Page 142 of A Question of Character

“You know perfectly well that people are repeating your opinion.”

“They are repeating gossip.”

“Which began because of you.”

“Because of Caroline.”

“Because of what you told Caroline.”

“I did not tell Caroline.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes.”

Silence stretched between them.

Darcy spoke first.

“If I publicly defend Wickham, I lend credibility to a man I believe dangerous.”

“You need not praise him.”

“I cannot contradict what I believe.”

“You need only say the matter is private.”

“It is.”

“Then say so.”

“I have.”

“To whom?”

“To you.”

Elizabeth gave a short, incredulous laugh.

“That does not assist Mr. Wickham in the slightest.”

“No.”

“Then how can you stand by while his livelihood suffers?”

Darcy looked toward the distant fields before answering.

“Because the alternative may expose Georgiana.”

Elizabeth’s confidence dissolved into confusion. She still believed Mr. Wickham deserved justice. She also believed Darcy’s concern for his sister was genuine. For the first time, those convictions refused to live peacefully beside one another.

He continued. “If I attempt to explain publicly why I distrust him, questions will follow. They will not cease until someone supplies answers. Those answers concern my sister.”

“She need not be named.”

“You underestimate curiosity.”

“And you underestimate justice.”