Page 37 of Love Among the Shadows
“Hush, Lydia,” Elizabeth said firmly, though her own pulse was uneven.
Mrs. Harper, pleased with the attention, leaned forward, lowering her voice in a stage whisper that carried all the more for its pretended secrecy.
“And do you know who was said to be seen near the Green not a night past? Mr Darcy. Who else could it be? Mark my words, the gentleman is not what he seems. Wherever misfortune comes, there he is to follow. Three murders before, and now Mr Hatch. One cannot think it mere chance.”
Kitty gasped. Lydia’s eyes widened with scandalous delight. “I knew it!” she exclaimed. “They’d surely blame it on Mr Darcy.”
Elizabeth felt the flush rise to her cheek, hot and indignant. She stepped nearer.
“Mrs. Harper,” she said, her voice loud and clear, “you speak with dangerous certainty on little more than hearsay. Mr Darcy may keep to himself a lot, but he is not a man of violence.”
The woman’s eyes narrowed, her lips pursed in satisfaction at being opposed. “Ah, Miss Bennet, you are soft-hearted. But it is always the grave ones—the ones who keep their thoughts close. Who can say what a man may do in secret?”
Elizabeth did not falter. “Then let us not say at all until proof compels it. Idle accusation serves no justice, least of all to Mr Hatch’s memory.”
The murmur amongst the company swelled, some nodding their approbation whilst others whispered behind gloved hands. Elizabeth, striving for composure, turned her attention back to the ribbon on the counter, though her fingers trembled in the act. The injustice of the charge pressed upon her more than she wished to own, and she was on the point of drawing her sisters away when the sound of hooves rang sharply upon the cobbles.
The crowd, so intent upon its gossip, scarcely heeded until the riders were upon them. Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy came abreast at a measured pace, their horses scattering the throng into a broken line along the street. They had arrived in time to hear all.
Darcy’s gaze swept over the group, passing swiftly from face to face until it met Elizabeth’s. For one instant, it rested there, searching, before moving on with studied indifference. His expression betrayed nothing, yet she felt her colour rise hotly, as if she had been discovered in some act too intimate for witness.
Mr Bingley, quick and eager, dismounted as they came near. “Miss Elizabeth! Miss Lydia, Miss Kitty, Miss Mary—what a happy fortune to meet you here. Darcy and I were bound for Longbourn, but chance has been kinder still to happen upon you all.”
Lydia and Kitty curtseyed prettily, while Mary inclined her head with solemnity. Elizabeth forced composure into her voice.
“You are kind, sir. We had but errands to complete.”
“Then allow us to accompany you,” Bingley said, his reins in hand. “Darcy and I may walk the horses. It will do us no harm to stretch our legs.”
Without further ceremony, he fell in beside them. “Is Miss Bennet not with you today?”
“She is at home,” Elizabeth replied, noting the eagerness in his face. “Jane isn’t one for long walks unless necessary.”
“Excellent,” he said, brightening at once. “Then she may be surprised when we arrive.”
Lydia and Kitty curtseyed prettily, while Mary inclined her head with solemnity. Elizabeth forced composure into her voice.
“You are kind, sir. We had but errands to complete.”
“Then allow us to accompany you,” Bingley said, his reins in hand. “Darcy and I may walk the horses. It will do us no harm to stretch our legs.”
Without further ceremony, he fell in beside them. “Is Miss Bennet not with you today?”
“She is at home,” Elizabeth replied, noting the eagerness in his face. “Jane is not one for long walks unless necessary.”
“Excellent,” he said, brightening at once. “Then she may be surprised when we arrive.”
Kitty, her eyes wide, leaned forward at once. “Mr Bingley, have you heard? They say the parish constable’s body was found but a short while ago.”
“Yes,” Lydia added in a hushed tone uncharacteristic of her usual gaiety. “The market is full of it. Every soul iswhispering and afraid. It must be dreadful indeed. Do you think the same killer did it?”
Bingley’s expression sobered, though he strove to reassure them. “I heard the news about one hour ago myself. You need not be alarmed, though. Every measure is already in hand. Darcy and I were on our way to Longbourn to speak to your father about it.”
The sisters pressed closer, eager for further assurances, their voices lowered, their usual mirth subdued. Elizabeth, falling back a pace, found herself beside Mr Darcy.
For several moments, he did not look at her. His eyes were fixed straight ahead, his hand firm upon the reins. Yet she saw the small signs—a faint tightening at his jaw, a measured breath—that betrayed the effort beneath his composure.
At last, he spoke in a tone pitched for her alone. “Miss Bennet, I must thank you. Your fairness just now did not escape me. It is not a thing I take lightly.”
