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“Think nothing of it, Miss Bennet.” Hurst patted her hand awkwardly.

“Any gentleman would have done the same thing. I shall continue to be of whatever service I can be. But I must say, it gave me the greatest pleasure to escort you out of there right under their very noses. They are despicable, and I am glad my little speech reached the better natures of the patrons.” Hurst seemed to have forgotten his usual sloth and indolence.

He shook her hand again before turning to Darcy.

“If you’ve no more need of me tonight, Darcy, I would like to get home to my bed.

I will wait on you tomorrow at—let us say noon? ”

“Allow me to send you home in my carriage, with one of Parker’s men.

We have no way of knowing how this will end.

You must be cautious.” Darcy stepped briefly into the front hall and ordered a carriage.

Parker came in by the front door and disappeared down the hall for a few moments.

When Darcy returned, he turned to Hurst. “I have no way to thank you sufficiently, Hurst. You have restored Elizabeth to us. I thank Heaven I mentioned it to you this morning.” The two men shook hands .

Parker returned. “Mr. Hurst is on his way home, and a guard will be in place at his house tonight. I have also dispatched a rider to Longbourn to let them know the good news. I suspect they may receive a visit from Mr. Collins tomorrow, and I had some suggestions for Mr. Bennet as to what to do. I am certain you will want to write at more length later, sir. Oh. And I ordered tea and sandwiches.”

Elizabeth was soon ensconced on a sofa by the fire in the book room, comforted by Darcy’s solid form just beside her. Someone gave her a cup of tea, and someone else loaded a plate with sandwiches and fruit. She ate hungrily and finally managed to ask, “What time is it?”

“A little before ten, dearest. Are you tired?”

“No. Not at all. I slept for several hours this afternoon. For these past two days, as I realized my situation, I believe sleep became a means of escape. I do not like to interrupt your conversation, Mr. Darcy, but there are one or two things of great importance. I would like to relate them while they are still fresh in my memory.”

“This is the ideal opportunity,” he replied. “Sergeant Parker enjoys my complete confidence as well as that of your uncle and father. You may speak freely.” He poured her another cup of tea and sat beside her again.

“First there is the question of the Olivers, Mrs. Oliver and her daughter, Ruth. They are from Hunsford, and Ruth was the parlor maid in the parsonage while we were all there last spring.” The three men listened intently as she related her story of the Olivers, beginning with the first encounter in what she called her “dungeon.” She continued with Mrs. Oliver’s history and finished with Ruth’s promise to await her return that same evening.

“I am somewhat concerned for several reasons. I wonder if they are in that establishment of their own free will. However, Mrs. Oliver seems to have fallen in with the will of her captors. Ruth was kind to me.”

Darcy took her hand and held it without saying anything.

“I know that eventually you will want the entire story of the abduction.

But for now, let me relate just one or two points.

She related the details of her capture and travel to London, her time in the cellar, and her interactions with Mrs. Younge.

“I learned today that the person in the chaise with me was George Wickham. He took part in my interview with Mrs. Young, and he may well have been in the club this evening.”

“Everything you have said bears out the observations of others, Miss Bennet,” replied Parker. “Right down to the boots, which left plenty of prints by the London road.”

“If Lady Catherine is in the habit of getting rid of people she does not like, then she is somehow making use of Mrs. Younge and of Wickham.” Elizabeth began to shiver, and Darcy put an arm around her shoulder. “My escape was fortunate indeed.”

Parker stood. “Miss Bennet, your observations are of invaluable assistance, and I hope we may speak further after you have rested. May I put just one more question to you and then I will importune you no more this evening.”

“Of course.”

“Can you recall anything of your two abductors, the two men who actually took you away?”

“Let me think. One was tall and somewhat stout. The other was shorter and had a more average physique.”

“What of their hands? Was there anything unusual about their hands?”

Elizabeth closed her eyes. “Yes. The taller man, the one who spoke and who placed his hand over my mouth was missing a part of his index finger. Let me think. He was missing a part of the index finger on his left hand.”

“We have them,” murmured Parker. “Thank you, Miss Bennet. And please be assured that a physician and a decent woman are attending to Miss Grant as we speak. We were just in time.” Turning to Darcy, he continued.

“I must go out to check on the guards and to see what is occurring in Audley Street. I shall return in a half-hour or so. At that time, you might wish to take Miss Bennet to her uncle’s home, where I presume she will be staying tonight. ”

He turned and left. Darcy’s arm tightened around Elizabeth as he sat looking at Mr. Gardiner. “Propriety demands that Elizabeth come to you and Mrs. Gardiner,” he said. “Yet I cannot give her up. I cannot allow her to leave, yet she cannot stay. I would marry her tomorrow if I could.”

“Mr. Darcy,” replied Gardiner in a voice filled with compassion.

“Any man would feel exactly as you do. I would feel the same way about my own wife and daughters.” He stopped and thought for a moment.

“I have a proposal. Come and stay with us in Gracechurch Street, at least for tonight. The brigands will not look for you there, as I doubt they know anything about my home or its location.” He smiled at Elizabeth, and she returned the smile.

“We have plenty of spare rooms, and with four children running about the house, you will be perfectly well chaperoned. As for marrying my niece tomorrow, the idea has merit, Mr. Darcy. What about the next day?” Elizabeth smiled up at Darcy, who said, “I would not wish to inconvenience Mrs. Gardiner too much by being an unexpected guest.”

“You need not worry. She will be so happy to see our Lizzy restored to us that she will not mind at all.”

“On the subject of marrying your niece day after tomorrow, I am for it. Let us discuss it tomorrow.” He smiled down at Elizabeth. “It would also make me happy if I could be just plain ‘Darcy.’ We do not need to be so formal. I hope by now we are good friends.”

“Agreed. If you will do the same for me.” Mr. Gardiner extended his hand, and the two men shook hands warmly.

Sergeant Parker returned, and Darcy stepped out to order his carriage and to have a bag packed for himself and one for Elizabeth.

They would have to concern themselves with Elizabeth’s clothing on the morrow.

As they prepared to leave, the housekeeper, Mrs. Peterson, appeared with a small bag which she handed to Elizabeth.

“A fresh gown for tomorrow and a few things of Miss Georgiana’s you might need. ” Elizabeth pressed her hand.

When all was ready, two footmen led the small procession out to the waiting carriage. Darcy assisted Elizabeth to enter and stood back to allow Mr. Gardiner to go next.

In a few minutes, the carriage arrived at the house in Gracechurch Street, and Elizabeth was in the arms of her delighted aunt. She enjoyed a night of deep, peaceful slumber in the certainty that Darcy was nearby.