“Idid. We did not speak sufficiently about our hopes and demands. But now we have made all clear.”
“Allclear? That is a speedy working upon your part.”
Lizzy nodded, eagerly, her cheeks shining.
“I cannot approve of repeatedly breaking and entering engagements. What shall the neighbors think? You do gain the advantage of them offering congratulations a second time, but that imposition upon their good nature is—”
“Papa!” Elizabeth sat down in a huff. “I am not in jest.”
“I know.” Mr. Bennet smiled widely at her. “Pray tell, how did such aremarkableevent come about? Darcy brought himself to London? Or was this arranged via letter?”
“Of course he brought himself to London — are you being difficult purposefully?”
“Pray tell further, have you studied this matter with your reason this time? Are you satisfied there is no chance of a mistake?”
Lizzy glared at him. Then she softened. “I am more… We have spoken, he understands why I became so angry. He will always listen to me — and he swore an oath as a gentleman to never make a choice for me, and since he istoogentlemanly, I can trust him to keep such an oath. Besides he can learn.”
“A gentleman who can learn?”
“Yes!” Lizzy grinned. “Am I not excessively blessed by fortune? I have caught in my clutching woman’s claws theonlyone.”
“As a gentleman, I claim also the ability to learn.”
“Oh, you aren’t a gentleman, you arePapa.” Lizzy kissed him on the cheek. “If you are teasing me so, you are not so dissatisfied as last time.”
“Nor am I uncommonly surprised. He attended his sister’s wedding?” At Lizzy’s nod, Mr. Bennet added, “It speaks well for his family feeling that he did not let pride stand betwixt them, and that he could accept such a choice as she made. And I imagine he engaged in pretty speechmaking toyou.”
“Very pretty — do you wish to hear the particulars?”
“Do you yearn to share such with your father?”
“We—” Lizzy blushed and shook her head. “I am supremely and completely happy this time. A happy marriage shall require effort, work, and compromise — though to Mr. Darcy, I will not need to submit myself to him, as we are agreed in all matters to be equals. And—”
“Such an extraordinary young man!”
Lizzy stuck her tongue out at Mr. Bennet. “You shall not annoy me today. My Mr. Darcy is perfect, and tall, and hedoeslisten to me, and he will argue matters philosophical and absurdical with me whenever I choose.”
“Then I am entirely happy for you.”
“I shall now bring Mr. Darcy in.” Lizzy clapped. “You shall not tease him excessively — but pray, question him at however great length you wish.”
“That is hardly necessary,” Mr. Bennet replied, as Lizzy went to door. “I already hadoneinterview on this subject with Mr. Darcy, and I despisedeja vu.”
Upon the door being opened, Mr. Bennet was presented with the odd spectacle of his wife berating a tall and immaculately dressed man, who made a small bow of submission each time Mrs. Bennet stabbed her finger towards his chest.
“Youwilllet my Lizzy run on, just as much as Mr. Bennet does!Nothinglike how you treated darling Georgiana.”
“Of course not, madam,” Mr. Darcy replied with a bow.
“Heavens, I am most seriously displeased with you, and it shall take atleasta week of the most loverlike behavior from you towards my daughter for you to exit my black books.”
Another elegant bow. “I deserve nothing else.”
“And you will return to my blackest books if you annoy Lizzy ever again.”
“Mama!” Lizzy exclaimed. “Do not berate Mr. Darcy.”
Mrs. Bennet raised her nose and sniffed. “Someone must. He has quite too high an opinion of himself. Even if he does have ten thousand a year and likely more.”
