from Miss Kaye—unsurprisingly, since the death of Ophelia had just been announced. She pretended to clear her throat before returning her attention to the stage. As she did so, it dawned on her that the phrase might have been ‘no evidence’. Could it be that Darcy’s trial was to take place in a few weeks time, and that one side—either Darcy’s or Arthur Kaye’s—had no evidence?
When the scene ended another short interval was announced and Elizabeth decided it was time to retreat; but first she had to gather herself for the momentous introduction to Arthur Kaye, who had risen to block their path.
‘So Helena, you have a guest,’ he said. His voice had a nasal drawl, which gave every utterance a tinge of irony.
Miss Kaye faced him nervously, and Elizabeth was momentarily shocked to see so little rapport between brother and sister. ‘Arthur, this is Miss Bennet.’
He bowed, casually as if it were a game, observing her closely and with ill-concealed admiration. ‘Miss Bennet. How pleasant to have your company.’
Quickly releasing herself from his gaze, Elizabeth thanked Lord Harbury again, said farewell to Miss Kaye, and returned to the Beaumonts’ box for the final act.
To avoid the crowds they stayed behind for ten minutes at the end of the performance, giving Elizabeth a chance to talk with Mr Beaumont, and so make amends for her earlier absence. By the time they passed through the foyer there was no sign of the Harburys, but to her alarm Elizabeth noticed a familiar figure gliding not ten yards in front of her, wearing an elegant gown and feathered hat. Miss Bingley! And by her side, Mr and Mrs Hurst! Luckily they did not turn her way, and Elizabeth with an apology to Bridget detoured away from the exit, declaring herself eager to take another look at the auditorium from the stalls.
In the carriage, the Beaumonts were too tired, and Elizabeth too emotionally exhausted, to make much conversation. On arriving at Gracechurch Street the Beaumonts declined to come in, with Mr and Mrs Gardiner probably already abed, but Bridget jumped down to give Elizabeth a final hug accompanied by a whispered exhortation to exercise prudence.
Chapter 13
Next morning Elizabeth overslept, and by the time she came down Mr Gardiner had left. Her aunt kept her company, and as a keen lover of theatre plied her with questions about the performance, to which Elizabeth gave detailed answers, while taking care not to mention the Kayes.
At length Mrs Gardiner rose, as if satisfied that there was nothing further to learn, and declared that she was needed in the nursery. But before leaving, she took the newspaper, and with a sigh pointed out a passage that her husband had marked.
‘You had better read this, Lizzy. I’m sorry if it causes you distress.’
Grateful to be left alone, Elizabeth studied the passage, which ran as follows:
Trial date set
The trial of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, accused of killing Sir Osborne Kaye in a duel, is scheduled to start in two weeks at the Old Bailey.
As reported earlier, the duel was fought over an insult for which Mr Darcy refused to apologise. The nature of this insult has not been confirmed, but it is believed that Mr Darcy unwittingly intruded on a private personal situation, from which he refused to withdraw. The prosecution has been brought by the new baronet of Wistham, Sir Arthur Kaye. It is understood that although an earlier date was favoured by the Kaye family, who wished to bring the matter to a conclusion as soon as possible, they agreed to postpone the trial so that Mr Darcy would have time to recover fully from the injuries that he sustained during the duel.
Two weeks! The imminence of the trial gave Elizabeth a lurching feeling in the stomach, and she feared she might be physically sick. She took a few slow deep breaths. The tone of the report infuriated her, in its casual bias—as if the Kaye family had displayed lenience over the matter of the date, whereas in reality
When the scene ended another short interval was announced and Elizabeth decided it was time to retreat; but first she had to gather herself for the momentous introduction to Arthur Kaye, who had risen to block their path.
‘So Helena, you have a guest,’ he said. His voice had a nasal drawl, which gave every utterance a tinge of irony.
Miss Kaye faced him nervously, and Elizabeth was momentarily shocked to see so little rapport between brother and sister. ‘Arthur, this is Miss Bennet.’
He bowed, casually as if it were a game, observing her closely and with ill-concealed admiration. ‘Miss Bennet. How pleasant to have your company.’
Quickly releasing herself from his gaze, Elizabeth thanked Lord Harbury again, said farewell to Miss Kaye, and returned to the Beaumonts’ box for the final act.
To avoid the crowds they stayed behind for ten minutes at the end of the performance, giving Elizabeth a chance to talk with Mr Beaumont, and so make amends for her earlier absence. By the time they passed through the foyer there was no sign of the Harburys, but to her alarm Elizabeth noticed a familiar figure gliding not ten yards in front of her, wearing an elegant gown and feathered hat. Miss Bingley! And by her side, Mr and Mrs Hurst! Luckily they did not turn her way, and Elizabeth with an apology to Bridget detoured away from the exit, declaring herself eager to take another look at the auditorium from the stalls.
In the carriage, the Beaumonts were too tired, and Elizabeth too emotionally exhausted, to make much conversation. On arriving at Gracechurch Street the Beaumonts declined to come in, with Mr and Mrs Gardiner probably already abed, but Bridget jumped down to give Elizabeth a final hug accompanied by a whispered exhortation to exercise prudence.
Chapter 13
Next morning Elizabeth overslept, and by the time she came down Mr Gardiner had left. Her aunt kept her company, and as a keen lover of theatre plied her with questions about the performance, to which Elizabeth gave detailed answers, while taking care not to mention the Kayes.
At length Mrs Gardiner rose, as if satisfied that there was nothing further to learn, and declared that she was needed in the nursery. But before leaving, she took the newspaper, and with a sigh pointed out a passage that her husband had marked.
‘You had better read this, Lizzy. I’m sorry if it causes you distress.’
Grateful to be left alone, Elizabeth studied the passage, which ran as follows:
Trial date set
The trial of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, accused of killing Sir Osborne Kaye in a duel, is scheduled to start in two weeks at the Old Bailey.
As reported earlier, the duel was fought over an insult for which Mr Darcy refused to apologise. The nature of this insult has not been confirmed, but it is believed that Mr Darcy unwittingly intruded on a private personal situation, from which he refused to withdraw. The prosecution has been brought by the new baronet of Wistham, Sir Arthur Kaye. It is understood that although an earlier date was favoured by the Kaye family, who wished to bring the matter to a conclusion as soon as possible, they agreed to postpone the trial so that Mr Darcy would have time to recover fully from the injuries that he sustained during the duel.
Two weeks! The imminence of the trial gave Elizabeth a lurching feeling in the stomach, and she feared she might be physically sick. She took a few slow deep breaths. The tone of the report infuriated her, in its casual bias—as if the Kaye family had displayed lenience over the matter of the date, whereas in reality
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