Elizabeth blinked.Quite yourselfwas not the phrase she would have chosen.
“That was very kind of you, Miss Bingley.”
“Oh, but it is theveryleast we could do. Now, I do hope we are not disturbing you, my dear Miss Elizabeth. We shall not stay if you had better entertainments.” Her gaze slid pointedly to the stack of books beside the bed.
“Not at present,” Elizabeth said, unable to keep the regret from her voice. She rested her hand on the top book. “Papa sent these from Meryton, but I confess, my eyes are still not cooperating with the print.”
Miss Bingley clicked her tongue. “How thoughtful of him. Well, more is the pity. I have heard that you prefer reading above all things, and we want you perfectly content while you recover. Is that not right, Louisa?”
Mrs Hurst poured herself tea and stirred it lazily. “Truly. You are fortunate to have such an attentive family,” she observed. “Not everyone can rely on sisters to sit vigil.”
Jane flushed faintly and busied herself with the cups. “Elizabeth is much improved today. Truly. I think she might manage the drawing room later.”
Miss Bingley’s smile brightened. “How delightful! Then you must be nearly ready to return home. I am sure Mrs Bennet will be eager to have you back under her own care.”
Ah, Elizabeth thought.There it is.
She did not answer at once, reaching instead for her teacup. “I imagine Mama will have many opinions on the subject,” she said mildly.
Miss Bingley laughed—a light, approving sound. “A most sensible mother. Still, it must be a comfort to dear Jane to know she will not be required to remain away from home much longer.”
Jane looked up, startled. “Oh. I do not mind staying—”
“Nonsense,” Miss Bingley said quickly. “You have been exceedingly generous with your time. And my brother has been quite restless all day—walking the rooms, consulting the windows, asking every quarter hour whether Darcy has returned. It would do him good to have his house restored to its usual order.”
Elizabeth’s brows rose a fraction.
Mrs Hurst nodded. “Indeed. Charles is beside himself. And with Mr Darcy saying he will be out for the better part of the day—well, we have all been at loose ends.”
Elizabeth took a sip of tea she did not want and considered this new arrangement of facts. Jane, drawn upstairs and kept there. Mr Bingley pacing below. Miss Bingley managing the distribution of her brother’s attention like a puppet master.
“But you must not trouble yourself with any of that,” Miss Bingley continued. “The only thing that matters is your recovery. You look so much stronger already.”
Elizabeth smiled at her. Not brightly. Not weakly. With clarity. “Appearances,” she said, “are often very encouraging.”
Miss Bingley inclined her head, as though in agreement. “Indeed. Which is why one must be careful not to mistake improvement for strength.” She rose at once. “You must be eager for quiet again, Miss Elizabeth. Rest is quite essential.”
“Naturally,” she agreed.
“And yet,” Miss Bingley continued, already turning the matter to her liking, “it would be a shame for your sister to be drawn away to pointless amusements just when she is most useful to you. Nothing comforts an invalid like familiar company.” She smiled at Jane. “I would not blame you if you chose to remain upstairs with her the rest of the day, Miss Bennet.”
Jane blinked, surprised—and then relieved. “If Lizzy wishes it, I should be glad to stay.”
Elizabeth met her sister’s eyes. There was no space here for protest, no graceful way to redirect without inviting exactly the attention she meant to avoid.
“Of course.” Miss Bingley was already moving. “Come, Louisa. We shall leave the sisters to their tea and see whether our brother has at last ceased his pacing.”
Mrs Hurst rose, scarcely glancing back at Elizabeth as she followed.
Miss Bingley paused only long enough to add, “Do ring if you require anything, Miss Elizabeth. Anything at all.”
When they were gone, Elizabeth glanced at the teacup cooling beside her, then at Jane.
“I was just beginning to understand that argument,” she said, with a rueful little smile.
Jane returned it, though her eyes were thoughtful. “Some arguments are clearer once one party has left the room.”
“Darcy, there you are.”
