“I see no reason why he should not accept the living,” Mr. Bennet replied, folding the letter and putting it into his pocket. “It would definitely put him in quite a comfortable position, and at such a young age. Plus, a few more years of him away would allow Mark time to establish himself here as an adult before Cousin William’s arrival.”
Further discussion was prevented by the sound of loud knocking at the front door. They all turned to one another in confusion. “Who can it be at this hour?” cried Mrs. Bennet.
“As none of us have been granted the gift of clairvoyance,” Mr. Bennet replied dryly, “I suppose we shall have to await the announcement together.”
“Maybe it’s a highwayman,” Elizabeth said with a twinkle in her eye and a small wink in the direction of her younger sisters. “Or else a tax collector, perhaps?”
“Let us hope for the former,” responded Mr. Bennet, “as it would prove to be more diverting.”
A few moments later, the maid Polly came into the room. She bobbed a curtsy while saying, “Mr. Darcy is at the door for you, sir. He asks to speak with you—says it is quite urgent.”
Elizabeth’s heart leaped from her chest and into her throat, nearly causing her to choke on a piece of ham.What on earth could have happened?
Mr. Bennet stood at once. “Please show him into my study,” he said, his tone calm but alert. He cast a meaningful glance at Elizabeth before leaving the room.
Her heart leaped into her throat. She longed to follow, toask, toknow, but propriety forbade joining them without an invitation. Knowing her mother would not permit her to eavesdrop, she looked to Mrs. Bennet and said, “I believe, Mama, that there is little point in trying to finish supper now.”
“I believe you are correct,” Mrs. Bennet sighed. “Come, girls, let us move to the drawing room.”
The four Bennet daughters obeyed, trailing dutifully behind their mother with hesitant steps. Upon entering the room, Elizabeth took her usual seat by the fire. She perched on the edge of her chair and folded her hands in her lap in an attempt to keep her nerves steady.
Jane joined her, and almost immediately leaned in to whisper. “Do you think something has happened to Mr. Bingley?” Jane asked, eyes wide with worry. “Is he ill? Or—” She broke off, her voice trembling.
“I am sure Mr. Darcy would not be sent to deliver such news,” Elizabeth said, though her own stomach twisted. “He would send a note with a servant.”
“To think he came here alone,” murmured Kitty.
“It must be love,” sighed Lydia, flopping into a chair. “You will see—he is going to propose.”
“Propose?” the remaining four ladies chorused in unison.
“To whom?” demanded Elizabeth, doing her best to squelch the rise of hope fluttering in her breast. “What do you know? What have you heard?”
“Why, to me, of course!” cried Lydia, a mischievous look on her face. “He is quite tall, after all, and I am the tallest of you all.”
This response was so ludicrous, Elizabeth could not help but to burst out in a peal of laughter. “Do not be so ridiculous, Lydia!” she exclaimed once she had composed herself sufficiently to speak. “I am sure it is quite mundane—perhaps a tenant matter.”
Before more could be said, the door creaked open and a servant appeared. “Miss Elizabeth, if you please—Mr. Bennet requests your presence in the study.”
Mrs. Bennet squealed. “Oh! Itisa proposal!”
Elizabeth turned crimson. “It isnot, Mama.” She hurried from the room as her mother began instructing the others on how best to receive a future son-in-law.
The hallway seemed unusually long as she made her way toward her father’s study. Her heart fluttered with a mixture of nerves and something dangerously like hope. What could Mr. Darcy’s purpose be in calling at such an hour—and in such haste?
A thrill ran through her before she could suppress it.Could he truly be…?
No.
The rational part of her mind dismissed it outright. Men as wealthy as Mr. Darcy did not propose marriage to women like her without first establishing a courtship. And he had not asked for one.
But perhaps—perhaps he had come to ask her father first? A man as traditional and upright as Mr. Darcy might very well consider such a course honorable. That would explain his coming alone, and in such apparent urgency…
Her steps slowed. If that were the case, why not wait until tomorrow? There had been no crisis, no prompting incident that might make such a decision immediate. It made no sense. And yet—
She placed a hand to her chest to steady her breathing.Well, she thought,there is only one way to find out.
Knocking softly before turning the knob, Elizabeth opened the door and entered her father’s study.
