It was not impossible. Lady Catherine was known to take a great interest in her nephew’s life. Perhaps she would not scruple to manipulate if she felt so inclined. Would she have gone so far as to promote gossip about Georgiana Darcy, her own niece?
Elizabeth pressed a gloved hand to her cheek. Lady Catherine and Caroline Bingley both had motive for spreading rumours about Jane and herself. Both of them might be capable of this mischief. The room spun. There were too many connections and threads that ran in opposite directions. How could she hope to trace them all herself?
There was only one person in London who understood the danger as she did, and only one person who had connectionsto both suspects. And, given his friendship with Charles Bingley, she suspected that he too was present tonight.
It was only too clear to her now how helpful Mr Darcy could be in the search for the culprit. Her reluctance to seek him out bristled. She had determined to avoid him at all costs for the rest of her life, and now they were being thrown together by some cruel fate. But he had influence, and the same desire to protect his family.
Elizabeth took a breath, then rejoined the party, her mind made up. She needed clarity, certainly. But more than that, she needed an ally. Squaring her shoulders and depositing her cup, she returned to the ballroom.
She spotted him immediately. He stood by a column on the opposite side of the room, surveying the assembly with a gravity that was almost comforting in its familiarity, wearing the same stern expression she had always found irritating. Did the man always think himself so much above his company?
Elizabeth made her way toward him, weaving between guests and doing her best not to think about what the scandal sheets would print tomorrow if the rumour-monger observed her approaching Mr Darcy from across the room.
He quickly noticed her. As she reached him, his posture straightened and his eyes sharpened, sensing that something was amiss.
“Miss Elizabeth.” He bowed. “Good evening.”
Impatiently, she returned the greeting. “Mr Darcy. I wonder if I might speak with you for a moment?”
His eyes drifted to the guests nearest them, but Elizabeth paid them no mind. This was too important.
“Of course,” Mr Darcy said. He led her to a quieter alcove, slightly away from the boisterous party.
They were not breaking any rules of propriety, but still Elizabeth felt her heart race. It was one thing to put her irritation towards the man aside and ask for his help, and another entirely to do so while he looked at her with a directness she found difficult to interpret.
“I’m sure you’ve read the latest scandal paper?” she asked. She could not bear to speak the words aloud. Not to him.
“I have heard of it,” he admitted, brow furrowing.
“And you know it to be untrue,” Elizabeth said.
“Yes. Unfortunately, the truth rarely impedes a well-crafted lie.”
She hated to admit how right he was. “I overheard something tonight,” she continued, hoping that what she said next would not cause too great an offense. “The source was not one upon which I would place a great deal of trust. Nor did the man in question claim to know anything with certainty. But he gave the name of Lady Catherine de Bourgh in connection with the publication of the scandal sheets.”
Darcy’s eyes flashed with alarm. “Lady Catherine? What can my aunt have to do with this?”
“A footman hinted that she provided the publisher with names of people she found unsuitable. He speculated that she hoped to have some influence over your affairs.” Elizabeth brushed her lips with her thumb. “I know this is not what you may wish to hear, but —”
“This cannot be true,” Darcy said harshly, though Elizabeth noticed with some interest and a little relief that his ire was not directed against herself. “She has no right.”
“Certainly not. And I shall say again that we know nothing for certain. Nevertheless, she may be attempting to assert her influence.” Elizabeth hesitated, but decided that since she had confided this much to him, she might as well get along with the rest. “Caroline Bingley also seems too familiar with the rumours involving Jane. And now there is the possibility that your aunt could be involved. I cannot unravel this alone.”
His expression changed. It did not soften per se, as Mr Darcy was not a man who bore that emotion easily, but his gaze steadied into what Elizabeth could only interpret as concern.
“What are you asking of me, Miss Elizabeth?” Mr Darcy asked, his voice low.
She lifted her chin. “You are investigating these matters as well, are you not? I propose we share what we learn and work together to uncover the culprit behind these rumours. We must covertly exchange whatever information we can for the protection of our families.”
Mr Darcy studied her, and Elizabeth wondered if she had presumed to ask too much.
“There is one complication to your plan,” he said finally. “Merely speaking together will only give fuel to the rumour.”
“I am aware,” Elizabeth said, determined not to show how his rebuff stung her.
“Then we must prevent the scandal from getting worse.”
Elizabeth blinked. He was not dismissing her plan entirely, then. “What do you propose, Mr Darcy?”
