Page 11 of Courting Elizabeth

We spoke next of how long our engagement might last if Mr Bennet consented. Elizabeth wished for a simple ceremony at Longbourn, with Jane beside her and as little agitation as her mother would permit.

“Five or six weeks seems reasonable to me,” she said.

I would have married her the next day if propriety, the banns, and the necessity of establishing contracts had not stood in the way.

“Five weeks.”

“So you always negotiate in your favor?”

“When the stakes merit it.”

“And if my father demands six?”

“I shall prove myself a future son-in-law of exemplary obedience.”

She laughed.

The sound moved through me with unexpected sweetness. I had never heard her laughter offered to me without mockery. I gazed at her too openly, for she soon stopped and bent over her papers.

“I dare not imagine how long that obedience will last.”

“Until he has signed his consent.”

“Your frankness will be your undoing.”

“Not today, I hope.”

Her gaze met mine. The warmth that kindled there seemed to confirm everything I wished to believe.

I thought of Bingley.

“I will write to my friend today.”

She became still.

“To tell him about Jane?”

“To tell him I was wrong about her indifference and that I will no longer interfere in his decisions.”

“Before my father has even accepted our marriage?”

“What I owe Bingley does not depend on your consent.”

She studied me for a long moment.

“You’ll really do this?”

“I promised you I would.”

“I thought you would first look for a way to preserve your dignity.”

“Perhaps it will survive an apology.”

“That remains to be seen.”

The jest did not hide the emotion in her voice. I heard gratitude there. I chose to hear tenderness as well.

When I rose to leave, she remained near the table.