"The intricacies of her conniving schemes leave something to be desired," William said lightly, refusing to look Lizzie in the face. This was precisely why he hadn't wanted his younger sister to interfere. If things were meant to improve between himself and Lizzie, it would be of their own volition. Apparently, no one could even give him that. Not that in the end he could really blame his sister. His awkward interactions were on the internet for the world could see, despite the fact that he could have hid it with relative ease. He just...hadn't.
He wanted to pinch the bridge of his nose, but somehow William prevented himself from doing so; the thoughtful reminder that it made him look "exasperated and desperate to leave a situation" in the forefront of his mind. Instead, he simply cleared his throat, his chin tucking back slightly out of a vague sense of discomfort before looking around the store for a safe topic.
"I apologize. I feel as though I should have seen this coming." Well, that wasn't what he meant to say at all. For a moment, Darcy wished he could channel Fitz or even Bing and say something witty and captivating that would simultaneously give Lizzie an option to stay or leave. He had ruined that frighteningly easily. "It was an unexpectedly long day and I thought it would be pleasant to see her..."
He still hadn't looked at her as he began to ramble, and it seemed the time to remedy that had come so William looked down into her eyes, his words coming out much more softly than he had intended. "I don't think you could be blamed if you would like to leave."