“Think of your daughters’ futures.”
Mr. Bennet looked like a teapot about to scream. “Are my affairs in such an obvious state of negligence that you feel obligated to come to my assistance? Who are you to play the hero?”
Slowly, Darcy raised his palms, his voice as gentle as he could manage. “My intention is not to offend. Far from it. My wish is to make an agreement from which we would both benefit.”
“This Rembrandt is all I have! I shall not part with it while I live and breathe!”
Darcy had anticipated various arguments andprepared rebuttals that would persuade Mr. Bennet, but he had not anticipatedthis.This was a dead end! Hanging not six feet from him, the painting was as far out of reach as it had been when it was lost. Until this moment, he had never known true frustration.
Again, he appealed to the gentleman’s better judgment. “It is a valuable work of art, and it is exposed here. I can keep it safer at Pemberley.”
“And yet, according to you, the painting was stolen from your property!”
Growing desperate, Darcy argued, “What is to happen to it when you are no longer the master of Longbourn?”
“What business of yours is that?”
“I intend to see my family’s painting restored, Mr. Bennet. If you will agree to accept payment for the painting now while you can still benefit from it, then the painting can come to me after your death.”
“No.”
To be so easily dismissed smacked of determined stubbornness. Darcy was near his wit’s end. “Think of your daughters. What I suggest gives you a means to provide for them even after you are gone.”
Mr. Bennet leaned over the desk, his whole body shaking. “I want you out of my house!”
Darcy stood, hands still raised to make one last appeal. “Surely their welfare is more important to you than a painting.”
“You stay away from them! Stay away from me! Leave us be!” Mr. Bennet pointed at the door.
Anger burned through Darcy. Never had he met a man more unreasonable and determined for ruin than this man. Shoulders stiff, head tall and proud, Darcy left the room, leaving the door open behind him. Let the ninny close it himself.
“Donotcall again! I forbid it!” Mr. Bennet’s shout resounded through the quiet house.
Before Darcy reached the front door, Mrs. Bennet fluttered to his side. “Mr. Darcy, surely you are not leaving so soon?”
He bowed his head, not wishing to inflict his ire on the poor woman who must endure such a husband. “My apologies, ma’am, but I must depart.”
“When can we expect you to return?” she asked. Her five daughters stood behind her looking confused and concerned. His gaze stopped at Miss Elizabeth.
“He willnotreturn. I forbid it! I forbid any of you from speaking to this man!”
Mr. Bennet’s words reverberated in Darcy’s mind as if they were spoken in a dream. All he could see was Elizabeth.
All the anger, frustration, and disappointment boiling up within him dissipated. She would never be allowed to live a life without concern. Her father offered her no security in the present or any means by which to improve her prospects. The man was the worst sort of fool… but he was her father.
Darcy glanced at the end of the hall. Mr. Bennet lurked in the doorway with his arms folded over his chest and stepped forward.
“Do not say such things, Mr. Bennet! You cannot mean it! Think of the girls!” Mrs. Bennet wailed.
Taking a deep breath, Darcy looked away and pretended he was at a society ball, cold and indifferent. “Forgive me, madam, but I do not have any intention to return.” Turning on his heel, he walked through the door and out to the drive, where a boy held his horse.
The look on Elizabeth’s face haunted him all the way back to Netherfield Park.
CHAPTER 22
Elizabeth watched Mr. Darcy leave, torn between following him and demanding an explanation from her father. She had never seen Papa treat anyone so cruelly or act so harshly. He stood in the doorway of his study, his arms stiff and his face full of thunderclouds. Elizabeth was stunned to see him so irate. What could have transpired between him and Mr. Darcy to provoke so much anger? Not even Mama could do that! Nobody could?not in Elizabeth’s memory.
“You are not to receive that man’s calls should he be foolish enough to attempt to set foot on Longbourn property again. He is not welcome here. You are not to speak to him.”
