“What will you do?”
“I will wake Mr.Darcy across the hall and request his help in waking the servants upstairs.I will stop at the nursery on my way.”
Jane’s hands flew to her face.“Peter!Is he in the old nursery?”
“I would imagine he is, but if not, Mr.Darcy knows the way.He and I will go upstairs, you and Mr.Bingley will go down.I will meet you at the old oak near the drive.You remember the one?”
“Yes, of course.”Jane headed to her own room to change and stopped at the door.“Be careful, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth had nodded and promised her sister.
Now, with the clock striking two in the morning, she began to wonder if it would happen at all.She knew it was possible she was mistaken, but everything in her told her it would happen tonight.Her entire body felt agitated and tight like a string on a violin.Her mind ran over her plan repeatedly, ensuring her she would get everyone out in time.She also hoped she could contain the fire, but how would she do so and get everyone out if she didn’t even know where the fire would begin?She could easily find herself trapped by the flames and unable to help at all if she was not careful.
She thought it likely the fire would start in the kitchen, as many fires did.But it could just as easily come from another part of the house.She went to the window again and leaned out, taking a deep breath.She had been doing so regularly for the past few hours, thinking she might smell something from the far side of the house more easily that way.She felt more than a little silly, sniffing like a dog in the middle of the night.She shook her head at herself and looked down before she turned back inside.
What was that?She leaned back into the curtains and watched for the movement she thought she had seen.There!At the edge of the garden, something was moving.Something large, like a man.Elizabeth sank further into the draperies, her heart pounding in her ears.What was going on?It could be as innocent as a servant sneaking back into the house after he had snuck out of it.Or it could be something more sinister…
Keeping her eyes on the moving shadow, Elizabeth whispered, “Jane.”Her sister had always awakened at the slightest sound.She turned her head and said again, “Jane.Wake up.”
Jane’s head came off the pillow and she looked around in confusion.“Lizzy?”
“Shhh.Do not make a sound.Quietly come to me at the window.”It was a mark of the trust between them that Jane did not question anything her sister said but simply did as she was asked.She tucked herself beside Elizabeth, careful to keep out of the moonlight.
“What are you watching?”
“There is someone in the garden.There, along the nearest row of hedges.”
Jane followed her sister’s gaze and gasped.“What do you think he is doing?Could it be a servant?”
“I thought the same at first, but if he is trying to sneak back in the house, why has he not done so yet?He is moving too slowly and he stops frequently.It looks like he is watching the house, does it not?”
Jane had the eyes of a falcon.She watched the man for a moment before answering her sister.“It looks like he is focused on the study windows.They are on the main floor beneath the family wing.”
“You are right.Do you suppose he is hoping to break in?”
“If so, what is he waiting for?Is there a servant about downstairs, perhaps?”
“There could be.”Elizabeth’s eyes suddenly widened as she turned to face her sister.“Jane, what if someone is already inside and he is watching for his friend?”
Jane gasped.“He could be working with one of the servants.”
“Or it could be two burglars and one came in while the other waited outside.”
“But why wait outside?It is not as if anyone is going to come in that way.If he is watching for danger, it would be wiser to watch the corridor.”
Elizabeth managed a faint smile at her sister.“There you go being logical again.”She sighed.“I think it is likely he is working with a servant in the house, if he is in fact a burglar.Or he could be a sweetheart of one of the maids, and he is waiting for her to sneak out.”
“But why wait on this side of the house?Why not nearer the servants’ quarters?”
“They would be more likely to be seen there.There are over forty servants at Netherfield and nearly all of them sleep in rooms along the back of the house.Whereas the front of the house is only the two of us and the Hursts.”
“And we are less likely to recognize the servant if we do see her.Clever girl,” said Jane quietly.
Elizabeth only laughed under her breath.Few knew of Jane’s love for a good intrigue.Her mind truly was remarkably logical, and when they had made up stories as children, Elizabeth’s would always be filled with adventure and embellished with dramatic acts and outrageous feelings.Jane’s would be mysterious and methodical, always ending with all misunderstandings cleared up and the good brought out in each character.
Elizabeth shook her head.“I believe you are right, Jane.He is likely meeting a sweetheart, and my imagination has run away with me.”
Jane rubbed Elizabeth’s back in slow circles.“You are tired, and you have had a great deal on your mind.It will be good to go home tomorrow.”
