Page 35 of The Engagement at Longbourn

“No.”

“And she wishes to see you.”

“Yes.”

“Then perhaps the answer is not to hide Miss Darcy, but to make Mr. Wickham less free to move about Meryton.”

Darcy’s brows drew together. “What are you thinking?” Elizabeth’s smile was not pleasant. “I am thinking that charming men who live beyond their pay often depend upon other people being too polite to compare accounts.”

Darcy stared at her.

“What?” she asked.

“I have never loved you more.”

She went pink.

He looked almost pleased with himself.

“Do not become insufferable.”

“Too late.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Aunt Phillips Learns Something Interesting

Mrs. Phillips knew everything that happened in Meryton within twenty-four hours and half the things that had not happened at all.

This made her dangerous.

It also made her useful.

Elizabeth called upon her aunt the following afternoon under the innocent pretext of returning a pattern book.

Mrs. Phillips received her with tea, seedcake, and questions. “My dear Lizzy! You look very well for a girl with a gentleman laid up at home. How is Mr. Darcy? Is it true he is to walk by Christmas? Mrs. Long says the physician told Lady Lucas he may never dance again, but I said nonsense, because what would Mrs. Long know? And Colonel Fitzwilliam! Such a charming man. Is he engaged? No? I thought not. Though Mrs. Goulding says—”

“Aunt.”

Mrs. Phillips paused for breath.

Elizabeth smiled. “I wondered whether you had heard anything about the officers’ accounts with the local merchants.”

Her aunt blinked. “Accounts?”

“Yes. Debts.”

Mrs. Phillips leaned forward. “Whose debts?”

“I have heard only that some officers may owe more than is wise.”

“Who told you?”

“I would rather not say.”

This was perfectly true. Darcy had told her nothing of present debts; he had only described Wickham’s lifelong habits.

Mrs. Phillips’s eyes gleamed.