She was debating whether it was better to have the conversation here where there was a quick retreat inside, or if they should go for a walk where they would have more privacy should things become heated. Before she could decide, Mr. Darcy rose and asked her parents if they would mind if they went for a stroll along the water. Mrs. Bennet smiled and agreed happily while her father nodded absently, clearly engrossed in his book.

They had been along the shore some minutes before Elizabeth spoke.

“Mr. Darcy, may I ask you a question?”

“Of course, Miss Bennet,” he said her name pointedly and she smiled.

“Fitzwilliam, there is something I wish to ask you about.” He nodded and she continued nervously. “When we were in Hertfordshire, we met on the street in Meryton once. Do you remember?” He nodded, his brow lowered and his eyes suspicious. She swallowed and continued on. “I had just met a new officer in the militia. The two of you had a strong reaction to each other and, well, I’m ashamed to admit it, but Mr. Wickham told me about it later, and I encouraged him. At my aunt’s card party, he related a history to me, involving you, and, well, much of it seemed rather, ahem, rather audacious, and I wondered if you might tell me your side of the story?” She finished rapidly, her stunted question leaving her embarrassed and awkward. She snuck a glance at Darcy, but he was looking directly ahead, his profile impossibly straight and perfect.

“What did Mr. Wickham tell you?” he bit out, his tone barely civil.

She looked around nervously, then said in a quiet but steady voice, “He said that he had been a favorite of your father’s and that the two of you had been childhood friends. You had gone to school together and your father had promised him a living. He said it was done in such an informal way so that when your father passed, you were able to deny him the living and leave him penniless.”

They walked on in tense silence for some time until Darcy spoke. “Did you believe him?”

Elizabeth chastised herself. She was well and truly trapped now and could not avoid an answer to the question she had most wished not to discuss. “At first, I found it hard to believe,” she said hesitantly, “I had not thought you would do such a thing, but then he had such information and was so vehement.” She trailed off, her eyes on the sand.

“So you believed him.”

Feeling utterly wretched and not entirely sure why, she nodded.

Darcy sighed. She felt his whole body tighten through her hand on his arm.

“Will I never be free of that man!” he finally exclaimed quietly.