Toby glanced down briefly before drawing himself up.
“We only meant to delay them,” Thomas said.
Darcy’s expression changed and he frowned. “Were you responsible for the broken axle?”
The silence that followed supplied all the explanation he required.
Thomas grew sheepish as he described how he and Toby had slipped away when they were supposed to be resting. He detailed how he used tools in the stable to work at the axle until it appeared likely to fail on the journey to Netherfield.
“What if it had not worked?” Darcy folded his arms and regarded the children sternly.
Thomas shuffled his feet. “We did not consider that.”
Toby, showing no sign at all of remorse, placed his hands upon his hips. “You must not waste the opportunity.”
Darcy studied him steadily. “That does not answer the question.”
Thomas stepped forward. “We thought it would be quite simple.”
“Only enough to keep them here,” Toby added.
Darcy chose his words with care.
“Had the rain held off, Bingley’s carriage could easily have conveyed them home.”
The boys turned to one another.
“We had not considered that,” Thomas admitted.
“Not in the least,” Toby agreed.
A brief pause followed.
“But matters have worked out,” Toby said at last.
“Yes,” Thomas added. “They have.”
Darcy regarded them for another moment. “You have caused a considerable degree of concern.” The full danger of their scheme was only now settling upon him. Had the damage been worse, Elizabeth and Jane might have been seriously injured. Whatever amusement he felt at the boys’ ingenuity was tempered by a sober recognition that, on this occasion, their mischief had ventured perilously close to genuine harm.
“We never intended it,” Toby said.
“We only wished to help,” Thomas added.
Darcy considered this. “Your sister remains because she has chosen to remain,” he said. “Your efforts were not solely responsible for that result.”
Toby tilted his head. “But they were of some assistance.”
Darcy shrugged. “Perhaps.”
Thomas stepped back. “We must go.”
“Before anyone notices our absence,” Toby added.
They turned to leave.
“Gentlemen,” Darcy said.
They paused.
