilliam House, London
At Fitzwilliam House, Jane Bennet sat quietly in a comfortable chair trying to stop her hands trembling. Have we made the worst mistake of our lives?
When the officer burst into the room, followed by several other people, Jane stood up, more in shock than politeness and for her, the next few moments took on an air of even more unreality.
"Unfortunately, Miss," said the officer to Elizabeth, "these people are my supposed family. Don't worry, you will not have to keep company with them for much longer. Hello Darce! It's been a long time! Did you come to rescue Georgie or give her away?"
"Richard" said Darce, "Good to see you too."
Jane gazed at the magnificent soldier for a long moment, then to her surprise and relief recognised the three ladies from the Meryton Inn.
She then looked at the other two men, one tall with long dark hair tied back, beard and spectacles and a serious demeanour. She knew him not.
The other? He was a little shorter than the others with a handsome, open countenance and reddish blond wavy hair. He was not smiling at this moment but looked as though he did often. Then he saw her, blinked, stared and a moment later, he smiled.
Her knees weak, Jane sat back down, her now slightly blurry gaze not leaving him for a moment, not now that she had found him again.
The events of the next few minutes washed over her, but she hardly took them in.
"As the lady said, Father" drawled the officer, "kidnap first and now imprisonment? What else? Of course! A couple of forced marriages."
"How dare you barge your way in here," cried the Earl. "This is not your home! You are not welcome here."
"I rejoice in that fact, I assure you." responded Captain Richard Fitzwilliam. "My stay here will be brief. Sadly, we share a name, and I would prefer my name to not be associated with greedy, sordid crimes against innocent ladies. This includes my cousins, one of whom, I might remind you, is merely sixteen years of age and my ward. It also includes any other ladies unlucky enough to encounter you or your repulsive sons."
"Uncle Henry," spoke Anne "as I told you clearly on the day of my birthday, I will never marry Edmund."
"And I will never marry John" said Georgiana.
"A woman has the right to refuse a marriage" said Anne.
There might have been a murmured "hear, hear" from Mary Bennet at that pronouncement.
"Nonsense! You don't know what you are talking about." seethed the Earl.
Another voice added "The young lady is correct."
The Earl looked askance at the Vicar having totally forgotten him. The Vicar continued "I don't think there will be any weddings here today. My Lord, I will take my leave."
"You will not mention this to anybody" It was an order not a request.
The Vicar blinked over his glasses. "My fee and a generous donation to my church roof fund… may help me forget… always leaking, you know."
"Ha!" laughed Richard "Your roof or your memory?"
"Both" replied the Vicar with a small bow.
The Earl exited the room with the Vicar. A glare and gesture from Richard, led to the immediate departure of John and Edmund.
"Ladies" cried Anne "allow me apologise profusely for the actions of some of my family."
The Bennets assured her she had nothing to apologise for.
"We didn't get a chance to introduce ourselves earlier. I am Anne de Bourgh, and these are my cousins Georgiana Darcy, Mr Darcy and Captain Fitzwilliam and friends Lady Clara Annesley, Mr Bingley and Mr Avery."
The Bennets acknowledge the introductions and introduced themselves.
"Mr Bingley" Jane thought happily. "How well that sounds."
Miss Darcy spoke up. "I would like to invite you ladies to come back with us to Darcy House. If you have not arranged London accommodation you are welcome to stay with us for as long as you like."
Elizabeth was uncertain but Anne added her entreaties, and it was agreed that the Bennets would stay at Darcy House for at least the next couple of days.
Mr Bingley made his way to Jane's side, and they conversed softly as they left the house and walked down the stairs.
Bingley tore his attention away from Jane long enough to ask Captain Fitzwilliam to come back to Bingley's house for a discussion about the ladies' security.
"Darce, are you coming with us?" asked Bingley
"Yes" said Darce
The Bennets' luggage was found and loaded onto the Darcy carriage and they departed for Darcy House escorted by the gentlemen in their carriage.
Outside Darcy House, Anne asked the gentlemen to return that night for a celebratory dinner party.