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“Well, I didn’t mean about the engagement, more just to see where the conversation goes. You never know, she might mention it herself.” Bingley was really concerned for him, even Darcy could see that.

“I don’t know if I am even able to have a conversation with her any more, the power of speech seems to be beyond me at the moment.”

“I don’t believe that for a minute,” Bingley said. “No I have seen the way you two speak to one another, she does not speak to anyone else like that. Even her sister has commented on it.”

“She has?”

“She has indeed, and if you would like I can ask some more questions of Miss Bennet?”

“No, I would not have her thinking-” Darcy replied, no it would not make her think anything odd of the situation.

“Cheer up Darcy, she is only engaged. She is not married yet.”

“No, she is not married yet.”

* * *

London - Hurst Residence - Elizabeth

Jane and Elizabeth waited on Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst the next morning after church after they had discussed it again, while their mother and aunt were busy elsewhere.

Miss Bingley received them more warmly than Elizabeth had expected and was surprised and pleased that Miss Darcy was engaged on a similar call.

Miss Bingley greeted Jane with effusive warmth, expressing delight at her winter visit to town.

The discussion briefly touched on the upcoming Middletons’ ball, an event that clearly held great social importance for Miss Bingley.

The drawing room was oppressively warm, the air heavy with the cloying scent of Miss Bingley’s perfume. Elizabeth’s tea had long since gone cold, the delicate china cup still full and forgotten in her hand as she engaged in conversation.

The visit passed off pleasantly enough, Miss Darcy seemed more comfortable in the company of the two sets of sisters and her companion, Mrs Annesley, and without any of the men there.

Elizabeth soon realised that the best way to get Miss Darcy to speak was to engage her in conversation on her own; she did not speak willingly in front of the rest of the group.

Elizabeth had quite a long conversation with her on the subject of music, however Miss Darcy seemed more inclined to speak of her brother, which Elizabeth interpreted as her not seeing him very often .

“You must have had quite a lonely childhood Miss Darcy, there is quite an age gap between yourself and your brother?” Elizabeth asked her while they were standing apart from the rest.

“I believe some would consider it lonely,” Miss Darcy replied, “but we spend a great deal of our time with our cousins.”

“And are they nearer in age to you?”

“Anne is a few years younger than Fitzwilliam, as is Lady Rowena,” Miss Darcy said thoughtfully. “although my other cousins are all older.”

“Growing up in a house with four sisters must have biased me,” Elizabeth laughed, “but I would have liked to have a brother, it would have made things easier.” she said more to herself than Miss Darcy.

I should have liked to have even one sister,” Miss Darcy smiled, a hint of wistfulness in her voice. “But my brother…” she paused, her eyes brightening, “Fitzwilliam has always been there for me. He’s more than just a brother, really.”

Elizabeth felt a twinge of something-surprise? curiosity?-at Miss Darcy’s words. “He sounds quite devoted,” she said carefully, her mind racing to reconcile this image with the proud, aloof Mr Darcy she thought she knew.

“Oh, he is,” Miss Darcy nodded eagerly. “I don’t know what I’d do without him. He’s always so…” she trailed off, searching for the right word.

“Kind?” Elizabeth supplied, recalling their earlier conversation.

Miss Darcy’s face lit up. “Yes, exactly! He’s the kindest person I know.”

Elizabeth found herself smiling despite her conflicted feelings. “How fortunate you both are,” she said softly, a note of something like regret colouring her voice.

“Miss Eliza,” Miss Bingley called from across the room, her voice syrupy sweet. “We had not congratulated you on your engagement to Mr Collins. You must allow us to do so now. You will be very happy, I am sure.”

Elizabeth felt her smile freeze on her face. She opened her mouth to respond, but for a moment, no words came.

Miss Darcy, oblivious to Elizabeth’s discomfort, turned to her with wide, curious eyes. “You’re engaged, Miss Elizabeth? How wonderful! Is it very romantic?”

The innocence in Miss Darcy’s question struck Elizabeth like a physical blow. She swallowed hard, acutely aware of Miss Bingley’s sharp gaze and Miss Darcy’s earnest interest.

“It’s… quite a recent development,” Elizabeth managed at last, her voice sounding strained even to her own ears. “Mr Collins is… very attentive.”

As the words left her mouth, Elizabeth felt a wave of something akin to despair wash over her. She looked away, missing the flash of concern that crossed Miss Darcy’s face.

“How delightful,” Miss Bingley said, her tone suggesting she found it anything but. “I am sure you’ll make a charming couple.”

Elizabeth nodded mechanically, suddenly longing for the quiet of Longbourn’s gardens, far from the suffocating politeness of this London drawing room.