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Darcy recognized the opportunity before him and, inhaling deeply, posed the query that he had been considering.

“My sister will visit soon. Would you mind if I introduce you? I fear she is much in want of female companionship, and she could learn a lot from the women of your household.” He was talking to both Elizabeth and Mary, but he was looking Elizabeth in the eye, hopeful for her willingness despite whatever his blunder might have been.

Elizabeth’s heart sank as she felt even more guilty.

He thought highly enough of her to want to introduce her to his sister.

She would have said yes even without looking at Darcy’s expression, which was filled with hope.

“I anticipate meeting her with delight and I am sure that we will enjoy one another’s company.

” Elizabeth looked at Mary, and with a simple series of facial expressions, conveyed many things.

It was a language between sisters that had existed for centuries.

Mary’s smile widened as she looked at Elizabeth and then Darcy before turning away and hurrying further up the path. Mary was more than happy to give them enough time to talk. She would be sure to remember this. It would be helpful to bring it up if she needed the favor returned.

Darcy had watched the two converse without words, marveling at how close they were.

Mary was far enough ahead that he was not worried about her overhearing.

Darcy hoped that Kiernan’s focus would remain elsewhere and not on their conversation.

“Miss Elizabeth, I know I often say the wrong things and offend sometimes without meaning to. I fear I might have said something that upset you and I would like to apologize.”

Elizabeth spoke without her normal joviality. “It is not your fault, Mr. Darcy. It is mine. You said that you had been contemplating new things, and I am finding myself doing the same.”

“I am relieved that I have done nothing to upset you. If you find need of it, I am here to help.” The relief that Darcy felt was unwarranted for a relationship of such a short duration.

However, it was extremely important to him that the woman who had brought light to his world was not upset with him.

“I have a question, but I’m not sure it is appropriate.” Elizabeth knew propriety did not allow her to ask a gentleman his preferences, but she found herself questioning the sense behind propriety.

Darcy found he did not like the doubt he saw in Miss Elizabeth’s face. “Please ask your question. I am more than willing to help.”

Elizabeth gazed off into the distance, putting off her statement as much as she was able.

She could feel the warmth of the sun on her skin as she gathered her courage to speak.

“How do you feel about well-read women who do not fit the mold encouraged by society?” She could not bear to glance at him, and it seemed to be an eternity before he responded.

Darcy gave the question a lot of consideration, as it seemed to have great importance to her. “Well, I do not fit into the mold encouraged by society. Why would I want anyone else to?”

Elizabeth exhaled, but did not allow herself to be entirely free of worry just yet.

“My father often speaks of how I damage my sisters’ prospects by reading as I do.

And I so often hear that my thirst for knowledge is unattractive and unnatural.

When I realized I had revealed my erudite tendencies, I worried you must have thought dreadfully about me.

I have been trying to fight my inclination to assume the worst of people and situations, though I have not been entirely successful. ”

Darcy disliked the idea of Miss Elizabeth being diminished by her father.

“I understand the pain of having a parent disparage you, but he is entirely wrong in his words and actions. I am struggling to deal with my mother’s disappointment in me and she has been gone for many years.

As for being a reader, I enjoy talking about what I read and the fact that you are female makes no difference to me.

I know some men may find it off-putting, but I am sure that is only because they lack the intellectual fortitude to finish a book.

” He was pleased to see her smile peek out after the melancholy expression from earlier.

Elizabeth found it humorous that Mr. Darcy held such a view of unread gentlemen.

“I know you often say the wrong thing, but just now you may have said the kindest thing I ever heard.” Elizabeth liked the thought that he would value discussing books with her.

More than that, that someone outside her immediate family felt her father was wrong appeased something inside of her.

“I know you will teach until closer to noon, but would you be willing to allow me to accompany you home? I find the thought of spending time with you and your sister most enjoyable.” Darcy felt he could go over some things with Bingley about the running of his estate and have time to return.

He aided Kiernan in getting off Cadmus when they reached the church.

Kiernan’s voice rang out with gratitude and joy. “Mr. Darcy, thank you so much for letting me ride Crumpet.” He attempted to get his legs to do what he wanted and eventually bowed.

“You are entirely welcome, Master Kiernan.” Though Kiernan was delightful, Darcy felt his attention pulled toward Miss Elizabeth.

Elizabeth felt his eyes on her and quickly answered his question with a gentle tone. “I will plan on seeing you at noon, Mr. Darcy.” With a curtsy and a smile, Elizabeth went into the building. It was probably a good thing that she did not know what her pert smile did to Mr. Darcy.

Looking around the town, Darcy went into the booksellers.

Bingley had no literature remotely useful in learning how to run an estate.

Perhaps he could find a treatise on crop rotation or animal husbandry.

Paying for his choices, he started walking out the door and froze.

There, down the road, flirting shamelessly, was the fair-haired lothario who had caused so much pain wherever he went.

Bitter memories of the corrupt man quickly overpowered Darcy.

When they were boys, he was always charming and endearing while Darcy had been mute and awkward.

Darcy's parents used Wickham's poise to try to improve him, though their belittling tirades never seemed to help him socialize.

Later, when they were both sent to school, Wickham became a bully and a cheat who had learned how to manipulate the adults.

By Cambridge, he had fine-tuned his manipulation to get his way with women.

He left a trail of broken hearts and debts wherever he went.

The number of base-born children being supported on the Pemberley estate was disturbing.

Most recently, Georgiana narrowly escaped becoming his latest victim.

He had received a letter from dear Georgiana imploring him to come visit her sooner than they had originally discussed.

She implored him to hurry, as Mrs. Younge's odd behavior caused her to doubt that she had her best interest at heart.

Hastening to his beloved sister, he overheard Mrs. Younge telling Georgiana she did not need to keep her maid in the room when “dear Mr. Wickham” showed up.

The ensuing chaos was an overwhelming and tiresome experience.

Coming out of his memories, Darcy stepped back into the shadow of the doorway to watch Wickham flirt.

It dawned on him that his sister would be arriving soon.

He would have to do something both to protect his sister and the people of this town.

If he did not, there would be debts and dishonored daughters by the new year.

It looked like he had joined the militia, judging by his red coat.

Darcy had a conversation with a few of the shopkeepers.

Bingley could wait until later. He had people to protect.

Over two hours later, Darcy had bulging saddlebags but had spoken with most of the proprietors in the town.

Store owners seemed more willing to listen after you bought things with hard coin.

He had let them know that he had had problems with a militiaman in the town near his home in the past, specifically regarding debts and the daughters of the town.

It comforted him he had alerted the shopkeepers, but he still had one more thing he had to accomplish.

As he approached those he sought, he smiled and gave a bow.

“Ladies, Master Kiernan. I was wondering if I might ask you ladies to wait a few moments before we head back to Longbourn. I have a task that I hope Kiernan might help me with.” Darcy hoped they were not under a time constraint.

Mary spoke up when she saw Elizabeth looking at her questioningly. “Oh, that would be fine. We can stop by the haberdashers until you are ready to go. I have heard that there are new ribbons.” Mary was curious, but felt there was no rush.

Kiernan was grateful to be moving about after sitting so long to learn. He was more than happy to help the kind man who had let him ride Crumpet. “What do you need help with, Mr. Darcy?”

“There is someone I would like to show you, though we will have to be quiet. I do not want to be noticed.” They walked down the street towards where a group of men in red coats stood outside the pub laughing.

“Do you see the one at the end? He is blond with blue eyes and has his hand on his saber?” Kiernan remembered Darcy had spoken of being careful around the soldiers but still wondered what this was about.

“Yes, he has shifty eyes looking at everybody. What about him?”

“That man’s name is George Wickham, and he is not to be trusted.

He lies, cheats, and does not pay his debts, but worse, he is not good to women.

I hoped you could let me know if he tries anything with any of the girls from town.

” Darcy had already warned quite a few people, but he liked the idea of Kiernan being there to warn the Bennet ladies if it became necessary.

“You can trust me, Mr. Darcy. Is it all right If I tell my brothers?” Kiernan felt certain they would help. They all took Mam’s words to heart about protecting girls.

Smiling down into the earnest face, Darcy reassured him. “That should be fine, Kiernan. I am trying to figure out how to make sure he stops hurting people, but it may take a while.” He was working on a plan. Hopefully it would work out.

“Let’s go back to the girls and make sure they get home safe.” Kiernan wanted to hurry back. Who knew if any of the other soldiers were bad men?