Page 74 of Pride, Prejudice & Wicked Pleasure

“Do not be too harsh with him,” Lizzy said. “He endeavoured to do right, but I fear I was an ill-behaved student.”

“Not by your own doing. Nonetheless, your charms are apparently quite potent, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, for he has, till now, been an instructor who could do no wrong and was the epitome of prudence and responsibility.”

“I doubt my charms to have been the deciding influence. Is his sex not particularly susceptible to weakness of the flesh?”

“They are. For many, they more often think with their other head. Still, I would have eagerly bet upon his ability to resist the greatest of temptations. But I am not here to flatter you. Because of his lapse in judgment, you have been placed at risk.”

Lizzy looked down at her hands.

“We—he and I—are gravely concerned for your welfare. If you should have conceived through your congress, you must appeal to me. Under no circumstance should you face such a situation alone. I think my apology to you when last we met was insufficient for the wrong that has been done.”

“You cannot assume such blame.”

“I absolutely can! I had promised you a safe harbor and instead placed you in peril.”

“I knew the pursuit of education to hold many a risk.”

“But you could not have foreseen this one.”

“Nor you!”

“You are kind, but I cannot pardon myself. I have always suspected but never had proof of Nicholas’ capacity for mischief.”

The greyness of London matched their mood. Though she was glad to be with family, Lizzy missed the fresher air at Hunsford. They rode in silence for a moment to the rhythmic clipping of hooves against cobbles.

“Am I the true purpose of your travel to London?”

“Your instructor insisted I speak with you as soon as possible. I think he will suffer much anguish till he is assured of your well-being. Have you…given much thought to Darcy’s proposal?”

“It shocks me still, but I can receive it as a compliment better than before.”

“Are you more inclined to entertain his affections?”

Lizzy shook her head. “We should be a poor match.”

“Knowing your opinion of him, I had not spoken much of mine as it regards Mr. Darcy, but he has much to recommend him. I trust you know I speak not of his wealth or status.”

“You said nothing of this before.”

“I saw no reason before to disavow you of your assessment—many reasonable people have held him in contempt—but in hindsight, I was a poor friend not to have risen to his defense immediately.”

“I do not doubt my adamancy led you to believe I could not be persuaded otherwise and would be suspicious of any good that could be spoken of him.”

“Obdurateness has not stopped me before, but I am loath to advise people what opinions they should adopt.”

Lizzy smiled, for certain they thought of one such lady who had no such compulsions.

“I think you and Darcy would not be so incompatible. You are both of you intelligent and articulate.”

“I think the extent of our similarities end there.”

“You would not wish a perfect replica for a partner.”

“True, but there must exist enough common qualities and common values or the union would be unbalanced.”

“I do not disagree, though I find it quaint that people who have not been in a relationship before to have such formed conceptions of what is required for marital bliss.”

Lizzy flushed a little at her own presumption, but she would not be persuaded. Abby herself might be biased by her desire to see her friend safely married and protected against disgrace. “I doubt he would wish to wed a compromised woman.”