Darcy teased, “Then how did he fall for you? You would sooner run to an altercation than avoid it.”
“He always said I add spice to his life. Yer Lizzy, she’s the same. Though she’s much more discreet about it.”
Spice. Darcy liked that.
Connell smacked the handle of his whip against the bars separating them from the boxhe sat on. “Stop whispering back there. There shall be no escape for you this time.”
Darcy doubted that. He did not yet know how, but he and Alex would walk out of Newgate before nightfall.
CHAPTER 47
Elizabeth had never been afraid to tell Fitzwilliam precisely what she thought, and it was with boundless ease she did the same with his twin brother. Hands clenched, arms crossed, and chin up, she repeated, “You are not going to Newgate without me.”
She understood his arguments, the inappropriateness of her going near the prison—much less inside—but she simply could not accept that she must stay secreted away when Fitzwilliam and Alexandra were in grave danger. She must be allowed to help, and she could not do that from the confines of her uncle’s house on Gracechurch Street.
Aunt Gardiner clutched her fichu. “My dear, I hardly think Edward would have left you here if he understood your intentions.”
Elizabeth shot her aunt a look she hoped appearedmore shocked than piqued. Aunt could be counted on to voice reason, but on this occasion, Elizabeth would not budge. She must go to Fitzwilliam. She must make certain Alexandra did not suffer the fate they all feared. Nick would be crushed, and Fitzwilliam would blame himself for being unable to prevent it.
Tears burned and pricked her eyes, and it was through a tight throat she uttered another plea, “I cannot stay.” Her voice warbled. “It’s Fitzwilliam, Nick. And Alexandra. If anything happened to either of them, and I did not try to do anything to prevent it, I would never forgive myself.”
Nick sighed deeply, and Elizabeth knew she had advanced her cause.
“Ye’re aware of the risks.”
“I am responsible for my own choices, not you,” she reassured him.
He rolled his eyes. “Darcy’ll skin me alive when he finds out. And hewillfind out.”
“Let me tell him. He knows how determined I can be once my mind is decided.”
Another sigh.
“Would you be able to keep Alexandra from accompanying you if she were standing here instead of me?”
A scowl. They both knew nobody could prevent Alexandra from doing whatever she pleased.
Elizabeth had gained precious ground, but it was still shaky. What else could she say to convince him? She grasped at one last straw. “You must consider howdangerous the streets are for an experienced sailor in this time of war. The press gangs are on the prowl, and you are walking into their territory without the protection of a letter of apprenticeship. Who shall speak for you? Your only hope of escaping their notice is to have me on your arm. They shall think twice before depriving a young lady of her escort in that part of town.”
He grimaced. She had won.
Aunt tapped her finger against her chin. “I do not like it one bit, but you are right, Lizzy. Only take care. There is a current of discontent stirring the population, and you are heading into the heart of it.”
Taking a deep breath, Nick nodded and looked squarely at Aunt. “I’ll protect Elizabeth with me life.”
“I do not doubt you, young man. And I know my niece will not reconsider. Therefore, I shall remain behind to stew and fret until you return, God willing, unscathed.”
Elizabeth embraced her aunt, kissing her cheek. Then, before either she or Nick could reconsider, she wrapped a shawl over her shoulders and grabbed her bonnet from the hatstand by the door, tying the bow as she descended the stairs out to the street.
They hailed a hackney, their first hint of impending trouble being when the driver refused to take them in that direction. “There be trouble brewin’ near Newgate. Saw the press gang tryin’ to impress a young lad, and I got out when I sawa mob formin’.”
Nick offered him double the sum to take them, and to do it quickly.
The driver hesitated, but he snapped his whip over his horses’ backs, and they set off down the cobbled road.
People milled about, eyes alert, darting. Mothers held their children close, pushing them down the street with frequent glances over their shoulders. Several groups of men clustered on corners, noses red from drink, shouting and blustering every time someone hastened past them.
It did not escape Elizabeth’s notice that the direction everyone hastened away from was the very place they were rushing to. Her aunt had been wise to warn them, but what other choice did they have? Fitzwilliam risked his life for her, for Nick, for Alexandra…. For Elizabeth to do anything less was unacceptable. She loved him too much to place her life above his.
