Page 91 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

Elizabeth rose before her mother could object again. “The servants have work enough, and I know the path better than any of them.”

She fetched her bonnet and joined Darcy outside before her mother finished objecting.

Sarah followed them from the kitchen yard. Darcy glanced down when the dog came to Elizabeth’s side, but made no comment.

They crossed the lawn in silence, and beyond the shrubbery the path narrowed between two hedges until they were obliged to walk closer together. Elizabeth waited for Darcy to speak, conscious that whatever purpose had brought him to Longbourn without Bingley seemed to weigh more on him with every step.

At the first gate, Sarah passed through before Elizabeth pulled it closed. Darcy held the latch while she settled it.

“You came to warn my father about Mr. Wickham,” she said.

Darcy released the latch. “I came because the situation has changed.”

“That is not a denial.”

“No.”

They resumed walking toward the empty field, where three cows stood near the far hedge. Bennet was not in sight.

Elizabeth said, “Situation?”

Darcy looked toward Sarah, who had gone ahead to inspect the ditch. “Wickham is paying attention to one of your younger sisters.”

“You heard Lydia.”

“I did, and she confirmed what I knew before I entered the house.”

Elizabeth stopped. “How did you know?”

“I cannot tell you.”

“Then you have come to repeat gossip while refusing its source.”

His jaw tightened. “No.”

“Have you seen him behave improperly toward Kitty?”

“I have seen enough of his conduct to know that she should not encourage his attentions.”

“That answers a different question.”

Darcy faced her. “Miss Elizabeth, your sister lacks experience, while Wickham knows how to gain confidence and may appear most open when he is least sincere.”

The certainty of the judgment angered her more than the words themselves. “And I am to accept this because you say it?”

“I ask you to exercise caution.”

“While providing no act, no witness, and no explanation.”

“I cannot provide what you demand without involving people who have trusted me.”

Elizabeth heard pride in that answer, the same assurance that his reasons were sufficient even when concealed. “Then you should not have begun.”

Darcy took a breath before replying. “Silence would have been easier.”

“For you, perhaps.”

“For everyone concerned.”