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happened to the other
occupants of the carriage?”
    “Those poor dear girls. The one who was a maid
was frightened, crying terribly. The other one, dear
me, what was her name, well, she was standing up to
the men. When they did not find any fortune, as they
had suspected, they took the young ladies, pulling
them onto the horses and rode off with them.”
“Was the one young lady named Miss Elizabeth
Bennet?” Darcy begged her.
    “Why yes, that was her name. Fiery young lady,
though I do not hold hope for her being able to escape
those men. They were frightfully evil, even with their
faces covered.” Mrs Freemont began to tear up. “The
men spoke of selling the ladies to a ship. I believe I
heard one of the men say something of ships to
Antigua. Those dear girls will be sold to some
barbarian and forced to be a slave.” Mrs Freemont lost
all control of her tears, as they came pouring down
her cheeks.
    “Mrs Lackney, would you be kind enough to send
word to Mrs Gardiner? I believe she will wish to
know what has happened to her niece. I will begin a
search for the ladies immediately.” Darcy stated as he
prepared to leave the inn.
    “We will investigate the matter, Mrs Lackney.”
Richard announced. “As a colonel in His Majesty’s
army, it is my duty to protect the people of England.”
    Georgiana was beginning to cry as her brother and
cousin assisted her into the carriage. All the way back
to Pemberley, the men spoke of where they would
begin to search for the ladies, while Georgiana sat
quietly. As they arrived at the front steps of the grand
house, Darcy began barking out orders to his servants.
    “We need several horses saddled and prepared to
leave as soon as possible. I require three or four men
to ride with my cousin and myself. We will be
searching for the ladies who were abducted from the
post carriage.”
    “Mr Darcy, Jim in the stable might be able to assist.
His cousin was the post driver. They spoke the night
after the robbery. He may know more about the
situation.”
    “Very good, Rupert. Have Jim meet me in my
study quickly. And have Fletcher pack a bag for me.
We will be in the study, looking over the map.” Darcy
was striding quickly in the direction of his private
study.
Georgiana took hold of her cousin’s arm. “Richard,
I am frightened for William.”
    “Have no fear, Sprite. I will look after him. Now,
promise me, you will remain in the house unless you
are accompanied by at least two armed men. And I do
not want you to leave the estate, not for any reason. I
have a feeling Miss Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle will be
on their way to Lambton soon. Keep in touch with
Mrs Lackney. When the Gardiners arrive in the area, I
believe your brother would find it appropriate for
them to be invited to stay here. You have already
been introduced to Mrs Gardiner, there should be no
difficulties.”
    Georgiana decided that it was not the time to
inform her cousin that Mr Gardiner was in trade, for it
would not matter to Richard.
~~ ** ~~
    Within two hours, Darcy, Richard, Jim and three
other men were all mounted and on their way to
search for the missing ladies.
    The men were certain that, if Mrs Freemont had
heard correctly when she heard Antigua, and the
information Jim had heard from his cousin, the best
port to begin searching would be Liverpool. From
there, ships would be traveling to the islands.
    Darcy could not allow himself to think of what
might happen to Elizabeth. Every time his mind
drifted in that direction, his heart felt as if someone
placed his chest into a vice, squeezing the life from
him.
    Jim stated his cousin was certain the highwaymen
would head west, but he was unsure whether to the
north or to the south of where the robbery and
abduction occurred. Richard was of an opinion they
would head to Liverpool, as there had been word as
recent as a month previous which spoke of ships
making the journey to the islands and South America
from the ports at Liverpool. There were