But Elizabeth’s patience was worn thin. Pinching the blade, she squinted her eyes and took aim. “My aim is not as good as my friend’s, but I shall be happy for the practice.”
“You would not dare!” Wickham scampered back until he bumped into Richard’s legs.
Elizabeth smiled slowly, impishly, until a flicker of doubt entered Darcy’s consciousness and he wondered about the danger of their constant association with Alex.
“You are not certain I shall not do it, are you? After all, you are still sitting on the ground where I put you…” Elizabeth adjusted her trajectory, her tongue peeking between her lips as she calculated.
Darcy was making calculations of his own. Could he prevent her from doing something she was certain to regret without loosening his hold on Alex, who would not hesitate to maim a man merely because Elizabeth had made known her disdain for him?
Relaxing her pose and her expression, Elizabeth held the knife in front of Alex’s outstretched hand. “Very well, if you are unwilling to promise to be a better husband to Lydia, then maybe, I shall give this dagger back to my friend.”
“Who is she that I should fear her?” Wickham scoffed. He always had been rather stupid.
Nick mumbled, “Steady, woman.”
Alex strained against their hold. “I’ll tell ye exactly who I am, ye thick-headed numbskull. I’m Cap’n Alexandra Lafitte, and I’ll make ye wish ye’d never crossed me mates.”
“Lafitte? La Femme Lafitte?” Wickham choked, his skin ash white.
Darcy groaned. So did Nick.
The soldiers’ backs retreated down Gay Street as quickly as their polished boots could carry them. Wickham, too, looked ready to bolt.
Elizabeth repeated, “You shall not leave here without a promise.” The last time Darcy had seen that degree of determination fixed on her expression was when she had refused his offer of marriage.
Wickham relented. “I swear I shall be a good husband to Lydia.”
“If I hear of you being unfaithful or preying on another unsuspecting maiden or appealing to any of us to spare you from the consequences of your choices, then—”
“I’ll take great pleasure in carvin’ out yer heart,” interrupted Alex, “and eatin’ it for breakfast.”
Dear Lord.
A hard swallow, and Darcy could see it took a great deal of effort for Wickham to stand on his shaking legs. “I swear, I swear,” he groveled, backing around Richard and continuing until he turned and ran.
Elizabeth turned to Alex. “That was unnecessarily dramatic. I was going to say that we would refuse to cover his debts and allow him to fend for himself lest he end up in prison.” She blushed, turning to Darcy and adding, “That is, assuming you agree, of course.”
Darcy shrugged. Any threat he or anyone else could have made would pale in comparison to Alex’s. “I have already assured Wickham he shall not see another penny from me. My dealings with him are done.”
She deflated. “Oh. Well then, maybe Alexandra’s threat was just the thing.”
Alex puffed up until she noticed Elizabeth’s continued agitation. “D’ye think he’ll keep his promise?” she asked.
“For my sister’s sake, I hope so.”
Darcy gave him a week, though he prayed he was wrong.
Elizabeth sighed. “He is too lazyto hurt Lydia—thankfully—but I fear he is already bored with her. Indifference is just another form of cruelty.” She blinked several times, and Darcy knew she thought of her own father and mother.
Miss Rothschild, who had every right to be offended at the shocking company she kept, finally spoke. “People forget promises, and words are often fickle. But that young man shall not likely forget the terror you two ladies inspired within him. You did what you could; the rest is up to him.” She brushed her hands as though to rid them of dust. “Now, I was wondering if perhaps you could teach me to do that trick? It seems to be a useful skill for a lady to know.”
Richard grinned from ear to ear.
Miss Rothschild seemed to mistake his display of pride for humor. Her eyes flashed, and her skin darkened. “It is not reasonable to expect a young lady to always rely on gentlemen—some of whom are more treacherous than the worst ruffians—for our welfare and protection. We must learn to be more self-sufficient.”
“I could not agree with you more.” Turning to Alex, Richard added, “I hope you will teach my sisters, and Georgie, as well.”
“I’d be honored to show ye a few things,” Alex agreed with a grin.
