Page 52 of Elizabeth Bennet Says Yes to Mr. Darcy

He cast a glance toward Darcy, who stood several yards away with Georgiana. The young woman had also seen Wickham. Her face went white. Darcy immediately moved to block the officer from her sight, then murmured something to Mrs. Annesley.

Anger surged through me.

“You will leave this room without approaching Miss Darcy,” I said.

“You give me orders?”

“I am warning you. Colonel Forster might not appreciate learning that one of his officers has been spreading gossip about a gentleman’s debts—gossip obtained through indiscretion. My father would be entitled to demand an explanation. Mr. Bingley as well. And Mr. Darcy, if I stopped asking him to ignore you.”

Wickham studied me. His charm fell away, revealing a hardness I should have seen earlier.

“You defend him quite passionately.”

“Yes.”

“Because you love him?”

The question cut through me.

I looked at Darcy. Georgiana had just left the room with Mrs. Annesley. He remained near the door, tense, his eyes on me. He didn’t move forward. He was letting me handle this, despite what it cost him.

“Because he deserves to be defended,” I replied.

Wickham bowed with cold irony and walked away.

Darcy joined me at once.

“What did he say?”

“Nothing worth repeating.”

“You’re pale.”

“And you’re furious.”

“Yes.”

“Georgiana?”

“Mrs. Annesley is taking her back to Netherfield. She hadn’t seen him since Ramsgate.”

I placed my hand on his arm.

“Go to her.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone after…”

“I’m not alone. My family is here. She needs you.”

His gaze filled with painful gratitude.

“Come to Netherfield tomorrow,” he said. “She’s fond of you.”

“I will.”

He brought my hand to his lips. The gesture, made in the middle of the room, completed what the first dance had begun. Everyone saw us.

“Darcy,” I murmured.