The Gouldings had already gone home but the Bennets and the Netherfield party still lingered, waiting for their carriages.

"You must allow me to thank you for revealing Mr. Wickham's character," said Miss Elizabeth Bennet quietly. "I know it cannot have been pleasant for you."

"Ordinarily I would prefer not to exhibit my private affairs nor to discuss my dealings with other people of my acquaintance," Mr. Darcy replied. "But since George Wickham already made our previous association a matter of public interest in Meryton he could have no objection to revealing the other side of the story."

"At first I did not consider it odd that he was so ready to confide his past woes to strangers. But now I believe that he was afraid that you would say something and wanted to preemptively cast you as a villain instead."

"Yes, it sounds like something Wickham would do."

"He has been very well liked in Meryton and might have caused a great deal of trouble if no one knew of his perfidy."

"That man has a great talent for recommending himself to strangers and an easy ability of making friends," said Mr. Darcy. "As several of his former friends can attest."

"I think tonight was an indispensable reminder for many of us, not to trust people we have not known very long too readily."

"When we are old friends I hope you will have found me worthy of your trust, Miss Elizabeth."

"After all, you promised to bring the receipts, sir," she said lightly. "I reserve the right to change my mind if your legal team proves to be less impressive than the stellar reputation that you have given them."

"One thing that I have learned from them is that it is hard to argue with proof."

"I think you made your case. But Lydia might find it difficult to admit, having committed to Mr. Wickham's protection so publicly."

"Even if deluded, it was very brave of her to charge in the battle, in defense of her friend," said Mr. Darcy. "She must be very young."

"She is fifteen years old."

"Pardon me for saying so but she is far too young to be allowed to be friends with the likes of George Wickham."

"I quite agree, sir. My hope is that tonight you may have scared my father into taking greater care in regards to the company Kitty and Lydia are allowed to keep."

"I was attempting to, in any case. I told him what happened to some other young ladies who were allowed too much contact with Mr. Wickham, and he noted he was not certain about the moral character of any other officers either."

"It is rather difficult to ascertain if the only evidence available to us is how cheerfully somebody talks on a brief social call."

"I have little talent in that arena so it is no wonder I was deemed a reprobate."

"Tonight, your discourse was perfectly fascinating and kept everyone riveted, so I think it is not lack of skill, it is just that you would rather not take the trouble to speak with people."

"Perhaps."

"No, the real crime that marks you as a blackhearted scoundrel is that you do not dance."

This made Mr. Darcy laugh. "I beg to differ, Miss Elizabeth, it is you who are the greater sinner here. I have asked you to dance twice now, and twice you have refused me."

"Well, perhaps the third time is the charm."

"I shall hold you to that."

"You can prove your true mettle at the next assembly if you are still in Hertfordshire."

"I wish to prove my mettle at the ball that Bingley is planning to invite everyone to shortly," Mr. Darcy said. "And to that effect, I would like to request your company for the supper dance."

"Let me check my dance card," Miss Elizabeth said. "Yes, I am available for the supper dance."

Note:

I said I was done but it turns out I wasn't... after all they dine with four and twenty families so there must be another party coming up shortly...