Hopefully, it won't take another six months to update next time. Also, the estate cited in this chapter is a nod to my favorite Sherlock Holmes long story.

The Phillips were comfortably situated in Longbourn for a temporary sojourn, until the return of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Once their brother and sister arrived in London, several of the Gardiners' more accomplished staff members traveled the reverse journey, to ensure the safety of those Bennets remaining in their home. Lieutenant Denny explained to his Colonel that the fair ladies of Longbourn were in particular need of the militia's protection, what with their parents being away, and the Colonel, being neither blind to the young man's earnest expression nor deaf to others' talk of Denny and a mutual attachment to a certain daughter of Longbourn, approved his unit's performing patrols of the area.

The Bennets had made good time in their travels and reached the end of their journey, at Birlstone, to a tension-filled but sincere welcome. The estate was located a few miles inside of the Kent border and not a great deal farther from their ultimate destination, Rosings.

As the Hertfordshire party had arrived on entirely horseback, via an abandoned route through Surrey and a dense stand of trees, they were not certain - but felt a certain amount of confidence - that their arrival had gone unnoticed. As soon as his feet touched ground, Eldon Lucas strode to where Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were standing but was halted from speaking until the entire company was shut tightly behind locked doors. Once inside, however, he exclaimed in anger, 'We must hurry! That man is likely already at Rosings with my younger sister, why do we tarry?' Charlotte spoke none of the words but by the appearance on her countenance, it was obvious that she was in complete accord with her brother.

With compassion, Mrs. Bennet answered, 'Eldon, if we were to rush this instant off to her rescue, we would almost assuredly encounter those who wish harm to us and your sister. They are familiar with the grounds, the paths, the interior of the house. What we must do is take a short but necessary time to acquaint ourselves with those same features. It is imperative that we improve our knowledge and then we may have some expectation of success. I wish your sister back safely with those who love her but we have much to do prior to her recovery.'

Elizabeth had taken note of somewhat singular features of the grounds on their approach to the manor house and requested a brief walk to reclaim her equanimity. Truly she wished, while her father and mother were deep in discussion with the Colonel and his men, to take a little time and examine the more fascinating details.

Colonel Fitzwilliam generously offered to escort her, citing a need to stretch his legs and he would return directly. Mrs. Bennet acknowledged the plan with a nod and remarked, 'I would appreciate if this were to be quite brief, as Mr. Darcy is expected at any moment and we shall then begin the planning in earnest.' Both agreed to her condition with ease.

'Ah,' exclaimed Elizabeth as they crossed the bridge to the grounds, 'It is a pleasure to finally meet the ubiquitous Colonel. My father has infrequently permitted your sobriquet to pass his lips in my hearing and it led me to have a great desire to meet such an accomplished and esteemed personage.'

Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed graciously and replied, 'I am delighted at long last to have the opportunity to meet the family of my rather reticent colleague. You were interested in the history of this rather distinctive estate?'

As her own parents also had the unsettling habit of knowing one's thoughts without being told of them, Elizabeth was able to answer with composure, 'It is quite absorbing to encounter a house that has a moat about it still. Most of the building appears terribly old but there seem to be parts which belie that age.'

The colonel related the history of that building and Elizabeth was impressed to find that this land had first been built upon in the time of William II, with a manor continuously standing - excepting when the original feudal castle burnt down and was rebuilt with a sturdy country house two and one half centuries ago. He pointed to the kitchen garden that was serving its masters in lieu of the now-drained large outer moat.

At the end of his engrossing lesson, her only question was, 'Does this location remain in our time equally well defensible?'

They had turned back during his recitation and were now nearing the moat and perpetually lowered drawbridge.

'It does, thus the reason you are currently ensconced in this specific country estate and not another,' rejoined the colonel. He stopped walking and was silent for a minute, before commenting, 'You have met my cousin, I believe.'

Wishing to clarify his statement and to delay even an instant the questions that she now knew to be forthcoming, she asked, 'Are you talking of Mr. Darcy?'

'Of a certainty. He has both spoken and written of you more extensively than he has of any female of his acquaintance, save his sister. You are an elder sister and therefore must understand my inducement to discover if your attachment to him is as great as his to yourself.'

Bewildered, Elizabeth could manage nothing for a moment. After collecting herself, she replied with some anger, 'Pardon? His attachment to myself? He has none. I cannot imagine why you choose to provoke me in this manner! '

'Can you not?' he responded, 'I am certain you have seen some evidence of his regard, as you have been in company these past months. If he is to forego the usual enhancement of property and connections in your favor, why should he not be rewarded with a marriage of affection? Before you continue your acquaintance with him, consider carefully my words.'

They crossed the drawbridge and soon found themselves in a room that had a circle of people hanging over many maps spread atop a few sizable tables.

'I look forward to observing your skills in battle,' the colonel said in a low tone prior to taking himself to the other side of the room. As Elizabeth reached her mother's side, the door opened again and in walked Mr. Darcy.

After her recent discussion with his cousin the colonel, it proved difficult to not feel discomfiture in his presence. Despite this, she recognized that she must act as if there were no change, no dissimilarity in her actions toward the gentleman, for her father or mother would surely take notice and then there would be no end of the matter.

'. . . . . and there are four men watching this house at all times. They change the men at each position but there are unfailingly four men at all times.'

Mr. Bennet asked, 'Do they alter the locations in which they stand to observe?'

'Yes, sir. However, they seem to favor about ten separate spots. I could show you on this map the particular sites they use,' replied the guard.

'Perhaps soon. Are they in the open or do they attempt to disguise themselves? Do you believe them to be aware of your having discovered their positions?'

Tipping his head, the fellow's eyebrows were all but touching as he contemplated the question. 'As to your first question, sir, the men are hidden in the wild growth at the front edge of the property, but remain in full view of the house and the drive. For the second, none of us have seen any indication of their knowing we can see them, but this may be an incorrect assumption.'

'Good work, young man. You may mark the mens' locations on the map and I have several additional questions that you can answer: How often do the spies exchange men, at what times and is there a guard over the property at all hours or are there lapses in time when we are unmolested by their presence? Step to this end of the table. Eldon, I would like you to transcribe his answers and bring the information over when you are done.' .

The Bennets, Mr. Darcy and the Colonel withdrew to a remote corner table, occasionally noting something on a piece of paper or comparing their written thoughts, while those they commanded entered and left on various missions. Rosings was discussed, availability of men was considered, the most advantageous routes to and from Rosings were covered, many of the thousand little specifics involved in such an undertaking were canvassed; they were exceedingly busy in their making of plans. During the course of said preparation, the cousins began a sketch, with much discourse and pointing out of forgotten touches. Their drawing soon took on the aspect of a goodly house, lined with corridors, stairwells and a large number of rooms, some in odd places and some strangely shaped.

Watching the building take shape under their skillful pens, Elizabeth began to wonder at the singular architecture, as it left much space for hidden passageways and hidden rooms. She remarked on this and Mr. Darcy responded, 'It is true. When our families gathered, the Colonel, Anne de Bourgh and I were permitted some leniency to our usual routines. So long as we remained within specific confines, we were given a modicum of privacy to go and come as we wished. There are a great many concealed doors and, what we did not perceive then but now believe to be, deliberately obscured rooms.' He looked at his cousin to confirm his statement.

'There is truth in his speech,' the older man explained, 'Several of the chambers contained what, as young ones, we had supposed to be a king's treasure that had been entrusted to our uncle and aunt to keep secure for the Crown. If viewed through our eyes now, it is apparent that Rosings has housed misdeeds for a great many years. Of the doors we attempted, more than half were sealed with padlocks. I can but guess at the contents of those rooms.'

Elizabeth was grateful for both Charlotte and Eldon having been sent off on errands prior to this revelation; she could only imagine what - or perhaps, whom - was kept behind those sealed portals.

Food was brought in and left on a long table for those who were desirous of nourishment but the scheming and organizing continued for the four chief conspirators into the early morning, long after the rest of the company was sent to their beds with an injunction to rest, for, come morning, they should be prepared to fight.

Next up: Rosings