Elizabeth Bennet's Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Regina Jeffers Page A

consider how manipulative you are? You will go to great extremes to have your way.”
    “I am all innocence, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy teased.
    “We shall see, Mr. Darcy,” she countered, as Elizabeth wrapped both hands about Darcy’s elbow just as a maid opened the boarding house door a crack to peer out at them.
    “Yes, Sir?” The girl’s gaze slid across the cut of Darcy’s jacket.
    “Mr. Darcy to speak to Mrs. Younge,” he said in his best Master of Pemberley voice.
    “Be Mrs. Younge expectin’ ye, Sir?”
    Darcy placed a hand against the door and shoved his way past the girl. Even so, he kept Elizabeth close. Conveniently, Elizabeth responded to his lightest touch.
    “Tell your mistress I mean a word with her.”
    The girl bobbed a quick curtsy and scurried away without showing them into a small parlor on the right.
    With an amused shrug, Darcy gestured Elizabeth to lead the way into the room. They barely had time to take up a position of expectance before the empty hearth before Mrs. Younge entered the room. She looked very much as she had the last time Darcy saw the lady, except the quality of Mrs. Younge’s clothing possessed less fashion.
    “I thought Betsie lost her reason,” she pronounced, “for surely Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy could have no business with the likes of me.”
    “Again, you erred, Madam,” Darcy said coldly.
    The woman frowned, but her eyes still held the shrewdness Darcy once missed in his evaluation of her fitness as a companion for Georgiana. He would not make that mistake again.
    “I see you have not lost any of your charm, Mr. Darcy.” Mrs. Younge sat on a nearby chair without indicating they should sit also. “Speak your business, Sir. I have duties to perform.”
    Darcy ignored the woman’s lack of manners, and instead, seated Elizabeth on a threadbare settle before joining Elizabeth there. He knew the tender care he displayed upon Elizabeth would not go unnoticed by Mrs. Younge. Thankfully, when Darcy captured Elizabeth’s hand in his, she relinquished it willingly.
    Unable to wait him out, Mrs. Younge asked, “Will you do me the favor of an introduction, Mr. Darcy?”
    Darcy realized the woman’s curiosity would show itself.
    “My wife,” Darcy said simply. He felt Elizabeth’s fingers wrapping around his, and he enjoyed how Elizabeth unconsciously responded to his declaration.
    Mrs. Younge waited, but when Darcy did not conduct the introductions, she said, “I see. I did not know you married, Sir.”
    Elizabeth gave Darcy’s fingers a quick squeeze to announce she would respond to the woman’s query and for Darcy to trust her. Needless to say, Darcy long ago permitted Elizabeth Bennet his confidence. He returned Elizabeth’s silent gesture.
    “Our joining is a short duration,” Elizabeth announced with the aplomb of a great actress.
    “And as we do not move in the same circles, you would possess no knowledge of my private affairs, Madam,” Darcy quipped. He meant to establish his authority over his former employee.
    Darcy watched as Mrs. Younge’s chin rose in defiance.
    “Your business, Mr. Darcy. Speak quickly and then leave my house.”
    Darcy flicked an invisible piece of lint from his sleeve.
    “I thought you would know my task before you stepped into this room: I seek the whereabouts of Mr. Wickham.”
    “Why would I hold knowledge of Mr. Wickham’s activities?” Mrs. Younge asked in indignation.
    “Because my former associate has few friends he can continue to rely. I imagine both Mr. Wickham and I count you among Wickham’s close associates.”
    “Then you will know regret, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Younge denied in firm tones. “I hold no knowledge of Mr. Wickham’s location.”
    A dark brow rose, and Darcy looked down his nose at the woman.
    “Perhaps not, but you possess the means of learning Mr. Wickham’s direction.”
    “And why would I aid you?” Mrs. Younge asked tautly. “You and I did not part upon the best of terms.”
    Darcy