Page 13 of The Servants’ Matchmaking

The distinction struck him. She watched it land, watched something shift behind his eyes.

"You are right."

Elizabeth had braced herself for argument. His agreement, offered so simply, unsettled her far more than a fight would have.

"You need not sound so surprised," Darcy said.

"I am not surprised."

"You are."

Elizabeth pressed her arms against herself, shivering. "I am cold."

"Those two conditions are not easily confused."

"They are both unpleasant."

He looked out at the water, and something in his shoulders eased into memory. "At Pemberley, the drains along the lower walk were rebuilt after a flood, years ago. I objected to the expense at the time. My steward was correct, and I was not."

"You preserve quite a history of being corrected."

"It has become extensive."

"By stewards and women from Hertfordshire?"

"The sources vary."

Elizabeth laughed now, the sound escaping without permission. It felt improper only because it came so easily, standing there wet and alone with him and no one to see.

"You speak of Pemberley as duty."

"It is."

"Only duty?"

Darcy looked towards the line of trees beyond the flooded path, and his whole expression opened. Not the careful disclosure of a man choosing what to reveal, but the unguarded look of someone who had forgotten, briefly, to choose at all. "No. It is the place where my parents lived, where Georgiana was born, where every decision I make remains after I have left the room. Duty is only the part that can be measured."

His answer revealed more than he had seemed to intend, and they both knew it the moment it was out.

"You prefer what can be measured."

"Do you not?"

"I prefer what can be questioned."

"That explains your conversation."

"And your discomfort."

Another burst of thunder rolled away towards the east, further off now. The rain weakened for a moment, then strengthened again with fresh spite.

Darcy looked at the coat around her shoulders. "Are you warm enough?"

"No."

"That was direct."

"You have praised honesty."