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Mr Darcy looked at Elizabeth again; she was in a perturbed state of mind, but nobody asked her opinion.
The three gentlemen left the drawing room, and Elizabeth gazed after them, anxious, even panicked. She met Lady Cecilia’s concerned gaze, concealed beneath a polite smile.
Mr Bingley and Mrs Bennet resumed their conversation about the ball, and several minutes passed before Elizabeth could not bear it any longer. She hastily excused herself and almost ran down the hall, then knocked at the library door and entered without waiting for an invitation.
“Lizzy, what are you doing here?” her father asked with unexpected severity. “This is a gentlemen’s conversation. If I had wanted you to join us, I would have asked you.”
“And yet, if the conversation involves me, you cannot keep me away. I must have my share in it.”
The three men looked at her in silence, so she asked boldly, “Does the conversation involve me, Mr Darcy? Is it about the incident in the Netherfield library?”
“Yes,” he answered quietly.
“I see. So a rumour has begun and has already reached Meryton. I assume it was the maid who eagerly spread the reports, despite Lady Cecilia’s request.”
“Very likely,” the viscount confirmed.
“Then allow me to explain the matter clearly to you, Papa, and to anyone else who cares to listen. I carelessly left my room in search of a book, most improperly attired. I was only wearing my nightgown and robe, which one does when one is prepared for sleep, in the middle of the night. I entered the library and disturbed Mr Darcy, who was peacefully reading, and he kindly helped me find a book. A moment later, I was leaving the room with the book, but at the door, I met Lord Dunnroy and the maid. Another moment later, I retired to my chamber. That was all. I am the only one to blame, and I deeply apologise to Mr Darcy for exposing him to a situation that he must explain, though he is blameless.”
“Lizzy, please calm down, child,” Mr Bennet asked, as her voice had become high pitched and tears of anger and frustration burned the corners of her eyes.
“I shall not, Papa. I shall ask Lydia what exactly she heard and from whom, and I shall insist upon Mr Bingley dismissing the deceitful maid. I hope she will never find employment in Hertfordshire again.”
“Lizzy—”
“No Lizzy, Papa! Or even better, I shall spread a rumour that the maid is a thief and she stole something from me!”
“You would never do such a thing, Lizzy. Anger has made you silly and unreasonable. Let us all calm down, shall we?” Mr Bennet insisted.
“I was silly and unreasonable when I wandered about Netherfield in my night gown, Papa. Now I am only angry. Excuse me, I am going to speak to Lydia. You may continue your conversation and your brandy. I have nothing to add on this subject,” she concluded, shutting the door firmly behind her.
Seven
In the hall, Elizabeth paused for a moment, struggling to regain her composure. Angry with herself, helpless, and frustrated, she knew she was acting irrationally, and that only increased her turmoil. Her outburst in front of Mr Darcy and the viscount was just further proof of her recklessness.
Rage against the maid who had spread the rumour and those who had perpetuated it was as pointless as it was irrational. She should have expected as much — most maids who happened upon such a peculiar situation would be likely to share the tale. And what could be more peculiar than her and Mr Darcy in the library in the middle of the night?
“Lizzy, what are you doing? Mama wants you to return to the drawing room at once,” Mary said.
“I must speak to Lydia first.”
“Mama sent me to fetch you. Everybody has been acting strangely since you left.”
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, but she knew better than to argue with her mother in front of guests. She took a deep breath, then nodded and followed Mary back to the drawing room.
“Lizzy, there you are! Where did you disappear to so unexpectedly when we have visitors? Have you forgotten your manners completely?” Mrs Bennet admonished her.
“I apologise. There was something urgent I needed to discuss with Papa.”
“Urgent? Well then share it with us too! Upon my word, your ladyship, these girls will be the end of me, one way or another. Except for Jane,” she added, turning to Mr Bingley, “who is as sweet as an angel.”
“Cousin Elizabeth, did you discover what Cousin Lydia was talking about?” Mr Collins interjected. “What did she mean about you and Mr Darcy? I am sure Lady Catherine would like to know!”
“Mr Collins, you should not bother Lady Catherine with such nonsense,” Lady Cecilia said. “A wise man knows when and what to share with someone of consequence like her ladyship.”
The statement bore plenty of subtle mockery and scolding, which the clergyman missed entirely. Elizabeth was too agitated to even smile.
“I certainly do not mean to bother Lady Catherine!” Mr Collins replied.
