Page 82 of Cousin Conundrum

Tears built in Jane’s eyes. “If she is not…that is, if they are not who they say, then Miss Catherine has no claim on Mr. Bingley.”

Miss Bingley slanted a look at her sister, who shrugged. Kitty imagined that, normally, they might not be overly pleased with their brother marrying a country miss with no connections or dowry, but who wouldn’t prefer Jane over Cat Archer?

Jane turned aside, pulling out a handkerchief.

Louder than she meant to, Kitty said, “What did you find?” gesturing to the rolled page Elizabeth held.

Elizabeth grinned. Pushing aside Miss Archer’s abandoned teacup, she unrolled the paper. “I found the article I could nearly recall. It is about Mrs. Archer.” Elizabeth tapped the words. “‘A Mrs. Archer, widowed, is the latest victim of the notorious Peacock.’” Elizabeth looked up. “It says the Peacock came and went unseen in the middle of the day. He stole jewelry and money, and rifled through her desk.”

Kitty looked about at the others, frowning. “Does it say if she has children or not?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “No, but this must have something to do with why Mr. Fletcher is here. It simply must. Mrs. Archer was burgled by the Peacock and is now being spied on by a Bow Street Runner? It is too much of a coincidence.”

“If she is even the real Mrs. Archer,” Jane whispered, still dabbing at her eyes.

“What does any of this mean?” Miss Bingley asked. She turned to her sister.

Mrs. Hurst shrugged. “Steven did not say anything about the Peacock.”

“If Mama had been burgled by the Peacock, she would tell everyone she met,” Kitty said slowly. “And if she did not, Lydia would.”

“Everyone would know, regardless,” Miss Bingley added. “Someone would have heard or been told, and they would have told someone else.”

“So if this Mrs. Archer were burgled by the infamous Peacock, we would know?” Mrs. Hurst asked. “Unless they have good reason for not wishing us to?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I am not certain. They are only visiting Meryton.”

Kitty pondered that for a moment, then shrugged. “Well, there is one thing of which I am certain. It is time we let Mr. Fletcher out of the wardrobe, because he has some explaining to do.”

***

Elizabeth could only agree with Kitty’s suggestion, but before they could stand, footfalls sounded in the hallway. Kitty exchanged a look with Miss Bingley that was half alarm and half amusement, and wholly unexpected. When had Kitty and Miss Bingley become friends, and why did footfalls amuse them?

Mr. Bingley entered, his expression brightening as he sighted Jane, followed by Mr. Hurst, then…Mr. Darcy.

His gaze locked with Elizabeth’s. Without slowing, he skirted the other two and dropped into the armchair beside the couch she shared with Jane.

“You appear much improved,” he murmured.

“Are we too late?” Mr. Hurst demanded from the doorway.

“Mr. Hurst, my sisters found a very interesting article.”

Elizabeth was dimly aware of Mr. Bingley moving behind the couch, so he could take the armchair near Jane, but her focus remained on Mr. Darcy. “I feel much improved.”

The corners of his mouth tipped up, the skin around his eyes crinkling. “I am very pleased to hear it.”

“Elizabeth?” Kitty said loudly.

She yanked her gaze free of Mr. Darcy’s. “Yes?”

“Will you show Mr. Hurst the article?”

Elizabeth passed the page she’d taken from the paper to Mr. Hurst, who dropped to sit on the arm of the couch on which his wife perched.

“What does the article contain?” Mr. Darcy asked quietly, his words directed to Elizabeth.

“News that a widow, Mrs. Archer, was burgled by the Peacock,” she replied, happy to return her focus to him.