The Colonel stiffened and then relaxed. “Damn you, Darcy, must you tease me at a time like this?”
“I get little enough opportunity to tease you, so I must take what I can,” Mr. Darcy replied, chuckling. “I suppose I ought to write to Mr. Bennet.”
“Please do; meanwhile, I take it that I have your consent?”
“Just so that I am clear, Richard – you would resign your commission, would you not? I do not think Mary would like to marry a man engaged in active combat.”
“Yes; in fact, I am eager to do so. I have seen more than my share of bloodshed, and would like nothing more than to raise horses on that nice little estate in Nottingham Aunt Esther left me, with Miss Mary Bennet by my side.”
“Perfect. Oh, and your mother’s opinion?”
“My mother knows that I have no more interest in theton’sdarlings than did you, and as long as marriage keeps me from the battlefield, she is happy enough.”
“Then I suppose you have my permission, unless Bennet writes back forbidding it.”
“Seems unlikely,” the Colonel said.
Chapter Eighty-Four
Messengers were kept busy riding between Meryton and London, London and Kent. Even the youngest Bennets, not usually interested in correspondence, took time to write to their sister in London.
Bennet,
I thought I should let you know that Colonel Fitzwilliam is courting Miss Bennet. She appears to be very much in favour of his suit. He has a small estate in Nottinghamthat was left to him by his maternal aunt; the estate is roughly the size of Longbourn, and produces enough income to support a wife and family with ease.
I hope I have not overstepped in granting permission for this courtship, but thought there could be nothing amiss in keeping Miss Bennett in the family, as it were.
It will not surprise you to learn that Elizabeth is a social success here in London, but I will not expound upon that, as I believe Elizabeth has every intention of writing to her mother on the subject.
Yours,
Darcy
***
Dear Mama,
I apologise for not writing frequently; you are quite right to upbraid me on this subject! But we have been so busy, you would not believe it. Every day, we are besieged by callers. At first, they came to see the new Mrs. Darcy and determine for themselves if she deserves the high position she had been given.
But once Aunt Ellen (can you credit it? I am on a Christian name basis with a countess!) gave her ball, visitors came to actually make my acquaintance! We receive so many invitations that we cannot accept more than one in ten.
I believe I have given a very good account of myself, all in all.
Mary is being courted by Colonel Fitzwilliam; William is writing to Papa to explain more, but she seems very fond of him and he of her. So you may soon have a daughter married to the son of an Earl, and will that not win you points in your ongoing battle with Lady Lucas? No, no, do not protest; I know you are dear friends, but even dear friends may wage their little battles.
Your affectionate daughter,
Lizzy
P.S. I enclose a newspaper clipping about the ball, which I hope will satisfy your desire for the details that I can neither recall nor write. I do not doubt that you will wish to read it aloud to Lady Lucas.
***
Dear Lizzy,
Thank you so much for the lovely frock you sent for my birthday! I cannot believe that you recalled my measurements so perfectly; Lydia swears she did not help in this regard, but I never know whether or not to believe her.
In any case, we both miss our sisters very much; might you not invite us to London? It is everything dull here at Longbourn with everyone gone!
