Page 89 of The Engagement at Longbourn

"Occasionally."

They went.

Meryton stared. Not rudely, for the most part. But heads turned. Conversations paused. A child whispered loudly, "That's the gentleman who broke his leg." The child's mother went crimson.

Darcy looked down at the boy. "Yes."

The boy's eyes widened. "Did the bone come out?"

"Samuel!" his mother cried.

Darcy considered the question gravely. "Briefly."

The boy looked delighted and horrified.

Elizabeth bit the inside of her cheek. When they moved on, she whispered, "You have made his year."

"He asked a direct question."

"You could have spared his mother."

"Why?"

Elizabeth laughed. At the haberdasher's, Mr. King came from behind the counter personally.

"Mr. Darcy. Miss Bennet. An honour."

Darcy knew the man had been among Wickham's creditors.

"Mr. King."

There was an awkward pause.

Then the shopkeeper said, "I hope your health improves, sir."

"It has. Thank you."

Elizabeth moved toward the ribbons. Darcy remained near the counter.

"I understand you lost money because of Wickham."

Mr. King's expression tightened. "Some. Colonel Forster recovered part from his pay before the... before the end."

"If there are debts connected specifically to Pemberley business or representations Wickham made in my family's name, send them to my solicitor."

Mr. King looked startled. "Sir, I would not ask—"

"I am not offering to pay his personal bills."

"No, sir."

"But if he used my father's name or claimed credit through Pemberley, I would know."

The shopkeeper nodded slowly.

"I understand."

Elizabeth looked over from the ribbons.