Mrs Hurst exchanged an expressive glance with her sister.
"I confess that is rather more intimate than one generally expects to discover in a gentleman's library."
Jane's tried again to diffuse the situation. "I am quite certain there is some innocent explanation," she said, her voice unnaturally high.
"I have no doubt you wish to think so," Caroline replied smoothly. "Unfortunately, servants notice everything, andservants talk. The story has travelled so far that many people now appear persuaded Miss Eliza was rather less reserved with Mr Darcy than a young lady ought to have been."
Polly gave a little cry of distress. "Oh no, miss! It was never like that."
Every eye in the room turned towards her. The poor girl twisted her apron so tightly in her hands that the fabric was almost wrung between her fingers.
"I only mentioned it to my sister," she said hurriedly. "She asked how things were at Netherfield and I told her I'd walked into the library one evening and surprised Mr Darcy and Miss Elizabeth. I never said there was anything improper. Indeed, I thought..." She faltered, glancing anxiously towards Jane. "Well, I thought perhaps they might have come to an understanding."
Jane looked at her with bewilderment. "You believed Mr Darcy intended to marry my sister?"
Polly coloured scarlet. "It looked to me as though he thought the world of her, miss. Begging your pardon. I've never seen a gentleman look at a lady quite like that." She swallowed. "I never imagined folk would make something ugly of it. I never meant any harm to Miss Elizabeth. I'd sooner have bitten my tongue than brought trouble upon her."
Before Jane could answer, Caroline gave a light laugh. "You see, Charles? Even the servants fancied there was something between them." She added in an undertone, "Or more likely that she threw herself upon him.”
Bingley rose so abruptly that his chair scraped across the polished floor. "No, Caroline," he said, his good humour evaporated. "What I see is a young woman who repeated an innocent observation to her sister, never imagining it would travel farther than the servants' hall, and another who has chosen to repeat it in a manner calculated to wound Miss Bennet."
Caroline stared at him. "Charles—"
"No." He seldom interrupted anybody, and the firmness of the word startled all of the occupants of the parlour. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet has always conducted herself with propriety whilst under this roof. Mr Darcy is the most honourable gentleman I have ever known. I will hear neither of them spoken of in this fashion."
An uncomfortable silence settled over the room.
Polly, looking thoroughly miserable, dropped another hurried curtsey. "I am so sorry, Miss Bennet. Truly I am. I never meant any harm."
Jane managed a faint smile despite the ache that had settled in her chest. "I know you did not, Polly."
The maid withdrew with evident relief, closing the door softly behind her.
Caroline reached once more for her embroidery, though her fingers shook just a little. "You make a great deal of a very trifling matter, Charles."
"Do I?" Bingley replied. "A lady's reputation has never appeared a trifling matter to me."
Jane rose before either sister could answer. She felt suddenly unequal to remaining another moment beneath their roof. "You must excuse me," she said quietly. "I believe I ought to return home."
"Miss Bennet—" began Caroline, though whether from politeness or a desire to repair the situation Jane could not have said.
Bingley was already on his feet. "I shall accompany you."
Jane looked up in surprise. "Pray do not trouble yourself."
"It is no trouble."
There was a steadiness in his voice which allowed no argument. He rang the bell himself, instructed that the carriage should be brought round and requested that one of Miss Bingley's maids accompany Miss Bennet home. Only when those arrangementshad been made did he hand Jane into the carriage, taking the seat opposite, and leaving the maid to occupy the smaller folding seat beside the door
For some minutes neither spoke. The carriage rolled quietly through the Hertfordshire lanes, the familiar hedgerows passing unnoticed beyond the windows. Jane kept her hands folded tightly together in her lap, afraid that if she attempted to speak her composure would fail her altogether.
At length Bingley broke the silence. "Miss Bennet, I hope you know that I do not credit a syllable of what has just been said."
Jane managed a faint smile. "You are very good."
He shook his head. "No. I simply know both your sister and Darcy too well. Whatever Polly happened upon that evening, I would stake my fortune that neither of them behaved in a manner unworthy of themselves."
Jane looked down at her gloves. "I only wish the rest of Meryton possessed your confidence."
