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“Papa, we did not do anything wrong,” Lydia whined again. “It was just…we were joking. We all knew Mr Darcy disliked Lizzy, which was why it was so strange and funny. Mr Wickham said Mr Darcy would be furious if he heard such rumours, that he is very careful to protect his name and—”

“Be quiet, Lydia!” Mr Bennet shouted. “Do you think this is funny? And those officers — are they paid by the militia to gossip? I shall talk to Colonel Forster, too, without delay!”

“But, Mr Bennet, it was just a joke — did you not hear? Why are you so angry? It was nothing!” Mrs Bennet pleaded. But he rushed out, asking John to prepare the carriage immediately.

Elizabeth remained frozen in the middle of the library while her mother and younger sisters continued to debate. In the doorway appeared Mr Collins, Jane, and Mary, curious to know what had occurred to prompt Mr Bennet’s hasty departure.

“Nothing happened,” Elizabeth answered abruptly. “We had a conversation to clear up certain matters, that is all. There is nothing more to be said.”

Lydia and Kitty both nodded in approval; Mrs Bennet poured herself another glass of sherry.

“Now we should all rest before dinner,” Elizabeth said, withdrawing quickly to her room without waiting for a response. She entered and threw herself on the bed, face down. Her head was spinning with thoughts of people laughing at her expense, and she knew she carried the biggest share of blame for that.

“Lizzy? What is it? Will you not tell me what happened? Please do not say it was nothing,” Jane begged, caressing her hair gently.

Elizabeth turned and rose, sitting on the edge of the bed. She took a few deep breaths, then looked at her sister.

“Something did happen. It was nothing, really, just silly nonsense, but I made a fool of myself.”

With a trembling voice, she began relating the entire story. Jane listened intently, holding her hand, but her face expressed mostly confusion.

“So…it does sound like nothing,” Jane finally whispered. “Nobody would assume anything improper from you or from Mr Darcy.”

“Lord Dunnroy did when he first saw us. And Lady Cecilia, until I explained the situation to her. The rumour will surely turn into a scandal and reach every house in Meryton. I would not care so much about me, but I fear it might affect the entire family. Even Mr Bingley… Mr Darcy would have every reason to be upset if I turned him into the laughingstock of Hertfordshire.”

“Lizzy dearest, you fear too much and with no grounds, I am sure,” Jane replied, embracing her. “Mr Darcy cannot blame you for a coincidence! And the Dunnroys were so amiable towards our entire family. If they held something against you, they would not visit us on such friendly terms. As for Mr Bingley — I hope he is wiser than to allow himself to be affected by a silly rumour.”

“I am being unreasonable. I realise that. If it had been someone else, not Mr Darcy, I might not be so upset. But we both know he already disapproves of me and our family. He said his good opinion once lost is lost forever. And Mr Bingley trusts him very much… It might affect you, one way or another, dearest.”

“Oh, that is as silly as the rumour itself, Lizzy,” Jane said. “I beg you to stop fretting about me.” She gave Elizabeth’s hand a squeeze. “So Papa has gone to speak to Sir William?”

“Yes, to Sir William and Colonel Forster, though I doubt he will accomplish anything. I wonder who that Mr Wickham is. Apparently he knows Mr Darcy, but how come he shared his past history with some young girls he only just met. Lord Dunnroy knows him too. He said something about Mr Darcy paying for his commission — do you remember?”

“I confess I did not pay much attention to what Lord Dunnroy said. Let us calm down and wait for Papa to return, shall we?”

“I shall try. I am appalled to think that Mr Collins might inform Lady Catherine de Bourgh about the rumour. She is Mr Darcy’s aunt — can you imagine her dismay and horror? She has so much power over Mr Collins, who will one day inherit Longbourn. What a dreadful situation I have created!”

“You are too tired and too distressed, Lizzy. I am sure we shall both laugh about all this in a few days, and I know you will mock yourself over your unreasonable concerns. Now you should try to sleep a little. I shall stay here with you.”

Although she was certain she could not possibly rest, Elizabeth calmed down in Jane’s comforting presence and only awoke to the voices of Lydia and Kitty calling them for dinner.

Still confused, tired from so little sleep and so many thoughts in the last few days, Elizabeth did not even change for dinner. She joined the family and took her seat in silence, paying little attention to all the chatter around her. She did, however, realise her sisters had obeyed their father and stopped talking about the delicate subject entirely. Instead, her younger sisters and mother were debating whether they should purchase new bonnets and gloves for the Netherfield ball.

More concerning to Elizabeth was her father’s grim expression. He scarcely spoke; he paid little attention to Mr Collins’s ridiculous remarks, and he censured Lydia and Kitty a few times.

“I shall retire early tonight,” he finally said.

“Are you feeling well, Papa?” Elizabeth asked. “Do you want to talk to me about something?”

“Not at all, Lizzy. There is nothing new and nothing to talk about — do not concern yourself. And yes, I feel well enough.”

“You look ill, Papa,” Lydia said.

“Thank you for your honesty, child,” he replied with a trace of his old humour. “Tomorrow after breakfast, I plan to call at Netherfield. Alone,” he immediately added to extinguish any expectations.

“Then I shall visit Sir William,” Mr Collins said, offended by the remark. “He has invited me to Lucas Lodge, and it would be a pleasure to spend time with a gentleman who has been introduced at St James’s Palace.”

“An excellent decision,” Mr Bennet replied.