Page 185 of What Change Entails

Lately it had become remarkably unreliable.

“Mr. Darcy?”

Elizabeth’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

He shifted so he could see her.

She regarded him with unmistakable amusement. “You have missed the entire discussion.”

“I was not aware there was one.”

Her chuckle washed over him. “There was.”

“It concerned geese,” Lydia supplied.

“Ah.” It would seem Miss Lydia could find interest in the strangest of things. Darcy thought it fascinating.

“Lydia claims they possess malicious intent.”

“They do,” she insisted.

Mr. Gardiner stirred his tea. “Your evidence?”

“I have been attacked twice.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “You attempted to ride one.”

“I was eight.”

“An important distinction,” Mr. Gardiner agreed.

“It is.” Lydia opened her mouth with another lively remark before catching Mrs. Gardiner’s eye across the room.

She stopped.

A grin tugged at her lips instead as she reached for another roll.

Darcy noted how Georgiana recognized the tiny victory and smiled quietly into her plate.

Bingley surrendered to laughter.

Darcy glanced toward Elizabeth.

Her gaze met his. Color rose softly along her cheekbones.

His own pulse behaved with unfortunate enthusiasm.

Then a knock interrupted the room. A footman entered carrying a folded packet upon a salver.

“An express for you, sir.”

Conversation ceased.

Darcy accepted the letter and recognized the hand.

Maddox.

He broke the seal.