Page 88 of Dear Friend

“That is a very dangerous answer.”

“Why?”

“Because I might believe you.”

“I had hoped you would.”

She looked away, though the smile which escaped her made the effort rather useless. “You have improved considerably at this.”

“At what?”

“Courting.”

“I was unaware you had sufficient experience to judge.”

“I have been courted before.” Elizabeth laughed. “Or perhaps I should say someone believed he was courting me.”

Darcy’s brows drew together at once. “By whom?”

The sudden seriousness of the question amused her. “Mr. Sotherton.”

His expression cleared almost as quickly as it had darkened. “That does not count.”

Elizabeth laughed again. “Poor Mr. Sotherton. You dismiss him very easily.”

“I confess I find it remarkably easy.”

“Jealousy does not become you, sir.”

“I am not jealous.”

“No?”

Darcy looked at her with quiet satisfaction. “You are walking with me.”

Elizabeth felt her smile deepen. “A very convenient distinction.”

The quiet satisfaction in his answer pleased her enough that Elizabeth allowed him the victory.

They walked on for some distance before Darcy's manner became more serious. “There is something else I have been meaning to speak to you about. Your friend, Miss Harding.”

Elizabeth turned towards him. “Julia?”

“Yes. I hope you will not consider it an intrusion, but after what you told me of her continued silence, I asked my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, whether he might make some inquiries.”

Elizabeth stopped. “You did?”

Darcy stopped beside her. “He has connexions which may be of use, and it seemed possible that someone might discover what became of her family. If I have overstepped, I shall ask him to discontinue it.”

“No, please do not.” Her surprise gave way to something much warmer. She had spoken to him of Julia because the subject had arisen and because he had listened with a sympathy she had not expected. It had never occurred to her that he might carry the concern away with him. “I am only surprised that you should have gone to such trouble.”

“I do not consider it trouble.”

Elizabeth studied him for a moment. “Thank you.”

“You need not thank me yet. Richard has discovered very little that is certain.”

“Still, it is more than I have managed.”