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some who
believed young ladies were being sold in those areas,
young ladies who were English born and bred.
Elizabeth Bennet would be prime for selling. Not only
was she beautiful, she was intelligent and caring. The
very thought of Elizabeth being sold into some sort of
slavery was more than Darcy could accept.
~~ ** ~~
    Stopping at an inn to rest their horses and take
some food and drink, Darcy requested a private room
for their party to dine without interruption.
Fortunately, there was no such room to be found, and
the group was forced to share the dining room with
other travelers.
    As they were finishing their meal, a young man,
dressed in clothes of someone middle class,
approached their tables. “Gentlemen, I was
wondering if I could interest you in some trinkets to
take home to your ladies. I have several pieces which
would be perfect for a wife or girlfriend.”
“I am not interested.” Darcy stated as he waved
them off.
    Richard had other ideas. “Let me see the pieces
you have. I am in need of a gift for my mother’s
birthday.”
    Darcy instantly knew something was suspicious,
as Richard’s mother had celebrated her birthday more
than a month previously. Richard had purchased a
beautiful mare for her gift, as Lady Matlock was fond
of horses.
    The young man pulled a velvet pouch from his
coat pocket and opened it. Pouring the items from the
pouch onto the top of the table, the young man started
shifting items about.
    Almost instantly, Darcy recognized the garnet
necklace which was amongst the items. “Richard, I
believe your mother would enjoy that cross there.
She loves garnets and it appears to be in fairly good
shape.”
    Richard picked up the piece and nearly gasped.
On the back of the setting was an etching which was a
royal emblem, from Brunswick. He had seen the
emblem before, having been on military escort for
Princess Augusta several times when she was in
England. The only way this piece of jewelry could be
in the possession of this young man was if it were
stolen from someone of the royal family of Brunswick.
“How much for this piece?” Richard asked.
    “Ah, you have picked my best piece. It is quite
nice. I will let it go for ten shillings.” The young man
puffed himself up as he spoke.
    “Very good, I will take it.” Richard said as he stood
and acted as if he were reaching for his money in his
pocket. Instead, Richard reached behind him and
pulled his pistol. “Now, I suggest you place your
hands on the table and make no sudden moves.”
The young man’s expression deflated instantly.
“What is the meaning of this? Are you robbing me?”
    “No, we are arresting you for robbery and the
kidnapping of a member of the royal family. If I were
you, I would begin explaining how you came to be in
possession of this piece of jewelry. It was the
property of a member of the royal family.”
    Darcy was confused, but he did not say as much.
He recognized the garnet cross as Elizabeth’s, as she
wore it nearly every time he saw her. What was his
cousin rambling on about it belonging to a member of
the royal family? Was this his attempt to frighten the
suspect into confessing the information they
required?
    “I know nothing of no royal, I swear to you. It was
taken from a lady on a post carriage. No royal would
be on a post carriage. You must be mistaken.”
    “As a colonel in His Majesty’s army, I am placing
you under arrest for the robbery and kidnapping of a
member of the royal family. Do you see this mark on
the back of the setting? That is the emblem used by
the family of the Duke of Brunswick. This emblem on
the necklace can only mean the piece was stolen from
a member of their family. As such, it is within my
authority to have you arrested and tried for your
crimes. The penalty for abducting a royal is death. I
would be within my rights to carry out your sentence
immediately. Do I make myself clear?”
    The young man nervously nodded his head. Darcy
took hold of the