"Agreeable!" Harriet laughed. "Miss Bennet, he finds a reason to be near you whenever he can. At breakfast this morning, there were six empty chairs and he still chose the one beside yours. Then, this afternoon, he applauded every arrow as though you had won the contest single-handed."
"He was the first to cross the lawn when it ended as well," Miss Drummond added. "I believe he had forgotten entirely that he belonged to the opposing team."
Jane tried to appear unmoved, but the corners of her mouth had begun to lift. "You are exaggerating."
Her answer was mild, but there was enough satisfaction in it to make Elizabeth smile. Jane caught her eye in the mirror and immediately found reason to adjust the ribbon at her sleeve.
Miss Drummond glanced around the room. "That appears to account for Mr Hadley, one of the Mr Blackwoods and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Mr Ashcombe has been thoroughly dealt with by Lady Frances, which leaves… Mr Darcy."
Miss Grey's hands stilled briefly in Elizabeth's hair. Harriet abandoned the lavender crown and came to stand beside thedressing table. "Mr Darcy watchedyouthrough most of the archery."
"He was observing the opposing team."
"He looked ready to call out Mr Blackwood when he helped you with the bow."
"That is absurd."
"Colonel Fitzwilliam appeared to think it very amusing," Miss Drummond said. "He watched Mr Darcy almost as closely as Mr Darcy watched you."
Elizabeth reached for one of her earrings and fastened it with unnecessary care. "Mr Darcy cannot be held responsible for his cousin's amusement."
"No," said Lady Frances. "But he may be held responsible for the manner in which he held your hands after the fencing."
Elizabeth's fingers slipped against the clasp. "You are all determined to make far too much of a moment which lasted no more than a few seconds."
Lady Frances examined the lavender crown now resting crookedly upon her hair. "A few seconds may still be revealing."
Elizabeth looked at her through the mirror. "And what precisely do you believe they revealed?"
There was a brief exchange of glances among the ladies. Amelia was the one who answered, her voice quiet but certain. "I think Mr Darcy is in love with you."
The room fell still. Elizabeth stared at Amelia, startled by the plainness of the words. Mr Darcy had made no declaration, and only that morning he had suggested that they forget the kiss entirely. He had also held her hands before everyone, and when she had accused him of showing too little concern over the score, his answer had sounded like something more. She could not deny that her heart beat faster at the very thought of him. But no, this was madness, she was getting caught up in this strange bubble they had created around the challenge. The plain truth was that he was so above her in consequence that he was unlikely even to speak to her if they were not thrown together in this way.
Harriet was the first to break the silence. "Well?"
"There is no well," Elizabeth said, turning back towards the mirror, her voice unusually cold. "Miss Harrington is mistaken."
"Perhaps," Lady Frances replied carefully. "But you have not said that you would be sorry if she were right."
Elizabeth reached for her other earring and concentrated upon fastening it. "Mr Darcy only looks to find fault," she said, with more conviction than she felt. "I cannot imagine why you should mistake disapproval for devotion."
There was another long pause, uneasiness seeping into the festive atmosphere. But the conversation soon moved on around Elizabeth, warm and noisy, as the respective merits of every gentleman at Chaffley Hall were debated. Elizabeth allowed Miss Grey to finish fussing with her hair and contributed little beyond an occasional smile. Her thoughts remained with Mr Darcy's hands closing around hers upon the lawn.
???
Dinner that evening was a raucous affair. The wine flowed freely, laughter came often and easily, and even Mr Ashcombe was drawn into better humour. Before the first course had been removed, he rose from his chair, crossed to Lady Frances and offered his hand. "I was beaten fairly," he said, with some stiffness but no trace of mockery. "And by a very fine opponent."
Lady Frances regarded him for a moment before placing her hand in his. "That is graciously said, Mr Ashcombe."
"I assure you, it has cost me some effort."
"I do not doubt it."
The company laughed, Mr Ashcombe included, and the last of the unpleasantness appeared to leave him as he returned to his place. Lady Hortensia watched the exchange with a broad smile which softened the heavy lines of her face. She had orderedthe teams to sit together rather than in opposition, and the arrangement proved wise. Arguments over the Challenge gave way to stories of previous house parties and increasingly bold predictions for the days ahead.
Mr Hadley had secured the chair beside Mrs Cartwright and appeared determined to keep her entertained. He had already persuaded her to admit that she had not disliked archery quite as much as expected, though she remained firm that rowing would lead only to disaster.
"You would be perfectly safe," he assured her. "I told you this afternoon that I am an excellent swimmer."
