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Miss Catherine’s eyes narrowed. “I do not believe you.”

“She said they would need her h-help,” Mrs. Hurst stammered, taking up the lie.

Elizabeth willed her eyes not to flick in the direction of the wardrobe. “She said she wanted to see your expression when you were arrested.”

A smirk cut across Miss Catherine’s face.

“It is no matter. We would only have had to shoot her,” Miss Archer said coldly. “She is worthless.” She nodded at Miss Bingley. “As is that one.”

“I beg your pardon?” Miss Bingley squeaked.

“Miss Elizabeth is as well,” Miss Mabel waggled her pistol at Elizabeth.

Jane clutched Elizabeth’s arm. “What do you mean?”

Miss Catherine’s smirk grew. “Now you, you are worth a pretty penny, Miss Bennet. I am certain Mr. Bingley will pay dearly to have you back.”

“And Darcy will pay even more for Miss Elizabeth.”

Shock went through Elizabeth at Miss Archer’s words.

“I do not know how you can believe that,” Miss Mabel said stiffly. “She is too far beneath him to be of any consequence to him.”

“I saw him in the woods, is how. He could not dive into that pool fast enough, and once he pulled her out, he clung to her like she was the breath in his body. He is smitten, and very wealthy. We take her.”

“And Mrs. Hurst.” Now Miss Mabel grinned too, her smile far crueler than Miss Catherine’s smug evil one. “I do not truly care how much Mr. Hurst can raise, but I want him to suffer.”

“Very well.” Miss Archer gestured with her gun. “You three, against that wall. Miss Bingley, this may go easier on you if you turn around.” She leveled her pistol on Miss Bingley.

Who gaped at her.

“No,” Mrs. Hurst cried.

Miss Archer didn’t move, but the other two pistols turned on Mrs. Hurst.

Gulping, she said, “Caroline is worth a great deal. She has a very large dowry. Our brother can get it for you.”

Studying Miss Bingley coldly, Miss Archer asked, “How large?”

“T-ten thousand pounds,” Miss Bingley stammered.

Even amidst her fear, surprise sputtered through Elizabeth. Gossip had Miss Bingley’s dowry at twice that. Had she started a rumor doubling her worth, or did she, even at gunpoint, seek to keep half her fortune?

The three Archer women exchanged looks.

“That is as much as we hope to get for Miss Elizabeth,” Miss Catherine muttered.

They thought Mr. Darcy would pay ten thousand pounds for her? Were they mad?

“Very well, but we must tie them up,” Miss Archer said. “With four of them, they may develop some foolish notion that they can overcome us.”

Miss Catherine looked about. Her gaze fell on the wardrobe. She started across the little room. Elizabeth’s heart lodged in her throat. Miss Catherine hated Kitty, and she would be worth nothing to them. The most Mr. Bennet could hope to pay was Kitty’s dowry of a thousand pounds. Could Elizabeth and Jane offer their dowries as well? Could their uncles raise more? Should Elizabeth claim they would?

Perhaps she wouldn’t need to. If she could get one of the pistols… She eased her arm from Jane’s grip, ready to spring at Catherine Archer as she passed.

“Cat,” Miss Mabel hissed.

Miss Catherine halted.