Page 98 of What Change Entails

“Miss Bingley interrupts him continually.”

That did not surprise him in the slightest.

Elizabeth met his eyes. “I believe he still thinks my sister indifferent.”

“He will not continue thinking so.” The force beneath Darcy’s voice surprised even himself.

Elizabeth stopped walking. He halted beside her. For one suspended moment neither spoke. The breeze stirred loose curls near her temple. Sunlight shifted across her face between moving leaves overhead. She seemed troubled and hopeful simultaneously, which struck him as an intolerably unfair combination.

“You would speak to him?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Even if it causes difficulty?”

A humorless breath escaped him. “Miss Elizabeth, difficulty has already been achieved.”

That startled a laugh from her.

Darcy had to look away for a moment before answering. “I shall speak with Bingley privately,” he said more gently. “Soon.”

Elizabeth searched his face with unnerving steadiness.

Then, very quietly, “Thank you.”

He should have stopped there.

Instead, he reached for her hand. Her fingers trembled once beneath his. Darcy forgot how to breathe.

Elizabeth stared at their joined hands, then back toward him. Color spread rapidly across her cheeks.

“Mr. Darcy—”

“Lizzy!”

The shriek came from somewhere behind them.

They sprang apart instantly.

Miss Lydia appeared around the bend in the path looking far too pleased with herself. Georgiana followed several steps behind, attempting and failing to appear innocent.

“Miss Bingley has twisted her ankle,” Miss Lydia announced breathlessly. “She requests Mr. Darcy at once.”

Darcy put a hand over his eyes. Beside him, Elizabeth’s shoulders shook suspiciously.

Georgiana cleared her throat with enormous dignity. “Mrs. Porter remained with her.”

“How fortunate,” Darcy said flatly.

Miss Lydia blinked up at him. “You do not sound grateful.”

Elizabeth busied herself studying the scenery, very clearly to conceal laughter.

Despite everything, Darcy found himself smiling again.

Darcy did not attempt subtlety.

The instant they reached Pemberley and the ladies dispersed upstairs to change before luncheon, he said to Bingley, “You must come with me.”