“Very well,” Elizabeth sighed dramatically, “but only because I love you, Jane.”
As Elizabeth made her way downstairs to the dining room, she mentally braced herself for an evening of forced civility. She suspected Miss Bingley would find new ways to needle her, and Mrs. Hurst would follow along with idle amusement. Mr. Bingley, of course, would be as gracious as ever, and Darcy…
She hesitated on the final step.And what of Mr. Darcy?
Though their interactions had been few, they had been intense. She was still unsettled by the way he had looked at her after she had offered him the herbs. It was not admiration, nor was it disdain. If anything, he had seemed… bewildered.
She shook herself. There was no use in dwelling on it now. If he had any further thoughts about her, he would certainly never voice them.
She entered the dining room to find the gentlemen already present. Mr. Bingley greeted her warmly and insisted that he had just been about to send a footman to fetch her. Darcy stood at the opposite end of the room, near the fire, his usual stoic mask in place. But something flickered in his gaze when he looked at her, and she flushed slightly.
Miss Bingley, seated beside her brother, gave Elizabeth a tight smile. “I trust your sister is comfortable?”
“She is, though she is in some pain,” Elizabeth replied as she took her seat. “She sends her apologies for not joining you all tonight.”
“Oh, no apologies are necessary,” Mr. Bingley assured her. “Her health is far more important.”
Miss Bingley pursed her lips. “Indeed, it is such a pity.”
Elizabeth merely smiled, and the dinner proceeded with general conversation. Mr. Bingley inquired after Longbourn, speaking particularly to Elizabeth about her younger sisters. She spoke of Kitty and Mary but neglected to mention Lydia, suspecting Miss Bingley would take pleasure in any foolishness her youngest sister had displayed.
As the courses progressed, the conversation turned toward London and the devastation of the fire. Mr. Hurst, who had barely engaged in the discussion thus far, suddenly perked up.
“I say, did you hear about the rumors?” he asked, reaching for his wine glass. “There are whispers that the fire was not an accident. Some say it was arson.”
Elizabeth, who had just taken a sip of her own wine, nearly choked.
Miss Bingley gasped dramatically. “Arson? Surely not!”
“Oh, surely so,” Mr. Hurst countered, waving his fork. “The docks, the warehouses—it was too widespread, too coordinated. A single spark could not have spread so rapidly.”
Elizabeth felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise. She flicked a glance at Darcy, who was watching the exchange with an unreadable expression.
“Who would commit such a crime?” Bingley asked, frowning.
“Rivals, perhaps? Foreign interests? Or perhaps some disgruntled employees,” Mr. Hurst speculated.
“Or simple mischief,” Darcy said at last, his voice calm but firm. “A tragedy does not always require a grand conspiracy.”
Elizabeth exhaled, grateful for his interjection.
Mr. Hurst shrugged and returned to his food, losing interest now that he had imparted his gossip. But Elizabeth could not shake the unease curling in her stomach.
She had not forgotten what Mrs. Gardiner had told her about the inspector’s suspicions. Could they truly believe that someone intended for the fire to happen? That it was planned?
And if so—who would they blame?
Pushing her thoughts aside, Elizabeth focused on her meal. There was nothing she could do about it now. And yet, as she felt Darcy’s eyes on her once more, she could not shake the feeling that the conversation that evening had been anything but idle.
∞∞∞
The separation of the sexes was brief, and Elizabeth spent the majority of that time being ignored by the two superior ladies.Superior only in their own heads, at least.
When the gentlemen came into the room, Elizabeth quickly made her excuses and went upstairs. Upon seeing that Jane was sleeping soundly, thanks to a draught provided by Mr. Jones, she retired to her bed and quickly fell asleep, thoroughly exhausted physically and emotionally.
Upon awaking the next morning, Elizabeth felt a sense of calm. The first night at Netherfield had been endured without major incident—aside from the troubling conversation about the fire—and Jane had slept well. She rose and dressed quickly, eager to check on her sister before breakfast.
After determining that Jane was still asleep, Elizabeth made her way down the stairs to breakfast. To her surprise, she discovered both Darcy and Bingley sitting at the table.
