Wednesday, Darcy House reception room
"I am satisfied with the morning" said Anne after their last visitor left. "Enough callers to be interesting, not enough to be exhausting."
"Some invitations, too" said Clara "Alicia mentioned a ball. She will send invitations for us all, and to the gentlemen as well."
"We will have to practice our dances" said Anne "What do you think about a ball, ladies?" she asked.
"I love to dance" said Elizabeth "but it has been a while. We weren't attending the assemblies at home. Practicing is a good idea! Was Lady Dean your mother's friend?"
"Yes, and Clara's" said Anne "I have always been very fond of her. Mrs Hurst has invited us for dinner, one day next week."
Georgie said. "Good things about not being out: No intimidating balls or dinners."
"I am sure you will be ready to enjoy balls and dinners one day, Georgie. I know that Jane will enjoy another dinner with Mr Bingley."
"Indeed, I will." said Jane.
"We will all enjoy an evening with Miss Bingley." said Elizabeth to their amusement.
"You had quite a talk with her, Elizabeth." said Clara.
"An interesting character, and potentially intimidating, as Mr Darcy said."
"Darce said that, did he? He should know."
"Mr Bingley invited us to set a day for our walk, now that the weather is better." said Jane.
"I am looking forward to that" said Elizabeth "I have not done any walking lately!"
"How is your story going, Elizabeth?" asked Anne
"Good. I need to visit Graingers to give Uncle Albert the revised manuscript."
"Whenever you go, you must take a carriage." said Anne.
"I will. Is the carriage available today?"
"Yes, we're not going anywhere."
"Then I might as well go now. Jane, will you come with me?"
"Of course, Lizzy."
Wednesday afternoon – Graingers Bookshop
Elizabeth and Jane waited at Graingers, chatting with May, while Albert read over the changes to the manuscript.
Later they returned to Darcy House with the manuscript and a large supply of paper, pen and ink. Albert wanted three fair copies made to show publishers.
"I will help you Lizzy." said Jane
"Thank you, Jane. Your writing is so much neater than mine."
Friday morning – a London Park
It was a lovely morning two days hence when the gentlemen of Mr Bingley's abode met the ladies of Darcy House for a walk.
Bingley hastened to Jane's side, Richard walked with Anne, and Darce with Clara, Georgie and Mary. Elizabeth noticed that Darce carried a very pretty walking stick that matched his outfit. Matthew Avery approached Elizabeth.
"May I walk with you?" he asked.
Elizabeth smiled. "Of course, Mr Avery."
"You like to walk?"
"I like to walk fast. Parks are not the same as fields and hills. I am missing my walks at home, but this is very lovely."
"Tell me about your favourite walk back home."
"Oakham Mount. A long walk, a steep ascent, a convenient log and great views."
"There's not much like that here in London."
"No, here I must walk in the park, keeping to the paths, suitably chaperoned and guarded. Have you always lived in London, Mr Avery? Or is your home elsewhere?"
"Elsewhere, Miss Elizabeth. Like you, I am estranged from the place I call home. London still doesn't feel the same."
"I know. Darcy House is lovely, but I am feeling a bit lost. I am not a city person. I hope one day to live in the country again. Why did you have to leave your home?"
"After my father died certain happenings set me adrift. I had to start again. Take a few risks. One step at a time."
"Yes. You know, I thought getting to London would be reasonably risk-free. The dangers would all be found in London. Of all days, for the post coach to be late! "
"That's always the way. Unexpected things happen. Some are good, like your sister and Bingley."
Elizabeth looked surprised. "You know…"
"Bingley told us what happened. A romantic story! Be assured, Miss Elizabeth, Bingley is a very good man."
"I am happy to hear that, Mr Avery."
"Do you have any other friends in London?"
"Our Uncle and Aunt Gardiner usually reside in London, but they went to India."
"Permanently?"
"Just for a year, but it's been longer. Recently, Jane and I caught up with some old friends, at Graingers Bookshop."
"Graingers? You ran into some friends there?"
"Mr and Mrs Grainger are our Aunt Gardiner's own uncle and aunt. We particularly wanted news of the Gardiners as we have not heard from them for over a year.
"That is worrying."
"It was, but the Graingers were able to reassure us. There was an interesting coincidence. When Mr Grainger heard we were staying at Darcy House, he mentioned Mr Darcy's books. Mr Darcy has had several boxes of books brought to Graingers for sale in recent times."
"I see."
"I know you do, Mr Avery."
"You would know that I am buying those books, Miss Elizabeth."
"Why?"
"I wish to have my own library."
"Is it really that simple?"
"Yes it is."
They were interrupted as Darce caught up with them
"Danger approaches." cried Darce "I'll look after Miss Elizabeth."
"What? Where?" Matthew looked around but couldn't see anything dangerous. Their two accompanying footmen were calm and unruffled. Their security guards could not be seen but Matthew knew they were nearby.
A small group of women were approaching their group from behind but that was all.
"What are you about, Darce?"
"Sorry Matthew" Darce said "My need of Miss Elizabeth's company is greater than yours. If you could deflect the attack, I'd be most appreciative." Darce took Elizabeth's arm.
"Mr Darcy" came a distant cry. "Mr Dar…ceee"
"Oh dear" laughed Elizabeth "is that Miss Bingley?"
"Whatever you do Miss Elizabeth, don't leave me. I may need saving."
"Mr Darcy, surely you could defend yourself with that pretty walking stick."
"I'll tell you a secret, Miss Elizabeth. It may look pretty, but it's really a lethal weapon."
"Sure, it is." Elizabeth sounded doubtful.
"It is. It turns into a sword."
"Oh, one of those. My father had one."
They set off, arm in arm, walking briskly.
Left behind, Matthew saw the following group was indeed a puffing Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst and a maid.
They soon caught up to the group and Miss Bingley gazed resentfully after Darce and Elizabeth, who were a bit ahead but still visible. Her lack of air made it impossible for further pursuit. Indeed, the party stopped, which meant Darce and Miss Elizabeth were getting further in front and were about to round a bend in the path.
"Hello Caroline, Louisa" said Bingley. "How surprising to see you this morning. The servant messenger service must be working well."
Caroline and Louisa had enough air between them for suitable greetings and to protest their brother's dig.
"Really Charles, you do talk nonsense." said Louisa.
"There is nothing nicer than a walk in the park." puffed Caroline. "Should Miss Elizabeth be walking off into the distance with Mr Darcy?"
"Why not? You would." muttered Charles.
Richard said, "If we get going again, we will be able to catch up with them."
Just then there was a shot, a scream and another shot from around the bend.
"Lizzy" cried Jane and started to run
"Stay back. Charles…stop her!" Richard drew his sword and ran.
Charles held on to Jane who struggled. "I have to get to Lizzy!"
"No, you don't!"
Lady Clara grabbed Mary and Georgie in case they got any ideas. Miss Bingley wailed "Mr Darcy Mr Darcy!" Her sister grabbed her arm.
"You two" cried Matthew to the footmen. "Stay here." He followed Richard. Hastie and another man appeared from behind the vegetation at the side of the path.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth was still laughing at Miss Bingley's pursuit as they rounded the bend. There she saw a man run out of the trees ahead, two pistols raised at them. He stopped, fired, and Elizabeth screamed gripping Darce's arm and pulling hard, down and right. Unbalanced, they fell. Another shot. They hit the ground, a tangle of limbs; Darce swearing and groaning, blood on his shoulder. "Stick" he said trying to get up.
Elizabeth could now see two other men behind the first, who was trying to reload. From nowhere, Simpson knocked him down and they fought. One of Simpson's men tackled the second.
The third man was approaching Elizabeth and Darce, knife in hand.
"The stick" cried Darce still trying to get up and failing. "Where is it? Give it to me."
His voice got to her. Elizabeth spotted the walking stick, managed to free herself from Darce's legs, grabbed the stick and unsheathed it. She didn't give it to Darce but rose on shaky legs just as the knife wielding man reached them.
Richard
Around the bend, there were two, no three fights in progress, Simpson and another. Darce was down but trying to get up, blood on his shoulder. A man with knife was trying to get to Darce but Miss Elizabeth stood over him, stabbing wildly with Darce's walking stick, now a neat sword stick. The man's hands and wrists were bloody.
Richard charged at the one threatening Elizabeth and Darce. He took one look at Richard and bolted. Soon the other fights resolved in their favour.
Matthew was there. He stood in front of Darce and Miss Elizabeth who was staring glassily and still waving the sword.
"Miss Elizabeth" he said. "Miss Elizabeth." She stared at him but did not seem to hear him.
Richard put away his sword, then addressed Miss Elizabeth,
"Miss Elizabeth, look at me" Richard said softly. She did look up at him. "It's alright now. You did very well. Would you like to give me the sword stick?"
She looked at it and nodded. To his relief she handed it over. She looked like she might faint, so he told her to sit down. She did.
He found the sheath of the sword stick and turned it back into its pretty disguise.
Richard turned his attention to Darce, who had managed to sit up and was clutching his left shoulder. Matthew had undone Darce's cravat and was making a pad of it.
"Were you shot or stabbed?" asked Richard.
"Shot, just a graze I think, but it hurts like hell. They were waiting for us as we rounded the bend. Miss Elizabeth saw them and pulled me down. Saved my life. Would have been my heart. The second shot missed."
Matthew said "Here, put this on your shoulder and press as hard as you can."
Richard assessed the situation. Of the three villains, one had got away, two were currently knocked out. Simpson and his colleague were tying them up. Bruises all round but only one injury, Darce.
He picked up the pistols and looked at them carefully. A duelling pair. Not terribly accurate. Darce was lucky.
Miss Bingley must have got away from her sister, for she steamed around the bend with purpose, followed by Charles and Jane.
"Mr Darcy" cried Caroline "You are injured!" She launched herself at him and threw her arms around his neck. Darce went down again, swearing and groaning in pain. Charles dragged Caroline off Darce, who apparently decided to stay where he was, eyes closed.
"Caroline, you idiot!" cried Charles "Only you would try to compromise a man who's just been shot."
"Miss Bingley that was uncalled for." said Richard "What on earth were you thinking?"
"Pemberley, of course." said Matthew
Jane sat down beside Elizabeth and put her arms around her. Elizabeth put her face on Jane's shoulder and cried, as did Jane, in sheer relief.