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“I should check with Mrs. Reynolds about the dinner arrangements,” Elizabeth said. “Our cook will want to prepare something special for our unexpected guests.”

“Pray don’t trouble yourself on our account,” Caroline replied. “Though I imagine household management must present quite a challenge for you, given the difference in scale from Longbourn.”

“It is certainly different,” Elizabeth agreed pleasantly. “But I find satisfaction in learning. If you’ll excuse me?” They had made their way back to the hall, where servants were waiting to escort the sisters to the guest wing, and Georgiana slipped away too with a relieved smile at Elizabeth.

Released from Caroline’s company, Elizabeth made her way through the corridor toward her husband’s study.

The Bingleys’ visit had disrupted the peaceful routine of Pemberley, bringing with it undercurrents of tension she had hoped were behind them.

Caroline’s barely concealed hostility was troubling, but not unexpected.

What concerned Elizabeth more was Bingley’s manner when speaking of Jane.

As she approached Darcy’s study, intending to inquire whether they would dine formally in honour of their guests, the sound of raised voices from within made her pause. The door stood slightly ajar, and Bingley’s words carried clearly into the hallway.

“You have some nerve, Darcy, lecturing me about suitable connections when you went and married a Bennet yourself!” The usually amiable Bingley’s voice held a bitter edge Elizabeth had never heard before.

“After all your talk about her family being unsuitable, her connections lacking, and her mother’s vulgarity making Jane an inappropriate match.

Yet here you are, master of Pemberley with Elizabeth as your wife! ”

Elizabeth froze, her hand suspended in the air before the door. She should announce her presence, she knew, or retreat quietly, but shock rooted her to the spot.

“The circumstances were different,” Darcy’s voice replied, quieter but with an unmistakable tension. “I never claimed my advice was perfect, Bingley.”

“Different indeed,” Bingley retorted. “Different enough that your principles suddenly became flexible when it was your own happiness at stake!”

The sound of footsteps approaching the door startled Elizabeth from her trance. She retreated swiftly, turning the corner just as the study door opened fully. Heart pounding, she continued down the corridor toward the kitchens, her mind whirling with the implications of what she had overheard.

So Bingley resented Darcy’s interference.

More than that, he resented the apparent hypocrisy of Darcy marrying Elizabeth after discouraging Bingley’s attachment to Jane.

The knowledge sat uncomfortably in her chest as she mechanically discussed dinner arrangements with Mrs. Reynolds, her thoughts elsewhere.

The Pemberley dining room glowed with the soft light of dozens of candles, their flames reflected in the polished surface of the mahogany table and the fine crystal glassware arranged with precision before each place setting.

Elizabeth took her seat at the foot of the table opposite her husband, acutely conscious of Caroline Bingley’s assessing gaze upon the elegant table settings and the footmen standing at attention along the walls.

The last few weeks had been sufficient time for Elizabeth to learn from Mrs. Reynolds the proper management of a formal dinner at Pemberley, but she had no occasion to practice what she had learnt as yet.

Miss Bingley had dressed with obvious care, her gown of deep burgundy silk adorned with expensive lace clearly selected to impress.

Beside her, Mr. Bingley appeared in better spirits than earlier, his customary good humour seemingly restored as he complimented Georgiana on her appearance.

The youngest member of their party wore a modest gown of pale blue, her nervousness evident in the way she kept her eyes lowered toward her plate.

“What a charming dining room,” Caroline observed as the first course was served. “Though I believe when I was last at Pemberley, we dined in the larger room adjacent to the gallery. This is a much more intimate setting.”

“We use the state dining room only for larger gatherings; I believe we were twenty to dine on the last occasion you were here,” Darcy replied evenly. “This room is better suited to family dining.”

“How sensible,” Caroline said with a tight smile. “And how fortunate that Mrs. Darcy need not feel overwhelmed by the grandeur of Pemberley’s formal apartments until she has properly acclimatised.”

Elizabeth accepted a bowl of consommé from a footman, her smile unwavering. “I find each room at Pemberley has its own particular charm, Miss Bingley.”

“You must find Pemberley quite different from Longbourn,” Caroline persisted. “Such a modest estate, as I recall.”

“Different, certainly, but each has its merits,” Elizabeth replied pleasantly, determined not to rise to the bait. “And Pemberley has the distinct advantage of housing an extensive library, which provides endless diversion on rainy days.”

“My wife has made remarkable progress in cataloguing the collection,” Darcy interjected, his tone warm with pride. “She has discovered several volumes I had quite forgotten existed.”

Bingley brightened at this. “Capital! I always said Miss Elizabeth had a lively mind. Do you recall, Darcy, her walking all those miles to Netherfield when Jane was ill? Such devotion to family!” He turned to Elizabeth with genuine admiration.

“And do you hear much from Miss Bennet, since your marriage?”

“Jane is quite well,” Elizabeth replied carefully. “She writes regularly with news from home.”

“Splendid, splendid,” Bingley nodded, his expression softening at the mention of Jane’s name. “Always thought her the most amiable young lady of my acquaintance.”

Caroline’s lips thinned almost imperceptibly before she turned her attention to Georgiana. “Miss Darcy, have you had many opportunities to improve your already considerable musical talents? I recall you played divinely when last we met.”

As the first course was removed and the second brought in, Elizabeth allowed herself to relax marginally.

The conversation had shifted to safer topics, with Georgiana hesitantly describing her recent musical studies and Bingley offering enthusiastic praise for a new composition he had heard in London.

Perhaps the evening would pass without incident after all.

Her hope proved short-lived.

“I was most surprised to hear of your marriage, Mrs. Darcy,” Caroline said suddenly as the fish course was served.

“Particularly given the news I had received regarding a connection between yourself and Mr. Wickham. The first banns were even called, were they not? Such a tragedy that he passed away.”

Elizabeth felt her stomach clench, though she kept her expression neutral.

She was acutely aware of Darcy’s stiffened posture at the other end of the table.

The mention of Wickham’s name in connection with her own was unpleasant enough, but the greater danger lay in where such a conversation might lead.

If Caroline began inquiring too closely about Wickham, the precarious fiction surrounding Lydia’s circumstances might unravel.

Elizabeth took a sip of wine, using the moment to compose her response. “A tragedy indeed, Miss Bingley. But I confess I have had little cause to think of Mr. Wickham since my marriage.”

Darcy cleared his throat. “Bingley, you mentioned an interest in the new cattle. I've been very happy with them; we are two years in with this breed now...”

Elizabeth shot her husband a grateful look as the conversation obediently turned to agricultural improvements.

She found it difficult to focus on the discussion of cattle management that followed, her mind still unsettled by Caroline’s pointed reference to Wickham.

What had she heard about his death? Or was she simply trying to cause discomfort by referring to Elizabeth’s former betrothal and the hasty circumstances of her marriage to Darcy?

The arrival of the main course provided a brief reprieve.

Elizabeth complimented the cook’s handiwork as succulent roast beef was served alongside seasonal vegetables from Pemberley’s kitchen gardens.

For a few blessed minutes, the conversation cantered on the meal itself and the mild summer weather that had been so beneficial to the gardens.

Then Bingley, his cheeks slightly flushed from the excellent wine, broached a topic that sent a fresh wave of anxiety through Elizabeth.

“I’ve been thinking seriously about returning to Netherfield in the autumn,” he announced, his expression brightening. “London grows terribly stale after a while, does it not? Nothing like country air and country neighbours to revive the spirits.”

“Charles, you cannot be serious,” Caroline protested immediately. “Netherfield was barely tolerable for a season. The society is so limited, the entertainments provincial at best.”

“Nonsense,” Bingley countered good-naturedly.

“I found the neighbourhood most agreeable. The hunting is excellent, the countryside picturesque, and the people welcoming.” His gaze flickered to Elizabeth.

“I look forward to renewing acquaintances with the families in the area. All the Bennets included, of course.”

Elizabeth felt her pulse quicken. “Hertfordshire society will undoubtedly welcome your return, Mr. Bingley. Though I should warn you that you may find some changes since your departure.”

“Changes?” Bingley looked puzzled. “What sort of changes?”

“Eight months is a considerable time,” Elizabeth replied carefully. “People’s circumstances alter, new attachments form.”

“You refer to your sister Jane, perhaps?” Caroline interjected with a knowing look. “Has she formed a new attachment, Mrs. Darcy? How fortunate for her, if so. I always thought her too lovely to remain unattached for long.”