Page 18 of A Sisterly Bond

“Forgive me. I hope I have not scared you?”

“A little, but I shall recover soon,” she jested.

“Are you alone?” he asked, glancing about.

“Yes. I was in need of some fresh air, but I shall return before breakfast.”

“I see…”

“And you, sir? Is Colonel Fitzwilliam with you?”

“No…used to a life in the army, my cousin likes to sleep late whenever he can,” he said with a little smile.

“Nobody could blame him, I am sure…”

“May I…would you mind if I keep you company?” he offered, taking her by surprise. “Or do you prefer the solitude?”

She hesitated a moment, as she was in no particular disposition for his presence. However, such an opportunity might not arise again any time soon, and her curiosity was greater than her discomfort.

“Your company would be welcome, thank you.”

They took a few steps, then she enquired directly, “How is Miss Darcy? As well as she was when I last saw her, I hope?”

“She is very well, thank you.”

“I could not help but notice you do not wish to reveal the particulars of my meeting with her. Have no concern — I shall keep the secret,” she added with some harshness.

He turned to look at her, and she met his puzzled gaze.

“Why would I be concerned? It is not a secret. My cousin and his parents know about it. I did not reveal all the details to your cousin or to Lady Catherine because once my aunt knows about it, you will be forced to bear her endless enquiries.”

That answer and his genuine tone disconcerted her, and she averted her eyes. Had he done it out of politeness? Had she been wrong in her judgment?

“Oh…I thought…”

“You thought?” he repeated.

“I thought you wished to keep the secret because you disapprove of your sister’s acquaintance with us,” she finally burst out.

She looked at him intently; his frown increased while his expression turned darker.

“Why would you assume I disapprove of it?”

“Come, Mr Darcy, let us be honest with each other,” she replied boldly. “We all know that you utterly disapproved of our family, that you always had something to criticise about us, and that you insisted on Mr Bingley leaving Netherfield. Surely you cannot deny that you and his sisters deceived that gentleman about Jane’s presence in town.”

Her words seemed to cause a tumult that turned him pale. He opened his mouth but said nothing, only stared at her. Her eyes locked with his, daringly, in a silent challenge. Was she wrong in confronting him? Perhaps. But if he insisted on keeping her company, he should be able to handle the consequences.

Chapter 8

Elizabeth’s sharp words seemed to strike him like a physical blow. For several moments, he did not speak. His jaw tightened, the muscle along his cheek twitching as he stared at her. She noticed the cold armour of his countenance had cracked, replaced by a dark, uncomfortable gravity.

“I have no wish to deny my involvement, Miss Bennet,” he said, his voice lower and far less steady than usual. “Nor shall I pretend that the remembrance affords me any satisfaction. I acted for what I then believed to be Bingley’s benefit — wishing to protect a friend I judged to be entering an imprudent match.”

“Protect? From Jane? Really?” She laughed bitterly.

“My intention was to prevent a marriage he thought he was ready for, in which his affection seemed far stronger than hers,” Mr Darcy replied, a shadow crossing his features. “At least, that is how I judged the matter at the time. But I cannot defend the manner of my interference.”

“Who are you to judge my sister’s affection? And who are you to decide when you tell your friend the truth and when you lie to him? Is this a common custom of friendship among the higher circles of society?”