“I am sure I do not know what you mean,” Elizabeth replied coolly, concealing a flare of anger. Miss Bingley could only mean the scandal sheets that had so unfairly targeted Jane. How dare she!
Suddenly and horribly, a new idea sprouted in Elizabeth’s mind. Could the rumours have been intended to make Jane flee London? Elizabeth knew of only one person who would benefit from her sister’s absence. It was a motive, but would any lady behave so shamefully?
Caroline fanned herself delicately and adopted a wide-eyed expression. “I only thought that Miss Bennet might prefer the quiet of the country. The last time I saw her, she seemed so overwhelmed by her time in town. The season can be so unforgiving, you know.”
Elizabeth forced a smile. “How considerate of you to concern yourself so deeply with my sister’s comfort.”
Caroline’s fan stilled. “I am always concerned for my friends’ well-being, Miss Eliza. The attention one receives, warranted or not, can be so taxing. I would only tell Miss Bennet, as any loyal friend would, that retreating to a less visible environment might suit her better. Do you not think, Miss Eliza?”
“My sister is quite well, I assure you, Miss Bingley. I thank you for your concern and advice.”
“How glad I am to hear it,” Miss Bingley replied lightly. “But you must promise me you’ll consider what I have said. I couldn’t bear to see you distressed. Society can be so cruel when it senses vulnerability.”
“That is true,” Elizabeth told her. “But I believe it would be a mistake to mistake gentleness for weakness, or sincerity for vulnerability. Particularly in print. You would not make such a mistake, would you, Miss Bingley?”
Caroline’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “Me?” She laughed haughtily. “I merely hear things, as anyone does. Though we can never account for what the papers choose to print, can we?”
Elizabeth opened her mouth, though she hardly knew whether it would be better to parry or attack her opponent outright, when the crowd shifted behind Miss Bingley. A tall figure approached, cutting through the press of people as the prow of a ship cuts through waves in a troubled sea.
Instantly, Elizabeth recognised him. Only one man combined such physical grace with so sombre an expression, so much presence with so little charm.
Mr Darcy.
If Elizabeth was not pleased to see him, she certainly knew who was. Caroline Bingley brightened considerably and pivoted toward him. “Mr Darcy, such a pleasure to see you again! I declare, if I miss anything from my time in Hertfordshire, it is your society. How pleasant it is to have a lively house party composed of those with a great deal of conversation!”
Elizabeth fought the urge to roll her eyes at her simpering tone. Miss Bingley’s opinion of her time in Hertfordshire certainly seemed to have altered remarkably in retrospect.
Mr Darcy gave a curt bow. His eyes found Elizabeth’s for a brief moment, then darted away.
“It has been too long since you visited us,” Miss Bingley went on. “Charles is happy to see you at any time, you know. As am I.”
Elizabeth noted how Mr Darcy’s jaw tightened imperceptibly. He turned to her. “Miss Elizabeth.”
She returned the greeting, and Elizabeth was pleased to hear her own voice did not betray her irritation or curiosity. Why was he here? Darcy’s eyes flicked away to the dance floor, where Charles Bingley was even then escorting Jane down the line. He seemed about to speak, then hesitated.
Elizabeth’s suspicion sharpened.
Caroline, eager to commandeer Darcy’s attention, continued. “You will excuse us, Mr Darcy, but I was just saying to Miss Bennet that a quieter season in the country can be very beneficial, given the circumstances.”
“Circumstances?” Mr Darcy stared at her.
“Oh.” Caroline brought her hand to her chest in mock surprise. “But you have not heard? I should not presume to repeat gossip.”
Elizabeth stifled a snort. Caroline Bingley lived for gossip, as everyone well knew.
Mr Darcy’s gaze flitted to her, then back to Miss Bingley. “If the matter is sensitive in nature, you would do well not to mention it, Miss Bingley.”
Miss Bingley flushed. “I have only my friends’ best interests at heart.”
“Perhaps one might be sure that their counsel is invited before offering it,” Elizabeth quipped, unable to keep silent any longer.
Miss Bingley bristled, but Mr Darcy had shifted his attention wholly to Elizabeth. A flicker of something like understanding hovered in the air between them.
Elizabeth looked away, not wanting to give him the comfort of believing they stood on the same side of anything. A silence fell, the more noticeable for the dance having come to an end, the music falling silent.
“Pray excuse me, I must speak to my brother,” Caroline Bingley said, and briskly moved away.
Fearing what she might say to Jane, Elizabeth turned to follow.
