Page 34 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

“Why?”

“He saw her managing the Longbourn sheep.”

“The dog?”

“The young lady.”

Lady Catherine’s expression changed so little that another person might have missed it. Her fingers tightened around the spectacles. “Darcy observed a young woman managing sheep.”

“He encountered her before their introduction.”

“In a field?”

“Yes.”

“And learned she was the daughter of an estate owner.”

“Yes.”

Lady Catherine looked at the drawer. “What did he say of her?”

Georgiana chose her answer with care. “That he had mistaken her circumstances.”

“That is not what I asked.”

“He thought her intelligent.”

“Many judge a woman intelligent because she answers.”

“She answered him with wit.”

Lady Catherine’s mouth drew inward. “Your brother does not admire impertinence.”

“No.”

The agreement appeared to trouble her more than contradiction might have.

“And yet he wrote of it.”

“Yes.”

Lady Catherine walked to the window, which reflected the lamp and the pale outline of her face. “He seems to have found much to interest him.”

Georgiana returned to her chair but did not sit.

Lady Catherine faced her. “You will show me the letter.”

“He meant it for me.”

“I am aware of that.”

“He did not intend anyone else to read it.”

Lady Catherine regarded her in silence. Georgiana had refused her before, though not in words and never over Darcy.

Lady Catherine set her spectacles beside the steward’s estimate. “Your loyalty to your brother is commendable, but your judgment in this matter is questionable.”

Georgiana kept her eyes on Lady Catherine’s face.