“Yes.”
“In what respect?” He suspected he knew the answer.
The twins regarded him as though he had asked whether rain was wet.
“WithLizzy,” Toby said.
“Obviously,” Thomas added.
Darcy slowly inhaled. “You are attempting to help me.”
“Yes.”
“By tormenting Mr. Wilson.”
“If it helps you,” Toby insisted.
Thomas nodded. “Both.”
“And what, precisely, leads you to believe I require help?”
Toby’s expression became almost pitying. “Because you have not married her yet.”
Darcy could do nothing but look at them. Then, despite jealousy, unease, and every serious consideration pressing upon him, he laughed.
The twins did not appear amused.
“This is important,” Thomas said.
Darcy struggled to contain his mirth. “That is perfectly evident.”
“Is it?” Toby demanded. “Because Mr. Wilson has changed tactics. He resembles a military general now.”
Darcy gradually sobered. “I had observed as much.”
The admission seemed to satisfy them.
Thomas stepped closer and lowered his voice as though imparting a matter of state. “You must limit his discussions of mills.”
“Why?”
Privately, Darcy considered Mr. Wilson’s devotion to a single subject rather advantageous.
Thomas scowled. “Because Lizzy respects useful people.”
Toby nodded emphatically. “And he is useful.”
Darcy considered the point.
For all their mischief, the boys had spoken truly. Elizabeth did value usefulness. Competence. Earnest labor. Sincerity free from pretension.
Wilson possessed those qualities, or enough of them to merit consideration.
Darcy glanced back toward the house. “Then I am grateful for the warning.”
The twins brightened.
“You are not angry?”
