Elizabeth had already been angry with Wickham, but now fury filled her. “A dung heap is far too good for him.”
“I will not argue the point.” He paused, then added, “I think it was rather brilliant of you to make her think he deserves such punishment, though. You seemed to know the right things to say to a young girl.” The tone of his voice made an unspoken continuation, that he found the task a hard one.
“Having three younger sisters gives me a great deal of practice,” she said. “Though I will admit that your sister listened to me more than mine do!”
“She was lucky to encounter you today,” he said seriously.
They had reached a stile, and he offered her his hand to help her cross it. Not that she had failed to do so perfectly well without any assistance only a few hours ago! But she took it, and his touch was like a brand, even through the gloves they both wore. How could she feel such slight pressure through every inch of her body? Truly that kiss had addled her wits!
When Mr. Wickham had taken her hand, she had enjoyed the sensation, but this was so much stronger. How strange, when she did not even like Mr. Darcy!
Or at least she had not before now. Today had showed her a different side of him. Should she give him a second chance?
Except for one thing. As soon as she reached Longbourn, she would see Jane's crestfallen expression, pained by the loss of Mr. Bingley. A loss which Mr. Darcy may well have played a role in.
Should she ask him? It was hardly proper, but nothing she had done that day had been proper. And she cared nothing for his good opinion, did she? At least she had not before today, and he had never hidden his criticism from her. What did she have to lose?
The impulse was too strong for her. “Am I to understand that Mr. Bingley does not plan to return to Netherfield?”
He looked surprised at the change of subject, or it might be at the edge in her voice. “I do not believe so, no.”
“A pity. For us, at least, though I doubt it has any effect on him, unlike my poor sister. I had thought better of him, but I suppose there is nothing unusual in a wealthy gentleman leading on a young lady, winning her affection, and then abandoning her. After all, it provides him with entertainment and costs him nothing.” Oh, no, that had been too reckless! She had spent too many nights awake wishing she could say that to him, and in her fatigue and disturbance of spirits, the words had tripped too easily off her tongue.
There was silence, and she dared not look at him to judge his expression. Finally he said, “Bingley is a good man, but he falls in and out of love easily and frequently.”
“How nice for him! It is unfortunate for the ladies involved, but I suppose their feelings do not matter.” She did her best to sound flippant.
“From my observation of the two of them together, your sister's feelings did not seem particularly engaged. Had I thought her in danger, I should have warned Bingley away earlier.”
Did he realize what he had just admitted?
Fury rose in her, and she stopped to stare at him. “I am greatly impressed that you can judge so much simply by looking at a woman's face from a distance. Especially when ladies are expected to keep an even countenance at all times! Sadly, this time you were sorely mistaken. A pity Mr. Bingley did not rely on his own judgment in his romantic endeavors; he might have done better.”
“If your sister was hurt by his departure, then I am sorry for it.”
“If! If! If I was lying in what I said, you mean!” She was beyond rational thought now. “I believe it is time for you to turnback now. That way you can return to your heartbroken sister more quickly while I go to care for mine.” That should give him something to think about! She stomped ahead at a quick pace.
He hurried beside her. “Miss Elizabeth, I did not mean to question your word. Especially when you have just been so kind to Georgiana.”
Insufferable man! Still, somehow she must rein in her temper. “It is easy to be kind to her. Good day, Mr. Darcy.” She put all the finality she could in her words.
This time he did not follow her. “Good day, Miss Elizabeth.” He sounded defeated. “I hope we will see you again.”
Because he wanted her to cheer his sister, of course. She called back, “I will not break my promise to Miss Darcy.”
She set as fast a pace as she dared. Past the fields and around the copse, until she was certain he could not see her. Then she stopped, pressing her hands against her face, trying to still her fast breathing and pounding heart.
What was wrong with her?
Everything, of course. Her own disappointment in Mr. Wickham, learning how fallible her judgment had been. Jane's heartbreak. Even before that, the disaster of Mr. Collins's proposal and her mother's rage that she had refused him. Her shock in discovering that her dear friend Charlotte would betray everything she believed in to marry for money.
One day they had all been happy at the Netherfield ball, where the worst thing that happened was having to dance with that horrid Mr. Darcy. And then, the very next day, everything had gone so wrong so quickly.
Now she had to find a way to restore her countenance before she reached the house. She could not go in there with her temper so unbalanced.
She needed to follow the advice she had given Miss Darcy. It was time to think about the hope of spring.
Chapter 4
