“I see.” Where the man seated close to her relaxed with the topic, her father practically squirmed in his chair. Everyone in the neighborhood knew the reputation of Thomas Bennet. As her betrothed suggested, the servants at Longbourn took the lead, or little would get done.
Clearing his throat loudly, her father challenged Darcy. “What I wonder is what you have been doing the past three months since you lost your position as master? Have you used this time to your advantage or taken aholiday, wasting away the days pursuing your pleasure? And what would the past three months say about your ability to manage an estate?”
The only sign Elizabeth could see that the question irritated Darcy was the sudden tenseness of his jaw.
“As the father of my future bride, your questions deserve an answer.” Ever noble, he began. “At first, my emotions controlled my thinking. I knew it was not wise to make a major decision until I could see my situation clearly. Then, I reviewed each word and each copy of the contracts, along with my attorney, Mr. Samuel Haggerston, to verify their legality. I also had my uncle’s men sort through every document to see if I could overturn my loss. Meanwhile, I hired men to locate Mr. Simon Cole, my former man of business. I then awaited news of the co-conspirator to see if he had indeed left England and, if so, where he settled. By then, eight weeks passed. Between then and my arrival in Hertfordshire four weeks later, I investigated available properties in Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, and Suffolk, finding nothing to suit my needs.”
Her father nodded at the same time Elizabeth’s confidence in Darcy increased. When he glanced at her again, she smiled with pleasure.
He turned to her. “Miss Elizabeth, I have never been the sort to rush into a decision, although I can do so if necessary. The only times I have been incautious caused me and those under my care to suffer. The mistake I made the night I learned of my sister’s marriage is one I never want to forget. Even before my error, I tried to calculate costs, not just in money, but how my decisions would affect others.”
“Do you mean, like your choice to marry me?”
He smiled.
Elizabeth’s heart raced under the intensity of his gaze.
Her father again cleared his throat. “I have one more matter I would like addressed before we make your engagement public.” He barely paused. “Immediately after the assembly, my wife described you as ‘brooding like a dark cloud over the festivities.’ She also mentioned that you gravely insulted the very woman you want to wed. My question to you is, can you control your anger?”
Elizabeth swallowed. It was a question she had not thought to ask. When Darcy’s head dropped and his hand pulled away from hers, she considered all she knew about him. It was at that exact moment she realized that he had already shown himself to her. She entwined her fingers with his.
He glanced at her before directing his reply to her father. “Before I arrived at Netherfield Park, I somewhat tempered my rage.” He clasped her hand tightly. “I hope you understand how I responded when I was at the height of my anger. You see, my ire was channeled solely at my new brother-in-law, my former man of business, and myself. Never, not even once, did it occur to me to take out my frustration on my sister, although her decision set everything that happened against me in motion.”
Her father nodded. “And my Lizzy?”
Darcy’s ears pinked. “I have begged forgiveness from your daughter. Although I have sworn to be less judgmental and proud, I have almost twenty-eight years of having an overly exalted attitude to overcome. I am, Iguess you could say, a work in progress since I will do anything never to hurt your daughter again.”
She murmured so only he could hear, “Now, it is you who recalls the evening we met. Any hurt I felt from your insult has long passed.”
His smile warmed her.
Clasping the book in his hands, her father sat forward in the chair. “Very well. I give you leave to inform the residents of Meryton of your betrothal, besides obtaining a license and making arrangements with Longbourn’s rector. How you inform Mr. Collins that I have one less daughter for him to chase, I leave up to you.”
When he used the arms of the chair to push himself up, Elizabeth worried. That he could not stand without help was telling. He was far from being a young man. In years past, he would stroll with them into Meryton, sharing quips and quotes with anyone who would listen. She remembered that until recently, he rode the fence lines daily, in sunshine or rain. Looking closer, she noticed large patches of gray woven through his hair and sideburns. Dark spots splotched the backs of his hands. Deep lines framed his mouth.When did he become old? Sedentary? Disinterested?
She recalled her earlier conversation with Darcy about the health of her father. Although the color of her father’s skin looked healthy enough, she realized the depth of her mother’s concerns for their futures.Shame on me for not noticing that my parents are no longer young!
Did her father realize the same? A sinking feeling hit her middle, at the same time, tears threatened. “Papa, by chance, after receiving his first letter, did you write to Mr. Collins, inviting him to Longbourn?’
She held her breath until he replied.
“I did.”
Good lord, her father wants one of us to be attached to his heir!Gratefully, Darcy’s hand tightened over hers before he stood.
Fitzwilliam said, “Mr. Bennet, as the nephew of Lady Catherine, I suspect what my aunt has shared with Mr. Collins. Assuming he is a fool, his ranting and ravings would make residing in the same house intolerable for Elizabeth. Perhaps we should apply for a common license to marry prior to your heir’s arrival.”
“This week, then?” Her father’s face fell. “Are you certain?”
“Yes. We could marry on Friday morning. Mrs. Bennet would have four days to inform the community. I will send news to my uncle.”
Her beloved Papa sighed. “I fully believe that I have many years until I reach my mortal coil. With that said, you likely thought you would always be in charge of Pemberley. Things have a way of changing in the blink of an eye. I suppose it would be best to have this done before Collins can make a fuss. Afait accompli, if you must.”
Darcy pulled her closer to him. “If Elizabeth is agreeable, then I would be happy to meet her at the chapel Friday morning.”
Elizabeth’s mind flew into a frenzy. Although she was certain she wanted to marry him, she was unsure why her heart begged for more time—had her father’s questions created doubt? No, because she was convinced her betrothed was the best man she knew. As they dealt with life’s challenges, they were both determined to be happy.
It was…oh, lord in heaven!It was the other aspects of marriage that caused her to hesitate. Intense heat radiated from her chest. Other than their kiss when they agreed to marry, his holding her hand now, and the small courtesies of him offering his arm when they walked the difficult portion of Oakham Mount’s path, they had minimal physical contact. Once they were wed, they would act as every other married couple and… Envisioning the activities resulting from the sensations she felt having her hand in his, Elizabeth’s sensibilities were completely overwhelmed..
