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“You are leaving me only Miss Bingley. I believe I can manage.”

“Lizzy.” Jane motioned to the hall.

Elizabeth followed Jane out and pulled the door closed behind them. She spoke before Jane could. “Cora has been sitting with Miss Bingley these past nights, and we shall need her to do so again, at least for tonight. As long as it is necessary, I shall continue to assist Cora with answering Miss Bingley’s bell, reading to her, writing her notes, and preventing her from attempting to rise before Mr. Hinshaw permits it. Those are all things a gentlewoman may properly do.”

“And you believe you should be the one to do them?”

“Who else?”

“Allow me to help.”

“Ah, but you will be more pleasantly occupied.”

“Do you mean because Mr. Bingley means to call?”

“Partly.” Primarily, even. But there was more. Elizabeth hesitated only slightly before continuing. “It is also for Aunt and Uncle Gardiner,” she said. “They have opened their home to us, and because of our connexion to Miss Bingley, they have been required to open it to a woman who disdains them. I will not have their kindness repaid with Miss Bingley making their entire household miserable.”

Jane squeezed her hand. “Then we shall divide the work.”

“No, and there is a reason. You feel too much sympathy for her.”

“Do you not?”

“Of course I do. But she is not any kinder because of her injury, Jane. She is just Miss Bingley with a bell.” She was pleased when Jane laughed. “Miss Bingley requires someone willing to tell her when she is being unreasonable, and that service I am pleased to provide.”

The knock at the front door came before Jane could answer.

Cora was gone, and their aunt was in the nursery. The knock sounded again.

“I shall answer it,” Elizabeth said.

Jane caught her arm. “Lizzy, you cannot.”

“Then you must, if we are to allow our visitors inside.”

Jane touched the wet spot on the front of her gown.

Elizabeth smiled and placed one hand on Jane’s arm. “Will you please inform Aunt that we shall need the bed key for Miss Bingley’s bed? The ropes will need to be tightened.”

“Of course,” Jane said before nearly fleeing up the stairs. Elizabeth waited for her to disappear above the landing and then opened the door.

Mr. Bingley stood upon the step. Mr. Darcy was beside him.

For several seconds, no one spoke.

Mr. Bingley glanced over his shoulder, perhaps to assure himself that they had indeed stopped at the Gardiners’ house.

“Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Bingley said at last.

“Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy. Do come in.”

Both gentlemen entered and then bowed. Mr. Darcy’s gaze passed from her face to her hand upon the door, then returned to her face.

“I fear you have caught us at an awkward moment,” she said. “Our maid is resting.”

“Is Caroline worse?” Mr. Bingley inquired.

“No.”