“May we ask Miss Bennet to join us?” Mr. Darcy enquired. “I would like to explain to both of you, if I may be permitted to do so.”
Mr. Bennet’s brows rose to his hairline; he left the room without another word, closing the door behind him.
While he waited, Mr. Darcy found himself actually praying that his suit be successful. When was the last time he had prayed, he wondered. Please, God, please please please…
***
A knock on her bedroom door startled Elizabeth from her reverie. “Come in,” she said, expecting Mary or perhaps Kitty. But to her surprise, it was her father. “Papa?”
“Your Mr. Darcy is here, Lizzy.”
She frowned at her father. “So you asked him his intentions, though I begged you not to.”
“I did, but it appears there is more afoot here than meets the eye. He asked to speak with us together. Do something with your…” And he gestured at his own receding hairline before leaving the room.
Elizabeth rang the bell and Kate appeared. “Kate, Mr. Darcy is here; might you help me with my hair?”
“Of course, Miss Elizabeth. And you mean to change your dress as well, do you not?”
“This dress is perfectly nice,” Elizabeth protested.
“It is, and he has seen you in that perfectly nice dress three times already. I think we can do better than that,” Kate said, severely.
***
Mr. Darcy rose to his feet as Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth entered the study.
“Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said, curtseying, her confusion evident in her voice.
“Let us all sit,” Mr. Bennet suggested. “Mr. Darcy, may I offer you a drink, perhaps?”
“No, I thank you, sir. Please, let me come to the point.” He was actually perspiring!
“Is this about last night?” Elizabeth asked. “I assure you, I had no intention of being rude to Miss Bingley, but –“
“No, it is not about last night, but rather about this morning. I beg you, let me speak, as this is quite difficult. Just before coming here, I was in the Netherfield library, perusing a book. Truth be told, I was hoping to find a first sentence that would stump you both. In any case, Caroline Bingley entered the room, shut the door, tore her dress and screamed.” He dropped his head into his hands.
Ellizabeth gasped in shock. “She claims to have been compromised.” Her tone was flat.
“Of course. I should never have allowed myself to be in a room alone when an unmarried lady is present; I know better.”
“This is a grave misfortune indeed,” Mr. Bennet said, grimly.
Mr. Darcy raised his head and stared at Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, I told Bingley that I could not marry his sister because I am already betrothed to you.”
The two Bennets stared at him in silence for a moment before Mr. Bennet said, “That was quick thinking, sir. I believe I understand now why you are here.”
“Miss Bennet – Elizabeth! – I know I have put you in an untenable position. But I love you, most ardently. And loving you as I do made me willing to take this risk. I beg you to accept my hand, but with the understanding that this incident with Miss Bingley did not force me to speak; it only forced me to speak sooner, and against your express wishes.”
“I understand, Mr. Darcy,” came Miss Bennet’s subdued voice. “I accept.”
“You do? You will marry me?” His tone was a mixture of joy and disbelief.
“I will.”
***
Mrs. Bennet’s cries of joy upon hearing of her second daughter’s betrothal were long and loud, and nothing would do but for her to give Mr. Darcy a hug. “Oh, Mr. Darcy, I could not be happier! Such joy! Such bliss! I promise that the wedding breakfast will be equal to anything seen in London!”
