Page 43 of The Widower of Pemberley

His speech became less clear, and for a moment Darcy feared that the man might cry. “Will you…special licence? Best quickly, so done before…I die. Don’t plan dying. But might.”

“A special licence is a good notion. I can bear the cost easily, and my uncle is a friend of the archbishop’s, so there will be no trouble with the issuance. I must go to London in any case to have the settlement drawn up and to determine with my solicitor which assets I should place within the agreement.”

Mr. Bennet nodded. “Important. But no head right now. Will look at papers. Talk. When you return.”

“Yes. But I promise to present in them everything that is customary to settle upon a wife who brings no dowry, and to write the terms in such a way as to ensure that in every possible situation, your family, especially Miss Jane Bennet, will be cared for.”

“Ashamed. So very ashamed. Must think ill of me.”

Darcy did not reply.

Mr. Bennet studied him. Whatever he saw there seemed to hearten the older man, for he then said with a sparkle in his eye and a twist to his smile that was very like how his favourite daughter looked when amused, “No face for bluffs.”

It was impossible for Darcy not to smile in reply. “It is not my place to judge.”

Mr. Bennet chuckled, then closed his eyes and slumped deeper into his pillows. “Later, more talk.”

Darcy bade him farewell and went to the drawing room.

As they tended to, Bingley and Miss Bennet spoke on the sofa.

Elizabeth held Emily on her lap as she sat next to Georgiana at the pianoforte. Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennet stood next tothem, Mr. Collins asking once again for Elizabeth to explain her business with Darcy. “I have every right to know your dearest interests.”

“You do not,” Elizabeth replied, then she smiled to see him enter the room.

“Lizzy! Think what you are saying,” Mrs. Bennet said, aghast. “You must—”

Darcy walked to Elizabeth and took her hand. She stood, perching Emily on one hip.

He had an odd feeling in his stomach, as thoughthiswould be what made it real. He said clearly to everyone in the room, “Permit me to announce that Miss Elizabeth has accepted my offer of marriage.”

Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Collins exclaimed together, “Marriage?”

It was almost amusing the way that each gulped for air.

Darcy glanced at Elizabeth. She had a private smile as well, though there was something in her air that was unsettled.

His sister’s eyes went wide. “But really? That was it?”

Elizabeth nodded and smiled at her.

A grin spread across Georgiana’s face. “Lizzy, we are to be sisters?”

“You will not dislike such a situation?”

“No, no!” Georgiana embraced Elizabeth, squeezing Emily between them.

His daughter said in a demanding tone, “Tell me! Tell me. What does this mean?”

“Lizzy will be your new mama,” Georgiana said cheerfully.

“Oh.” Emily frowned for a little before she began to cry.

This was not the response Darcy had expected from the girl, but when he tried to take her from Elizabeth to hold, she instead clung around Elizabeth’s neck and sobbed, saying, “Want play. Want play.”

“Dear, dear,” Elizabeth murmured, kissing his daughter’s hair. “I imagined that you would be happy.”

“Want play. Want play.”