Page 93 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

Darcy turned to her. “What would you have had me do? Enter Meryton and announce that an officer new among friends was unworthy of credit and female regard? On what terms? With whose testimony? You object to a private warning because I cannot expose its sources. Would you have approved a public accusation built on the same silence?”

His reasonable question did not remove the injury created by his caution. Wickham had established himself while Darcy guarded information that might have changed how everyone regarded him.

“You might have spoken to Colonel Forster.”

“I have.”

“When?”

“This morning.”

“And what did you tell him?”

“Enough to make him watchful.”

“According to your judgment.”

“Whose judgment should I use?”

The bluntness of the reply silenced her for a moment. Darcy looked away.

“I am not looking for gratitude,” he said. “I want Mr. Bennet to prevent private meetings and secret correspondence until Wickham’s purpose is clearer.”

“My father knows something of the matter.”

Darcy’s attention returned to her. “You told him?”

“I told him what I saw, but I did not accuse Wickham of crimes I could not prove.”

“Nor have I.”

“You called him dishonest, indebted, and dangerous.”

“I called his conduct dangerous.”

“You leave others to understand what you refuse to say.”

Color rose in his face, though his voice remained controlled. “And you dismiss my warning because it comes from a man you dislike.”

Sarah returned from the ditch and stopped between them, her ears moving from one speaker to the other. Elizabeth touched the dog’s shoulder, more to steady herself than Sarah.

“I did not dismiss it,” she said. “I questioned it.”

“You believe Wickham because he tells you everything and doubt me because I will not betray those who trusted me.”

“While you offer your rank in place of an explanation.”

“I did not mention my rank.”

“Because you believe your name serves that purpose.”

Darcy stared at her. For several seconds, the field seemed too quiet. Then he looked toward the west hedge, where Bennet had appeared through a gap in the trees.

“I came to speak with your father,” he said. “Stay or return to the house, as you please.”

Elizabeth heard the dismissal and resented that she had made it possible. “Then goodbye.”

Darcy did not attempt to stop her.