“Precisely. The inspector finds it curious that we were able to escape so quickly while so many others perished. He wishes to know how we became aware of the fire before others.”
Elizabeth felt a flash of indignation. “We knew because I smelled it! Because I woke up and raised the alarm before it spread too far! Surely that is not suspicious?”
“Perhaps not to those who know you,” Mrs. Gardiner allowed. “But to an outsider, to an investigator looking for someone to blame? They might not find it so innocent. They may think we were forewarned.”
Elizabeth’s stomach twisted. “Forewarned? Do they believe we had something to do with it?”
Mrs. Gardiner lifted a shoulder in an uncertain shrug. “I do not know, my dear. But when men search for answers, they often look first to those who were fortunate when others were not.”
“That is absurd,” Elizabeth said hotly. “You lost your home! How could anyone believe you had a hand in such a disaster?”
Mrs. Gardiner sighed. “It is not about logic, Lizzy. It is about appearance. And the truth is, we survived and fled early, while others did not. We were seen arriving at Hyde Park before many others had even realized what was happening. We must be prepared for difficult questions.”
Elizabeth swallowed, glancing at Benjamin, who was gurgling happily against her shoulder, blissfully unaware of the dark conversation unfolding around him.
“I cannot believe this,” she murmured. “To think that instead of mourning the dead, some seek to cast blame where none belongs.”
Mrs. Gardiner gave a sad smile. “Human nature is often uglier than we would wish.”
Elizabeth exhaled, nodding determinedly. “Well, if this investigator wishes to know why we fled so early, I shall simply tell him the truth: I smelled the fire before anyone else. If he is not satisfied, he is welcome to test me himself.”
“He very well might. The investigators are searching for patterns. I cannot shake the feeling that this will not be an easy matter to put behind us.”
Elizabeth stared at her aunt, processing the implications. She had always assumed the fire was a tragic accident, a consequence of crowded conditions and misfortune. But if it had been deliberate? If someone had started the fire that had taken so many lives?
For the first time since that awful night, she felt something close to fear.
Several hours after Mrs. Gardiner’s carriage returned and took her back to Stoke Estate, a note arrived from Netherfield from Jane.
My dear Lizzy,
Do not be alarmed when I do not return to Longbourn tonight, due to some clumsiness on my part. As I was stepping into thecarriage Miss Bingley so kindly offered, I lost my footing and took a rather inelegant tumble.
Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy had just returned from their dinner in town and were most insistent that I not attempt the journey home with my ankle in such a state. Mr. Bingley called for a maid to assist me upstairs, and Miss Bingley has assured me that I am welcome to remain here until Mr. Jones can examine me in the morning.
Please do not worry—though I am in some discomfort, I am well looked after. Mr. Bingley has been very kind, and Miss Bingley, though somewhat flustered at the unexpected turn of events, has made certain that I have everything I need. I will write again after Mr. Jones has seen me.
Give my love to Mama and the rest of the family, and please assure them that I am in excellent care.
Yours always,
Jane
Elizabeth frowned as she read the letter a second time, concern creeping into her chest. Jane, ever the optimist, was unlikely to complain even if she were in great pain. A twisted ankle could be a minor inconvenience or something far worse.
She folded the note carefully and turned to her mother, who was already fluttering with nervous energy.
“Oh, my poor Jane!” Mrs. Bennet cried, wringing her hands. “What if her ankle is broken? What if she is left with a limp? Oh, how dreadful! She must stay at Netherfield as long as necessary—yes, as long as necessary! I knew sending her in the carriage was the right choice; had she been on horseback, she might have been thrown and suffered far worse!”
Elizabeth pressed her lips together to keep from pointing out that Jane had slipped on the carriage step, not from any treacherous horseback ride.
Kitty and Lydia, meanwhile, were whispering together. “Do you think she will have to stay for days?” Lydia asked with a giggle. “Perhaps Mr. Bingley will be so overcome with concern that he will propose!”
Kitty smirked. “Or at the very least, Miss Bingley will be in fits over the inconvenience.”
Elizabeth ignored them, instead turning to her father, who was still reading his newspaper. “Papa, do you think I might walk to Netherfield in the morning to check on Jane?”
Mr. Bennet lowered his paper slightly, peering over the top of it. “You may do as you like, my dear, provided you do not expect me to send the carriage after you if it should rain.”
