Page 217 of What Change Entails

“Lydia will be impossible.”

“She has had time to prepare, I expect.”

Despite the ache in her chest, Elizabeth laughed.

The sound trembled.

Darcy came one step nearer. “Your letter.”

She bit her lip. “I should not have written so much.”

“You should have written more, if more remained.”

“That is very generous.”

“It is very true.”

Elizabeth turned toward the view because his face was too much. “Miss Bingley spoke cruelly. She also spoke with more pain than I expected.”

“I know enough of what she said.”

“Do you?”

“Georgiana told me what she could. I rather wished your sister had been there—I would have received an unabridged account.”

Elizabeth covered her eyes. “I tremble to imagine it.”

“Georgiana was angry for you.”

“Lydia must have taught her. My sister is very good at being angry.”

“She is also very loyal.”

Elizabeth’s hand dropped. “Yes. She is.”

Darcy moved to stand beside her, facing the same view. He did not touch her. That restraint, after all that had passed between them, made her want to weep and scold him in equal measure.

“I must say something badly,” he said.

Elizabeth turned her head.

He held his hat between both hands. “I have composed better speeches on the road. Several. None survived arriving in your presence.”

“That is unfortunate. I enjoy a well-composed speech.”

“I remember.”

His mouth softened for a moment, then sobered. “At Hunsford, I wounded you with words I can never unsay. I spoke of your family, your connections, my struggle, my objections. I have apologized for the manner of it, but your letter showed me something I had not fully considered.”

“What?”

“That words spoken in arrogance may echo long after repentance.”

Elizabeth looked out toward Netherfield again.

He continued, unevenly now, less polished than she had ever heard him. “When Miss Bingley spoke of trade and rank, she used weapons I had once placed within reach. I cannot blame her for every doubt she stirred when I had once given those doubts a foundation.”

“You did not make her cruel.”