Page 141 of A Question of Character

“And place the Bennets in a less favorable one.”

His jaw ached from tension.

“I had not considered that.”

“No?”

“No.”

She searched his face.

There was no satisfaction there. No triumph. Just vexation directed wholly toward himself.

Elizabeth hesitated. She had prided herself upon reading character quickly. Had she mistaken him—or was she now in danger of mistaking him again? Neither possibility was comfortable.

“I am sorry, Elizabeth.”

The sincerity of the apology softened her anger without extinguishing it.

“You cannot be responsible for another person’s tongue.”

“I entrusted her with knowledge she ought never to have possessed.”

“You did not entrust her.”

“No,” he admitted. “But I failed to prevent it.”

The wind stirred the leaves overhead.

Elizabeth stepped nearer.

“What will you do?”

Darcy’s answer came after a moment’s thought.

“Nothing.”

She stared at him.

“Nothing?”

“I shall not repeat the rumors.”

“That is all?”

“I will not encourage them.”

“But neither will you stop them.”

“I cannot.”

“You can.”

His head moved once.

“No.”

She folded her arms.