Caroline's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper that somehow carried perfectly up the stairwell."He went to Mr.Bennet first thing this morning—before seven o'clock!Charles told me he practically stormed into the breakfast room demanding to know which chamber Mr.Bennet had taken."
"No!"
"Oh yes.And when he returned not twenty minutes later, his expression could have curdled fresh cream.Apparently Mr.Bennet declined his very generous offer to arrange carriages despite the weather."
Mrs.Hurst tittered."Declined?However did he manage that?"
"Some nonsense about the roads being too treacherous still, and not wishing to impose upon Mr.Darcy's staff.As if the Bennets ever concerned themselves with imposing!"Caroline's heather scent grew stronger, as though she'd moved closer to the doorway."Mr.Darcy apparently insisted the weather was clearing, that he would personally ensure their safe passage, but Mr.Bennet remained obstinate."
"How mortifying for poor Mr.Darcy."
"Precisely what I thought.Imagine, trying to rid Charles's home of unwanted guests only to have them refuse to leave!Though I suppose we cannot expect better from a family that sends their daughters to estates uninvited in rainstorms."
Elizabeth's fingernails carved crescents into her palms.The urgency of it, seeking out her father before the household had properly risen, spoke volumes about his desperation to distance himself from what had occurred.
"Mr.Bennet did seem rather cheerful about it all," Mrs.Hurst continued."When I passed him in the library earlier, he was humming."
"Humming!While poor Mr.Darcy has barricaded himself in Charles's study, refusing all company.He claimed pressing correspondence, but Charles says he's merely staring out the window like some tragic poet."
"Perhaps he fears further imposition from certain young ladies."Mrs.Hurst's tone turned sly."After all, we know how desperate some can become when an eligible alpha is near."
Caroline gave an unpleasant laugh."If only said eligible alpha noticed them.You have seen the change, have you not?"
"I have.He thinks nothing of the woman anymore, that much is clear."Her sister's words carried the weight of triumph."A promising sign indeed."
"Oh, and our conversation last evening!"Caroline's voice pitched higher with excitement."Louisa, he actually sought me out—can you imagine?He seemed quite...intent, speaking so earnestly about compatibility and understanding between certain types of people.When he looked at me—oh, the way he looked at me!—I truly believe there is hope.An alpha of his standing would never speak so meaningfully unless his intentions were quite serious..."
Elizabeth stood still in the corridor, their voices fading as they moved deeper into the house.She'd heard enough.More than enough.
Knowing she should go to the library and find out whatever she could about her new designation, Elizabeth left the stairs and strode straight past the corridor and out the front door.She retreated to the gardens, desperate for air that didn't carry the mingled scents of breakfast and bodies and memories she couldn't escape.The cold bit through her thin morning dress—she should have brought something, even a shawl—but the discomfort was minimal.The heat under her skin kept her warm.
The storm had left everything sodden and grey, matching her mood perfectly.Melted snow pooled in the gravel paths, soaking through her half-boots within minutes.She walked anyway, aimlessly, her mind a traitor that insisted on cataloguing every moment of the previous night.The way his hands had circled her ankles with such careful restraint, as if he were holding himself back from something more.The reverent way he'd breathed "beautiful" against her skin when she'd torn at her nightgown like some wanton creature.How he'd commanded her—"Say my name"—and she'd obeyed instantly, desperately, as if his Christian name were a prayer that might save them both.
She pressed cold hands to burning cheeks.This wasn't helping.
Could Caroline be right about his interest?Elizabeth had thought she understood him—proud but generous, reserved but passionate beneath.Yet she'd been catastrophically wrong before.She'd believed Wickham's lies, painted Darcy as villain when he'd been victim.Had labeled him arrogant when he'd quietly saved her family from ruin, asking nothing in return.
Perhaps his kindness last night had been merely that—kindness.Another debt he felt honor-bound to pay, like exposing Wickham's true nature after allowing him to prowl Hertfordshire unchecked.Not desire but duty.Not love but obligation.
That made terrible sense to her.It explained his coldness that morning.Of course he'd retreated behind propriety's walls.What else could he do?She'd forced him into an impossible position—help her or let her suffer.His honor wouldn't allow the latter, but clearly the former had disgusted him.
"Miss Elizabeth Bennet, wandering alone in the cold.How very like you."
Caroline materialized from behind a bedraggled hedge, her burgundy pelisse pristine despite the wet paths.Her heather scent carried sharp edges today, like frost on flower petals.
"The impropriety doesn't concern you, I suppose.But then, your family has never been much concerned with such things, have they?"
"How fortunate you happened upon me then, Miss Bingley."Elizabeth kept her voice light, though her fingers curled in her skirts."I should hate for you to miss an opportunity to demonstrate your superior understanding of decorum."
Caroline's laugh tinkled like breaking glass."Oh, I never miss such opportunities.Though I confess, some pupils prove more...receptive to instruction than others."She adjusted her perfect gloves, letting the moment stretch."Speaking of instruction, I do hope you're not nursing any foolish hopes regarding Mr.Darcy.One does hear the most extraordinary rumours when young ladies are thrown into close quarters with eligible gentlemen."
"I assure you, my hopes regarding Mr.Darcy are entirely rational."Nonexistent hopes require no nursing, she thought, but the words rang hollow even in her mind.
Caroline stepped closer, her kid gloves unmarred by mud or moisture."You've met Her Ladyship, his aunt, have you not?We correspond regularly, you know.Lady Catherine has been quite clear about her expectations for the future mistress of Pemberley."Caroline smiled at whatever she saw in Elizabeth's face."She values my judgment tremendously—particularly regarding those who might...misunderstand Mr.Darcy's natural civility as something more."
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Miss Bingley."The words emerged steady, colorless.
"Don't you?But then, one can hardly blame you for not understanding what an alpha of his calibre truly needs."
