Page 140 of A Question of Character

“Yes.”

“And they must have learned it somewhere.”

He lowered his gaze briefly, considering.

“I have spoken of Wickham to precisely two people.”

Elizabeth waited.

“My cousin Richard... and Mr. Bingley.”

She blinked.

“That is all?”

“That is all.”

The answer came without hesitation.

She believed he believed it.

Then another thought crossed his face so quickly she nearly missed it. He closed his eyes for an instant and uttered a word unsuited to the dignity of Fitzwilliam Darcy.

“Oh, confound it. I told Bingley in confidence. Caroline has pressed him repeatedly for my foul mood. I thought he had dissembled rather than inform her. Heaven help me, she must have been listening at doors.”

Elizabeth’s surprise nearly overcame her annoyance.

“What is it?”

He rubbed a hand across his forehead.

“I believe I know.”

“Who?”

“Miss Bingley.”

Elizabeth said nothing.

Darcy continued, each sentence sounding more reluctant than the last.

“I told Bingley in confidence. He deserved to understand why I reacted as I did when Wickham appeared at Longbourn. Caroline undoubtedly observed enough of our conversation to form conclusions. She has been exceedingly... invested... in my opinions of late.”

Elizabeth arched one brow.

“That is one way of expressing it.”

“I am attempting generosity.”

“She may not deserve it.”

“She very likely does not.”

A reluctant smile threatened the corner of Elizabeth’s mouth despite herself.

Darcy did not appear encouraged.

“If Caroline imagined that discrediting Wickham would distance your family from him...” He broke off with evident irritation. “She may also have believed it would place me in a more favorable light.”