“Or something equally... unexpected,” Wickham replied, his voice still light but the meaning beneath it unmistakable.He knew. Somehow, Wickham had stumbled across my footprints or—worse—Darcy’s.
I forced another smile, unwilling to let him see me falter. “Indeed.”
“Well, then, it is unfortunate that I missed you before you set out for your outing. I believe I have stayed my welcome already, and I shall about-face and take me back to my quarters.”
Mama gasped in dismay. “But you have only just arrived, Mr. Wickham! You simply must stay for dinner. I insist! It would be our greatest pleasure to have you.”
I clenched my jaw, watching as Wickham’s smile slid back into place with effortless ease. “I wouldn’t dream of imposing, Mrs. Bennet,” he said, though we all knew he would hardly decline the invitation.
“Nonsense!” my mother declared. “You must stay, Mr. Wickham, you must! We shall have a delightful evening together.”
I caught Wickham’s glance as he cast me another look—this time more smug than playful, as if he’d already won some unspoken victory. And I, for once, had no clever retort. Not in front of my mother, and certainly not with my sisters fairly swooning in their slippers.
It was too late to warn anyone now. Wickham had already embedded himself too deeply into our lives, and while my family basked in the glow of his charm, I stood frozen, trapped between my knowledge of the truth and my inability to speak it. Before I could formulate an escape plan, the door to the drawing room opened, and in marched Mr. Collins. He looked about until his eye settled on me, and then he brightened, hurrying forward.
“Cousin Elizabeth, what exceeding luck to find you. It is so rare that I have had the leisure of seeing you about and unoccupiedthat I feel I must, even in the presence of company, impose upon your good nature to relay to you some bit of news. I have received a most urgent letter from Lady Catherine herself.”
I stifled a groan and prepared for whatever nonsensical praise he was about to heap on his benefactor.
“She requires my presence back at Hunsford with immediate effect, due to certain pressing matters. However...” His eyes took on that familiar glint as he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “I deeply regret that there is amost... important matter I had hoped to secure during my visit, and time is slipping away.”
Ah, of course. That again.
I folded my hands in front of me and gave him my most attentive smile, though my mind was already working out how to divert him. “Mr. Collins, how tragic for you that duty must call you away from such pressing personal concerns. Lady Catherine’s word is, after all, as close to law as one might hope to follow.”
“Indeed, Miss Elizabeth, you understand perfectly!” he said, beaming at what he assumed was my complete submission to the conversation.
“Well, Lady Catherine’s needs must always come first, Mr. Collins. How unfortunate that she requires your return to Hunsford immediately, when there was still something... dear to you left unsecured.” I clasped my hands with exaggerated sympathy. “But surely such matters will keep, won’t they? Kent needs you.”
Mr. Collins blinked, his mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. “Well, I... I—”
“And imagine Lady Catherine’s disappointment should you tarry here any longer!” I continued, as though I hadn’t noticed his growing confusion. “Surely, she would be beside herself knowing you’re delayed when she needs you so. Why, I dare say Kent might collapse without you.”
His brow furrowed, and for the first time, he appeared uncertain. “But... Miss Bennet, I had intended—”
“You mustn’t allow such trivial matters to weigh on you, Mr. Collins.” I smiled brightly, stepping past him with a polite nod. “Duty calls, after all! Lady Catherine must not be made unhappy by any delay, even for a moment.”
Without giving him a chance to recover, I dipped my head and turned toward the stairs, leaving him frozen in the middle of the drawing-room, utterly baffled by how the conversation had slipped from his grasp.
As I ascended the stairs, my basket full of books balanced carefully on my hip, I bit back a triumphant grin. If nothing else, today had been a success in keeping Mr. Collins, Mr. Wickham, and my sanity at arm’s length.
Twenty-Six
Darcy
It had been, overall,a less than tedious afternoon. Bingley had tried to drag me out skating in the Meryton Square again, but the thought of another humiliation before the entire town had been too much to bear. So, I talked him into a brisk ride instead.
The winter weather was fair for a change, the horses were swift, Bingley only mentioned the words “Miss Bennet” and “Angel” a couple of times, and we had not seen even one of the militia officers on our outing. I daresay, it ought to have been everything pleasant to set my thoughts at ease.
But the ride had not done what I had hoped—clear my head and rid me of some of the more inconvenient notions nagging at my mind. By the time I dismounted, I was in no mood forpleasantries. The last thing I wanted was an invitation to take tea with Bingley’s sisters as soon as we returned. Yet, as ever, Bingley was enthusiastic about it.
“Come, Darcy!” he called, far too chipper for my taste. “Caroline was lamenting only yesterday that we hardly see your face. She will start to think you are avoiding her.”
Perhaps because Iwasavoiding her. Tea with Miss Bingley and her sister was about as appealing as having my boots tied together, but I could hardly refuse outright. So, I followed him into the drawing room, dreading what was sure to be a painfully long half-hour of simpering smiles and inane conversation.
Caroline Bingley was already seated, her eyes lighting up the moment I stepped inside. “Mr. Darcy, how lovely of you to join us. I trust the ride was invigorating?”
I gave a curt nod, offering nothing more.
