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“Take it to my wife and tell her I shall be there shortly. I have something to discuss with Darcy.”

Elizabeth hastened her steps, holding the book tightly, climbing the stairs with her heart pounding and her cheeks burning.

Anguished and angry with herself for her imprudence, she feared to guess the outcome of her negligence. In a scene that had lasted only a few minutes, she had allowed herself to be seen in a most improper state by Mr Darcy, Lord Dunnroy, and a maid. What sort of simpleton would have done such a thing?

She finally entered the chamber she shared with her sister and closed the door, then locked it. Regardless, she knew she could not lock away the consequences of her actions. What would Mr Darcy think of her? And Lord Dunnroy? They both must presume the worst — of course. Lord Dunnroy’s enquiry of ‘What is happening here?’ sounded even more dreadful now than when he voiced it. What did the viscount assume had happened?

Mr Darcy was surely furious — and rightfully so. She had not just disturbed his rest but had exposed him to his cousin’s censure.

And the maid — what a horrible coincidence that she had arrived at that very moment! Elizabeth felt helpless, caught in the midst of a conspiracy caused by her own folly.

She heard Jane’s gentle voice. “Lizzy? Where have you been?”

“I needed something to read before sleep,” she explained, and her sister, comforted by the answer, sighed and then returned to her peaceful rest.

Elizabeth climbed into bed, but slumber still eluded her. The night progressed, together with her turmoil and tiredness, until sleep finally claimed her around dawn, and when Jane woke her up, Elizabeth’s state had taken a turn for the worse.

“How was the rest of the party, Lizzy? You returned rather late, if I am not wrong.”

“It was mainly pleasant, though a little tiresome. I look forward to returning home today.”

“So do I, but I do not regret we stayed one more day,” Jane said. “I enjoyed the dinner very much, and the Dunnroys are all amiability.”

“They are,” Elizabeth agreed absently, dreading the moment she would see Lord Dunnroy and Mr Darcy again at breakfast. What if she feigned a headache and remained in her room until the carriage was ready to take them home? It certainly sounded better than a conversation with the two gentlemen under the scrutiny of Caroline Bingley.

Might the maid have said something to anyone? What could she have said? What if Mr Bingley and his sisters found out that she went to the library in her nightgown? Such shame could not be easily erased. Her lack of decorum would quickly add weight to all the other objections raised by Miss Bingley against their family.

When they were summoned to breakfast, Elizabeth lacked enthusiasm as well as appetite. Jane, however, was in good spirits, and her smiles brightened her pretty face.

Mr Bingley met them at the door and escorted them to their seats, which only enhanced Jane’s disposition. Elizabeth, however, spoke only as politeness required and kept her eyes mostly on her plate.

“Miss Eliza, you are unexpectedly quiet today,” Miss Bingley said. “I hope you are not upset that you are to return home.”

“Not at all. Quite the contrary, I assure you,” she answered.

“I heard you did not sleep well last night, Miss Bennet,” Lady Cecilia interjected, and Elizabeth burned with mortification. So she knew; her husband must have told her.

There was no better defence than attack, so she answered boldly, “I slept very ill, indeed. I hoped reading would help me, but even after I took a book from the library, I spent an entirely restless night.”

“I have discovered through my own experience that a glass of port or even two is more efficient than reading on such occasions,” Lady Cecilia unexpectedly declared, taking Elizabeth by surprise. Was the lady joking with her?

“Thank you for the suggestion,” Elizabeth replied, too anxious to dare smile. “I shall certainly try it next time.”

She cast a look at Mr Darcy — who was even more quiet and restrained than usual. Elizabeth assumed he was still upset for being put in an unpleasant situation; who could blame him? Perhaps she should apologise to him, but how could she even dare open that subject again? Where and when could such an apology take place? No, the only choice was to put everything aside and to hope Mr Darcy and his relatives would do the same.

“Mr Bingley, may we depend on your kindness to borrow your carriage?” Elizabeth asked.

“Of course! The carriage will be ready whenever you wish. I shall escort you home, if that is agreeable to you.”

“Thank you,” Jane replied with a timid smile and a most becoming blush.

“As soon as I return, I shall accompany you to Meryton,” Mr Bingley continued, addressing his guests.

“There is no need to hurry,” Lord Dunnroy answered. “I am sure Darcy can show us about.”

“Of course,” Mr Darcy replied briefly.

“We should also request news about how the carriage repair is progressing,” Lady Cecilia added. “I hope we shall be able to leave within three days so we need not alter the rest of our plans.”