Page 24 of The Servants’ Matchmaking

"Thank you."

"You should not have needed my defence in the first place."

"No. But I am not too proud to value it now that I have it."

Darcy's gaze held hers, steady in a way that made the room seem to draw back around them. Cards and firelight and Caroline's watchfulness all receded to some polite distance. There was no privacy here to threaten Elizabeth's reputation. Somehow that only made the intensity of the moment more dangerous, not less.

He looked away first.

"Bingley tells me your mother and younger sisters intend to call on Saturday."

Elizabeth's gratitude expired on the spot. "All of them?"

"Mr. Bennet remains at Longbourn."

"He has chosen wisdom."

"You are alarmed."

"I am prepared. There is a difference."

Darcy's mouth moved. Not quite a smile, but nearer to one than she had seen from him before. "How may I assist?"

The offer surprised her enough that she laughed, once, under her breath. She imagined Lydia loose in Netherfield's halls, Kitty echoing every word a half-second late, and her mother discussing Jane's marriage settlement before Jane had so much as left the sickroom.

"You may refrain from agreeing with Miss Bingley when my family gives her material to work with."

His expression turned grave. "I can promise fairness. I cannot promise blindness."

Elizabeth had wanted loyalty without deception, and had not quite realised until this moment that she had wanted it. He had offered exactly that, without her having to ask twice.

"Fairness will do."

The next morning proved the value of the promise. Jane had slept well enough to sit in the small parlour after breakfast. Bingley read the newspaper near her sofa, though he turned no page for a full ten minutes. Elizabeth watched him hold the same sheet up like a man guarding a secret. She worked at a piece of plain sewing Sarah had found for her. Darcy stood at the window, hands clasped behind his back. Caroline occupied the best chair and managed, somehow, to dislike every person in the room simply for being content.

"The weather has cleared," Bingley said. "We might all take a short turn after luncheon. Jane need not go beyond the terrace."

"The terrace again," Caroline said. "It has become strangely fashionable of late."

Elizabeth kept her eyes on the seam. "Floods often improve a property's popularity. Everyone wishes to inspect the damage."

Darcy looked at her hands, at the needle moving in and out. "Some inspections are more cheerful than others."

"I have been told cheerfulness improves invalids."

Jane smiled. Bingley forgot the newspaper, and it slid half off his knee.

After luncheon, they went out as a party. Jane walked between Bingley and Elizabeth, taking small careful steps. Darcy followed with Caroline, Mrs. Hurst, and Hurst, who abandoned the whole exercise at the first bench with the relief of a man reprieved. Sarah brought Jane's wrap. McKeever appeared with Bingley's cane, which Bingley had not, as far as anyone could recall, requested.

As the servants withdrew, Elizabeth murmured, "They have arranged the order."

Darcy heard. "McKeever claims he merely found the cane lying about."

"In your room?"

"Under Bingley's hat."

"An entirely innocent household."