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Miss Bennet was quite ill, and the local apothecary after checking her symptoms, declared that she should not be moved for several days. Most worrying was her high fever, which would have to be closely monitored. This resulted in Miss Elizabeth joining her sister in residence.

Those were the bald facts of the matter. But Darcy was intrigued as to how Miss Elizabeth would act when in his company for several days. Admittedly she would be spending more of her time above stairs tending to her sister but they would be in each other’s company at some point each day. What he had not factored into his calculations was the behaviour of Miss Bingley.

At supper Miss Elizabeth was isolated beyond Hurst, never much of a conversationalist, and definitely not when there was food on the table. She ignored her somewhat rude placement and upon the separation of the sexes went upstairs to check on her sister. It was later when she returned to the salon that things took a turn to the confrontational. He did not know why Miss Bingley had taken a dislike to Miss Elizabeth, but it was clear that she had.

“Miss Eliza Bennet, how is your sister?”

“She is unchanged, her fever is still high. Miss Bingley, my name is Elizabeth not Eliza.”

Darcy watched Caroline Bingley’s face become pinched and haughty.

“I have heard you call Eliza in company.”

There was a pause, which grew ever more awkward as Miss Elizabeth stared at her silently.

“The young brother of my friend Miss Lucas could not pronounce my name when I was born and thus to the Lucas family I am known as Miss Eliza. One family whom I have known all my life, no one else. My name is Elizabeth.”

Darcy gazed on as Miss Elizabeth coldly stared down Caroline Bingley. Who would avert her gaze first?

“I see.”

Within the first two minutes of Miss Elizabeth arriving in the salon the air had already taken a turn to the frosty. Darcy watched as she took up a book and sat. The best way to describe her was that she was adjacent to the company rather than part of it. Darcy watched as Miss Elizabeth’s lips twitched as she read her book. Although her posture was relaxed, it was clear to anyone with eyes and sense that she was on guard, almost defensive. Of course Miss Bingley, as ever only seeing what she wanted to see, and with precious little sense, would not allow the room to settle.

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet” everyone heard the borderline rude emphasis on her first name “your sister was telling Louisa and I about your family.”

Darcy saw Miss Elizabeth’s lips purse, just a momentary grimace. But what was obvious to him, and the rest of the room, was how her jaw set. If a man had reacted like that to him, Darcy would have taken a step back, the tension spoke of imminent violence. She lifted her head and looked at Miss Bingley, no words said, merely a blank stare. A rude hostess had been met by a rude guest. Darcy was in attendance at a private play, or so it seemed. This was utterly different to the charming guest he had observed on other occasions. She still said nothing and merely stared at Caroline Bingley.

“Your parents having only five daughters and with the estate entailed away to a male, it is such a terrible thing.”

Pronounced as if it was the exact opposite. Darcy cast a look to Bingley. He needed to rein in his sister. There were still no words from Miss Elizabeth. Finally.

“It is.”

And with that curt response she returned to her book, ignoring the rest of the company. Darcy wanted to hold his head in his hands, of course Caroline Bingley was not going to leave it at that.

“Whatever will your family do? Charles, Louisa and I would not like to be in that situation. Of course, with Charles, we would not need to worry about such a calamity.”

The false pity, barely concealed gloating, echoed round the room. Darcy observed Miss Elizabeth close her book, after carefully placing a bookmark.

“My family will survive, as it has in the past. We have been custodians of the Longbourn Estate for more than 250 years, since the reign of Edward VI. Tell me Miss Bingley, how long has your family owned an estate?”

Darcy subconsciously leaned back in his chair. Miss Elizabeth had not backed down one iota and had ruthlessly responded. He watched Caroline Bingley switch between several different shades of red, all unbecoming. She was spluttering incoherently and it was Mrs. Hurst who had to respond.

“We were talking of the present and the future not of the past Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

“Which one of you is Cassandra?”

This apparent non-sequitur confused both sisters. Darcy looked sharply at Bingley. He at least would know of what she spoke.

“I do not think either of my sisters claim to be a seer, Miss Elizabeth.”

Miss Elizabeth turned her head and acknowledged Bingley’s comment. She then calmly returned to her book.

“Hurst, Darcy, what say you to a game of cards?”

Bingley’s light cheerful tone rang hollow in the room. Regardless, both other men were moving to the card table with alacrity. But the moment of peace was shattered, inevitably, by Caroline Bingley. Once again demonstrating a breathtaking lack of sense she continued to bait Miss Elizabeth.

“Miss Bennet also told my sister and me about your uncles in trade. One is the local solicitor while the other lives in London. She did not tell us where in London before she fell ill. Can you enlighten us?”