Normally, Pyke would be scared stiff riding on uneven terrain on a strange horse, but he was too terrified to worry about what he was doing. Unlike everyone else, he had recognized the Pemberley riders as soon as they made the top of the ridge. At Denny’s fall, he instantly knew the game was up, no matter what happened to Whitehead, and Pyke’s only thought now was escape. In the chaos of the battle, he had been able to secure a horse and slip away unnoticed. He took no chances; he rode like a demon, crouched down low in the saddle, expecting a bullet in the back at any time. He would not look back and see if he was followed, for he was afraid he’d see a whole posse giving chase.

Pyke rode hard towards the B&R. He had to get out of the county, and he wasn’t going empty-handed.

Darcy sat on the porch steps, drinking a cup of coffee and listening to the reports, while Beth was glued firmly to his side, holding one of his hands.

“All my boys are okay,” Fitzwilliam was saying. “I figure we shot about four of ’em, not includin’ Whitehead.”

“And we got at least three more,” claimed José. “How many bodies we got?”

“Nine,” said Peter, “and five prisoners. Our only casualty is Ethan.”

“How is he?” Darcy demanded.

A worried Mrs. Bennet spoke from the door. “Will, he’s in bad shape. We need Charles.”

“All right; I’ll go get Doc Bingley right away,” Fitz said. At that Darcy stood.

“You’ll be coming with me, Fitz. We’ve got to check on Sheriff Lucas, too. Bring two men. This ain’t over with yet.” Fitz made to object—Darcy’s exhaustion was plain to see—but a glare from his boss silenced him. Instead, he ordered Darcy’s horse brought around.

Bennet crossed over to Darcy. “I know the sheriff is important, but get Charles first, all right?” Darcy nodded and Bennet patted his shoulder. “Son, it is over. All that’s left is rounding up the stragglers. So, take care, eh?”

Darcy turned to take his leave of Beth, only to find her gone. Puzzled, and not a little disappointed, he climbed aboard Caesar, only to see her coming from the house with his hat. Wordlessly, she handed it to him, not responding to his small smile. As he put it on, Beth frowned and placed her fists on her hips.

“You come back to me, Will Darcy! You hear me?”

A grin spread over Darcy’s features. He tipped his hat and spurred his horse. Beth watched the four riders head out towards town.

Chapter 21

The stop at the Bingley place on the outskirts of Rosings was short. Charles had just sat down for breakfast when Darcy and his party arrived. With their assistance, Jane and Charles, along with his medicine bag and their infant daughter, were soon aboard their buggy heading to the Bennet Farm.

The four riders then split up—Darcy and Fitz would approach the sheriff’s office from the street, while the other two covered them from the rear. Darcy waited five minutes to allow his men to get into position, then he and Fitz slowly made their way along the main street. It was early, and the shadows were still long as the pair passed the Whitehead Building. They were cautious, in case Denny left a rear guard. Because their attention was on Whitehead’s place, they didn’t notice the lone figure on the porch of the sheriff’s office until they were almost upon him. Startled, Fitz halfway drew his revolver.

Darcy was the first to speak. “Mornin’, Sheriff.”

Sheriff Lucas was seated, leaning his chair back on the rear legs while resting his boots on a post, hat low over his eyes, whittling at a piece of wood. He glanced up at the greeting before returning his attention to his task, replying, “Mornin’, Mr. Darcy, Fitzwilliam. You boys are up early.” A sliver of wood floated to the porch.

Fitz holstered his weapon, an incredulous expression on his face. Darcy, for his part, was amused as he leaned over the saddle horn. “You too, I see. Had a good night?”

Lucas kept whittling. “Can’t complain.”

Fitz couldn’t restrain himself. “But we heard Denny set some of his men after you.”

Lucas didn’t raise his head. “Yep, he surely did.”

“Then, what happened?” Fitz cried.

Lucas glanced up, a smirk on his face. “He’d best send better boys next time. The two he did are coolin’ their heels in a jail cell, keepin’ Miz Sally company,” he said as he pointed the piece of wood over his shoulder. “Huh! The day I can’t handle two goat ropers like that with my deputies backin’ me up is the day I retire.”

Darcy’s voice was flat. “There won’t be a next time, Sheriff.”

That got Lucas’s attention. “That so?”

“Yes. Gunfight at the Bennet place all night. Just ended. George Whitehead and Kid Denny are dead, along with seven of Denny’s gang. Took the rest prisoner, including Billy Collins. He’s singing like a bird.”

“Damn!” With a bang, Lucas straightened up his chair and stood up. “And how did your people make out?”

“One wounded—Doc Bingley’s seeing to him now.”

Lucas shook his head. “I’ll be damned. Whitehead’s dead? Then it’s all over.”

“No, it ain’t.” Darcy’s face was hard. “One loose thread left.”

Lucas eyed him. “Yeah, I reckon so. You thinkin’ o’ payin’ a visit to Cate?”

Darcy nodded. “This ends today.”

Lucas sighed. “I reckon I’ll best be goin’ with you. You boys had any breakfast? Coffee’s hot, an’ Charlotte’s come in and whipped up some bacon ’n’ eggs.” He turned his head to Fitzwilliam. “She made biscuits.”

Fitz grinned. “That’s mighty neighborly of you, Sheriff. Will?”

Darcy shrugged. “A half-hour won’t make any difference. We’ll be pleased to enjoy your hospitality.” He had noted with satisfaction Fitz’s use of Lucas’s title. Perhaps there’s hope for the two of them, after all. I sure hope so, for Miss Charlotte’s peace of mind.

As the two dismounted, Lucas opened the front door of the office. “I’ll send Smith over to the Bennets’ place to take the prisoners into official custody.” He stopped and turned. “Oh, by the by, you’d best tell whatever riders you sent to come up the back way to make themselves known. I can’t speak for Deputy Jones’s nerves, an’ I don’t want somebody to get hisself shot by accident.”

Fitz’s jaw dropped. “How’d you know about that?”

Lucas snorted. “’Cause that’s what I would’ve done in your place, Fitz, an’ I reckon you ain’t no fool.”

After eating breakfast and enduring Fitz’s flirting with the cook, Darcy climbed aboard his black stallion and rode with the others towards the B&R ranch house. Sheriff Lucas insisted Deputy Jones come with them, and deputized one of Darcy’s men to guard the prisoners in the jail.

The small group rode north out of town along the road beside Rose Creek. At a rise a half-mile from their objective, Darcy signaled for the men to halt.

“All right. This is what we do. Fitz, you and Peter go around and sneak into the ranch house from the kitchen, if you can. Get Anne out of there. You see any trouble, you get out pronto. Got it?”