Page 14 of The Crown’s Gift

"Jane possesses a mind of her own, Mr Bingley. I do not hold you responsible for the clouds."

His relief was visible. "You must come to the fire."

"I must see Jane."

Mr Jones emerged from the staircase before she could ascend. He had attended the Bennets for years and spoke to Elizabeth without ceremony.

"A cold and fever. No danger if she rests. She will remain abed today and likely tomorrow."

Elizabeth let out the breath she had held since reading the note. "May I sit with her?"

"If you do not exhaust her."

Jane slept much of the morning. When awake, she apologized for creating trouble.

"You have done nothing except become wet," Elizabeth said, wringing cool water from a cloth. "Mama has done that in company more often than I can count."

Jane smiled weakly. "Is she very anxious?"

"Very. Papa will bring her when the carriage is safe. Mary wished to come. Kitty coughed. Lydia offered to ride Dancer and was removed from the discussion."

"Poor Lydia."

"You are ill indeed if you pity her restraint."

Near noon, Bingley appeared with broth and an expression suggesting that he had personally negotiated its ingredients. Jane brightened when he entered. Elizabeth saw it. Bingley saw it too, and nearly dropped the tray.

He remained only a few minutes, speaking gently and asking no question that required effort. When he left, Jane watched the door.

"He is kind," she said.

"He is."

"His sisters have also been attentive."

Elizabeth did not mention that the broth had been carried upstairs by Bingley while Miss Bingley sent her compliments from the drawing room.

In the afternoon Jane slept again, and Elizabeth was persuaded to change her stockings and eat. She entered the drawing room in a borrowed gown that belonged to Caroline. It was too long, too narrow through the shoulders, and chosen—Elizabeth suspected—to make the difference between their figures as obvious as possible.

Darcy rose when she entered.

His gaze moved from the damp curls at her temples to the hem hidden beneath Caroline's elaborate silk. For one alarming instant, admiration showed without disguise.

Elizabeth remembered the assembly.

"Miss Eliza," Caroline said, "we have been marveling at your walk. Three miles in such mud!"

"Considerably less across the fields."

"But alone."

"My maid is recovering in the kitchen and would be sorry to learn she has vanished."

Mr Hurst laughed into his wine.

Darcy said, "The path near the footbridge floods quickly. You were fortunate not to fall."

"I have crossed it in worse weather."