Elizabeth looked at him then – properly – and saw that this was not pride speaking.
Then he added. “I urge you to take care.”
There was something in his tone that carried authority, and Elizabeth felt it at once – and resisted it just as quickly.
She inclined her head. She glanced ahead, ensuring they were not overheard. “I was too ready to accept his explanation,” she said quietly. “I see that now.”
Darcy regarded her steadily.
“You were ready to accept what was plausible,” he said. “That is not a fault.”
“It may be, if plausibility is all one requires.”
He considered that.
“Mr. Wickham possesses a particular talent,” he said at last, “for ingratiating himself where it serves him. He is not merely agreeable. He is deliberate.”
Elizabeth absorbed this without interruption.
“Good manners,” he continued, “can conceal much. One does not always discern the motive at first acquaintance.”
She stiffened slightly. It was one thing to come to that conclusion herself, and another to be told it by Mr. Darcy. “You imply I am easily deceived.”
“I imply nothing of the sort.” His tone remained controlled. “You are young – and generous in your judgement.” He looked away for a moment. “You are in good company. My father never saw his true nature.”
“Indeed?”
Darcy nodded.
They started to walk again.
“Your manners are very different,” she said after a moment. “Does that suggest you are, therefore, a good man?”
One eyebrow lifted. “Should I feel flattered or accused?”
She coloured. “I did not mean – I only meant that you are reserved.”
“That I am.”
“I have often wondered at your friendship with Mr. Bingley. He is very unlike you.”
“Perhaps that,” he said quietly, “is precisely why we are friends. In this case, we are different in a good way.”
Ahead of them, Mr. Bingley looked back at them as if he had just remembered that they were not alone.
Elizabeth looked at Bingley at first, then at Darcy. “Then you do not object?” she asked softly.
“To what?”
“To his… enthusiasm.”
He considered before replying.
“I object only to imprudence,” he said. “Not to happiness.”
Elizabeth was silent for a moment. There was a generosity in the sentiment she had not been prepared to hear, and she was uncertain whether to admire it – or to question it.
***
