Page 46 of Elizabeth Bennet Says Yes to Mr. Darcy

“It would be far greater ingratitude to give him a wife who hadn’t chosen him freely.”

My father intervened.

“That’s enough. Lydia, you will not repeat this story. Nor will Kitty. Mrs. Bennet, we will speak in the library.”

My mother protested, but he led her away.

Jane came to me.

“Lizzy, Mr. Darcy must be told before the rumor reaches him some other way.”

“I’ll write to him.”

I went up to our room. My hand trembled over the paper.

How could I tell him that Meryton already believed he had bought me? How could I ask him to endure ridicule that confirmed all his former fears about my family?

I drafted three notes and tore them up.

Before I could finish the fourth, a servant entered with a letter from Netherfield.

Elizabeth,

I have learned what is being said in Meryton. I beg you to do nothing until we have spoken. With your permission, I will come tomorrow morning.

Darcy

He had signed with only his name.

This intimacy, in the midst of scandal, made my heart clench.

I replied with a single word.

Come.

Chapter 15

Darcy

Wickham had always known how to choose the weapon that cut deepest.

He could not attack my fortune, my birth, or my reputation among those who knew me. So he chose Elizabeth. He twisted the very act meant to restore her freedom into proof that I had bought her.

Bingley paced Netherfield’s library with unusual agitation.

“I can speak to Colonel Forster. Wickham must take back what he said.”

“A forced retraction won’t stop the rumor.”

“Then I’ll demand a public apology.”

“And then everyone will learn the exact details of Mr. Bennet’s debt.”

Bingley swore.

I had never heard him swear before his engagement. Hertfordshire was developing new qualities in him.

“What will you do?”