Miss Bingley seemed appalled already.
Darcy, meanwhile, found his attention settling instinctively upon Elizabeth.
She stood near Jane removing her gloves, cheeks pink from cold, amusement already brightening her eyes at the twins’ behavior. Unlike Miss Bingley, who visibly regarded children as decorative inconveniences at best, Elizabeth moved naturally within the noise surrounding her. She steadied Toby automatically when he nearly collided with a side table. She adjusted Lydia’s crooked ribbon while listening to Jane speak. When Thomas began examining a decorative urn with alarming curiosity, Elizabeth merely touched his shoulder lightly and he stepped away.
The ease of it affected Darcy more than he wished.
Because it felt like home.
That thought arrived uninvited and lingered unpleasantly long afterward.
Wilson arrived shortly thereafter.
His expression altered the moment he entered the drawing room and saw Darcy standing beside Elizabeth listening to Lydia’s animated description of Meryton gossip.
Not jealousy precisely. Awareness.
The man had become increasingly watchful since Jane’s engagement.
Darcy disliked it.
Miss Bingley advanced to welcome the assembled guests, displaying a refined cordiality tinged with a noticeable sharpness.
“Miss Bennet,” she said to Jane with perfect elegance, “how delightful to celebrate such joyful news.”
Jane answered sweetly.
Caroline turned next toward Elizabeth. “Miss Elizabeth. You look quite prepared to join us as mistress of Netherfield yourself.”
The remark landed lightly enough for plausible innocence.
Darcy saw the flicker of surprise in Elizabeth’s face.
Wilson stiffened.
Mrs. Bennet’s eyes hardened instantly.
Darcy answered, “Netherfield shall have no finer mistress than Miss Bennet.”
Miss Bingley’s smile tightened almost imperceptibly.
Elizabeth turned away quickly.
The twins exchanged deeply suspicious grins behind the governess.
Dinner was announced before further danger emerged.
The dining room itself glowed with warmth and candlelight. Bingley had ordered every effort made toward celebration, and the effect succeeded beautifully. Evergreen ribbons woundalong the mantel. Crystal reflected soft gold light across white linen. Even Miss Bingley could not fault the elegance of the arrangements, though she appeared determined to discover suffering elsewhere.
The twins had been seated lower along the table near their governess, though Bingley insisted they remain for the entire dinner despite Miss Bingley’s visible reservations.
“They are family,” he had said simply.
Darcy admired him for it.
Dinner commenced cheerfully enough.
Bingley scarcely removed his eyes from Miss Bennet long enough to eat properly. Kitty glowed with excitement at participating in a true evening dinner. Lydia contributed opinions upon every subject regardless of familiarity. Mary attempted several earnest observations regarding marriage as a social institution before Mr. Bennet interrupted to preserve the remaining appetite of the table.
