by Abbey North
“Indeed, I do, for I was that man.”
There was stark silence for a moment followed by more whispered conversation as she stood up and walked over to Caroline. Calmly, she extracted the jacket from the woman’s hands and slipped it on. “It is not a perfect fit without a tailor, of course, but it was passably good enough to convince the fine folks of Lambton.”
Mostly, there was just stunned silence dominating, but Jane asked, “What did you do, Lizzy?”
“I believe there is more to Mr. Terrence’s death than dying in a fire. If you have not heard it yet, the poor man was stabbed likely before the fire ever occurred. I wanted to know more about him, and to learn who might wish him harm, so I dressed up as a young man and went into Lambton to talk to the men at the tavern.”
She was aware of how inappropriate that was, but it was still far preferable to having been caught with a lover in her room.
Caroline seized on this. “What a bold lie. What woman would do that? You are clearly trying to invent such an outrageous falsehood so we will not focus on the truth, which is some man graced your bed last night.” She flushed as she said that, sending an apologetic look to her brother. “Pardon my language, Charles.”
Mr. Bingley was frowning, and he didn’t bother to respond.
Lizzy tensed when Darcy cleared his throat then. “She is not lying, Miss Caroline.”
The color drained rapidly from Caroline’s face as she looked at Darcy. Clearly, she wanted to accuse him of lying for Lizzy, but she had better sense than to do so. Likely, she also realized there was little chance Fitzwilliam would have colluded with Lizzy after the fact. “How do you know?” There was still a hint of accusation in her tone.
Fitzwilliam’s shoulders stiffened, and he gave her a glare. “I know, because I was with Miss Bennet. She dressed as my serving boy, and I escorted her into the tavern to ensure her safety.”
Caroline was still clearly shocked, but then she smiled. “Surely, aware of her peculiarities, you cannot seriously be regarding Miss Eliza in any fashion now?”
“My opinion and feelings for Miss Bennet are unchanged,” he said in a foreboding way that dared Caroline to keep picking at the topic.
Caroline didn’t dare, but Lady Catherine rushed in. “Surely, you cannot condone such actions as for her to be traipsing around dressed like a man, in the company of other men?”
“It was necessary for the situation, and that is all you need to know, Lady Catherine. I sanctioned her activities, and it is a nonissue.” He looked to Caroline again. “I do thank you for looking after my interests, Miss Caroline, but I assure you it is entirely unnecessary.”
Caroline looked severely deflated when she sank into the empty seat at the table waiting for her.
Feeling buoyed in spite of their argument the night before, Lizzy carefully removed the jacket and handed it to a footman who was standing at the doorway. “If you could see that is returned to the laundry room, I would be most appreciative.”
The young man was agog, but he was doing his best to hide that behind a bland expression. “Yes, Miss Bennet,” he said softly as he nodded his head. With a nod from the butler, he quickly disappeared to carry out the task.
Lizzy returned to her chair, trying to seem calmer than she felt. The whole incident could have been far uglier, but when she met her aunt’s gaze across the table, she was surprised to see Aunt Gardiner was smiling. She seemed almost intrigued by the process, and Lizzy had no doubt her aunt would want to know all about the adventure later.
Her mother, on the other hand, seemed on the verge of collapse. She was fanning herself rapidly with her fan, and Lizzy was afraid the bones might break and fly off to impale someone.
“Elizabeth Bennet, never in my life… How could you… Well, I just cannot imagine.” With those words, she fanned herself briskly for another minute before returning her attention to a cup of tea that she drank in several long gulps, apparently needing to fortify herself.
Then, she introduced the topic of the wainscoting in the breakfast room, ruminating on it with much enthusiasm. Though Fitzwilliam was clearly amused, his lips twitching, he indulged the conversation, and by the time breakfast was over, Lizzy had learned all about the history of wainscoting throughout Pemberley, who had provided each work of art, and exactly how much it had cost at her mother’s impudent insistence. She was thoroughly sick of the topic, but at least it had drawn away from interrogation about her actions.
After breakfast, Lizzy lingered in the dining room. Caroline seemed determined to wait her out, likely wanting to prevent her from spending any time with Mr. Darcy, but her goal was thwarted when Fitzwilliam approached to ask Lizzy if she wanted to go for a walk. She nodded, and the way he had phrased it, directed toward her, made it clear even to Caroline Bingley that she wasn’t included in the invitation. With a huffing sound, she got up from the table and strode from the breakfast room, making no attempt to hide her irritation.
Fitzwilliam took Lizzy’s arm with his, and they started walking, not speaking until they were away from the house. “I am sorry I spoke so harshly to you last night,” said Fitzwilliam.
Lizzy sighed. “I concede why you might think that, but I assure you I am not sympathetic toward Wickham, or blind to his faults.” She could point out that perhaps if either one of them were blinded, it was Fitzwilliam, but they were trying to restore peace, and she had no interest in continuing the strife.
“I firmly believe Wickham was the one who killed Mr. Terrence along with all the other acts of terror in which he has engaged.”
Lizzy nodded. “I know.” There was little point in reiterating she didn’t necessarily believe that. He knew where her thoughts lay on the matter, and there would be nothing gained by continuing to argue about it unless she had proof Wickham was innocent of at least the one act.
“Truthfully, I am happy to hand it all over to Constable Smith and Mr. Kenton. I am certain you agree Mr. Kenton is competent, and if there is any doubt about my version of events, he will uncover it.”
Lizzy was poised to argue for a moment, but she just accepted with a sigh and a nod. She had no intention of completely abandoning the investigation, because though Mr. Kenton seemed quite competent, she wasn’t sure he couldn’t be swayed by Mr. Darcy’s dogmatic charisma and conviction of Wickham’s character and actions.
She had no sympathy for Wickham, but she couldn’t stand by and let him hang if he truly hadn’t killed Mr. Terrence. Not only would it be unfair to Wickham, though that didn’t bother her too much, but it would be extremely unfair to Mr. Terrence to deny him the justice he deserved by identifying who had actually murdered him.
They paused near a hill, and she looked down as she admired the panorama around them. “Pemberley really is a lovely place, Fitzwilliam.”
“It is not as lovely as you.”
His tender tone caught her attention, and she turned to look at him. He was staring at her intently, and though there were still rancor remaining from their disagreement about Wickham and the crime, she softened toward him immediately. They could disagree about one thing and still try to be building toward a future together. With that in mind, she gave him a small smile. “I do believe I owe you a kiss, without the mustache.”
He nodded, looking solemn. “That is true. I would very much like to collect on it if you are ready, Miss Bennet?”
“I was ready last night, even when wearing the mustache.”
He bent his head, his lips taking hers, and they shared a gentle kiss that lasted for a few minutes. When he pulled away, she said, “I must concede, it is more pleasant without the mustache.”
“I concur with that viewpoint.” He looked like he might kiss her again for a moment, but instead, with a regretful sigh, he put space between them, tucking her hand onto his arm as they returned to Pemberley.
8
Lizzy was happy to have peace back between them, but her mind kept gnawing at the quandary of who had killed Mr. Terrence, and she was det
ermined to speak with Flora, the one person they had not yet had a chance to interview. Knowing the Runner was due to arrive sometime that morning, Lizzy rose even earlier than usual, dressed quickly, and commandeered the phaeton and a driver to take her into Lambton.
Fortunately, it was a different driver than the one who’d experienced her humiliation as Mr. Bennet, though she didn’t know if he would have recognized her in a proper walking dress. She had him park roughly where Fitzwilliam’s driver had stopped the other evening, and after the driver had assisted her to step down, she said, “I shall return presently.”
He looked like he wanted to object, because Lizzy had come alone. She hadn’t brought an abigail with her, or any other sort of escort. He was too well-trained to protest, and Lizzy strolled sedately down the street until she was out of his sight.
She rounded the corner to find the Bloom and Petal, and she hastened her speed considerably. It wouldn’t do to be seen entering or exiting the bawdy house, particularly when she was dressed as Lizzy Bennet. Moments later, she was knocking on the back door. It was considerably early, especially since the women working inside likely kept late hours, so Lizzy had to knock several times before the door finally opened.
She was confronted with Doris Childe, who looked a little grumpy, but sounded mostly amused when she said, “If your man is here, he shall return home after he sleeps it off.” She started to close the door.
Lizzy put out a hand. “I am not here about my man. I would like to speak with you and Miss Flora.”
Madam Childe stared at her for a moment, and then her lips twitched. “Are you not Mr. Bennet, who was in the accompaniment of Mr. Darcy the other evening?”
Lizzy flushed a little, but she nodded. “I thought you might be more direct with me if I were forthcoming about my true identity.”
Looking intrigued, Doris stepped aside to allow her to enter. “May I offer you tea?”
Lizzy nodded her acceptance, waiting in the sitting room where Doris directed her. When Doris came in with a tray moments later, Lizzy wondered if she had brewed it herself. Surely, they must have servants at the bawdy house, but perhaps she didn’t want to wake them out of consideration, or maybe she was anxious to keep Lizzy’s visit hidden as well.
Lizzy took the cup of tea from her and sipped it appreciatively. “This is lovely.”
“Thank you. One of my suitors is a spice importer from China, and he acquires a special blend for me.”
Lizzy wondered what a suitor was to the woman, but she didn’t bother to pry. Instead, she said, “We never did get a chance to speak with Miss Flora, and I would like to talk to her about Mr. Terrence.”
The other woman looked troubled. “I do not know what Miss Flora could tell you about Mr. Terrence.”
“By all accounts, she knew him well. I would like to get to the bottom of the situation before the Runner becomes involved. Mr. Darcy will be telling him everything we have learned, so he shall likely be knocking on your door next.”
The madam looked briefly irritated, but then she sighed. “Yes, I suppose that is true. I confess, I would rather assist you to solve the mystery.”
“Do you fear the Runner?” asked Lizzy with genuine curiosity. She wasn’t certain of the legality of Madam Childe’s establishment.
“Not overly much. In truth, it would be quite satisfying to assist another woman with solving the mystery. No doubt, they will wrest the victory from you in some fashion, but we would know the facts.”
Lizzy grinned at her, feeling an unexpected solidarity with the woman. “Indeed, that is my view as well.”
“In that case, I shall arrange for you to see Flora. You understand you shall have to pay her normal visiting fee?”
Lizzy had her pin money in her reticule, though she wasn’t certain how much to expect. When Doris named the price, she thought about grumbling, but she had enough to cover the expense. If Mr. Terrence was routinely paying this fee, he must have had a particular regard for the woman.
“Come with me, Miss Bennet, and I shall retrieve Flora for you.”
Lizzy followed her up the stairs, surprised by how immaculately kept the environment was. Had she ever envisioned herself inside a bawdy house, she would have expected it to be far more lurid than this.
Expectation met reality when Madam Childe showed her into a room moments later. It was a ridiculously frilly bedroom, and there was obviously only one purpose for it. Lizzy was careful not to sit down anywhere or touch anything, not wanting to contemplate what might remain on the surfaces. She contented herself with standing, counting down the moments until Flora finally joined her.
She stiffened when the doorknob turned, and a thin, sallow woman entered seconds later. She was closer to Fanny’s age than Lizzy’s, and she looked as though life had given her a series of difficulties. There was something frail about her, and Lizzy regretted the need to question her.
Flora seemed surprised to see her, and after a moment, she assumed a seductive expression. “I do not often have ladies visit me. I assure you, I am skilled in all the Eastern arts, and you shall enjoy your visit.”
Lizzy wasn’t entirely certain what she was getting at, but she thought it had something to do with the house’s primary function. She shook her head quickly. “I am not here for that, Miss Flora. I wanted to know more about Mr. Terrence.”
The seductive smile fled, and the woman looked haunted for a moment before her lids drooped, partially shielding her gaze. “I had heard he died.”
“He was murdered,” said Lizzy gently.
Flora flinched at the words, and she drew her shawl tighter about her. “It is a tragedy.”
“How frequently did Mr. Terrence visit you?”
“Many times per week,” said Flora after a moment. “He started asking exclusively for me.” There was a note of pride in her tone, and there was something else in her expression. Lizzy wasn’t certain what she would call it, but perhaps fondness and affection. Maybe even something stronger.
“Did you welcome Mr. Terrence’s attentions?”
Flora squared her shoulders. “He was a kind man, compassionate and decent. He never treated me like I was lesser for what I do.”
“He does sound like he was a good man. Can you think of anyone who might have wanted to cause him harm?”
Flora’s reaction was unexpected. She burst into tears and rushed from the room. Lizzy went after her, calling, “Miss Flora, please come back,” but the woman entered another room farther down the hall and slammed the door. Lizzy was walking toward it, uncertain what to do, when Madam Childe reappeared.
“I am afraid Flora is too upset to speak with you today. When she is feeling better, I shall arrange another meeting, but I shall ask you to leave her to her grief now.”
Lizzy wanted to argue, but it seemed unlikely she was going to get anything from Flora in her current state. “She mentioned Mr. Terrence visited frequently. How frequently would that be?”
The madam hesitated for a moment before she said, “I suspect there were times when he was visiting us that he should have been on duty, so I did not say that to Mr. Darcy. I did not wish to tarnish his impression of Mr. Terrence, who was a good man, despite his love of roulette. He favored Flora with much of his attention, and we all liked him here.”
Doris looked regretful. “I wish we could be of more assistance, and I will certainly see to it that Miss Flora meets you when she is up for it, but I do not think you will find your answers here. I cannot think of anyone in this establishment who bore ill will toward Mr. Terrence.”
Lizzy accepted her words with a sigh, believing Doris was likely correct. There had to be something she was missing, but she didn’t think she would find it at the bawdy house. Perhaps Miss Flora could still give her a clue where to look though, and she maintained interest in speaking with her as she parted from the Bloom and Petal moments later.
Lizzy rounded the corner and was walking sedately again when she saw Mr. Darcy standing outside the const
able’s office with Mr. Kenton. It wasn’t at all dignified, but she made a mad dash for the phaeton and was climbing up when a hand wrapped around her wrist moments later. She froze at a disapproving sound before Mr. Darcy said, “How unexpected to see you here, Miss Bennet.”
9
Darcy could hardly credit it when he saw Lizzy coming up the street. Based purely on the direction from which she came, he had a strong suspicion where she had been. He excused himself from Mr. Kenton rather abruptly and hurried to his phaeton, having been too engrossed with bringing the Runner to meet the constable to realize it belonged to Pemberley upon their arrival moments before.
The wily Miss Bennet almost escaped him, but he clamped his hand around her wrist and gently tugged her down to join him on the ground. “What are you doing here, Lizzy?”
She gave him a bright smile. “I was simply out for a walk, Fitzwilliam. It is a fine day for it, is it not?”
Despite his irritation, he couldn’t suppress a little amusement at the way she was trying to bluff her way through. “It is indeed a fine day, but as you generally confine your walks to Pemberley, I fail to see why you needed to rise so early, steal a phaeton from the carriage house, commandeer a driver to bring you into Lambton, and all so you could just walk around in the town.”
“A change of scenery might change one’s perspective?” She seemed to be trying to sound confident about that, but there was definitely a note of uncertainty.
Darcy looked at his driver, nodding. “You may return to Pemberley, Stelwarth. I shall see Miss Elizabeth home in my carriage.”
The driver touched his hat. “Very good, sir.” With a nod for Lizzy, he was soon negotiating the phaeton out of the space it had occupied and returning to Pemberley.
Lizzy seemed outraged. “That was my return to Pemberley.”
“You shall ride with me.”
