Follies and Vices

by Emily Russell

No, never mind. Elizabeth’s flash of pity subsided in a moment. Whatever happened to him was well earned.

  “Walk with me,” said Jerry now, his voice firm though he still smiled. He grasped her elbow.

  “Where are we going?” Elizabeth asked uneasily as he led her down a narrow street. She glanced over her shoulder. Some merchants pulled their carts further toward them. Darcy was crouched down and offering something to a stray dog, but Elizabeth could see the gleam in his eyes as he kept them fixed on her. He had stopped shaving again to prepare for his role but even covered, she could still see the tightness in his jaw.

  “We have lingered too long. I do not wish to call attention to us.”

  Elizabeth nodded. They walked down a laneway, and Jerry stopped at a house. He looked over his shoulder, then knocked on the door.

  “What is this place?” Elizabeth asked. She glanced behind her. If Darcy thought he was taking her somewhere, he would leap out to attack Jerry, and she was so close to catching him. Once she had him in Grosvenor Square, Jerry would reveal everything while Dawson was in the other room. They would have him. She could not Darcy to ruin it now.

  “It is an inn where I sometimes stay when I am in this part of the world.” He grinned at her. “It is not the most respectable place, so it doesn’t advertise its services.”

  Elizabeth drew back though he kept a tight grip on her arm.

  “There is no need for me to be here. I can meet you tomorrow.”

  “Why? Where will you go? You have nowhere to be.”

  Elizabeth tried to hide her panic. If she went into the house, she did not trust Darcy not to burst through the door and ruin everything. And Jerry was right. She had no reason to refuse to enter the house. She thought quickly.

  “Very well. But I have agreed to take care of a stall for an hour in exchange for a meal. I will go to see if he still wants me and then I will return here.” When Jerry gave her a sceptical look, she sighed with exasperation. “This may not work out as you hope. If it does not, I do not intend to cut off my other options. I will still need the goodwill of others. Besides, it is a baker’s stall. I can return with some pies for both of us.”

  The word pie seemed to work a certain magic over Jerry. He nodded.

  “Very well. But I can see the market from my window. If you try to leave, I will catch you in a moment.”

  “Yes, I do not doubt it. But if you want us to eat some good food tonight, you will allow me to leave now.”

  Jerry gave her another hard look then nodded.

  Chapter 39

  Elizabeth released an explosive breath as she hurried away from the house toward the market square. She saw Darcy coming toward her and shook her head. She arrived at the baker’s stall. Elizabeth had noticed how carefully he watched her earlier when she was trying to identify which men were Dawson’s.

  “Meat pies, Miss?” he asked cheerfully. His face went still when Elizabeth moved beside him.

  “I need you to allow me to take care of matters here for a while,” she said. She quickly outlined the situation. “You can see the top of a house near the church. No, do not look yet. Jerry is watching. I will need to stay in that house tonight. It is an inn, so one of you might be able to enter. But for god’s sake, do not allow my husband to ruin everything. We almost have him.”

  The merchant agreed and slipped away as though going for his dinner. Elizabeth took a breath and glanced up at the window of the inn. She saw a flicker of movement from a window and looked away again. She occupied herself with selling bread and pies and glanced at the town clock. It was still early in the day, and more than anything, she did not want to risk spending a night with Jerry. Now he believed her merely a ruined woman, she could not trust what he might do to her once he had her alone. A movement near her stall caught her eye, and she looked up. Darcy leaned over her wares as though trying to decide what he wanted.

  “It is out of the question,” he whispered as she went to stand near him. “You cannot spend a night with that man. It is too dangerous.”

  Elizabeth leaned over the table as though preventing him from stealing one of her goods. “I know,” she whispered. “But he wants us to go to your house to blackmail you. I will see if I can bring him there now. Tell Mr Dawson to meet us there.”

  Darcy gave her a long look. “If there is any trouble — any — we are putting an end to this at once. You will not return to him. I am sorry, but I cannot risk losing you.”

  Elizabeth handed him a loaf of bread, and as she did so, she allowed her hand to linger on his. “I will risk nothing. I will go to the inn and persuade him it is better if we go to you now. When we leave the house, you must return ahead of us to Grosvenor Square and shave and clean up and wait for us there. Remember, you abandoned me and your child. You must be shocked to see me and furious. We have to get him to expose his plan where he can be heard, or this will have all been for nothing. Please do not allow your feelings to give anything away.”

  “You ask a lot,” said Darcy. “But very well.” He slipped some coins into her hands. “Use this to pay for your fare to London. Tell Shaw you stole it. If you do not leave that house with him within half an hour of returning to it, I will storm, it if I have to. I regret doing this more than anything.”

  “By this evening it will all be resolved,” said Elizabeth from under her lashes. “I love you.”

  Despite his fears, Darcy’s lips could not resist quirking into a smile. “I love you too.”

  Elizabeth watched him longingly as he dissolved back into the crowd. Though she could no longer see him, she knew he was nearby and would never allow her out of his sight. She saw the merchant returning and selected two pies and returned to the house.

  “You’re back earlier than expected,” said Jerry. He ceased his comments long enough to grab at the pie she offered him. Elizabeth wondered when he had last consumed something that was not alcohol.

  “I have had more time to think while I worked,” said Elizabeth. She tried to look unconcerned as she took a seat closest to the door. Fortunately, there were other patrons about. “I recalled Darcy saying he had planned to return to Pemberley in time for Christmas. It is almost that now. He could leave London at any moment if he has not done so already.”

  Jerry looked up at her through a mouthful of gravy and meat. “I hope for your sake, that is not the case.”

  Elizabeth swallowed down a flash of unease. “I do not see how that would be my fault. But it is still early in the day. I suggest we go to Grosvenor Square at once. If Darcy is still there, we can confront him by tonight. Who knows, we might even have the money by then. There is little sense in waiting around here while he could plan to leave London the very next morning.”

  Jerry wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and gave Elizabeth a patronising smile.

  “All very well, but Grosvenor Square is some distance away. Do you suppose we can fly? It will take us hours to walk there.”

  Elizabeth took a deep breath and gave him a conspiratorial smile. “Not hours.” She opened her hand to show the coins lying there. Jerry stared at them, his mouth open. She shrugged. “With so many people pressing around me, I did not think they would miss a few coins. I am sure we can find a stagecoach to London within the hour if we are fast. I think it is a sign that this fell into my hands.”

  “Fell into your hands, did it?”

  Elizabeth returned the grin. “More or less. Once I cut the purse strings. Come, there is little sense in waiting here. Let us go at once. The more I think of it, the more I long to see the look on Darcy’s face when we walk into the room, and he realises he is about to be exposed.”

  Jerry chewed slowly as he considered her words. Elizabeth glanced at the clock and tried to suppress a desire to snap at him to hurry. They had been there for almost thirty minutes. If they did not leave soon, she was sure Darcy would burst through the doors. Jerry slowly licked his fingers one by one as the clock ticked on the wall. The door swung open, making Elizabeth’s
heart leap into her mouth until a man stumbled in with his arms around two laughing women. She relaxed momentarily and looked at Jerry again.

  “We could be on the stagecoach in minutes,” she said. “By tomorrow, you could be on your way to starting a new life. There is no time to waste loitering here.”

  A man passed by the window. He glanced towards them. Though he had pulled his hat low, Elizabeth could see the resolve in his eyes even through the grimy glass. She turned back to Jerry and fought the urge to snatch the pie from his hands. He smacked his lips in a way that made Elizabeth itch to do the same to his face.

  Finally, he nodded. “Yes, I see sense in it. I like your determination. I was afraid you might wilt at confronting your lover and want nothing more than to turn your face to the wall and die in disgrace and shame. I am glad to see you have more spirit than that.”

  “He is not worth it. And yes, I am more determined to do it than ever. You are right. He owes me, and I want what I am owed now. So, are you coming or not?” The look she gave him was so fierce he burst out laughing.

  “Yes, I like your spirit. Perhaps I shall rethink the idea of staying with you. Come. Let us be on our way. I rather look forward to seeing you unleashed on the fine, honourable gentleman.”

  Jerry rose from his chair. Elizabeth’s heart pounded as he took his time sipping at his ale. She could not relax until they stood out on the street, blinking in the weak December sun. There was no sign of Darcy.

  Chapter 40

  The stagecoach set them down at Piccadilly. From there, it was only a short walk to Mayfair. Elizabeth looked up at Darcy House and wrapped her arms about herself as though nervous.

  “Not shying away, are you, lass? What happened to the brave wench who was prepared for battle not so long ago.”

  “I am still ready,” said Elizabeth. She raised her chin. “I am not afraid.”

  “Just as well. Not that it would have made a difference.”

  Elizabeth shot him a glare she quickly tried to smother. She was growing tired of his veiled threats. The sooner he was no longer her problem, the better. She nodded.

  “Come then. I can only hope the servants will bring us to Mr Darcy considering how we look.”

  “I am sure he will be keen to see us once he knows who we are,” said Jerry. There was a touch of his old swagger in his step as he walked up to the house. Elizabeth was sure he could almost taste the money he anticipated having. She followed behind him, keeping her head down. She should have thought to bring a bonnet. What would the neighbours think if they saw the future Mrs Darcy in such a state? She could only hope they would not recognise her. Fortunately, there were few about as most of the fashionable set were dressing for evening entertainments at that time, and their servants were occupied. Elizabeth gazed up at the house that was her home and tried to look as though she had never been there before.

  “Darcy has a lot to himself, doesn’t he?” said Jerry. His mouth was grim. Elizabeth could almost taste his envy. “Doesn’t seem right that one man should have so much while others must struggle for their bread.”

  “I do not think thievery counts as struggle,” said Elizabeth tartly. “I doubt you are Robin Hood, stealing only from the rich to give to the poor. I do not think many will accept lectures on right and wrong from you.”

  Jerry threw her a look. Elizabeth wondered if he would rage, but she felt safer now, knowing she was almost home. She returned his look with a challenging one and his face melted into a grin.

  “No, I suppose not.” He marched up the steps and grasped the knocker, letting it fall with a bang. A carriage rolled by. It slowed as it passed them. Elizabeth held her breath. At any moment now, some curious neighbour would challenge them. She did not think she could trust Jerry to keep his mouth shut about Darcy’s imaginary sins. How could they even begin to explain it afterwards? She did not release her breath until the carriage moved on.

  The butler opened the door. He stared at Jerry in some distaste. His eyes went past him to Elizabeth. Though Darcy had prepared him for his role, his eyes still widened in astonishment to see her in her old, tattered dress, her hair wild. Elizabeth was sure it must offend him to see his future mistress in such a state and with such company. She flashed him a quick smile from behind Jerry’s back and nodded at him to remind him of his role.

  “Is Mr Darcy home?” Jerry demanded with all the grandness of a duke.

  Jones lifted himself to his tallest height. “He is, sir. But he is not available to visitors.”

  “I think he will be available to us,” said Jerry. “Will you give him our names?”

  “As I said, he is not home to visitors. I cannot think what business you have with Mr Darcy, but if you go around to the kitchens, you can leave a message there.” Jones leaned his head out to glance up and down the square. “You should know better than to come to a gentleman’s door.”

  Jerry’s eyes went cold with rage. His fists clenched at his side. Elizabeth took a step closer, preparing to defend the older man if he should lose his temper.

  “Our business with Mr Darcy cannot wait,” he said in a measured tone. “It is essential we speak to him at once. If you value your employer’s good name, you will tell him we are here.”

  Jones bristled. Elizabeth wondered if his offence was real, or if he was simply an excellent actor.

  “Who are you? How dare you come here and threaten Mr Darcy? He is an exemplary man and has recently been through a great deal. There is nothing you could say that would besmirch his good name.”

  “I think it best if you allow Mr Darcy to decide that for himself,” said Elizabeth. “If he will not see us, we shall go to his friend, Mr Bingley. I am certain Mr Darcy would not like us to share our story with him.”

  “How do you know Mr Bingley?”

  “That is not your concern. That I know him and know he is a close friend of Mr Darcy’s should be enough to convince you we know your employer. He will want to hear what we have to say.”

  Jones hesitated then nodded, his mouth tight. “Who may I say is calling?”

  “Mr Shaw and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” Jerry’s smile stretched wider. “I am positive he knows the names and will wish to see us as soon as possible.”

  The butler bowed and shut the door. Jerry stood back and looked over the house with an admiring glance.

  “I knew Darcy was flush in the pockets, but now I see what he has with my own eyes, I think I was too modest with my previous plans. I think he can afford much more than I thought to ask him.”

  “Ask for too much, and he will laugh us away from his door,” said Elizabeth. “He might decide it is better to weather the storm of disgrace rather than pay us.” She leaned against the railing and kept her head down, still afraid a neighbour might see them.

  The door opened within a minute.

  “Come in,” snapped Jones. “Mr Darcy will see you at once.” He glanced up and down the square again and impatiently waved them through.

  “I thought he might,” said Jerry smugly. He sauntered into the house as if he owned the place. He stared around at the furnishings and whistled in admiration. Elizabeth flashed a quick grin at Jones who, though still looking scandalised, quirked his lips into a smile.

  “Mr Darcy is in his study,” he said. He led the way. Jerry nudged Elizabeth and pointed at an exquisite painting on the wall.

  “What a shame I cannot fit it in my pocket. It would fetch a handsome price from some coves I know.”

  Elizabeth tried to adopt his own impressed, covetous expression as though she were seeing it for the first time. Jerry’s eyes were on her.

  “Not starting to change your mind, are you?” he asked in a low voice. “Remember; all this should be yours. You are the mistress of this house. Your child is the rightful heir. Everything you see he stole from you. And he left you with nothing. Remember that.”

  Elizabeth took a deep breath and nodded. She raised her chin and looked at Jerry defiantly.

  “I shall
not forget who it is that wronged me.”

  Jerry grinned. “Good girl.”

  Chapter 41

  Darcy rose when they entered the room. He had shaved and dressed. No one would ever have guessed that just hours before he passed for a street beggar. There was not a trace of it in the proud, cold gentleman before them. His face was grim as he nodded at Jones to leave them.

  “What do you want?” he demanded.

  Jerry held up his hands. “So hostile. What way is that to greet your wife, sir?”

  Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “My wife?”

  “Surely you do not need me to perform introductions. I thought you were well acquainted with the lady. Certainly on good enough terms to consummate the marriage and get Mrs Darcy with child.”

  Darcy swallowed and glanced at Elizabeth with a convincing look of apprehension. “Miss Bennet is not my wife and never has been. It was a sham ceremony. No court would recognise it. As to her being with child, I do not believe it. It was a ploy to keep me with her.”

  “You rogue,” said Elizabeth. Her cheeks flushed with a good imitation of outrage. “How dare you! What sort of man are you to have your wicked way with a woman and then throw her over once you have had what you want?”

  Darcy raised an eyebrow. “Come, Miss Bennet, we both know you were never my wife. We went through with it to survive, but it would never go any further than that. We comforted one another. You desired it as much as I did.”

  “And did you realise this before or after you decided to — to have your way with me?” asked Elizabeth. Seeing the look on Darcy’s face made it hard not to laugh. “We were already engaged, sir. You had already decided you wanted to marry me. What changed?”

  Darcy shook his head. His cheeks were flushed. “You must understand I cannot marry a woman with such a scandal attached to her. I have to think about my family. No respectable man will approach my sister if he knows he will have such a woman as his sister-in-law.”