Page 56 of The Sole Love

“A final yes? I hope you do not expect me to accept a proposal in this,” she said, looking around the chaise.

“To be honest, I hoped…but I did not expect it to be so simple, or that you would lose your head after my kiss and accept it as my proposal. I am sure Christmas will find me still searching for the right words.”

Elizabeth’s laughter rang through the air around them, filling his heart with joy. Apart from not having her in his bedroom, it was a splendid time. All he still hoped for was that her family would be calmer now that Bingley was among them. He had every confidence in his friend’s ability to win back a lady who had once loved him. Bingley might be awkward and shy, but he possessed one great quality: he had a way with ladies, and that was undeniable.

Chapter 23

Bingley entered the library, convinced that Mr Bennet was his last chance. He missed his father, who had inspired and guided him until the last day of his life. He felt as though, in speaking to Jane’s father, he were asking advice of his own.

Mr Bennet looked surprised at his visitor. But it was an amiable look, almost an invitation.

Bingley knew that he was not an excellent speaker, so he did not attempt an introduction, certain that he would lose his way.

“Mr Bennet, I love your daughter Jane.”

If he had been a finer observer, he would have noticed that Mr Bennet looked not only amiable but also relieved.

“Please take a seat, son,” he said, but Bingley shook his head.

“I am sorry, sir, I cannot remain stationary.” Indeed, he wanted to pace but knew it would be downright impolite.

“Please try. Sometimes, when we sit, ideas put themselves into an unexpected order.”

Bingley sat on the edge of a chair, but his distress did not disappear.

“And what seems to be the problem?” Mr Bennet asked.

“Miss Bennet explicitly showed me that she no longer cares for me, so I did not even try to ask for her hand.”

“Did you ask her why?” Mr Bennet asked cautiously.

“She said that it was too late.”

Mr Bennet could not believe that was true. After months of Jane’s crying and sighing, the man she loved was about to propose, and that daughter of his said it was too late?

“I see.” Mr Bennet was worried. “Let me speak to her. Please ask a footman to bring her here. Now!”

His tone was so imperative that Bingley hastily obeyed. He hoped again that he might win her, although he did not understand how her father could possibly change her mind.

∞∞∞

Mr Bennet was not sure what to do. From his experience, advice was rarely accepted… except for Mr Bingley, who accepted it too readily. And he knew his daughters; even Jane was stubborn when it came to love.

She looked at him with her beautiful eyes and gentle smile. She was lovely and elegant, and he could see why Mr Bingley was eager to marry her. Unfortunately, he was a few months late. Jane was the daughter any parent would love unconditionally, never setting a foot wrong. Polite and caring, she smiled and obtained everything, not by pouting like a spoiled child but through the goodness of her heart. Her only wrong steps had usually been taken because of her sisters, mostly Elizabeth, whom she had followed like a shadow even though Jane was older. And always, absolutely always, she took every mistake upon herself.

She was also his daughter, and he had never for a second felt otherwise. It was comforting that he could still smile in the midst of such a disaster.

But that afternoon, for the first time in their lives, he did not know how to talk to her.

“Sit, my child,” he said, as he always did when his daughters were summoned to his library. Such meetings had generally ended well for her, while Elizabeth had more than once gone to bed without her supper, incapable of saying, “I am sorry.”

“Have I been a good father?” Mr Bennet asked briskly and watched Jane’s anxiety move from her heart to her face.

“Oh, please tell me that you and Mama are not ill…”

“No, of course not. I am well, and Mama will also be better after resting in this beautiful place. It is just a question. So—?”

“Yes, yes,” Jane cried with all her love, “you are the best father in the world.”