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Sergeant Parker and Mr. Gardiner arrived at Darcy’s at the same time the following morning.

“I have good news this morning, sir.” Parker removed a letter from his pocket.

“The two men who attacked Miss Bingley and her footman have been apprehended in Bath. As we suspected, they were going for another attempt on Miss Bingley. Our men were able to detain them until the constables arrived. Furthermore, they are the same two men who abducted Miss Bennet. The taller of the two bears the mark described by Miss Bingley and by the boy in Hertfordshire—a missing joint on the left index finger. He also bears the scars of Miss Bingley’s prior injury to him.

Our men had the opportunity to question the two men, and they have implicated Wickham in the attacks.

As the evidence suggested, he was physically present for Miss Bennet’s abduction. ”

“And what of Miss Bingley? Was she at all injured? ”

“No, sir. They were approaching her, but they were as yet some distance away. She is well guarded by her betrothed, Sir Robert Carter.”

“I must wait on Hurst immediately to inform him of all this, and I must write to Bingley as well. But it is imperative that I find a way to get a reliable friend into that club.” Parker had provided him with a comprehensive list of names from the previous evening, and Darcy had recognized many of them.

Several caused him serious concern. However, since his choice of friends did not run to libertines and rakehells, there was not a single name on the list that would be of use to him in gaining entrance.

Parker’s watchmen had seen the young women moving from the residence to the club across the back garden, but while there were several brunettes, it was impossible to determine if Elizabeth was one of them.

Mr. Gardiner consulted his watch. “I will write to Mr. Bingley on your behalf if that will free you to make haste to Mr. Hurst. What do you wish me to tell him?”

“That his sister’s attackers have been apprehended, and that he might wish to provide her with support as they are brought to justice. He may wish to travel to Bath immediately, or he may wish to wait until a date has been fixed for the trial. That should be sufficient, and I thank you.”

The three men agreed to dine together that evening and parted company. Darcy went immediately to the home in Grosvenor Square and sent in his card. Mr. Hurst was ensconced in the book room with the daily papers.

“Darcy. A bit early to offer you a glass of wine. Care for a cup of coffee?” He indicated a service with cups set up on a side table. “Help yourself. I can’t get on without the stuff.”

“Thank you.” When both men were seated again, Darcy began. “Hurst, for once I have good news.”

“Miss Bennet!”

“No. The good news is about Miss Bingley. The two attackers went back to make another attempt. I know it is unaccountable, but that is what they did. They were apprehended by the local authorities with the help of her betrothed and two of my Sergeant Parker’s men.

I am writing to Charles in the event that he would want to travel immediately to Bath to be with his sister.

He should at least make himself available to her during the trial.

I thought you might wish to do the same, as I understand Mrs. Hurst is already in Bath. ”

“And how did you learn of this second attempt?”

“We had reason to suspect she might be in some degree of danger, and we dispatched two of Sergeant Parker’s most reliable men to watch over her.

Her betrothed is also keeping close watch over her.

They participated in the arrest and have informed us that these are unquestionably the same two men who abducted Miss Bennet. ”

“Why did you suspect Caroline was still in danger?”

Darcy compressed his lips into a thin line.

“There have simply been too many abductions or attempted abductions of young ladies in recent weeks, and all of them are in some way connected to me.

First, we have Miss Bingley. It is commonly known that our two families are on terms of some intimacy.

Miss Bingley has visited at Pemberley with her brother and with you and Mrs. Hurst, and I have visited her brother at Netherfield.

Next, we have Miss Lydia Bennet, who was supposed to be seduced and abandoned in London.

She managed to thwart her tormentor until her father, uncle, and I could recover her; otherwise, her family would have been disgraced.

Most recently, we have Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

Although our engagement was not yet announced in the papers, the marriage contract was drawn up, and the date had been fixed for Michaelemas.

“There were too many similarities between the attempted abduction of Miss Bingley and the successful abduction of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. My man also informs me that several young maidservants who worked at Rosings may also have been taken and forced into lives of degradation here in questionable areas of London. Miss Bingley simply had the misfortune to be the only single young lady in a family with whom I am on terms of some intimacy. We could not take the chance that someone might try again.”

“Who is doing it? I must say, Darcy, this hits a little too close to home for my taste.”

“We believe we know the identity of the guilty person.” Darcy swallowed, recalling that the guilty person was his aunt.

“We need to accomplish several things before they can be brought to book. First and foremost, Elizabeth Bennet must be found and rescued before any harm comes to her. We appear to have succeeded in tying the two abductions together. We have Miss Bingley’s testimony as well as that of an eyewitness in Hertfordshire.

The murder of the footman will also be a compelling piece of evidence.

I remain hopeful that this matter will be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. ”

“I shall write to Louisa’s uncle today, but I can tell you right now he will not want me to travel there.

He’s always maintained that his daughter could have done much better.

” He refilled his cup and turned to Darcy.

“How may I be of service to you in all this? It’s the most damnable thing I’ve ever heard of. ”

Darcy was about to let the subject drop with his thanks when something caused him to stop. “I know you enjoy a good game of whist or piquet, Hurst. Do you ever frequent gaming establishments here in London?”

“Not often. A man can lose his fortune in less than an hour in one of those places. But I do enjoy an evening of what you might term deep play from time to time. The secret is to know one’s limit and to abide by it.”

“Do you know of a new private club . . .”

“Madame Charpentier’s in Audley Street? Right around the corner from your house, Darcy. Been there once.”

“And what was your impression?”

“I did not care for it.” Hurst lit a cigarillo, something Darcy had never seen him do before.

“Oh, the play seems honest enough of its kind. The wine and spirits are first rate, and the girls are pretty. But it does not take one long to discover that the upstairs are a scene of unspeakable vices. Opium and other drugs of course. Women, men, whatever’s wanted, they will procure it for you for a price.

London teems with innocents who can be bought and sold or simply snatched away, and they are said to be available upon request.” He smoked for a moment before continuing.

“I am a simple man. I enjoy good food and wine, I like to hunt and shoot, I enjoy playing cards. As for women, Louisa is a cozy enough armful, and I see no need for looking elsewhere. I suppose I must be fundamentally decent, because that sort of vice, true wickedness that harms the innocent, turns my stomach. It makes me angry. I had resolved never to return to that place.”

Darcy leaned forward in his chair, hands folded loosely on his knees. “What if I told you that we believe Elizabeth Bennet is in that house?”

Hurst’s eyes widened. He tossed the stub of his cigarillo into the fire before speaking. “Well, then we must get her out, and quickly. If Miss Bennet is in that house, more than her virtue is at stake. Her life is in danger. I am at your service, sir.”

Darcy smothered a curse. “So, you would consider returning there.”

“To assist in the rescue? By all means.”

“I am in your debt, Hurst. Would you do me the honor of dining with me this evening? It will be an informal dinner at about six o’clock. Miss Bennet’s uncle will be present, as will one of my men of business. We will use the time to discuss a strategic approach.” He stood and held out his hand.

Hurst stood and shook it. “I will be there, sir. But I shall be in my evening clothes in case we decide I should go in there tonight. And if Eliza Bennet is in that house, we should decide exactly that. You must believe me.”

The two men parted, and Darcy returned home.

He found a note on his desk from Mr. Gardiner indicating that he had written to Bingley and promising to return for dinner.

Darcy ordered a light luncheon to be brought, and as he ate, he stared into the fire, considering.

Matters were proceeding quickly, and although this brought a great measure of relief, it also opened up a new and exceedingly serious problem.

His aunt might or might not be brought down with the capture of the two murderers in Bath.

In his inmost thoughts, he hoped she would be.

The scandal could be outlived. It would be worth it.

In the event her age or sex or standing in the world prevented the law from operating, the family would need to put a stop to her.

Her victims must be provided for, and her ability to cause any more harm must be stripped from her.

London, Audley Street - Wednesday, August 5, 18__