“Well, Mr. Matlock and Mr. Darcy were very amiable when they questioned me.”
Elizabeth had to acknowledge that was true. They had both been very gentle with her. Jane always seemed able to bring out the best in people.
“What news is there from Longbourn? Does Mama know I was taken ill?”
“Yes. That is what Papa told her. It must be all over Meryton by now. The story he and Lord Matlock concocted was that you became feverish while you were riding, and that one of the Healers here found you and brought you to be attended to.”
“So was Papa here, then?”
“He was.”
Mr. Bennet had ridden through the Wards, like Jane, though, unlike her, he had been forewarned because Mr. Matlock had instructed him to do so. It had created another uproar, but Mr. Bennet had shrugged it off and said it was a family Talent to walk through Wards. No one could tell if he was serious or joking.
“You had better bathe and change into new clothes. I will have the servants bring hot water for a bath. They will be summoning you before the Council, now that you are up and about. They have been chaffing at the bit, waiting for you to recover.” Elizabeth looked amused. “I would not be surprised if they think you magically made yourself ill just to make things more difficult for them.”
Jane’s eyes widened. “Oh, no. I would never do such a thing, even if I were capable of doing so, which I am not.”
Elizabeth shook her head, smiling at Jane’s earnest denial. “Of course not, but they are determined to find fault with everything the Bennets do. It has nothing to do with you.”
Jane looked alarmed, and Elizabeth regretted her words. She had spoken without thinking, remembering her own experience of the Council.
“I will come with you. You have nothing to fear from them. You have done nothing wrong, after all. Just behave as you always do, and all will be well. You know how Mama is always saying you are beautiful for a reason? Well, all you have to do is smile, and within a few minutes, they will all be convinced that you are innocent.”
The conversation was interrupted as two of the maids entered, bringing hot water and towels.
“For now, let us find you something to wear so you can have your bath. Then you will feel refreshed and ready to take on the world. None of my gowns will fit you very well, but this is the best we can do at short notice. Papa was supposed to have some of your clothing sent to Netherfield, but since he has to do so in secret, we have no idea when he will have the opportunity to do it without arousing any suspicions.”
“I have caused so many problems for everyone. If only I had not decided to offer my assistance to Mr. Murray.”
“If you must blame someone, you should blame Mama for allowing you to come when she knew nothing about Mr. Murray. And you have not caused problems for me. The worst thing that can happen is that you will be compelled to stay at Netherfield with me, which makes me very happy.”
***
AS ELIZABETH HAD PREDICTED, the summons came almost immediately. Someone in the Healer’s Hall must have informed the Council that Jane had recovered. Emily barely had time to finish Jane’s hair when a footman arrived requesting Miss Bennet’s presence.
As Elizabeth entered the crowded breakfast room where the meeting was being held, she looked for Darcy. He smiled reassuringly. She stood awkwardly near the door. The Council members were all seated at the table, but no one had thought of providing chairs for the young ladies.
A bald gentleman with heavy jowls rose to his feet. “Why is Mrs. Darcy here? We did not invite her to appear before the Council.”
This must be Mr. Devereux, Elizabeth decided. Darcy had mentioned him to her. He was every bit as belligerent as Darcy had described him.
She raised her chin and looked him in the eye. “I am here to make sure my sister’s interests are represented.”
He looked pointedly at Darcy. “Perhaps you could explain to your wife that she has not been invited. She does not seem to comprehend the concept.”
Elizabeth quirked her brow and stood her ground. She found her courage rising at his blatant attempt to intimidate her.
“Are you always so uncivil to ladies, or is it just today? I believe we have not been introduced.”
There were a few chuckles around the room.
Jane touched her on the arm. It was a steadying touch intended to remind her that confronting Devereux would only antagonize him further.
From the chilling look in his eyes, she judged he would remember her words. Perhaps she had not done Jane a favor by coming to defend her. She resolved to guard her tongue unless it was essential for her to speak.
Matlock rapped the table for order. “This meeting has been called to discuss whether it is safer to send Miss Bennet back to her home at Longbourn, or to keep her here to ensure word does not spread of our existence in the neighborhood. But first, perhaps we should question Miss Bennet about her reasons for coming here in the first place.”
“And we also need to know how and why she was able to disable the Wards,” Elizabeth recognized the red-haired young lady who was speaking. She was Lady Ashcombe. She was one of the Healers.
