Page 78 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“And why should I spend another moment in your company, sir?”

“Because I have information of a most pressing nature to share with you. It is of vital importance.”

Elizabeth’s stony countenance wavered. “Is it Jane?” Her voice faltered.

“No, no. Forgive me. I know of no physical danger to…that is, my information is of…perhaps…material importance to you.”

“You speak in riddles, Mr. Darcy. Speak here or direct me closer to my aunt, but please be quick about it.”

“Mrs. Gardiner is here?”

“She is.” Elizabeth made a vague gesture across the room to his right.

“I would appreciate seeing her again.”

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in disbelief. Then she began to tap her foot, and he offered his arm, which she refused, and directed her several steps to his right, to a better-lit section of the room.

“How long have you known Mr. Wickham?” He clenched his teeth but thought he had got the first part out without showing how much he disliked the man.

“Long enough to know you ruined his prospects.”

“Ruined his prospects? Then how was he able to gift you such a fine piece of jewelry?”

Her eyes widened. Perhaps he should not have started with that, but it had angered him to see his trinket, obtained from who knew where, in her hair, to know he had touched her. The scoundrel should not have been allowed in the same room as the woman he loved.

“Elizabeth—”

“Miss Elizabeth, if you please.”

“Forgive me. I must inform you of the character of that man⁠—”

“No, I do not think you must do anything of the kind. Why should I trust you, a man who changes with the wind? Mr. Wickham has been nothing but kind to me, which is far more than I can say for you. You have always shown yourself to be inconsistent and untrustworthy…”

Darcy knew he had a long way to go to regain her good opinion, but he had not prepared himself as well as he should have. Untrustworthy?

“…Though his estate is far smaller than yours, he is more of a gentleman than you are.”

“His estate? Wickham has no estate and is not a gentleman. The man is full of lies and⁠—”

“Perhaps you no longer know him. He did say it has been a few years. You refused him the church living your father promised, but fortunately, his uncle left him an estate in Cheshire where he is breeding horses.”

Breeding horses. That was rich. Wickham had always been interested in breeding, but horses had never ranked high on his list of concerns.

“Miss Elizabeth, Wickham wrote to me last year, but⁠—”

“But you refused to help him again?”

Darcy took a deep breath to steady himself. How could Darcy explain even a portion of his history with Wickham if she refused to accept the man could have lied? Wickham had refused the Kympton living initially and taken money instead; then, his funds gone, he had written to him again only a few months ago asking for the living after all. Perhaps if he tried another avenue with Elizabeth, he could still help her.

“I apologize for the words I said that day in Hurst’s drawing room. You can have no idea how sorry I have been. I have tried to apologize before, but⁠—”

“Why?”

“Because I was very wrong to speak so.”

“No. Why did you say the words?”

Because I was furious at myself for having fallen in love with you! Of course, he could not say that.