“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth!” he said, forgetting even to bow. “Has Mrs. Bennet taken a turn for the worse?”
Once again, Elizabeth felt terrible that she had to continue with the farce.
“No, no, not at all,” she said quickly. “She is in fact much improved. We simply wanted to ask you what to expect next. She is awake and eager to leave her bed. Is that normal? Is it safe for her to do so?”
“Did she suffer no other effects? No confusion in her speech? No weakness in her limbs?”
“Not at all, Mr. Crompton.”
“Then she has had a most fortunate escape, and I am pleased to hear it,” he said, relieved. “I would not advise her to rise from her bed quite yet. We would not wish to risk the possibility of a relapse. It is important for her to rest for a few days. I will call on her this evening.”
“Thank you, Mr. Crompton,” said Jane. “Your assistance is very much appreciated.”
They curtsied and left the shop. Elizabeth slipped her arm into the crook of her sister’s.
“I feel awful.”
“I do, too, especially when I am with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy,” said Jane. “I am in constant fear that something will show on my face.”
Elizabeth snorted. “That is hardly likely. Your expression reveals nothing at all.” She paused. “Maybe we should tell them the truth.”
Jane looked stricken. “You cannot be serious! What will Mr. Bingley think?”
“If he cares about you – and we both know that he does – you can both laugh at it and that will be the end of it.”
“No, Lizzy,” said Jane firmly. “I cannot risk it. I am not so certain of his affection asthat.”
It was a risk, of course. Elizabeth did not blame her for wanting to avoid it. Jane was not the type to take chances.
“It can be a kind of test, I suppose,” Elizabeth speculated.
Jane shook her head vigorously. “A test? What makes you think I want to put Mr. Bingley’s affection to the test, Lizzy? If he cares for me, he will reveal it in his own time.” She gave a little smile. “It does not matter in any case. You heard Mr. Crompton. Mama will soon be up and about, and it will all be forgotten.”
“Perhaps.”
Elizabeth was not convinced, and she was still not happy about the situation. Her conscience was hurting, and she was worried, too, that Mr. Darcy would see through their pretense. After his kindness yesterday, she could not bear to deceive him.
“Very well, then,” said Elizabeth, resigning to the inevitable. “I am becoming more proficient at lying by the hour. If I am not careful, it will become a habit, and my character will be forever changed.”
“Nonsense, Lizzy! In any case, I do not see how we can put a stop to it. There is no way out of this tangle.”
Even after they joined the others, Jane’s comment occupied Elizabeth’s mind all the way back to Longbourn.
***
FAR FROM BEING TOOearly, Darcy and Bingley arrived just as the Bennets were returning from their walk. Mr. Darcy enquired anxiously about Mrs. Bennet, and Jane replied that she was already much improved.
Mr. Darcy’s relief at this news was palpable. As he bowed, he took up Elizabeth’s hand and held it, then gave her such a luminous smile that she felt completely dazzled. His hand burned into hers, even through their gloves, and she had to draw it away instantly, taken by surprise.
They all barely had time to be seated when the doorbell sounded, and the voice of Aunt Phillips could be heard asking if they had any visitors.
She bustled quickly into the room.
“Since my sister is indisposed, and Mr. Bennet away,” said Mrs. Philips, with relish, “I have come to act as chaperone. One cannot be too careful about young ladies’ reputations.”
“Very true—” began Mary.
“Quite right, Mrs. Philips,” said Mr. Collins, interrupting. “As a clergyman—”
