“We were hoping,” the colonel said, “to consult with Miss Elizabeth. She is clever and perceptive, and—”
“Yes, yes, she is,” Mr. Bennet interrupted with a faint, tired smile. “That girl always had the sharpest mind in the house. Very well. I shall have someone fetch her.” He began to rise from his chair.
It is now or never, Darcy.
Heat rushed over him as he stepped forward. “Sir, before you do, there is something else. I… I would like your permission to marry Miss Elizabeth.”
Mr. Bennet froze halfway out of his chair. Then, slowly, he sat back down.
The silence that followed was almost comic in its length. His mouth opened, closed, opened again. Thirty full seconds passed in stunned disbelief.
At last, he let out a strangled croak. “My first inclination is to deny you outright, sir. But my daughter would never forgive me if I presumed to speak on her behalf in this matter. So—yes. You have my permission to address her. But you do not have my permission to marry her. If—and only if—she accepts you, andifwe survive this debacle,thenyou may ask me again.”
Darcy exhaled in relief. “That is more than reasonable, sir. And perhaps more grace than I deserve.”
Mr. Bennet snorted. “I do not do it foryou, Mr. Darcy. I do it for her. If she loves you, she will say yes. And if she does not, she will say no—and do a much better job of thrashing you with words than I ever could. Which I would enjoy watching, frankly.”
Darcy swallowed hard. The colonel clapped him on the back, grinning. “Cheer up, cousin. Who knows? We may all be dead within the week, in which case you will be spared the rejection.”
Mr. Bennet gave him a long, deadpan stare.
The colonel cleared his throat. “Ah. My apologies, sir. That was… rather flippant.”
To everyone’s surprise, Mr. Bennet barked out a laugh. “I think I might begin to like you, Colonel, despite my better judgment.”
He stood, going to the door. “Now. Shall we have Lizzy sent for? Unless you, too, would like to ask for one of my daughters? I am afraid only Mary remains, but she’s a good enough girl.”
The colonel choked. “I… that is… I assure you, sir—”
But he never finished, for the door opened to reveal Elizabeth herself standing there, a knowing arch to her brow and Benjamin cradled in her arms. Though she was dressed in a plain morning gown with a simple coiffure, Darcy had never seen anything more beautiful.
Mr. Bennet raised an eyebrow. “Well, then. No need to send for you after all.”
Elizabeth stepped forward. “I heard raised voices. I assumed that meant the gentlemen had arrived.” Her tone was mild, but her eyes flicked knowingly between the three of them.
Mr. Bennet’s gaze softened slightly. “Indeed, they have. Come in, my dear. We have much to discuss.”
∞∞∞
Elizabeth stepped into the study with Benjamin in her arms. The air was thick with tension, and her father stood behind his desk, arms folded in a severe scowl. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam were standing before him, both men looking grim— shoulders squared, expressions hard.
Darcy’s eyes immediately found hers, dark and searching. His gaze swept over her with barely concealed worry, lingering at theslight shadows beneath her eyes, the protective way she held the child. She felt his concern as surely as if he had spoken it aloud.
She gave him a small, reassuring smile, her fingers absently stroking Benjamin’s back as she said, “This conversation may take some time. I believe, Papa, we should at least offer the gentlemen a chair.”
Mr. Bennet sighed. “Very well, but only one.”
The two men looked blankly at one another, and Elizabeth suppressed a giggle. “Really, Papa, this is no time for your teasing. Gentlemen, you mayeachtake a seat.”
Elizabeth raised her brows but said nothing. The colonel quirked a brow toward Darcy, clearly deferring, and stepped back as Darcy moved toward the chair. As he passed her, his arm brushed lightly against hers—only a glancing touch, but it sent a current through her that made her breath catch.
Darcy sat down without a word, but the set of his jaw and the way his gaze flicked back to her told her he was here—for her.
Her attention was called away when Mr. Bennet said, “We need a plan—one that keeps this house, this family, and that child,” he nodded at Benjamin, “safe from the man who tried to kill him.”
Darcy straightened. “I will send word to London this morning to have several of my own footmen travel down—men I trust, not just for their discretion, but for their strength and loyalty.”
“And I can fetch several men of my own,” Colonel Fitzwilliam added. “Soldiers who once served under me, now retired or recovering from wounds. Many live in London, and they can travel with Darcy’s men. They will be grateful for honest coin and clear orders.”
