Page 133 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

Lady Catherine’s color deepened. “This levity proves my point.”

“No,” Darcy said. “It proves that you entered another man’s house and insulted his family until courtesy became difficult.”

Lady Catherine drew herself upright. “You choose them, then.”

The question entered with more force than anything she had said before it, and Darcy knew Elizabeth heard what lay beneath it. He could not answer in terms Lady Catherine wished to force upon him, not while Elizabeth stood exposed before her family, but neither would he retreat into ambiguity.

“Whether I do or not is my right to decide, not yours.”

“That is not an answer.”

“It is all the answer you deserve.”

Lady Catherine stared at him, then at Elizabeth. “You believe this changes your position?”

Elizabeth’s hand left Sarah’s collar. “My position does not depend upon your opinion.”

“You have none without your family.”

“Then I have more than enough.”

Jane moved closer to Elizabeth, while Bennet remained near the steps, watching Lady Catherine with open interest.

She surveyed them and found no surrender. “You will regret encouraging insolence, Darcy.”

“I regret mistaking candor for it.”

Elizabeth’s breath caught. He heard it because he had become aware of every sound she made.

Lady Catherine heard nothing but defiance. “Then you have abandoned sense.”

“No. I have begun to use it.”

Anne turned her face toward the fence, but not before Darcy saw the satisfaction in it. Georgiana’s hands had stopped twisting the ribbon at her waist.

Lady Catherine stamped her foot. “We are leaving.”

Georgiana’s composure faltered. Darcy understood at once that she had expected the command and feared it.

His aunt continued. “The carriage will take us back to Rosings before this place corrupts every judgment you possess.”

“The horses have traveled since morning,” Darcy said. “You will not take Georgiana on the road again today.”

“I decide when my party travels.”

“Georgiana is not part of your household.”

“She came under my care.”

“And she remains under mine.”

Lady Catherine’s grip tightened on her cane. “You would remove your sister from Rosings over this girl?”

“I would prevent you from using my sister to punish me.”

Georgiana looked at him, and the gratitude on her face made him wish he had spoken sooner.

Bingley released Jane’s arm and stepped into the space between Darcy and Lady Catherine with the open expression he wore when he had reached a decision before anyone else knew one was required.