Page 85 of Colour My World
Elizabeth held her breath.
“I do not see how it is of any consequence,” said Mr Bingley.
“Of course you do not,” Miss Bingley replied. “But surely it has been mentioned? Their home and lands entailed away from all the daughters. What a tragedy. Or perhaps not, considering they have done so little to secure themselves a future.
“And now two of them sit upstairs, one ill, the other playing nursemaid—as if proximity might be mistaken for consequence.”
She had heard enough. Before she could step forward, Mr Bingley’s voice rang out. “This is disgraceful, Caroline.”
“No, Charles. It is the truth.”
Mr Darcy rose. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet possesses more wit than any woman in the first circle, a mind as quick as it is discerning, and a character”—he buttoned his jacket—“that is beyond reproach.”
Elizabeth stepped into the light.
Miss Bingley’s lips parted. Mrs Hurst smiled. Mr Bingley gaped.
Elizabeth knew before he turned. She felt it. The shift in the air. The crackle of tension. Mr Darcy followed their line of sight. Saw her. His eyes, so often unreadable, had softened. He smiled.
Around him, a rose-colouredaireunfurled.
Chapter 29
There she was, framed in the doorway, a figure in a portrait. Light from the corridor touched her hair.
Copper and deep mahogany. Like a Derbyshire autumn.
Just as his mother once described. Elizabeth stared at him. Her gaze, brighter than he had ever seen, stilled the air in his chest. His heart leapt.
Across the room, Miss Bingley rose. Her lips parted, closed like a trout. And then, “Miss Eliza,” she said with a tight smile. “What a surprise. We were just speaking of you.”
“I could hardly avoid it.”
Miss Bingley’s fingers fluttered at her throat and adjusted a lace fichu that required no attention. “You must understand. Our conversation was merely….” She offered a dismissive wave. “Surely you cannot fault us.”
Miss Elizabeth stepped further into the room, past the point of mere observation.
Bingley shot to his feet. “Miss Elizabeth, I—” He paused. “Please accept my apologies. Caroline’s words were inexcusable, and I deeply regret—”
“Your regret does you credit.”
Miss Bingley worried the bracelets at her wrist. “Of course, it was never my intent to offend. If anything I said has been misunderstood…”
Darcy had never seen Miss Bingley anxious.
Miss Elizabeth smirked, clearly understanding everything. Then she looked at him. His heartbeat raced.
* * *
Mr Bingley cleared his throat. “Caroline.”
Miss Bingley snapped her mouth shut. “You will apologise.Properly.”
She held herself taut, chin lifted. After a long, grinding pause, she exhaled. “Miss Eliza, I apologise if my words caused you distress. Rest assured, they were spoken without malice.”
Elizabeth met her gaze and held it. Miss Bingley lowered her eyes.
Only then did Elizabeth notice the stillness—and that Mr Darcy’s gaze was fixed upon her.
