Mr. Bingley entered smiling already toward Jane. Miss Bingley swept into the room with polished elegance and immediate dissatisfaction upon discovering additional company. Mrs. Hurst followed more placidly, her attention fixed chiefly upon warmth and comfort.
Darcy came behind them.
As always, Elizabeth felt his presence before she wished to.
Their eyes met almost instantly across the crowded room.
Something warm and steady passed between them before either turned their attention elsewhere.
Dinner announcements finally rescued everyone from further explanation.
Until the seating commenced.
Then the true catastrophe began.
Lady Lucas stopped beside her assigned chair and appeared distinctly alarmed to discover herself seated beside Mr. Wilson.
Mr. Wilson appeared equally surprised.
Charlotte, to her immense credit, seemed entertained and not at all distressed by the confusion unfolding around her.
Darcy, meanwhile, arrived beside Elizabeth’s chair with unmistakable composure that failed to disguise amusement flickering beneath it.
Mrs. Bennet surveyed the table once.
Then twice.
Her eyes moved slowly toward Lydia.
Lydia smiled angelically.
Mr. Bennet took his seat wearing the expression of a man approaching theatrical entertainment of the highest quality.
Elizabeth sat beside Darcy while trying very hard not to laugh.
Wilson attempted repeatedly to redirect conversation toward Elizabeth despite the considerable distance separating them.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he called during the fish course, “you never answered my question regarding London.”
Charlotte turned toward him smoothly. “Mr. Wilson, you were just explaining northern mills. I confess myself curious whether workers truly sabotage machinery as often as newspapers suggest.”
Wilson perked up. “Ah! An excellent question.”
Elizabeth lowered her gaze quickly to hide her smile.
Darcy murmured beside her, “Miss Lucas possesses admirable instincts.”
“She has years of practice surviving social engagements.”
“I begin to see the necessity.”
Their eyes met briefly.
Warmth moved unexpectedly through Elizabeth’s chest.
She broke the connection first and directed her attention toward Mr. Bingley, who remained utterly absorbed by Jane’s presence and apparently unaware the dinner table itself had descended into strategic warfare.
“How fortunate Mr. Bingley appears tonight,” Darcy observed quietly.
