I held back a sigh at the familiar voice and turned to face the town mayor, Soo-jin Pembroke. Despite being only in her forties, the formidable Korean woman was the undisputed queen of small-town politics and gossip, insisting she had to stay informed “for the good of the town.” She was also the queen of wearing the most ridiculously festive outfits, evidenced by the large brown hat on her head where a little squirrel named Sir Chestnut rode.
“Hello, Mayor Pembroke.” Jane gave her a wide smile. “I love your pumpkin earrings.”
“Thank you, dear, but you know you can call me Soo-jin or Sue, whichever you prefer.” Mayor Pembroke’s dark gaze flitted from Jane to me before lingering on my hand interlocked with Darcy’s. Her grin widened, deepening the crow’s feet at the corner of her hazel eyes, and she patted a lock of black hair back into her precise bob. “Are you leaving already?”
“Yes.” I tugged Darcy’s hand behind my back even though it was already too late. Us leaving the festival holding hands was sure to be the next piece of gossip once Mayor Pembroke found someone new to talk to. “But we had a great time. You did a wonderful job organizing it.”
“Why, thank you. It has been a lovely night so far.” She ran a hand down her orange cable-knit sweater that had a three-dimensional scarecrow on it and leaned closer. “Speaking of nice nights, I was out on a stroll last night, and you won’t believe who I saw.”
“Who?” Jane asked politely. We knew better than to derail one of the mayor’s stories.
“Frank Churchill.” She shifted closer, and the pumpkins on her leggings winked with the movement. “He was talking to someone I didn’t know. He’s always so friendly and charming. That young man is such a credit to the town.”
“Yes, he’s very thoughtful,” I agreed with another sideways step. “Well, it was great seeing you, but we’ve got to go.”
“See you later, dears.” She waved us off, then turned back toward the festival.
“I’ll see Jane home, then meet you there,” Charles said once we reached the parking lot a minute later.
“We’ll figure something out, Lizzy.” Jane gave me a quick hug and whispered in my ear, “Hopefully we do it before Riley sees. He’d be so jealous.”
“You know we’re just friends,” I said equally softly. And no matter how many times Jane teased me about him, that wouldn’t change.
“See you tomorrow.” Jane pulled back and waved. “I’ll let Charlotte know you won’t be coming home tonight.”
“Thanks.” I sighed and followed Darcy to his car. Charlotte would die when she found out who I was stuck with. My free hand drifted to my lips again, and I glanced at Darcy from the corner of my eye. It didn’t seem likely that we’d untangle this mess any time soon, which meant I’d have to spend the night with him.
Chapter 10
“Iknowwhyyouwere so eager to go to Netherfield.” Darcy’s voice was as velvety as the dusk as we got into the car.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” I blinked at the man waiting in the front seat. Did the Bingleys always have drivers take them around town?
“You seem determined to misunderstand me.” One side of Darcy’s mouth pulled up at the corner.
“Only because you’re determined to keep secrets from me.”
Darcy hesitated for a long moment. “I don’t make it a habit to open up to people.”
For the rest of the drive, silence nestled between us like a third passenger, demanding attention.
A quarter of an hour later, an iron gate opened for our vehicle, and the sleek Buick drove up a gravel drive to the estate from my Portent. Even with the darkness washing out the details, there was no mistaking the grandeur of its gabled roof and multi-paned windows.
I was at the scene of the murder, but the killer’s identity was murkier than ever before.
Darcy gestured for me to go out my door, then he climbed across the seats to follow me. Once we were both standing, he reclaimed my hand without asking, but there was no point arguing about it because it was easier to move around that way. We walked inside, our shoes clacking on the shiny marble floor that reflected the light of a brilliant chandelier dangling overhead. A fire burned in a brick fireplace, exuding a heat and sense of welcome.
A man in dark pants and a white shirt hurried over as soon as we got inside, but Darcy waved him off with a, “We’re fine, Lloyd,” and led me down a hallway lined with dark wooden paneling. Absently, I rubbed my itching nose and followed Darcy’s broad shoulders down endlesshallways. We saw no one else, and I couldn’t help but let out a breath of relief that we didn’t run into Caroline and Louisa again. One awkward encounter was plenty for tonight.
After the next corner, Darcy reached for a silver doorknob on the right side of the hall. It led to a room decorated with deep blues, greens, and dark gray. A blue rug covered most of the wooden floor, and a brass lamp sat on a heavy desk next to a shiny laptop and charger. Bookshelves covered an entire wall—something Dad would’ve loved—and large windows showed the dark sky outside and an expansive view of the gardens lit by elaborate lanterns. An enormous bed with an ornate headboard sat against the far wall.
Chewing on my bottom lip, I tore my gaze from the bed and tugged my wrist to double-check that nothing had miraculously changed with our bond during the trip here.
Darcy stepped closer in response, and my stomach dropped.
We only had two feet of space, which meant that one of us wouldn’t even be able to sleep on the floor without both of our arms being pulled uncomfortably all night.
Maybe Darcy had come to the same conclusion, because he stared at the bed, brow furrowed and lips pressed into a tight line.
