“Miss Darcy’s governess?”
“Companion. We had taken her out of school. She had hated it. And had no friends. I had not known it was so bad until she confessed that to Elizabeth while I was waking from sleep—we made a pretense of saying that her education was complete. And I suppose she has no additional need for languages or painting.”
“Poor girl. Elizabeth likes her very much.”
“Oh, yes. Your daughter has been a perfect friend to her. It is something—she understands in a way I never could how Georgiana feels at present, and she has been unceasing in her kindness and compassion toward my sister—at a time when many would, and do, despise her. She has been a picture of true Christian charity.” At saying that Darcy paused and frowned at Mr. Bennet. “Though she has told me that you did not teach her to care for the rites of the church.”
Mr. Bennet shrugged. “I made her attend service every week. What I also did was allow her to read as she would, and to develop her opinions as she would—Mr. Darcy, are youhappythat your duty orders you to marry my daughter?”
“Yes.” The young man answered instantly. And then he smiled. “Without any doubt.”
“Well then. Well then.” Mr. Bennet sighed. “I confess—I’d hoped. I’d so hoped that she would come to live with me again. And bring the children as well.”
Mr. Darcy nodded. His eyes showed that he understood.
“It is a hard thing. I hope it shall be hard for you when the day comes. For Emily as well as any other children you have. Giving a daughter away, letting her go. Even when you think she has made a good choice, it is a hard thing.”
“I know,” Darcy replied. “But—I hope, I truly hope—what is it that they say. Think of it not as losing a daughter, but as gaining a son?”
Mr. Bennet laughed. “I do not know if my blessing has any meaning, but you have my wishes for happiness in marriage, and my belief that the two of you are far more likely to find it than she ever could have with Mr. Wickham. The two of you are likely to find more happiness than I have in my own marriage. But promise me one thing.”
“What do you ask?”
“Always remember this answer you made right now, at the start of your partnership in life. That you were happy it was to be her.”
“I shall.”
Chapter Eighteen
Darcy was happy to come to know Elizabeth’s father during the two weeks that he stayed at the house on Nelson Crescent before the marriage was accomplished.
The older gentleman was cheerful, quick to joke, with a rapid mind, and he was delighted to spend time with his daughter and the man she was going to marry.
Mr. Bennet made a determined campaign to court the admiration of his grandchildren. He made no attempt to compete with Darcy in the expense put towards toys and books, instead he eagerly took the two around the town and went on long walks along the coast with them. He relieved Darcy from George and Emily’s endless desire to have books read to them. He chased and tossed them both about, and while there were limits to his endurance, he managed a good showing of stamina for a gentleman nearly twice Darcy’s age.
A few days before the planned wedding Mr. Bennet announced, “I’ve talked with the captain in charge of the batteries along the East Cliff, he’ll happily give us all a tour. George, you’d love to run about and see inside the bastion.”
The young boy’s reaction proved that Mr. Bennet had made a correct prediction of what his grandson would like, only the word ‘love’ really was too trite and everyday to describe the joy that little George showed at the prospect.
Mr. Bennet then suggested to Darcy and Elizabeth that they also come, if Darcy thought he could manage the walk.
“I believe I can,” Darcy replied. “But as an invalid I have learned that the chief person to send such questions to is my nurse. Elizabeth, will my health suddenly fail if I attempt the expedition?”
“So wholly dramatic.” She rolled her eyes. “Your stamina may fail, but there are plenty of benches along the way.”
“Yes, but you would not like it if I did not consult you upon such a serious matter as walking out while still an invalid.”
She laughed, as Darcy had hoped she would. “In another week or two you will be well enough that asking me my opinion on such matters will be wholly absurd.”
Georgiana however had little interest in the bastion and its guns, and her preference was to dedicate those two hours to practicing on the piano. “Emily is such a dear, and I do love how she always sits with me when I play,” Georgiana explained. “But certain pieces require all my concentration, and it is impossible to give that to the music while she is reaching for the keys.”
Elizabeth dressed for their walk in a summery dress that Mr. Bennet had purchased for her. She supported Darcy with her arm, and she was utterly lovely.
They walked out with two footmen, Sally, and another maid. A large party, but Darcy was happy thathedid not need to worry at all for the children. Mr. Bennet carried George on his shoulders while Emily was held by Sally.
The gulls were high in the sky. The day was lovely. Elizabeth’s skin was tanned, and the cut of the dress was such that he could see the top of her bosom.
“What are you thinking?” Elizabeth asked.
