Darcy slowly smiled and he picked up the brandy again and sipped it. “Mr. Bennet, you ought to submit a list of such conundrums, for me and Elizabeth to debate together ahead of time. Then we might be prepared for such occasions.”
“But whowouldchoose?” Mr. Bennet lifted his glass and sipped.
“The child, in the end.”
Mr. Bennet laughed. “Well answered. Well answered. No matter what you and Lizzy choose. Children are like that.”
Darcy continued to sip from the cognac, and when he finished savoring the glass Mr. Bennet poured more for him. From his manner Mr. Bennet thought Darcy had the sophistication to enjoy such a fine spirit properly. Mr. Bennet did not.
Darcy said, “I have been informed you disapproved of my match to Elizabeth before — you ought to have said so — I do not wish to marry Elizabeth until I have assuaged your worries, not untilyoucan give me your blessing whole heartedly.”
“If I never could? Would you delay marriage until my death, like many young couples faced with the determined opposition of their relatives?”
“Your permission I possess already — I onlywishyour happiness. Elizabeth adores you, but we do not need it. My sister. She was right to choose the future she wished over following my desires in her choice. And I was wrong to make her choose.”
“Elizabeth had the wrong of it. I was not unhappy. I was concerned. The two of you were precipitate. You had not tested yourselves well enough, and I worried greatly how you would act together when you disagreed. I neverdisapproved, I was anxious.”
“You mean to say that the manner of my return and what I have said of my intentions removes your anxiety.”
“I do not cease to worry. I shall always worry for my girl. Always. She will not cease to beminesolely because she becomes yours as well. And I care not the slightest what the law says on that matter — you recall that day I threatened you with a rifle.”
“If I hurt Elizabeth, the next time your weapon will not be unloaded?”
“That approximately is what I mean.”
“I worry for Georgiana, though she is happy, and I am happy for her. But not for the reasons I opposed the match, simply because…”
“Life is long, full of uncertainty, and marriage is an irrevocable step.”
Darcy agreed and finished his glass, and Mr. Bennet finished his own glass of cognac, unforgivably simply swallowing the end of the burning liquid without sloshing it to each part of his mouth to taste all of the shades of the flavor, as he’d been told to when Gardiner gave him the bottle. He refilled both their glasses.
Mr. Bennet said after he took another sip, “I worry in the fashion I worry when she goes to London that I might hear of a carriage accident. You both are of age, and well matured. You both have experience with each other’s sharp edges and despite that experience you desire to marry. IexpectLizzy to be happy with you. I cannot ask for more. Wait, Ican! I have one condition before you might have my permission!”
“Whatdecisiveconsideration must I meet?” Darcy replied dryly.
“A standing invitation to your library.”
“I thought you wished that. You may live among the shelves, if you so choose.”
“That is unkind, to not offer your father-in-law abedto sleep in.”
“One would be dragged to the library from one of the bedrooms — I shall keep the guest bedroom nearest the library always open for you.” Darcy dragged his chair closer to Mr. Bennet with his feet. “Not in jest. That room henceforth is yours.”
“I shall use that liberty more often than you might like. Lizzy has been…she has been a great deal to me. Hertfordshire is hollow in her absence. She shall be two days journey to the north.”
“Bennet, Iexpectto see you often — else it would be a waste to set aside a room permanently for your use.”
“Often. Most often.” To hide his tears Mr. Bennet lifted his glass, and Darcy did as well. They clinked together, and with tears starting on his eyes Mr. Bennet said, “To you and Elizabeth and your happiness.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
One day in the Longbourn drawing room, Elizabeth and Darcy sat chaperoned by Mrs. Bennet. Mama rocked back and forth in her chair next to the fire with all her attention upon the blue and white threads of her embroidery.
Elizabeth was in a mischievous mood, and she asked her soon husband, “What philosophers have you taken advice from upon the nature of marriage — I have been searching of late in the most learned and ancient sources for wisdom, and I have learned to better despise the ancients.”
“That surprises me not.Youwould despise the ancients, simply because everyone else gives them such high praise.”
“That makes me sound terribly predictable — which I hope I have not been. I am possessed of excellent reasons to be offended. They are quite worse thanyouever were.”
