Elizabeth nearly pricked herself with a rose thorn. “Romantic?”
“Yes.” Kitty adjusted another arrangement carefully. “Something feels as though it is about to happen.”
“You have spent too much time with Lydia.”
Her sister laughed. “Probably.”
Before Elizabeth could answer further, Mrs. Bennet entered carrying seating cards.
Right behind her, Thomas and Toby appeared in the doorway.
Like wolves scenting opportunity.Elizabeth narrowed her gaze at them.
The twins froze.
Mrs. Bennet moved toward the dining room table without noticing. “Lizzy, be a dear and help me arrange these properly.”
“Of course, Mama.”
Elizabeth crossed toward the table while the twins lingered suspiciously near the hall entrance.
Mrs. Bennet walked around the table, examining the cards. “Lady Lucas beside Mr. Bingley… Mrs. Long near Mr. Bennet… Mr. Darcy here…”
Elizabeth glanced down.
Mr. Darcy’s card stood directly beside her own. Again. A dangerous warmth moved unexpectedly through her chest.
She turned sharply toward the twins.
Both boys examined the ceiling.
Mrs. Bennet frowned, confused. “No. That cannot be correct.”
She reached for the cards—
And was interrupted by Mrs. Hill requesting instruction regarding the second pudding. Elizabeth glanced toward the doorway. The twins had vanished. Lydia stood there instead, smiling serenely.
By the time Mrs. Bennet returned several minutes later, she had forgotten to fix the card. The arrangement remained unchanged.
The guests arrived in careful succession despite worsening weather and increasingly muddy roads between Meryton and Longbourn. Sir William Lucas, Lady Lucas, and Charlotte were among the first to appear, Sir William entering with cheerful compliments regarding the elegance of country hospitality whileLady Lucas surrendered her cloak with visible relief at escaping the cold.
Mr. Wilson arrived in the drawing room not long afterward and paused just inside the door, appearing a little puzzled to discover the room already fuller than expected.
“I had understood this evening would be relatively intimate,” he remarked while accepting wine from a servant.
Mrs. Bennet blinked once. “Did you?”
“You implied as much.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes briefly.
Lydia coughed violently into her handkerchief.
Mr. Darcy, standing nearby, developed a sudden fascination with the fireplace.
Oh no.Oh no, indeed.
The Netherfield party arrived last.
