“It is terrible,” Jane said, her voice full of sadness. She shook her head.
Their aunt recovered quickly. “Well, as I have said before, girls, I do not put stock in such things. It is idle chatter, simply meant to entertain. Those I count among my true friends would not lower themselves to believe such nonsense.”
Jane folded the paper, but the crease between her brows remained. She and Elizabeth exchanged a worried glance. They were not so sure that there would be no consequences to these latest whispers.
“Now, my dears, why don’t you ready yourselves? I believe we are expecting Mr Darcy for tea this afternoon, yes?”
When Elizabeth nodded, Jane looked at her with some concern. “You do not mind that I will be out, do you, Lizzy? I had thought to go with our uncle to his office today, and walk from there to the shops.”
“No, certainly not.” In fact, it might be better if Jane were not present to hear how much — or how little — progress their investigation had made.
The Bennet sisters ate a meager breakfast, as neither had much appetite. Elizabeth sipped her morning tea as her mind tumbled over this latest development and contemplated what to say to Mr Darcy when he arrived.
∞∞∞
Shortly after calling hours began, Darcy arrived bearing a familiar, glowering expression. He bowed perfunctorily to Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner, who sat in the corner of the parlour, busying herself with a piece of embroidery. He took the seat across from Elizabeth, and she knew instantly from the hard glint in his eyes that he had heard the latest rumour.
“I take it you have read the latest,” she said.
His jaw clenched. “It is unconscionable.”
“They have gone too far,” Elizabeth said in a low voice. “Jane is one thing. I am another. But my aunt does not deserve such treatment.”
“It is a calculated move. To implicate her involvement lends more credibility to the accusation. Whoever is responsible knows precisely how to wound.”
Elizabeth fought the urge to sink back into the cushions. “I thought we were so close. I truly believed we were nearing the end of this.”
Mr Darcy did not immediately respond. His posture was attentive, but his expression remained restrained, particularly in the company of Mrs Gardiner herself, who was, to her credit, doing her best to throw herself into her work so they might speak candidly.
“It is not foolish to hope, Miss Bennet. Though it does often arrive prematurely,” he said.
Elizabeth laughed bitterly. “You are very good at saying the right thing.”
Mr Darcy shifted slightly in his seat. “I am trying.”
A heavy weight pressed itself upon Elizabeth. “I am very tired,” she admitted. “Every day brings new humiliations, and every kindness must be suspect. I am exhausted by defending what should never have been questioned in the first place.” She felt her composure fraying and did her best to hide her agitation.
Darcy’s voice was quiet. “It is understandable that you are weary. Indeed, it would be more surprising if you were not. I am only sorry that you should be put to such a trial.”
Something twisted sharply in her chest. His concern was not performative. For a terrifying moment, she wanted to lean into the comfort of it.
“I should never have agreed to this,” she breathed. “This… arrangement. It has only made matters worse.”
Mr Darcy’s brow furrowed. He glanced to the corner where Mrs Gardiner hummed pleasantly to herself, her concentration firmly on her needle and thread. “Do you truly believe that?”
Elizabeth hesitated. No, she did not sincerely believe it. For all the chaos it had wrought, the sham courtship had given her clarity. It had shown her allies where she expected enemies, and tenderness where she had braced for indifference.
But admitting that would be dangerous.
“I do not know what I believe anymore,” she said instead.
Darcy braced his hands on his knees. “Elizabeth —” He stopped, catching himself. “Miss Bennet. There is something I must say.”
Her heart thudded painfully. “Yes?”
“If this were merely a matter of reputation, if it were my own name alone at risk, I would have ended this already. But it is not. And I cannot regret the opportunity it has given me to —” He broke off, searching for words. “To know you better.”
The room suddenly felt too small.
