An enjoyable holiday becomes a terrifying ordeal when Elizabeth Bennet, her sister Jane, and their Aunt Gardiner are stopped by highwaymen, who help themselves to a valuable Bennet family heirloom before leaving the devastated women to continue their journey to Lambton.
News of the incident is brought to the attention of the county's wealthiest resident, Mr. Darcy, who promises he will do everything in his power to bring the criminal to justice and restore Derbyshire's reputation.
Elizabeth's return to Longbourn seems to coincide with a similar spate of robberies in Hertfordshire. When Mr. Darcy and his friend, Mr. Bingley, arrive in the county at almost the same time as the thieves, rumors arise regarding the criminals' identity.
With events spiraling out of control suspicion falls on Mr. Darcy as the culprit, while gossip and accusations abound. His arrest as the highwayman and subsequent admission of guilt shocks Elizabeth, who is convinced a tragic mistake is being made, and Mr. Darcy is confessing to crimes he could not have committed.
Her determination to prove his innocence becomes the source of rare conflict with Mr. Bennet, who will not listen when she insists that someone other than Mr. Darcy must be the criminal terrorizing Hertfordshire's citizens.
It is with a broken heart that she learns he has been transported to London, and a date with the gallows at the Old Bailey, London's notorious prison and potentially Mr. Darcy's final stop on this earth.
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“That is unfortunate,” commented Mr. Darcy, his sorrowful tone making Elizabeth feel he took their loss as a personal insult. “What can you tell me of the man? His manners, his appearance, or whatever else you remember.”
At this point, Mr. Wilshire cleared his throat and said, “Forgive me, but this discussion might be better held in another location, where others cannot overhear. Few are aware of the problem yet, and I prefer to keep it that way if possible.
“You know how rumors can assume a life of their own, Mr. Darcy, and there are a few people in Lambton who enjoy nothing more than the chance to spread them far and wide.”
The sentence finished with a nod toward the center of the room. When she looked in the direction indicated, Elizabeth noticed one table whose occupants were listening with interest to them converse. A glance around the room showed her at least three more paying special attention to the proceedings.
READ MOREIn response, Mr. Darcy gazed at the room, his displeasure plain to see. So clear was it that every head turned from their direction and dropped, as though his catching them eavesdropping caused them embarrassment.
With amusement at the universal reaction, she allowed a bit of a smile to appear when she reattached her gaze on Mr. Darcy, only to see him give her a quick wink and a smile of humor.
“Please accept my apologies, Mr. Wilshire,” said he. “I did not intend to cause a scene.”
“And you have not,” replied the innkeeper, “yet. But I want it to stay that way if you don’t mind. Any rumors that begin are likely to spread far and wide and result in less business for me and the Lambton merchants. Who wants to travel through a county beset by thieves, who may have no compunction over taking a life for a bauble or two?”
“In that case,” and here Mr. Darcy turned his attention to Mrs. Gardiner, “might I convince you to follow me to Pemberley, my estate? I have questions I hope you can answer concerning this thief, who I think has taken up residence on the roads surrounding my property.”
Mrs. Gardiner looked from Mr. Darcy to Mr. Wilshire, and then to her nieces, as if unsure of the propriety of going with this man, whom they had only just met. Elizabeth felt her discomfort but hoped her aunt would accept the offer.
Mr. Darcy interested her for reasons she did not understand, but her curiosity, once awakened, needed assuaging for her own peace of mind. What better place to assess the worth of the man than in his home, amid rooms full of possessions that helped put him at ease?
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