“I wonder if it really suits me.” This much was true, for William had lately been prone to doubting the wisdom of his false identity. Why had he convinced himself that he must assume an entirely new persona in order to escape the tedium of his responsibilities? Ought he not have simply attempted to learn a little of the levity he assigned to his role as Darcy?
“It suits you perfectly! It is a divine name,” Elizabeth said with a sultry smile. “There is something so musical in it, so vastly alluring.”
“Yes, but you know I was adopted, like you and your sister were. What if my name were something else?”
“Such as?”
“Well, the gentleman who took me in was called Grey. Or something more sophisticated like… Worthing?”
“Worthing?Thatis your notion of a sophisticated surname!” Elizabeth laughed and shook her head. “No indeed, it is far too dull, and somehow quite dour. But then, I am sure I should say the same of any name that is not Darcy.”
William was leaning closer, his head dipping toward hers, his entire body responding to her playful and enticing demeanor. “I wonder you have not taken that name yourself.”
Her eyes widened for a moment, and she gave him a look of saucy impatience. “I should like to, Mr. Darcy, but you have not yet made your offer. The subject has not even beentouchedon.”
Her suggestive tone and the alluring way she bit her lip sent another thrill through him; any impulse to confess the truth was thoroughly tamped down as he took her in his arms and kissed her. She was wonderfully responsive, and his lips caressed hers until he was gasping for breath. “I love you, Elizabeth.”
And then he fell to one knee before her, already feeling the loss of their closeness, but he was determined to do this properly. He took her hands in his as he gazed up at the look of elation of her face. “I have been in anguish since you left Matlock House; our clandestine meetings have only left me with a certainty that I wish never to be parted from you. I beg you to end my suffering and consent to be my wife. Marry me, Elizabeth.”
“Yes,” she replied with a giddy laugh, though her answer was nearly lost to him as the door to the house flew open and Lady Catherine began calling for her daughter.
When she sighted the lovers, she strode forward with imperious indignation. “Arise, sir, from this semi-recumbent posture; it is most indecorous.”
William swiftly did as he was bid, but Elizabeth continued to hold his hands. “Mamma! Mr. Darcy was not quite finished.”
“I think heisquite finished.”
Elizabeth squared her shoulders defiantly. “We are engaged, Mamma. Will you not wish us joy?”
“I certainly shall not – and you are nothing of the kind. I have made my wishes and intentions perfectly clear in regard to your marital prospects, and contrary to popular opinion, I am not fond of repeating myself. But I believe we ought to take our leave of Matlock House, and subsequently of London entirely, as soon as it can be arranged. We will depart forthwith; you may go and wait for your sister and I in the carriage.”
“But, Mamma….”
“Elizabeth! The carriage!”
Elizabeth threw up her hands in frustration and stalked back toward the house, where Richard and Miss Bennet were peeking out of the back door with matching looks of horror.
Lady Catherine narrowed her eyes as she regarded William with a look meant to intimidate him. “As a matter of courtesy, Mr. Darcy, I must inform you that you are not on my list of eligible suitors for my youngest daughter. I had thought my behavior toward you made that clear enough; our removal from Matlock House three weeks ago was meant to give you further illumination.”
“I am in love with her,” William said firmly. “As devoted as you are to her future prospects of happiness, does that not giveyouany clarity?”
She gave a chuckle that was nearly a harrumph. “Well, I suppose that having some semblance of a spine sets you at a considerable advantage to some of the worthless young men favored by greater fortune. I am willing to be persuaded of your suitability, sir, if you would consent to speak privately with me at Lady Findlay’s house tomorrow at eleven o’clock. I shall have a few questions about your… other qualities.”
***
Five minutes before eleven o’clock the next morning, William arrived at the residence of Lady Findlay, where Lady Catherine, her sister, and their daughters were staying. Elizabeth was sitting with her sister, her cousin, and her aunt; the latter looked at him very strangely, just as she had done when first they were introduced, studying him intensely. Lady Findlay made a cold greeting, but did not invite him to sit or take tea.
Elizabeth sprang up from her seat to greet him warmly. She whispered tender reassurances that all would be well, for Richard and Lady Anne had promised to speak to Lady Catherine on his behalf. “I love you, Mr. Darcy, and Mamma shall too, once she comes to know you.”
William scarcely had time to return her promises of love and affection before Lady Catherine emerged from the adjoining parlor and entreated him to follow her. Elizabeth blew him a kiss as he glanced back before hurrying after her terrifying mother. She led him through a series of enfilade rooms until they reached one that served as a study, and she closed the door briskly before seating herself behind the desk.
She was instantly in command of the room. “Do sit down, sir.”
Something in him was compelled to rebel. “Thank you, Lady Catherine, but I prefer standing.”
The imposing dowager clearly had no wish to stare up at him; she glared with unnerving silence until he sank into the chair across from her. She began her assault at once.
After inquiring about his income and investments, she asked him his age. “I am eight-and-twenty.”
