“We use the rumour to our advantage.”
Her mouth fell open. She could not help it. “You mean…”
“If we allow society to believe that the rumours are correct. That we have entered into a courtship.”
Elizabeth nearly choked.
“A pretence only,” Mr Darcy said quickly. “Nothing binding, but this will give us the freedom to meet and speak without attracting suspicion.”
Now it was Elizabeth’s turn to stare. The cold, proud, and impossible Mr Darcy was suggesting they adopt the mask of an adoring couple.
“It offers structure to our scheme, and protection. You cannot be accused of impropriety if seen speaking with me, and the Bennet family will not suffer further damage to its reputation. We would be permitted private conversation within reason, enabling us to unmask our enemy more effectively.”
His tone was entirely too practical, his reasons too sound. Despite her astonishment, Elizabeth could not doubt that he believed this plan to be sensible. She did not like to admit it, but perhaps he was more determined to save his sister’s reputation than even she had imagined. And if he were willing to enter into a sham courtship for Georgiana, then she could do the same for Jane.
“And,” Mr Darcy added, “it would put pressure on whoever is behind the rumours, while taking the wind out oftheir sails. If they intend to embarrass you or me, their scheme will appear to have failed.”
The idea of courting Mr Darcy was mortifying, risky, and entirely too intimate. But it was also clever.
She scrutinised him, searching for any hint that she was the object of a terrible jest. “You’re serious,” she said at last.
Mr Darcy nodded. “Completely.”
Elizabeth glanced over the soiree. The rumour-monger was out there, somewhere in London, perhaps at this very party. She could set aside her reservations, even if the idea of taking Mr Darcy’s arm, walking beside him, speaking freely, was almost too much to bear.
“I dislike this plan,” she admitted.
“So do I.”
“Yet I cannot deny its merit.”
“Do you accept, then?” Mr Darcy pressed her.
Elizabeth understood she was on the verge of making either a very cunning decision or a very foolish one. But she had sought Mr Darcy out, and he was offering a solution to their predicament. “I accept.”
For the briefest moment, an expression Elizabeth could not quite place flashed across his face.
“Then we must begin at once,” Mr Darcy said, offering his arm to Elizabeth. “If you will permit me.”
So, their charade would begin immediately. A farce that would confuse the public, unseat their enemy, and throw herown feelings into question. The small thrill that pulsed in time with her heartbeat, however unwelcome, was undeniable.
She placed her arm on his sleeve, gloved fingers brushing the fabric. His arm tensed beneath her touch, but he inclined his head, offering a soft acknowledgment. They stepped into the light of the ballroom as partners in pretence, united against their unseen adversary.
Chapter 4
The false courtship worked astonishingly well. Perhaps too well.
Elizabeth had barely stepped foot into the breakfast room, joining the merry atmosphere among the Gardiner children, when Mrs Gardiner looked up with a bright, knowing smile. “My dear, you’ll never guess whom we encountered in the street this morning. Mr Darcy! He inquired about your health most earnestly.”
Elizabeth fought the urge to run back to her bedroom. Instead, she busied herself by pouring a cup of tea. “Did he?” She cleared her throat, searching for composure. “How attentive of him.”
“Indeed,” Mrs Gardiner beamed. “And so early in the day, too. He even promised to call by the week’s end! How remarkable!”
They had agreed upon their scheme only last night. Mr Darcy wasted no time in making himself visible and setting their plan truly in motion. Elizabeth flushed. “Did he?”
When she offered no further comment, the Gardiners turned to other topics of conversation. Kind as they were, they did not pry, but the air hummed with quiet curiosity. Elizabeth could only guess what whispers flitted about thetonthis morning. Mr Darcy, famously private, calling on Gracechurch Street? Singling out Miss Elizabeth Bennet at a society gathering? Offering her his arm and his keen attention? It was almost impossible to believe.
Though there was something to be thankful for. Their plan required little effort when society was all too eager to construct its own stories.
