you understand what’ll happen if I go stormin’ in there? Do you want Denny and his gang shootin’ up the town? Three lawmen against a dozen trained killers? There are more things to think about than one foolish girl!”
Charlotte stared at the two men in shock. Her father was flushed while Smith would not meet her eye. “Paw—”
Lucas cut her off. “No more, Charlotte. Not another word. I’ve said my piece. Now, get yourself back to the house. Smith, go walk her home.”
“No, Paw. It’s not necessary. I can find my own way home. To be honest, I’d rather not suffer your company, or Smith’s, any more than I have to tonight.” Charlotte did not wait to hear her father’s response, as she was out the door the next instant. But she did not head towards their house at the edge of town. Instead, she made her way to the livery stable.
As usual at Pemberley, the Darcys had their supper early and had their top hands join them. They were half- finished with their meal, and José was in the middle of an amusing story about a priest and a rabbi in a saloon, when Reynaldo approached the table.
“
Both men exchanged confused glances before Darcy told his butler to escort the lady in. The confusion was doubled as Charlotte was introduced.
“Miss Lucas,” Darcy greeted her, “you are very welcome, but may I ask why you’re here—alone, I take it? Has something happened to your father?”
The agitated girl shook her head. “No, no, he’s fine. Please excuse me, Miss Gaby, but I have to talk to Fitz right now!” She glanced at Darcy. “And, perhaps, you too, Mr. Will.”
Darcy looked at Fitz. “Very well, shall we adjourn to my study?”
“Charlotte, are you
“Of course, I am!” she returned with some heat. “Do you think I rode all this way in the evening to tell you tales?”
William turned from staring out the window. “Miss Lucas, please calm yourself. We believe you. It’s just… so… fantastic.” He turned back to gaze outside. “All this time we’ve been looking for her and she’s been right under our noses.” He sighed.
“This changes things, Will,” said Fitz. “What’re we going to do?”
“What do you mean?” Charlotte cried. “Aren’t you going to help her? Are you scared of Whitehead, too?”
Fitz tried to soothe her. “Charlotte, please, if Miss Lily went there of her own free will… well… what
“Tell her family,” said Darcy quietly. “They deserve to know. But,” he turned to face the room, “I want to make certain that Miss Lily did go there and wishes to stay there voluntarily. Miss Charlotte, you said she looked… how?”
The girl thought. “Sad… frightened. She was scared of the man in the room.”
Darcy nodded. “That’s good enough for me. I’m going into town. Fitz?”
Fitz jumped to his feet, still holding Charlotte’s hand. “Of course I’m comin’! But I think we’re goin’ to need some help.”
Darcy was already moving to his gun case. “Four men—no more. We leave in five minutes.” He belted on his Colt. “Whitehead and Denny are out of town. We ride light.”
Darkness had fully fallen by the time the riders from Pemberley reached Rosings. Over the protests of Fitz, they made their way to the sheriff’s office rather than storming the Whitehead building. Dismounting, Darcy, Fitz, and Charlotte went inside.
“Evening, Sheriff,” Darcy said, while Fitz only glared at his girl’s father.
“Darcy,” Lucas returned before he spoke to Charlotte. “I thought I told you to go home—”
Fitz interrupted him. “She was doin’
The sheriff got to his feet while Deputy Smith watched uncomfortably. “You can’t speak to me like that in front of my daughter, Fitzwilliam! She ain’t your wife—yet—and never will be, if I have my say about it!”
“Stop it, both of you!” cried Charlotte.
“Miss Charlotte is right,” Darcy agreed. “We’ve got more important things to discuss than courtship.” The other two men were properly embarrassed. “I understand that Lily Bennet’s been seen in Whitehead’s place. My men and I are going over there to talk to her. What I want to know is if you’re going to join us.”
Lucas looked Darcy dead in the eye. “You know what this means?”
“I do.”
“You gonna see this all the way through? You and all your men?”
Darcy glanced at the floor. “I wasn’t ready before, but I am now.” He returned Lucas’s stare. “All the way. You either help or get out of the way. This is war.”
Lucas sat back, considering. “Aw, hell.” He shook his head. “I guess I ain’t gonna live forever. Smith!”
The deputy jumped. “Yessir!”
“Go to the hotel and get Jones. Tell ’em I need him here. We’re payin’ a call on Mr. Whitehead.”
Fifteen minutes later, Sheriff Lucas and Darcy approached the front door of the Whitehead building along with one of the Pemberley riders. Oil lamps on either side of the door lit the entrance. Lucas moved to knock on the door and said, “Last chance to back out, Darcy.” Darcy gestured at the door and Lucas pounded on the doorframe. “Hello in there! This is Sheriff Lucas! Open up!”
There was some noise and voices. Lucas banged again, and a moment later, Sally Younge opened the door. “What can I do for you, Sheriff… Mr. Darcy!? What are
“Sally, fancy seeing you here,” drawled Lucas. “Who’s minding the saloon?”
Darcy was grim. “Younge, we’re here to see Miss Lily Bennet. Don’t bother lying; we know she’s here. Bring her to us immediately.”
Her face losing all color, Younge barred the way. “I… I don’t know what you mean. Look, Mr. Whitehead ain’t here. You can’t come in—”
Darcy brushed the woman aside and moved into the front hall, the others close behind. Younge was still squawking her protests when there was a loud crash from the rear of the building. Without hesitation, the three men ran towards the back door. In the alleyway between Whitehead’s and the saloon, they beheld a young blond woman in a dressing gown between Deputy Smith and Fitz, while two Pemberley riders had their guns drawn on one of Denny’s gang.
Darcy’s face was thunderous. “Pyke—still doing Whitehead’s dirty work.”
Pyke held his hands up. “I wasn’t doin’ nothin’! This here girl just wanted some air, is all. I didn’t know she was that missing girl—I swear!”
“Strange, I don’t recall mentioning anything about a missing girl or Miss Lily,” Fitz snarled. “Should I just shoot him, boss?”
Darcy shook his head as he approached Lily. As gently as he could, he asked, “Did this man harm you, Miss Lily?” Lily stared at him for a moment before shaking her head. “You’re safe now,” he continued. “I won’t let anyone harm you, all right?” Satisfied he had calmed Beth’s sister as best he could, he turned to Whitehead’s henchman. “Pyke, you’ve been a thorn in my side for far too long. I’ll give you this one final warning: Get out of Rosings. Trouble me or mine again and I’ll kill you myself. Do you hear me?”
Pyke’s bravado faded as he could see only death in Darcy’s eyes. “All right, all right—I’m goin’. Let me inside just to get my things—”
“You’ve lost that opportunity, Pyke.” Darcy was relentless. “Leave. Town. Now.” Pyke, realizing he was living on borrowed time, scampered from the alley. Darcy turned to Lily again, only to be intercepted by the sheriff.
“Darcy—” he began.
“No, Sheriff,” Darcy barked, “don’t start. Like I said—this is war. Don’t argue with me.”
Lucas shrugged. “Just ask me next time, all right?”
Darcy nodded. “Let’s get Miss Lily out of this night air.” He took her by the arm and brought her back inside.
