The estate was the farthest of the two properties they wished to see, and they left Pemberley early. It was a pleasant day, although the estate did not strike any of them as suitable. They did not linger and returned to Pemberley in time for dinner. All the ease Elizabeth had felt when she was with only her sister and brother vanished at the first glimpse of Miss Darcy, who was all but glaring at her. Mr Darcy had indeed exaggerated when he implied his sister’s health had improved—at least in regard to her willingness to view Elizabeth favourably; she prayed it did not end in disaster for all of them. Jane attempted to draw Miss Darcy out while they were at the table and again later in the drawing room, and Elizabeth suspected her motive was to keep her from dwelling on Elizabeth’s presence. Bingley and Mr Darcy spoke to each other, which was preferable to the latter approaching her, but it left Elizabeth not knowing what to do with herself. She wished Mrs Annesley had chosen to remain with them, but Mr Darcy had explained that she had decided to leave the party tothemselves. Elizabeth was a little surprised Miss Darcy had not insisted her companion remain by her side.
Perhaps she was worried Mrs Annesley would reprimand her for the way she is observing me so closely. If Miss Darcy needs to see that I have no intention of tempting her brother into being my friend—let alone something more—I invite her to stare as much as she likes. Whatever eases her anxiety.
Not long after Elizabeth retired for the night, Jane joined her in her apartment.
“Are you too tired for company?” Jane asked.
“Not at all. I was going to read for a while, but I would be happy to spend time with you.”
Jane’s answering smile was weak, and she nibbled her lip as they moved to the settee.
“Is something amiss?” Elizabeth said.
Her sister shook her head and took one of Elizabeth’s hands in hers. “No, not exactly. I wanted to tell you of a conversation between Bingley and I earlier.”
“Oh?” Trepidation made her long to stand and pace about the room.
“He has noticed that you are not in spirits, that you seemed…ill at ease yesterday and for several days before then. Although he knows you and Mr Darcy are not on good terms any longer, compared to last summer, he was surprised by how awkward you were with each other, to say nothing of you and Miss Darcy. He asked me whether you had argued.”
Elizabeth gave her sister’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I am sorry. What did you tell him?”
Jane gave an impatient shake of the head. “I hardly know exactly, but I made some excuse or another. I told him nothing of what truly happened, but I felt terrible about it.”
“Do you wish to tell Bingley everything? Would that be better for you?”
Jane appeared to ponder the question seriously for a long moment. “I do not know. What is your opinion?”
“I know that Mr Darcy believes that Bingley will not forgive him. He told me as much recently.”
“Recently?” Jane’s brow arched.
Elizabeth regretted not being more careful with her words; she did not want her sister to question her about Mr Darcy. “We spoke of it yesterday evening. It was a very brief exchange.”
Jane regarded her for a moment before evidently deciding not to pursue the subject. “Bingley has such a high opinion of him, and very likely he would be disappointed in how he acted. It would sadden my husband, and I would hate to see it. I would hate to see Mr Darcy lose his friend. I suppose we shall continue to keep it our secret.”
“I promise to do better at hiding my discomfort,” Elizabeth said. “We shall not remain long, and after a good night’s sleep, you will see that I can act as though I am delighted with everything and everyone I see about me. Bingley will have no cause to question you again.”
“I am less worried about that than I am your unhappiness.”
“I am not unhappy. Have you not seen how lovely Pemberley is? And I am with you and Bingley, two of my very favourite people. I have great hopes that the next property we see will be just what you are hoping to find. Then, once you have decided on it and Bingley undertakes whatever business is necessary to purchase an estate, we shall make our way to Scarborough. You know how much I relish seeing new places and meeting new people, and from what your husband hassaid, his family is delightful, so I am sure to enjoy every moment we spend with them.”
Elizabeth successfully kept the subject on their journey. In about a quarter of an hour, Jane said good night, leaving Elizabeth to her thoughts.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Elizabeth woke to the sound of a steady rain and the faint headache that always accompanied unsettled weather. She lay in bed for a long while, staring at the ceiling and wondering whether she should remain in her chamber all morning. Bingley had arranged for them to see the second estate on the morrow, wishing instead to show Jane the neighbourhood today; Elizabeth was to go with them. They had talked of it on the way back to Pemberley the day before, and Bingley had said he would invite the Darcys. Even if one or both were to accompany them, Elizabeth had been looking forward to the distraction. As much as anywhere in the area would revive memories that were best left buried, going to Lambton and seeing some of the picturesque and otherwise interesting spots near Pemberley would be preferable to staying at the estate with little to do. But given the strength of the rain, the excursion would have to be postponed.
There is nothing else for it!She pushed herself out of bed and asked the maid to fetch some tea; that was usually enough toease her headaches. As she sipped, she considered what she might do during the coming hours that would allow her to avoid the Darcys.
It was a quiet day and one Elizabeth spent largely alone. Her hopes that the rain would cease long enough for her to take a walk in the open air were never fulfilled, though she managed a short excursion that involved pacing back and forth on a sheltered terrace. Jane and Bingley walked about the house, and Elizabeth did likewise but on her own, wanting not to intrude on the couple’s time together. Jane also sat with Miss Darcy and Mrs Annesley, and Bingley and Mr Darcy amused themselves somehow, while Elizabeth sneaked into the library for long enough to find several volumes to occupy herself. She would not remain there to read, however, fearing Mr Darcy would find her and attempt to have another private conversation.
While she succeeded in avoiding him, she was not so fortunate as to avoid his sister. Elizabeth almost ran into Miss Darcy as she rounded a corner in a corridor.
“Oh! Pardon me.” Elizabeth gave a quick nod and continued, but Miss Darcy spoke, arresting her movement.
“You must hate me.” Her tone was odd to Elizabeth, almost as if she spoke a challenge.
Elizabeth turned to face her, puzzled by the young lady’s intentions. “I do not. It is not my right to judge you.” She struggled for a polite way to express herself. “I know how disagreeable it is to have that man in one’s family. I wish I could forget it, and I have not suffered at his hands as you did.”
