As the music swelled to its crescendo, they bowed to one another, ending their dance. Mr Darcy offered his arm once more with exquisite courtesy.
Elizabeth accepted, her pulse thundering and her mind reeling from the intensity of the moment and the manner in which Caroline Bingley had tarnished it.
As Mr Darcy escorted her away, he murmured, “You should not have to endure such treatment.”
“Nor you,” she whispered back.
Their eyes met in a fleeting collision of vulnerability, but there was little time to examine their newfound appreciation of one another.
As they passed by Miss Bingley and the ring of partygoers hungry for more gossip, a footman perched near the edge of the refreshment table cut his gaze slyly to Miss Bingley, then to Mr Darcy and herself. His posture was incredibly attentive for a servant awaiting orders; his spine ramrod straight. He was not lingering out of boredom or waiting for his next instructions.The footman was listening intently to the conversation and the gossip Miss Bingley gleefully announced.
Elizabeth’s breath hitched. “Mr Darcy,” she whispered, “that footman, did you see him?”
Darcy followed her gaze just in time to watch the man retreat into a side passage with surprising speed.
“Yes,” Mr Darcy murmured. “I saw him.”
“He was listening to Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth said quickly, her pulse rising. “Listening with purpose. Whoever delivers these rumours must gather them from somewhere, and see the gossip she had just fed him.”
Mr Darcy’s jaw tightened. “Miss Bingley’s performance would tempt anyone to linger.”
“No,” Elizabeth insisted. “He was gathering information, and has now left to pursue his errand.”
Mr Darcy’s focus sharpened immediately. “You suspect he is connected to the scandal sheets.”
“I do,” she said. “And this time Miss Bingley accused me of manipulation, andyouof being led about by my apron-strings.” Her cheeks warmed. “If that reaches print —”
“It will not,” Mr Darcy said firmly.
Elizabeth took a breath. “Then we must follow him and be certain.”
Mr Darcy turned toward the darkened passage, then stopped abruptly. He spun, calculating. “You cannot follow.”
Elizabeth blinked. “But I saw him first! If we hurry—”
“Miss Bennet,” Darcy said, voice tight with urgency, “leaving a ballroom alone with me, at this hour, into a service corridor, would be ruinous.”
Elizabeth froze as the truth struck her. She placed a hand on her stomach, steadying herself. She had nearly tarnished her reputation, and not only her own. In the teeth of such a scandal, her sisters would have been affected as well. Everything she was trying to protect had nearly gone up in flames in her haste to catch the rumour-monger.
“I will follow him,” Mr Darcy said. “You must remain here.”
A wave of protest rose in her chest. “You expect me simply to wait, with no assurance of what you will discover? How shall I know you will tell me everything?”
Mr Darcy’s eyes searched hers. “Have I given you reason to doubt my honour?”
Elizabeth opened her mouth, but snapped it shut quickly. She had doubted him, yes. But that was before she had seen him defend Georgiana, before he had treated Jane with kindness, before he had agreed to this charade in order to protect his own family. No, Mr Darcy had given her no reason to doubt his honour.
“I…” Her throat tightened, and she was embarrassed to feel the prick of frustrated tears behind her eyes. She did not dare let them fall, and blinked them away. “I do not wish to be left behind.”
Mr Darcy’s expression remained firm. “I understand, truly, but the risk to you is too great. You must trust me in this.”
She had trusted him thus far in their ruse. Surely, she could extend that same confidence in him now?
Yet it was difficult indeed. Something in her balked at the thought of leaving her family’s fate in his hands. Especially when she was on the precipice of fixing everything herself.
Before she could reply, the servant’s hurried footsteps echoed faintly down the corridor. She would not risk their chance of catching the culprit because of her pride. Elizabeth swallowed. “Be careful, then.”
Darcy hesitated a mere moment, then disappeared into the passage.
