Page 63 of The Crown’s Gift

They almost smiled.

Darcy looked away first. "I meant what I wrote. I will not intrude upon you again."

The promise, once desirable, suddenly felt like loss.

"You are not intruding now."

His gaze returned.

Elizabeth could not offer more—not after one dangerous night, not while gratitude and exhaustion confused every feeling. But she allowed her hand to rest upon the stone balustrade between them, palm open.

Darcy looked at it. He did not take it.

The restraint was its own touch.

CHAPTER TEN

Northward

The Gardiners delayed their journey by three weeks after Wickham's arrest. Sir Thomas would not allow Elizabeth to leave while statements were taken, Georgiana remained unsettled, and the newspapers threatened to turn every rumor concerning an officer into scandal.

In the end, Wickham's prosecution proceeded under charges of forged drafts, attempted extortion against an unnamed family, and possession of a weapon during flight. Colonel Forster removed him from the militia rolls. Mrs Younge, traced through one of the accounts, agreed to testify in exchange for leniency. At that stage, Georgiana's name did not appear publicly.

Darcy stayed at Netherfield for six days.

He spent most of them with Georgiana or Sir Thomas. He spoke to Elizabeth when company brought them together but never sought privacy. His restraint was consistent enough to cease feeling like a performance.

On his final morning, Mary and Georgiana played the duet interrupted by the letter. Darcy turned pages. Elizabeth sat with Lady Bennet near the window.

"He means to go," Lady Bennet whispered, loudly enough that the footman at the door could have confirmed it.

"He has an estate to manage."

"So does your father. He does not flee to Derbyshire every time a woman refuses him."

Elizabeth's head turned sharply. "Mama."

Lady Bennet adjusted her work. "I am loud, Lizzy. I am not blind."

"How could you know?"

"Mr Darcy looked at you before Kent as a starving man looks at dinner. After Kent he looked as if someone had removed the plate."

Elizabeth pressed her lips together. Her mother's metaphors lacked delicacy and possessed accuracy.

"I refused him for good reasons."

"Then keep them until they are no longer good. But do not invent new ones because changing your mind embarrasses you."

Lady Bennet rose to praise the music before Elizabeth recovered.

Darcy departed that afternoon. He bowed over Elizabeth's hand in the hall.

"I hope your journey north is pleasant."

"You know of it?"

"Your aunt mentioned the Lakes."