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Jones and Barlow were up before the sun.

The forest was mostly quiet and gave the impression of solitude; an impression that was far from the reality of the day.

The two men walked up a low hill behind the cottage where they could see Pemberley’s roof rising above the verdant foliage of the trees.

On the way up the hill, they passed no less than four of the guards that surrounded Younge’s encampment.

Once they were well out of earshot of those at the camp, the two military men reviewed the plan for the day.

Besides themselves, the group that would ‘kidnap’ the ‘duchess’ would include Jones’s two shipmates and two of Barlow’s men.

Three would be left behind to keep the area secure, or at least that is what Younge and Mrs. álvarez believed.

Their actual task was to watch the two criminals and make sure that they did nothing to interfere with the plans or attempt an escape.

After discussing everyone’s roles, the two men returned.

They had excuses ready if Younge was awake and questioned their leaving, but he was not yet up, and no one here had orders left undone for either side.

Grinning from ear to ear, Younge strutted around as if he was lord of all he surveyed, not knowing that his smile made people cringe at the brown and black teeth within, though it was a trademark pirate smile.

He had spent the night dreaming of all the ways that he was going to enjoy his new wealth; his dreams so vivid he believed it was all but a foregone conclusion.

He was glad to see that his men were up and ready, seemingly as keen as he was for this day.

Afterall, the amount of money he would pay them, while less than he would have paid his ex-crew members, was more than most of them would see in ten years.

Jones seated himself on a rock and accepted a cup of steaming coffee from one of Barlow’s men.

Johanna álvarez had just finished her ablutions and got herself dressed.

After today she would never have to suffer this type of accommodation again as she would buy herself a house with all the luxuries in the New World.

There would be servants to perform all of the menial tasks, some of which she had to perform herself these last few days, like fetch water.

She started to think of her son, but forced her thoughts in a different direction, reviewing her plans to build an empire.

She intended to start with two houses of ill-repute, each having a place for men to gamble on games of chance to increase her profits significantly.

Then she would work her way into a business she would run behind the scene, and find a way to set up a market for things most found it hard to acquire.

She was quite pleased with herself and the plan she had put together as she made her way outside where the men were seated around the fire as the sun started its upward journey from the eastern horizon.

While those at the camp were making do for their breakfast, the men resident at the great house were breaking their fasts as Burnett was being dressed and prepared for his morning ramble. “Is everything set?” William asked, not for the first time.

“Yes William,” Richard re-assured him, “everything is in place. I must warn you that Burnett may have to think on his feet before we make the arrest. As I have told you before, few plans survive first contact with the enemy.

“Though we have the element of complete surprise, the two of them have no suspicion that their men are not in fact theirs, plans rarely execute as planned, so be prepared to adjust. Yes, they have been lulled into a false sense of security, and yes, I believe that at this point they have stopped considering failure altogether, but that does not mean they will like being forced into failure.” The men around the table all nodded in agreement and William relaxed some.

He wanted this to be over so that his duchess, his Elizabeth, could come home and they could move on without having to constantly look over their shoulders.

Just then David Burnett entered the breakfast parlour, and for a man he looked rather well as a woman.

He wore the dark wig arranged in a way that a good portion of his face was obscured; he was outfitted in one of Lady Anne’s older pale-yellow day dresses, and the ensemble was finished with a pair of lady’s walking boots that had been acquired in his size.

After he broke his fast, some powder would be applied so nothing would not be visible that showed he shaved unless a very close inspection was undertaken.

“I would walk with you anywhere, my dear!” said Richard as he bowed to the Captain. Regardless of their rank, he gave the rest of men a look that dared them to make fun of him, all wisely refrained.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Although still sad over her loss, Amy was feeling much better, so she and Tom joined the family to break their fasts that morning.

Tom pulled out a chair for her next to Lady Elaine as he went to the sideboard to make her a plate.

There was a crackle of anticipation in the air as today was the day that the threats against their family would be dealt with decisively.

“Lizzy, you are not eating this morning,” Lady Anne observed.

“Even though I am sure that everything will go well today, until I see William and the rest of the men all hale and healthy, I will not rest easy,” Elizabeth responded.

“That is understandable, Lizzy,” Lady Sarah agreed. “I am worried for your father and all of our men even though I know they will not be in harm’s way.”

“It is hard not knowing,” Lady Catherine stated. “However, we should know soon enough.”

“Let us pray that none of the brave men working to protect us gets hurt,” Elizabeth said. “It is my desire to personally thank all of the men who are working for the family’s and my protection, especially the three men who have been away from their friends and families for nigh on four months now.”

“I agree,” James added. “The men deserve our thanks and more.”

To change the subject, Elizabeth provided an update on the progress for the renovations for their current residence.

“The Chippendale’s manager wrote to inform me that they have started working on our order and that the first pieces for the master suite will be ready within a month.

We received profuse thanks, and he noted that the order will be fulfilled in its entirety over the next four to six months.

” Elizabeth looked at her Aunt Rose. “Thank you for informing me of the local furniture maker that you discovered in the village, Aunt Rose, he is most gratified at the order to replace all of the furniture for the servant’s quarters. ”

“I was most impressed by the quality of his work, Lizzy,” Lady Rose replied. “I understand that he had to hire some additional help with the large order that you placed with him. It will keep him busy for months to come.”

“In his missive yesterday, William told me that Tony had chosen to have his mother spared the executioner’s axe.” Elizabeth changed the subject yet again.

“Even though his mother deserves no less than a date with the executioner at the Tower…” Jane cut in.

“My Jane,” Marie interjected, “that is the harshest speech I have heard you make.”

“She wanted to harm our sister, so I have no sympathy for her,” Jane replied, her rare expression of anger telling all she would not be moved from her opinion.

“However, as I was saying before my much younger sister,” Jane teased Marie, “interrupted me, I believe that Tony made the right decision for his own well-being.” There was general agreement from the family members present.

“That young man has been a very pleasant surprise,” Lady Rose noted.

“And he has formed a strong connection with the Elliots. At least he will receive some measure of closure with his mother today. A sense of family is always a gift, and in this case, I believe he chose the best possible family except our own.”

Knowing that conjecture of what was happening at Pemberley would not gain them any knowledge, they dropped the subject and spoke about more mundane issues.

William had promised to send an express as soon as it was over, and in preparation the servants had begun preparations so that they would all be ready to depart as soon as it was received.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

As she watched the six men set out toward their destiny, Johanna álvarez ruminated about why she hated the first circles so much, most especially the ladies in upper crust of society.

Her mother, Matilda Green, was a maid in the household of a baron and baroness in the county of Carmarthen.

As her mother told it, she was a pretty and vivacious seventeen-year-old when she had begun her employment.

It had not taken long before Matilda had come to the notice of the master of the house who had seduced her mother and carried out an affair with her for many months under the mistress’s nose.

The Baroness had ignored her husband’s infidelity as long as there were no noticeable consequences or scandal.

Matilda had become with child six months after the Baron’s seduction of her had started.

She had hidden her state from the housekeeper, and therefore the mistress, for as long as she could.

Once her state became obvious, the mistress of the estate had branded her a harlot who had used her arts and allurements to cause her husband to stray.

Matilda had been cast out and the mistress would not hear of any accommodation being made for the poor maid.

Matilda was alone in the world and the only place that would take her in her state was a house of ill repute where she was employed as a maid.

Johanna had been named for Matilda’s late mother, and after she was weened her mother had begun to work as a lady of the night to bring in more money for herself and her daughter.