Darcy looked up at him sharply. “Bingley, what are you talking about? Of course my intentions towards Eliz… Miss Bennet are honorable—why would you think anything else?”

“Because I have heard what everyone is saying!”

“And what, pray tell, is that?” Darcy asked with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

“Every servant here is talking about the compromising situations you have been seen in! By tomorrow, the word will be all over Meryton, if it is not already, and Lizzy’s reputation will be in tatters, thanks to you!”

Darcy rolled his eyes. “Calm yourself, Bingley! I am not denying that we have had… tender moments, but good God, man, the only reason I am here in the first place is to try to convince her to marry me!”

“If that is the case, then why have you not proposed to her?” Bingley demanded.

Gripping the edge of the table tightly, Darcy said in a quiet but dangerous voice, “I have, and she refused me, and I am attempting to convince her to change her mind. If you have any doubts about the value of my word, I suggest that you apply to your future sister, who will confirm this in every particular.”

Bingley seemed to deflate in response to his words. “Really? I mean… everyone is saying that you have no intention of…”

“Bingley, I assure you that I am the only expert on what my intentions are, and if it will reassure you I will promise to make them absolutely and publicly clear tomorrow, although God only knows if Elizabeth will ever forgive me for it. Will that satisfy you?” Darcy spat out the words.

“Darcy, I… I’m sorry… I should not have doubted you, but when I heard what they were saying…”

“Please do not tell me what they said.” He stalked out of the room before he said anything worse.

On reaching his rooms, he threw himself down in a chair and pulled off his cravat. Damn it! he thought. Just when things were going so well. How could I have been such an idiot as to not have been more discreet?

Wilkins emerged from the dressing room. “Good evening, sir. May I be of any assistance?”

Darcy tipped his head back and closed his eyes. “Yes, Wilkins. You can tell me what they are saying down in the kitchens about me.”

“If you wish, sir. There are some wild rumors that you have taken a mistress here, and that you have been found with her in compromising situations on several occasions, and that you will be marrying Miss de Bourgh. I have, of course, stated categorically that this is untrue in its entirety, and apparently one young woman who also works at Longbourn on occasion has also said that she does not believe a word of it.”

Darcy winced. “I assume the young lady in question is Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”

“That would be correct, sir. I have taken the liberty of making some inquiries regarding these rumors, if that is of interest to you, sir.”

Darcy opened his eyes and scrutinized the ever-reliable and discreet Wilkins. “Pray continue,” he said.

“The original report seems to have been that you were seen emerging from the churchyard with Miss Bennet, who was flushed and too close to you. However, there are various embroidered versions of this that are more… compromising.”

Darcy ran his fingers through his hair. So the wildflowers had not been so very private after all. “Wilkins, I applaud your initiative, as ever,” he said tiredly.

Wilkins allowed himself a brief pleased smile. “Thank you, sir. Will there be anything else, sir?”

“Not at the moment, Wilkins,” Darcy said. “No, on second thought, Wilkins, please look in that second drawer there. Yes, that one, on the right. Do you see a small box there?”

“Yes, sir.” He picked up the box and brought it to Darcy.

Darcy waved him back. “No, I do not need it, Wilkins, but I would like you to look in it.” The puzzled Wilkins opened the box. “Now, if you would, please read the engraving inside the ring.”

Wilkins broke into an uncharacteristic broad smile as he obeyed. “May I offer you my congratulations, sir?”

“Not until the lady accepts it,” Darcy said. “However, I wanted to be sure you knew of its existence in case you ever needed to start a rumor of your own.”

“Yes, sir. I understand perfectly. In fact, sir, I was just thinking that you might be getting hungry later, and that this would be a good opportunity for me to stop by the kitchens to bring you a bite to eat.”

“A capital idea, Wilkins.”

Wilkins bowed and left. Darcy dropped his head into his hands. Elizabeth would be furious. He could only hope that the stories had not yet reached Longbourn. Not that this could make any difference in what he needed to do to protect her reputation, but if he could just have a few minutes alone with her to explain why he had to do this, perhaps her anger might be mitigated. But it seemed hardly likely that he would; he would not see her until after the arrival of her aunt and uncle the following day, and then she would be leaving on her journey. Well, there was nothing to be done for it, except to hope for a chance to explain himself. With a deep sigh, he walked over to his writing desk and drew out a sheet of paper.

*   *   *

Mrs. Gardiner’s suspicions had been raised against Elizabeth after receiving her letter, and those suspicions were now compounded by the warning that her niece had given her almost immediately after their arrival at Longbourn regarding the shyness of Miss Darcy and the need to be patient with her. She therefore watched most attentively when the Darcys arrived, and did not miss the small blush on her niece’s cheeks, nor the look in the gentleman’s eyes when they landed on Elizabeth.

Elizabeth made the introductions, and Darcy quickly engaged the Gardiners in a discussion of Derbyshire, Lambton, and their proposed travels. Mrs. Gardiner looked over at her niece, wondering why Lizzy had ever described this polite and unassuming young man as so proud and disagreeable. After some extended conversation, Darcy announced that his sister had a request to make.

All eyes turned to Miss Darcy, who said hesitantly, “Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, my b… brother and I would be honored if you and Miss Bennet would consent to be our guests at Pemberley for the d… duration of your stay in the area.”

The Gardiners glanced at each other in surprise. Mrs. Gardiner said warmly, “That is a very generous offer, Miss Darcy, but we could not presume to impose on you on such short acquaintance.”

“Nonsense,” said Darcy. “It would not be the least imposition. Miss Bennet is an acquaintance of long standing, and my sister and I would enjoy the opportunity to show you some of our favorite sights, and we are of course but a few miles from Lambton. Mr. Gardiner, if you enjoy fishing, there are several excellent locations on the grounds where you might like to try your hand.”

Mrs. Gardiner glanced at Elizabeth to attempt to ascertain her view of this invitation. Although clearly not surprised, her niece was making no attempt to participate in the discussion, and was sitting with her eyes averted. Presuming, however, that her studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment than any dislike of the proposal, and seeing in her husband, who was fond of society, an interest in accepting it, she said, “Well, this is an unexpected opportunity, Mr. Darcy. Perhaps you would allow us a moment to discuss the possibility?”

“Of course,” Darcy said warmly.

Georgiana surprised both her brother and Elizabeth by adding a few words of her own. “Please, I would like it very much if you would consider it.”

The conversation had by this point drawn the attention of a surprised Mrs. Bennet, who felt the need to comment with excessive warmth on the great civility of the invitation, and all the fine things she had heard of Pemberley, to the embarrassment of her daughters. Jane tried in vain to steer the conversation to safer subjects.

The Gardiners returned after a few minutes. Mr. Gardiner said, “Miss Darcy, Mr. Darcy, we have considered the matter, and we would be honored to be your guests during the week we had planned to spend in Lambton.”

Georgiana’s eyes lit up. “That will be wonderful!” she said.

“Excellent,” agreed her brother. After discussing the arrangements at some length, he asked, “Will your travels be taking you to Matlock as well?”

“Yes, indeed,” Mr. Gardiner replied. “We are looking forward to seeing it, and walking in the Peaks.”

“Perhaps I might impose on you and join you briefly while you are there, as my own aunt and uncle have expressed an interest in meeting Miss Bennet, and it would seem to be an excellent opportunity for that to happen, if you would be willing to join me in paying a call on them.”

Elizabeth turned to stare at him in shock. Did he not realize that he might just as well have announced his intentions to the room at large? “I am afraid they might prove to be too exalted company for the likes of us,” she said quietly, her voice barbed.

Darcy turned to her with an unreadable look in his eyes. “My aunt and uncle are quite amiable, Miss Bennet; I feel certain you would like them.”

Mrs. Gardiner, sensing the sudden tension between the two, as well as the complete silence of the rest of the room, decided to intervene. “Your aunt and uncle live in Matlock, then, Mr. Darcy?”

He looked back at her, grateful for the distraction, but before he could respond, Elizabeth said in a flat voice, “Mr. Darcy’s uncle is the Earl of Derby.”

“Well,” Bingley jumped into the sudden silence these words left behind, “this does sound like a marvelous trip! I have only been through the Peaks briefly, but you will find Pemberley to be truly delightful. The grounds are some of the loveliest I have ever seen, and I have spent many a happy hour there.” He rubbed his hands together, and smiled boyishly at the company.