“Not all men who call themselves gentlemen actually behave as such,” added Mrs. Hurst. “Some use words to say one thing, but their actions say another.”
“What could I do, then, to assure you of our sincerity?” Darcy asked.
Elizabeth pursed her lips together, thinking. The servants began to clear the bowls to make way for the next course, and their livery sparked an idea. “Would it be all right if one of our servants remained with Jane at all times belowstairs? Then remain outside her door once she was in her room?”
“Of course,” Mrs. Hurst said immediately. Before Elizabeth could say anything more, Mrs. Hurst had put the question to her brother as well.
It was Bingley’s instantaneous agreement that melted away Elizabeth’s final reservations about attending the evening’s card party.
“Shall I send a rider for him?” Mrs. Hurst asked Elizabeth.
“Jamie is already here at Netherfield in the stables,” Elizabeth replied. “He feels more comfortable being nearby if we are not at Longbourn.”
With the change of plans, she excused herself from the table to go and change her gown into something more appropriate for a card party while Mrs. Hurst called for the carriage to be readied. With the maid’s help, she was able to complete her toilette and return to the main floor just as Jamie was coming up the servants’ staircase.
“I understand you wished to see me, Miss Lizzy?”
She smiled at him in relief. “Mr. Darcy and Mrs. Hurst have convinced me to go to my aunt Phillips’s home for their card party this evening. Jane was feeling well enough to come down for dinner and tea. I hate to leave her alone; will you stay in the room with her? At all times? When she goes up to bed, you must stay outside her door. Don’t let her be alone with any of the Netherfield guests, especially Mr. Bingley. Do you understand?”
Jamie’s face darkened. “Is there trouble? Is she in danger?”
“I don’t think so, no. Now, you can’t tell anyone, but Mr. Bingley wishes to marry Jane. Papa and I aren’t certain yet. He wants to learn more about his character first. I don’tthinkhe would try to compromise her, but I simply do not wish to risk it.”
“Then why are you going?”
Elizabeth sighed. “Because I am a selfish being who wishes to see my friends and family, and this is the first time Jane has felt well enough for me to leave her. I did briefly the other day, but that was when she was still so ill, and it was not at night, nor for very long.”
“I see.”
It was clear that Jamie did not quite understand, but he knew better than to try to argue with one of Elizabeth’s over-worryings, as he called them. “You rich folk sure have a way of making things complicated,” he said with a grin. “All your rules for behavior and etiquette.”
She laughed softly and placed a hand on his twisted arm. “You always have a way of making me smile, Jamie. Thank you for that. And for doing this.”
He covered her hand with his own. “You are not selfish, Miss Lizzy. What you’re doing for your sister is one of the most selfless things you can do. Christ taught us to love our neighbor, and you are doing that in tending to your sister. Just remember that you are your own neighbor as well. You must care for yourself too, or you will not be able to care for anyone.”
She smiled at him through her tear-filled eyes. “Thank you, Jamie, for loving my sisters and me.”
“Thank you for giving me a family,” he replied.
Footsteps down the hallway ended the tender moment. They looked up to see Darcy just outside the drawing room door. He was glowering at them, his face a mask of disapproval, his dark eyes flashing with an intense emotion she could not name.
Behind him came Bingley, Jane, and the Hursts, who all waved their farewells before going into the room, presumably to take their tea after finishing their meal.
Elizabeth pulled her hand free and used it to mop at her eyes. “I’m sure all will be well, Jamie. I am ninety-nine percent sure I can trust them. But your presence here alleviates the one percent of doubt that I have.”
Jamie, offering a wry smile, replied, “Well then, I’m honored to be your one percent solution, Elizabeth. It seems I’ve finally found my calling as a professional doubt remover.”
She laughed, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Darcy’s frown deepen further. Before she could challenge him on the matter, the butler—who also happened to be the brother of a Longbourn tenant—announced the arrival of the carriage.
“Thank you, Grantham,” she said as he helped her put on her cloak.
“Not to worry, Miss Lizzy,” he whispered. “The missus and I will keep an eye on your girl too.”
He gave her a small wink as he straightened, and she beamed up at his inscrutable face. “You are very kind, Grantham. Please give my best to your brother, as I believe you shall see him before I do.”
Elizabeth gave one last look towards the drawing room, into which Jamie was entering with his shuffling gait. She whispered a silent prayer, then turned and went down the steps into the night.
∞∞∞
