"Now, Miss Jones, you must tell us all about yourself." Miss Bingley cut in as Mrs Bennet stopped speaking to take a breath. Feeling all eyes on her, Evie felt her cheeks burning and she felt very hot.
"There is not much to tell." She said with a shrug. "Mother died when I was born and our father died when I was five. Henry was almost sixteen and so I was put under the care of a governess while he studied to become a doctor. Then, three years ago the governess left and Henry and I went to Rome for a while. When we returned we lived in London."
"How interesting." Mrs Hurst muttered resting her chin on her balled first and surveying the teenager with narrowed eyes. "And how old are you now?"
"Eighteen."
"And your brother… is he engaged?"
Evie suddenly thought she knew what was going on. Caroline Bingley had been so nice to her at the Meryton Assembly because she fancied the Doctor. But that didn't make sense… Miss Bingley was supposed to fancy Darcy with his ten thousand a year and estate in Derbyshire.
"No." Evie said, avoiding Lydia and Kitty's eyes. "Not that I know of, although I am only his baby sister. I doubt he would tell me until things were settled anyway."
"Should we take a walk in the gardens?" Miss Bingley said suddenly. "It is such a beautiful day."
There didn't seem to be any objection so the party moved through the large French doors and into the sprawling, beautifully kept gardens. Evie found herself with Miss Bingley's arm linked through hers. Mrs Hurst was walking a little way in front with Jane and some way off to the right Elizabeth and Mary were walking, the younger sister holding forth about something. Lydia, Kitty and their mother seemed to be giggling with excitement somewhere behind them.
"So… Miss Jones." Caroline said. Evie felt extremely uncomfortable. She wasn't sure why, but something about the woman unsettled her. "Why have you come into the country?"
"Why?" The teenager was flummoxed. "Well… my brother suggested it. He likes the countryside better than Town."
"Woman to woman, I hope you have not set your sights on Mr Darcy." The older woman said out of the blue, almost warningly.
"No… I –"
"Good… Mr Darcy would not… he has strict ideas about the kind of woman he would be suited to." She informed the teenager carefully. Evie raised her eyebrows and felt like asking if Miss Bingley had set her sights on the man, but thought better of it.
"My dear Mr Bingley!" They heard Mrs Bennet exclaiming, before adding, in a colder voice. "And Mr Darcy."
Evie and Caroline turned to see Mr Bingley moving straight to Jane's side. Evie smiled, but beside her Miss Bingley stiffened at her brother's movement.
"You could do a lot worse than having Jane Bennet as your sister-in-law." The teenager hissed pointedly under her breath. Caroline Bingley stared at her but didn't answer because Mr Darcy was coming over, claiming her attention.
"Caroline… Miss Jones." He said, bowing deeply to the women. Miss Bingley smiled stupidly and started wittering. Evie rolled her eyes, a movement that the gentleman caught. A brief smirk played about his lips, but then it was gone.
"If you'll excuse me," Evie said, desperate to get away from the woman and her intense stare, "I'd like to take a closer look at that pond."
"Allow me to accompany you." Mr Darcy said and, before either of the women could say anything, he had whisked Evie away in the direction of the water feature, leaving Miss Bingley staring after them in annoyance.
"Mr Darcy… I…" The teenager started unsure what to say.
"I had a conversation with your brother, Miss Jones, in the early hours of this morning." He said, almost as though he hadn't heard her speak.
"Yes, he said he spoke to you." Evie agreed.
"Can I ask… why was he out at such a time?"
She considered whether to tell him the truth for a moment, before deciding to. "Someone was watching me… in my room at the inn. They were standing beneath my window, staring up at me. I was scared and he went to see if he could find them."
"What?"
"Mmmm… he thought at first when he saw you… but then he realised he was obviously mistaken." She continued. "I was terrified."
"I am not surprised." Mr Darcy said. Suddenly Evie realised that his hand was resting on hers. She glanced down at it in confusion. "Why do you not come and stay here? There is plenty of room for you and your brother. I am sure Bingley would be delighted to entertain you as his guests."
Evie was gobsmacked. From everything she knew about Fitzwilliam Darcy, this kindness and concern was completely out of character. He was supposed to be proud and obstinate and fierce. Then again, Mary Bennet was supposed to be plain and dull and Jane was supposed to be sweetness and light, but neither of those descriptions was completely true. Mary could be very funny and, when she smiled, as was just as pretty as her sisters and Evie had heard Jane being very rude indeed about Lady Lucas' dress at the Assembly the night before. No, these might be fictional characters, but they were definitely not as they were portrayed in the book and on screen.
"There is no need, Sir, thank you…" Evie said, worried that the Doctor would be annoyed if she suddenly announced they were going to stay at Netherfield.
"Nonsense." The man brushed her words aside. "You will be far more comfortable here. I will send someone for your things and those of your brother directly and tell him myself."
"We're dining with the Bennets tonight." Evie remembered suddenly.
"Then the carriage will take you and bring you back again afterwards."
Evie was stuck for anymore complications. She sighed and looked up at the man who was watching her carefully. "Very well, thank you."
Mr Bingley was delighted by the idea, as was Jane for the same reason. With Evie staying at Netherfield Park, Miss Bennet had far more reason to come and visit. Mrs Bennet didn't look happy with the arrangement and neither did Mrs Hurst. Miss Bingley, however had a bizarre look on her face that the teenager couldn't decipher. She might not be able to understand the look, but Evie didn't like it at all.
As she followed Mr Darcy back into the house once the Bennets had left, she noticed something in the large entrance hall that chilled the blood in her veins. On the coat stand beside the door hung a long, dark blue hooded cloak.