"We argued," I said succinctly.
"What on earth did you argue about?"
"I confronted him about Mr. Wickham's accusations."
"Oh Eliza, you didn't."
"I did. And I made a fool of myself. My trust in Mr. Wickham was misplaced. It seems Mr. Darcy has much to accuse him of."
"Mr. Darcy's evidence must have been most convincing. You were quite charmed by Mr. Wickham."
"Anyone who heard Mr. Darcy's evidence could not doubt it. Mr. Wickham is a dishonorable man."
"You cannot say such intriguing things and then fail to elaborate. What has Mr. Wickhamdone?"
I shook my head. "Mr. Darcy told me in confidence. His story could harm the reputation of someone he cares about."
Charlotte nodded, smirking knowingly.
"Why are you smiling like that?" I asked irritably.
"Because you are keeping Mr. Darcy's secrets. Because the man who seemingly cares naught about what anyone thinks of him was so unable to endure your disapprobation he revealed to you information which could harm someone he loved. I had feared yours was to be a marriage without affection, and knowing how important affection in marriage is to you I feared for your happiness. Yet now I see for all your talk of being determined to hate him and all his remarks about your tolerability there is some inkling of fondness between you."
"There is no fondness between us! He may be vindicated on the subject of Mr. Wickham, but he is still an arrogant, horrible man. And he can have no admiration for me given the fool I made of myself. Besides, it is as Mrs. Long said, he has left Netherfield. There will be no marriage."
"He has not written? There has been no communication between you since the ball?"
I shook my head.
"He will return for you. However little you might think of him, he is a gentleman. A gentleman does not have a dalliance with a lady and then refuse to marry her."
"I have just told you there was no dalliance. Only an argument."
"How did your bodice become ripped?"
"It was an accident."
She raised her brow skeptically.
"His button got caught on my gown."
"Why were you so close to him such a thing could happen?"
She was wearing that smirk again. I could not endure it.
"What did you wish to tell me?"
Her smile fell. "What do you mean?"
"You wanted to meet me for a purpose and not just to condole with me. You have news—what is it?"
Once more she began picking at her food. "Mr. Collins spent the whole of yesterdayat Lucas Lodge."
"I know and I am sorry for it. He returned to our house only to cast me a chastising glance and to give my mother a few kind words about our terrible situation before he went up to bed. I have no idea why he has not left our scandalous company. Perhaps he intends to stay until he is certain Mr. Darcy will not make an honorable woman of me. I am sure his esteemed patroness is hungry for any news on that front. I fear until he is satisfied of my utter ruin he will infringe upon your parents' hospitality daily."
Charlotte suddenly looked up from her plate. Drawing a breath as if to steel herself she said, "I'm going to marry him."
"Who?"
