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"I wish I could." Darcy sat beside his friend. "I've no explanation I like better. We've tried to disprove it. Even the same gazebo follows us about, appearing wherever shelter is required."

"The gazebo?!"

"There's only one. It just appears in different locations."

Bingley made a strangled noise.

"Also," Darcy continued, "Lady Catherine has banned Elizabeth from Rosings for corrupting Anne with ideas about dog breeding."

"I was there for that part," Elizabeth said. "Mr. Collins is now inspecting cabbages in distress."

Darcy turned to Elizabeth. "Since Bingley arrived I've felt the pressure increase. I think another scene is being forced upon us."

"Which one?"

"Possibly a proposal."

Elizabeth's eyes widened. "The proposal? Already? But we're only at Chapter 14!"

"It seems less willing to wait. I can feel the speech trying to begin."

"Can we delay it?"

"Not sure. I'm going to try. But Elizabeth—" Darcy's expression was serious. "If I can't stop it, if the narrative forces the scene... just know that anything I say under compulsion isn't⁠—"

"I know," Elizabeth interrupted. "We'll figure it out."

Bingley looked between them. "There's a proposal coming? Who's proposing?"

"I am," Darcy said grimly. "Badly. While insulting Elizabeth's family. Because I won't be able to control what I say."

"That's terrible!"

"I know."

"Can't you just... not propose?"

"Tried that. Jaw clenched so hard I couldn't eat for an hour."

"This is a nightmare."

Darcy moved the crushed hat farther from Bingley's elbow. "I'm sorry, Charles. I should like to offer you a more cheerful account."

Charlotte appeared with tea. "I've put Mr. Collins to work weeding. He should be occupied for at least two hours. Also, there's a rainstorm coming." Everyone looked out the window at the perfectly clear sky.

"How do you know?" Bingley asked.

"Because there's always a rainstorm coming." Charlotte poured tea with perfect composure. "It's the narrative's favorite trick."

Thunder rumbled in the distance.

"There it is!" Darcy pointed accusingly at the sky. "Another predicted storm. This is ridiculous!"

"Then let us not count it until it rains," Elizabeth said.

"You're all speaking as if this were an ordinary afternoon," Bingley said.

Charlotte set the plate within Bingley's reach. "You may think us all as unreasonable as you please. You need not go hungry on that account."