“It is,” agreed Darcy. “Sir William approaching the colonel with suspicions about Mr. Wickham’s activities cannot be traced back to me; if Sir William is not explicit about his source, Wickham has no reason to speak about what he knows.”
“A man like that might do so anyway,” replied Mr. Bennet, sobering at once.
“He might,” said Mr. Darcy. “If he does, his tales are likely to be taken as the vengeance of a bitter man, at best fabricated or exaggerated.”
“Yes, I can see what you mean. Then it has all turned out for the best, I dare say.”
“Indeed, it has,” said Mr. Darcy. Then he turned again to Mrs. Bennet. “Miss Elizabeth has shown uncommon judgment and spirit today—qualities that honor your family, Mrs. Bennet.”
Mrs. Bennet blinked, as if she had not expected to be addressed with such civility.
“Indeed! Well—yes. Lizzy has always had a great deal of spirit. Though I am sure Jane has more gentleness... and Kitty is very good-natured... and Lydia—Lydia is the life of us all!”
“You have much to be proud of in all your daughters.”
“You see, my dear,” said Mr. Bennet, “it is fortunate we have at least one daughter capable of frightening villains into prison.”
“Mr. Bennet! Pray do not speak so—gentlemen do not like girls who meddle in men’s affairs!”
“On the contrary, madam,” said Mr. Darcy. “I should think any gentleman of sense would value it.”
Elizabeth could not help but glare at Mr. Darcy, though the gentleman did not appear at all repentant. It was, she supposed, the best he could have done without stating his interest in her openly, and Elizabeth had a notion of just how much Mr. Darcy might come to regret his actions.
Thus, she smiled sweetly at him; Mr. Darcy returned a wide grin. That only threw further fuel on the flames, for Mrs. Bennet, watching Mr. Darcy as she had been, noted it. At that very moment, Mr. Darcy became more than just a man who had slighted one of her daughters—in Mrs. Bennet’s mind, he became a suitor. And Mrs. Bennet was not one to allow matters to proceed without interference, especially not when she thought she could provide a nudge in the right direction.
That her mother did not provide that nudge at once was a matter of some interest to Elizabeth. Were she to guess, she might suppose that her mother, sensing that Mr. Darcy was not a normal gentleman and, more importantly, that he was wealthier than any other man they knew, was now taking the time to consider how best to proceed. Elizabeth knew, if Mr. Darcy did not, that an unfettered Mrs. Bennet would do no credit to them all.
Chapter XIII
Once they reached Netherfield’s sitting-room, Georgiana faced Darcy without hesitation.
“Why did you and Elizabeth stop outside Longbourn? Of what were you speaking?”
“Bingley, have you noticed an alteration in my sister of late?” asked Darcy of his friend, winking where Georgiana could not observe him.
Bingley, as was his wont, replied with a grin. “If she has, you have only yourself to blame. You introduced her to five confident ladies—it cannot surprise you when she begins to emulate their behavior.”
“That is enough teasing!” cried Georgiana. “I want to know what happened between you and Elizabeth.”
Though the notion of teasing her further was tempting, Darcy decided to have mercy on her. “We spoke of many things, Georgiana. In essence, we worked through our differences and, I hope, understand each other better.”
“If you will excuse me, Darcy,” said Bingley, “it seems to me you have done more than simply work out differences.”
Curious, Darcy regarded his friend. “What do you mean?”
“The business with Mrs. Bennet, for one.” Bingley’s snort spoke to his amusement. “Tell me, Darcy, did you remind her that you are an eligible man of a purpose? Given how careful you usually are, I cannot imagine it was a mistake.”
“What do you mean?” asked Georgiana.
“Do you not recall your brother speaking of Miss Elizabeth’s judgment and spirit? The honor of the Bennet family? Had he announced his lineage and exact income, I do not think Mrs. Bennet could have understood better.”
Georgiana’s eyes widened. “I had not thought of it that way! What did you intend by it, Brother?”
Darcy shrugged with a carelessness he did not feel. “Perhaps I now understand there is much to like about Miss Elizabeth.”
“How wonderful!” exclaimed Georgiana, clapping her hands; her thoughts moving to matrimony as expeditiously as Darcy had once accused Miss Bingley. “I have always wanted a sister!”
“Do you not suppose it is too early for such considerations, Georgiana?”
