Mr. Bennet’s eyebrows rose. “And why would I do that?”
“Because I will pay you one thousand pounds if you do,” said Darcy.
The older gentleman simply stared at Darcy. No change of expression gave away what he was thinking. Eventually, he said, “Mr. Darcy, I believe we are speaking at cross-purposes here. Just what are you trying to accomplish and why.”
“It has come to my attention that Miss Elizabeth will likely be pressured into marrying Mr. Collins,” said Darcy. “I simply cannot allow that to happen. Therefore, I am here to stop it.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyes narrowed, showing a trace of anger, the first expression other than apathy or wry humor that Darcy had ever seen on that man’s face. “And just what business is it of yours?” Mr. Bennet asked.
Darcy didn’t know how to answer that without expressing emotions that he had deliberately buried. “I have made it my business,” was the best answer Darcy could come up with.
“I do not enjoy talking in circles, Mr. Darcy,” said Mr. Bennet. “If you will not speak plainly, then I shall. It is my opinion that you are not here only to stop my daughter from marrying Mr. Collins, but that you would prefer if she didn’t marry anyone.”
Darcy opened his mouth to object, but Mr. Bennet continued. “If that is the case, your offer of one thousand pounds will not serve either of us. If you know that I will be pressuring Elizabeth to accept that repulsive man, then you must know that it is only because I must do what is necessary to save my family. Replacing a very advantageous match with only one thousand pounds is not an equal exchange, nor will it help my family in the long run.”
Having heard of the entail on Longbourn, Darcy knew what Mr. Bennet was speaking of. If something were to happen to Mr. Bennet, a single thousand pounds would not make a significant difference in his family’s ability to provide for themselves.
“Are you asking me to increase my offer?” asked Darcy.
“I am suggesting that you drop it altogether,” said Mr. Bennet. “I cannot fathom your motivation for inserting yourself into a matter that should be of no concern to you, but I do know this: preventing Elizabeth from marrying Mr. Collins will not preserve her from marrying someone else, possibly someone equally repulsive in your eyes. Since your offer does not help either of us, it is pointless to continue this conversation.”
“It is not pointless,” said Darcy in desperation, “for I intend to propose to her myself once Mr. Collins is out of the picture.”
He had not, in fact, intended any such thing. His entire purpose in this visit was to prevent Miss Elizabeth from being thrown away on that silly parson. No thought of proposing for himself had entered his mind. Now that the statement had been said, however, he could not retract it. Nor did he wish to. In fact, instead of feeling mortified at losing control of himself, he felt relieved…relieved that his struggle with himself was over, relieved that he could enjoy Miss Elizabeth’s company without constant internal restraint.
Darcy’s attention was so absorbed by his own feelings that he, at first, did not notice the change in Mr. Bennet’s expression…until he heard the laughter.
He looked at the older man in consternation. He could not understand what was so funny about any of this. Perhaps the man was going slightly insane with relief that his family was certain to be taken care of.
Eventually, Mr. Bennet’s laughter calmed enough for him to say, “She would rather accept Mr. Collins than you, I assure you.”
“That is not possible,” said Darcy.
“Are you saying that because of your wealth?” asked Mr. Bennet. “Or perhaps it is your charming personality that gives you so much confidence.”
Darcy did not know how to reply to Mr. Bennet’s sharp questions. After a few moments of silence, Mr. Bennet continued.
“My daughter is delightfully intelligent,” he said, “though she is also a bit prideful in her brilliance. Because of this, she is quick to form judgments and opinions of people and slow to change those opinions. From the first moment she heard you speak, she has been certain that you have no ability to respect anyone lower than you. Elizabeth will not willingly put herself and her intelligence under the thumb of such a man.”
Darcy was struck dumb at this image of himself, but he didn’t ponder it for long. “You say this,” he said, “but you are forcing her to do exactly that. Mr. Collins cannot respect her. He cannot adore her the way she deserves to be adored.”
“Ah, that is where you are wrong,” said Mr. Bennet. “He has never insulted her, never ignored her the way you have. Nor has he insulted and ignored everyone she cares about the way you have. I will say it again, she would sooner marry Mr. Collins than you.”
Darcy took a minute or two to absorb and think about what Mr. Bennet had said, and for once the older gentleman remained silent, allowing Darcy to ponder.
He had, in fact, insulted Miss Elizabeth before they had even been introduced. At the assembly where he first saw her, he declined being introduced to her, essentially calling her plain and uninteresting, though he had used far more words in the moment. It was not long afterward that he noticed the sparkle ofintelligence in her eyes and the glint of humor that was often in her face.
Over the next few weeks, he had grown increasingly fascinated with her, though he still made no effort to speak with her. He did, however, listen to her conversations with interest, noticing her quick wit and readiness to laugh at the world, though never with cruelty.
Through all of this, Darcy thought he was merely admiring beauty from afar and taking pleasure in the sight, much like one might admire the Mona Lisa and be intrigued by her knowing smirk. It wasn’t until Miss Elizabeth stayed at Netherfield for four days to care for her ill sister, where he was able to converse with her on more equal ground, that Darcy began to feel some level of danger from his attraction to her.
When examined objectively, most of his interactions with the lady had been completely one-sided. The only exceptions were a couple of conversations at Netherfield. Even those had been followed up by him completely ignoring her on her last day in Bingley’s home, in order to ensure she had no expectations from him despite his growing attraction.
Apparently, he had been too successful. Not only did she have no expectations, she had no fondness for him whatsoever, assuming her father was correct.
His best move would be to quit the field altogether, to allow Miss Elizabeth to marry where her family needed. If she would not accept his protection, his offer of marriage, she should be allowed to accept the best offer available.
He could not stomach the thought, however. He might have managed it if she was to marry anyone but Mr. Collins, but Darcy knew that he would see Miss Elizabeth again and again when he visited his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He would have tobear witness as she gradually faded away under the “care” of her cousin.
