“Good morning, Mr. Darcy.” Moving quickly, she turned and shut the library door.
Alarmed, Mr. Darcy ran for the door, but too late; Miss Bingley ripped her bodice and began to shriek at the top of her lungs.
***
“Bingley, you must know that I would never have compromised your sister.”
“I know that, but all the servants heard her scream.”
“She engineered it!” Mr. Darcy insisted.
“I do not know what to do, Darcy.” Mr. Bingley ran his hands through his already disheveled hair.
Then Mr. Darcy had a brilliant idea. He straightened in his seat. “I cannot marry your sister because I am already betrothed to Miss Bennet.”
Mr. Bingley straightened up as well, face now wearing a relieved smile. “You are! Well, that is good news indeed, and solves our little problem handily! I congratulate you, Darcy. Lizzy is perfect for you.”
“Thank you, Bingley.”
“I will tell Caroline that you are already betrothed and her machinations have come to nothing. I must be a terrible brother, for I find that I look forward to the conversation.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Mr. Darcy’s heart hammered as he approached Longbourn. What if Miss Bennet – Elizabeth – refused him? Would he then be forced to marry Miss Bingley? He shuddered at the thought. How had he allowed himself to be alone at Netherfield, for even an instant?
He tossed the reins to the stable boy; the housekeeper, who he had learnt was named Mrs. Hill, greeted him at the front door. “I would like to speak with Mr. Bennet,” Mr. Darcy announced.
Mrs. Hill replied, “The master asked that I bring you to him, should you come to call.”
Mr. Darcy was puzzled, but nonetheless followed her into the house. Mrs. Hill paused at a large wooden door and knocked on it.
A voice called out, “Come.”
“Mr. Darcy, as you requested, sir.”
“Ah. Good. Come in, Mr. Darcy.”
The patriarch rose to his feet as his guest entered the room. “Please sit down, Mr. Darcy.”
Mr. Darcy did so.
“You have been visiting my daughter Elizabeth rather assiduously,” Mr. Bennet observed. “I think it time that I enquire as to your intentions.”
“My intentions are entirely honourable, Mr. Bennet.”
“Indeed; then what has prevented you from visiting me here in this room to discuss those intentions?”
“Frankly, sir, she felt that we did not know one another well enough.”
“Is that not what a courtship is for, Mr. Darcy?” Mr. Bennet was clearly irritated.
“I agree with you, Mr. Bennet. In fact, I have come here today to ask for a betrothal.”
“A betrothal! Not a courtship?”
“No; a circumstance has arisen that makes an immediate betrothal preferred.”
“Preferred? That is an odd phrase.”
