Alexander had known from the moment he read Elizabeth Darcy's letter that his time at Longbourn was running short. It had been an inevitability—one that, given the delicate nature of his mission, he had to navigate carefully. The Darcys' impending arrival added an element of risk he could not afford. If Fitzwilliam Darcy, with his sharp mind and strong sense of propriety, so much as suspected his true identity, it could unravel months of careful deception.

Thus, the decision had been made: he would leave for London before the Darcys arrived, using the excuse of business matters to avoid suspicion.

It was late afternoon when he found Mr. Bennet in his study, the room dimly lit by the setting sun. The older gentleman sat at his desk, spectacles perched on the end of his nose, a book open before him. He looked up as Alexander entered, waving a hand toward the decanter of port on the nearby table.

"Mr. Rayne," he said, with his usual air of detached amusement, "I trust you have not come to ask my opinion on the proper arrangement of bookshelves, for I have found that no one but myself is ever satisfied with the order I keep."

Alexander allowed himself a faint smile. "No, sir. Though I must admit, your library is arranged with great care."

"Flattery is wasted on me, young man. Tell me, what brings you here?"

Alexander hesitated only a moment before responding. "I wished to inform you that I shall be leaving for London in a few weeks' time."

Mr. Bennet raised a brow. "Indeed? And what, pray, calls you away from our humble Hertfordshire?"

"Business matters," Alexander replied smoothly. "I had not intended to remain indefinitely, and it seems a convenient time to see to my affairs in town."

Mr. Bennet studied him for a long moment, his sharp eyes assessing. "How convenient that this business arises just before the Darcys' visit."

Alexander's hand tensed at his side, but he forced an easy chuckle. "Indeed, though it is purely a matter of timing. I should be honored to meet such esteemed guests, of course, but I would not wish to impose upon your family at such a time."

Mr. Bennet gave a thoughtful hum. "I do not suppose my wife will see it that way. She will mourn the loss of a gentleman at the dinner table."

Alexander inclined his head. "I can only hope she will forgive my absence."

The older man leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "I dare say she will recover in time. Though I do wonder—will you return?"

It was an astute question, one that Alexander could not answer truthfully. His investigation had not yet yielded the answers he sought, and he had no intention of leaving his work unfinished. But to promise a return without certainty was unwise.

"I hope to," he answered carefully. "If circumstances allow."

Mr. Bennet watched him for another moment before nodding. "Well, sir, I shall not press you for more than you are willing to say. I wish you success in your business, though I suspect we shall yet see you again."

Alexander merely smiled, knowing that anything further would only invite curiosity.

As he stepped out of the study, he exhaled slowly. One task was done. Now, all that remained was ensuring that when the time came, he could leave Longbourn without raising further suspicion.

Yet, as he crossed the hallway, his eyes landed on the pianoforte in the sitting room, and a thought stirred—one he had not expected.

Would he truly leave without another conversation with Mary?

Would he want to?

Dinner at Longbourn that evening was a lively affair, though Alexander suspected much of that liveliness stemmed from Mrs. Bennet's dismay at his impending departure. She had spent much of the afternoon lamenting the loss of a mostagreeableguest and now, with the family gathered at the table, she saw fit to bemoan it once more.

"I cannotcomprehendit," she declared, setting down her fork with a dramatic sigh. "What pressing business could possibly call you away at such a time, Mr. Rayne? It is truly a shame,a great shame, that you shall not be here when the Darcys arrive! We shall have such fine company, and you will be all the way in London, missing everything!"

Mr. Bennet, who had been calmly carving his meat, merely raised his brows. "Perhaps Mr. Rayne considers his business in London more urgent than the arrival of our son-in-law and daughter."

"Oh, hush, Mr. Bennet! You do not understand these things." She turned to Alexander, her eyes pleading. "Surely you could delay your journeyjust a little? A week, even?"

Alexander, ever composed, set down his glass of wine. "You do me a great kindness, madam, but I am afraid my affairs will not wait. I assure you, I would have enjoyed meeting Mr. and Mrs. Darcy."

Mrs. Bennet shook her head, clearly unconvinced. "Well, if youmustgo, I suppose there is nothing to be done," she said begrudgingly. "Though I do think it a terrible waste. A gentleman such as yourself would have enjoyed their company greatly. Andperhaps—" she gave him a pointed look "—they would have enjoyedyoursjust as well."

Mary, who had been silent through much of the conversation, suddenly spoke. "Perhaps Mr. Rayne prefers London society to Hertfordshire's," she mused, glancing at him curiously.

Alexander turned to her with an amused glint in his eye. "On the contrary, Miss Bennet, I find the company here most refreshing."

Mary tilted her head slightly, as though trying to decipher whether he was sincere. "Then it is only duty that calls you away?"

"Duty is not always a matter of choice," he replied, his gaze steady.

Something in his tone intrigued her, though she could not say what. There was an air of finality in his words, as though they carried a weight far beyond mere business in London.

Elizabeth's letter had made no mention of Mr. Darcy recognizing him, but Alexander had no doubt that remaining in Hertfordshire during their visit would be unwise. A single look from a member of theton—especially one as keen-eyed as Mr. Darcy—might unravel everything.

Mrs. Bennet sighed once more, shaking her head. "Well, I suppose there is nothing more to be said. But I do hope you will not be away long, Mr. Rayne. We shall all miss your company."

A chorus of agreement followed, though Mary remained quiet, watching Alexander with a thoughtful expression.

As the conversation drifted to other topics, Alexander could not shake the sense that, in her quiet way, Mary Bennet was paying far more attention to him than the rest of her family.