Page 96 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

Mary looked at Elizabeth. “She has chosen which man to believe.”

“No. She chose the man who is telling her what she wants to hear.”

“Is that any different?”

Elizabeth did not reply.

Bennet sent for her half an hour later. Darcy was gone, and her father stood behind his desk, resting a hand on the chair, his amusement absent. “Mr. Darcy warned me with so little detail that it might as well have come from a committee.”

Elizabeth sat opposite him. “Did you believe him?”

“I think he believes himself.”

“That is not enough.”

“True, but it is better than nothing.”

She looked out the window. “Mary said much the same.”

“Then Mary and I agree without either of us enjoying it.”

“What will you do?”

“I shall speak to Kitty, make certain she is not alone with Wickham and receives no letters without my knowledge.”

“She will think you have condemned him on Darcy’s word.”

“So? Let her think what she pleases. I do not have to condemn the man to stop a secret courtship.”

Elizabeth could not object. It was what she had wanted before Mr. Darcy arrived, but it felt as though he had imposed the decision upon them.

Bennet watched her. “You dislike that he brought the matter to a head.”

“He did not. We had already spoken.”

“He made it harder to put off.”

“That does not mean he is right.”

“No, but you would dislike him less if he were wrong.”

Elizabeth rose. “You and Mary are taking far too much pleasure in this.”

“I take pleasure where I find it.”

At the door, she paused. “Did he tell you more than he told me?”

“No names or useful dates. All he said was that Mr. Wickham used his connection with Mr. Darcy for credit, and that he stepped in to spare certain Meryton tradesmen an immediate loss.”

“He told me that much.”

“He also said he spoke with Colonel Forster.”

Elizabeth turned. “Did Colonel Forster believe him?”

“Mr. Darcy did not say. He just assured me the colonel would be watchful.”

“Again, he expects us to accept his conclusion without knowing what supports it.”