"Good." Darcy's tone was firm. "Then prove it by being yourself tomorrow evening. The man Miss Bennet knew in Hertfordshire. Not the anxious fool you have been in London."
Bingley managed a shaky laugh. "I shall endeavour to comply. Though I make no promises."
They turned and began walking back toward their house, the smoke from the fire drifting away on the summer breeze.
***
Elizabeth
Though there was initial panic when Mr. Gardiner and Jane saw the two ladies who had gone out earlier return so soon with the younger covered in dirt and smoke, it quickly dissipated when Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner explained what they had just been through.
They had scarcely finished recounting the rescue when Mr. Gardiner declared it providence that the gentlemen had been there at all, and Jane had gone pale at the thought of Elizabeth standing beneath falling timber.
"You might have been killed," Jane said, her voice trembling as she gripped Elizabeth's hands.
"But I was not," Elizabeth assured her, though her own hands were still unsteady. "Mr. Darcy pushed me clear in time."
Jane's eyes widened. "Mr. Darcy."
"Yes." Elizabeth felt heat rise to her cheeks. "He and Mr. Bingley were the ones who rescued the child and maid from the upper floor. They were very brave."
At the mention of Mr. Bingley's name, Jane's calm countenance altered in an instant, colour rising and receding without warning. She sat very quietly, as though any movement might betray too much.
Mrs. Gardiner glanced at her husband and then at Jane with careful attention. "I hope you do not object, but I invited both gentlemen to dinner tomorrow evening. Mr. Darcy saved Lizzy'slife. The debt of gratitude could not be dismissed with a mere thank you in the street."
Jane said nothing. She sat very still, her hands folded in her lap, her face carefully composed.
"Jane?" Elizabeth ventured softly.
"Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley," Jane said quietly. "Both of them?"
"Yes, dear," Mrs. Gardiner confirmed. "I could not ask Mr. Darcy alone when Mr. Bingley was standing right beside him."
Jane's composure wavered. "I see."
Mr. Gardiner, who had been listening with his usual quiet attentiveness, spoke up. "Well, I shall be glad to meet these gentlemen properly. Any man brave enough to run into a burning building deserves a good dinner and civil conversation, at the very least."
Mrs. Gardiner nodded her agreement, then added more gently, "Jane, I know this is unexpected. If you would prefer not to attend—"
"No." Jane lifted her chin with a determination that surprised Elizabeth. "No, I will attend. It would be churlish to do otherwise when they performed such a service for our family."
Elizabeth studied her sister's face and saw the effort it cost her to maintain that calm facade.
"If you are certain—" Elizabeth began.
"I am certain," Jane said, though her voice was not quite steady. "It has been months, Lizzy. I cannot hide from Mr. Bingley forever. And if his attentions are over, as I must assume they are, then it is better to know it and be done with wondering."
The resignation in her sister's tone cut Elizabeth deeply. She reached for Jane's hand and squeezed it.
Mrs. Gardiner looked between them with evident concern. "Well. That is settled, then. Six o'clock tomorrow evening. I shall speak with Cook about the menu." She paused at the door. "You should both rest. It has been a trying morning."
When their aunt had left, and their uncle too, as if to give them some privacy, Elizabeth turned to Jane. "You do not have to do this, you know. I could plead a headache. We could both excuse ourselves—"
"And prove ourselves cowards?" Jane managed a faint smile. "No, Lizzy. We will face this with dignity. Both of us."
Elizabeth frowned. "What do you mean, both of us?"
Jane looked at her with those too-perceptive eyes. "I do not know what happened in Kent between you and Mr. Darcy—"
