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Darcy drew a breath, slow and uneven. "Last night I feared that I had placed you in Wickham's way as well."

"I assure you I shall not run away with him," Elizabeth said, and was rewarded by the smallest reluctant smile.

"You may find this less amusing if he repeats his accusations."

"Then we shall answer what may properly be answered. We need not offer Georgiana's sorrow as proof of your character to every curious listener. Those who love you know enough."

He raised her hand to his lips. The gesture was brief and restrained, but the look he gave her afterward held more than gratitude. Elizabeth felt the quiet force of his affection in the way he remained beside her rather than turning the conversation at once toward safer subjects.

When Lady Matlock returned, Darcy was discussing with Elizabeth whether Bingley ought to be told more. The countess asked no questions about their earlier conversation. She merely invited Darcy to remain for luncheon and sent a servant to tell Jane they would be pleased to see her too. Elizabeth suspected her aunt had guessed something of the distress that had brought him, and loved her for refusing to make it an occasion for inquiry.

Before leaving Hertfordshire, Darcy spoke privately with Bingley. He explained the financial settlement and cautioned him that Wickham's version of the dispute was incomplete. He did not expose Georgiana's name or her confidence. Bingley promised to discourage malicious gossip and, where he could, to see that young ladies were not pressed into trusting a gentleman merely because he was agreeable.

Elizabeth also spoke to Jane, who had already noticed that Kitty was less disposed to praise Mr. Wickham after watching him flatter three different girls in as many conversations. Lydia remained unconvinced, but the officers had other amusements, and Wickham no longer sought special favour with the Bennet household once he understood how closely Elizabeth watched him. When Jane wrote again, she reported that he had gone away with a detachment of the regiment. By then the neighbourhood had discovered a dozen new subjects for curiosity.

Elizabeth read the news at Matlock House and folded the letter carefully. She was glad Wickham had gone, though his departure did not undo what he had done. When Darcy came that evening, he offered his hand as they crossed the drawing room. She took it, and neither spoke of Meryton until Georgiana had gone upstairs.

CHAPTER 17

The Locket

The news of Darcy's engagement had reached Lady Catherine de Bourgh before Lady Matlock's second invitation to dinner had reached its intended guests.

Her ladyship's answer occupied four closely written pages, three of which concerned the impropriety of making so consequential a decision without consulting Rosings. Darcy read the letter without interruption, folded it, and placed it upon the breakfast table at Matlock House.

"Have you received an account of a military defeat?" Richard asked.

"Only a domestic one," Darcy answered.

Lord Saye glanced up from his correspondence. "Aunt Catherine?"

"She is displeased."

"Then nothing has occurred to disrupt the habits of a lifetime," Richard said.

Elizabeth looked between them. "Does she disapprove of me, or merely of having been the last person consulted?"

"She objects to being consulted only after the decision," Darcy answered. "Her objections to you are founded upon an acquaintance that does not yet exist."

"Then I may hope to improve her opinion when we meet."

"You may hope," Saye said diplomatically. "I should not advise arranging your happiness upon it."

The Earl considered the folded letter. "Catherine has always considered family duty a matter to be performed by other people according to her instructions. I expect she will recover when she discovers that the sun rises regardless."

Elizabeth laughed, and the correspondence was set aside. That evening, when Darcy came to dinner, she noticed that he looked tired and asked whether Pemberley's steward had written again. She had no desire to spend their scant time together discussing Lady Catherine's opinions.

November had brought London damp mornings, early darkness, and a succession of gatherings Lady Matlock declared were meant to shorten the winter rather than improve it. Elizabeth had been occupied with calls and wedding plans, while Darcy divided his time between Pemberley business and visits to her. Jane's letters from Hertfordshire grew warmer whenever Bingley's name appeared. He had called upon the Bennets, invited Mrs. Bennet and her daughters to Netherfield, and found numerous reasons to encounter Jane. Elizabeth was delighted, though she resisted the temptation to write that her cousin had clearly secured the admiration of the most agreeable bachelor in the county.

Jane had enclosed an account of a rain-soaked visit to Netherfield. Mr. Bingley had walked out himself to meet their carriage with an umbrella that proved much too small for everyone; by the time they reached the door, he was thoroughly wet and Jane had laughed at his insistence that he had kept her dry. Elizabeth read that part twice. Jane seldom described her own laughter unless she had forgotten to be guarded about it.

"You are restraining yourself very nobly," Lady Matlock said as Elizabeth sealed another letter.

"I have merely omitted to provide Jane with a complete account of Mr. Bingley's intentions. I suspect I should be wrong in half the particulars."

"Then allow the gentleman to explain himself in his own time."

"I am endeavouring to. It is very trying."