"I disrupted everything.Caused such a scene with our departure.Your husband's home turned upside down because I couldn't—because I—" Her tongue wouldn't dare to wrap around the truth.Elizabeth pressed her palms against her burning cheeks."You should be enjoying your honeymoon, not racing back to Longbourn to tend to your disaster of a sister."
"Elizabeth Bennet."Jane's tone held that rare note of severity she reserved for moments when her younger sisters were being particularly ridiculous."You presented as an omega.That is hardly something you could control."
But I could have controlled what came after,Elizabeth thought miserably.I could have stayed in my room.Could have suffered through it alone instead of—
"I've ruined your happiness," she said instead."Your first week as Mrs.Bingley, and I've made it all about me and my dramatics."
Jane actually laughed—a soft, musical sound."Dearest, if you think anything could ruin my happiness right now, you vastly underestimate the depth of my regard for Charles."Pink bloomed across her cheeks."Besides, he's been nothing but concerned.Keeps asking if there's anything he can send.I think he feels responsible, as if Netherfield's walls somehow caused your presentation."Jane's eyes sparkled briefly before growing serious again."But Lizzy, there's something else I need to tell you."
The shift in Jane's tone made Elizabeth's pulse quicken.Her sister rarely looked troubled, but now a small furrow appeared between her brows.
"What is it?"
Jane worried her lower lip—a habit from childhood that meant she was choosing her words carefully.
"Something is wrong at Netherfield.With Mr.Darcy."
The words hit like ice water.Elizabeth's stomach plummeted.
"Is he ill?"
"Not ill.But...Lizzy, he's like a caged beast.Snapping at everyone.He made Caroline cry yesterday."
"Caroline cried?"The thought should have brought satisfaction.It didn't.
Jane nodded, settling beside Elizabeth on the narrow bed.
"Caroline expressed some...confusion about your sudden presentation, and Mr.Darcy became quite severe with her.He insisted—quite forcefully—that you were as surprised as anyone by your nature."Jane touched Elizabeth's hand gently."But that's what troubles me, dearest.For him to defend you with such absolute certainty, he must have been near enough to sense...to know the truth of it himself."
Heat flooded Elizabeth's cheeks.Her throat worked, but no words came.
Jane continued gently, taking Elizabeth's hand.
"He's asked me multiple times if your parents have sent word of you.If you're well.Charles is worried about him.Says Darcy has impeccable control normally—he's encountered omegas in heat before without issue."
Jane paused, color rising in her own cheeks."Charles shared how Caroline had once used her heat to try to ensnare him.He'd brushed off the temptation without difficulty and supposedly thought nothing more of it, once he'd addressed the situation with Charles.But this situation with Mr.Darcy… is quite different," Jane finished, squeezing Elizabeth's hand."Charles says he's never seen his friend so affected."
Elizabeth pulled her hand away, wrapping her arms around her middle.The movement sent another wave of need through her, and she bit back a whimper.
"Perhaps Mr.Darcy was simply tired of your houseguests overstaying their welcome."
"Lizzy."That gentle reproach again."Charles said he stood at the window watching your carriage until it disappeared completely.I would not call that resentment."
Her chest went tight.There he would have stood—all that height and stillness, those coffee-dark eyes fixed on her carriage growing smaller.Relief, perhaps, that she was finally gone?Or something like regret?She would carry the question with her always, unanswered.
"Charles says…" Jane's blush deepened."Charles suspects Darcy may be entering a rut."
The word hung between them like a struck bell.Elizabeth's mind went blank, then roared back to life with implications that made her dizzy.
"That's impossible," she managed."Alphas don't—not unless—"
"Unless they've been exposed to a compatible omega in heat."Jane's voice dropped to barely above a whisper."Atrulycompatible omega."
Elizabeth's stomach lurched.She knew what Jane wasn't saying—what everyone knew but rarely spoke of.Heat-induced ruts were vanishingly rare.An alpha might encounter dozens of omegas in heat throughout their lifetime and never experience more than mild discomfort, perhaps a stirring of interest easily dismissed.
"Jane, that only happens when—" Elizabeth couldn't finish.When the compatibility ran so deep it transcended mere attraction.When nature itself recognised what the mind might deny.
"When the bond would be extraordinarily strong, yes."Jane's fingers tightened around hers."Charles said he's seen Mr.Darcy around other omegas in heat before.At balls, in London.He never even flinched."
