Page 109 of The Engagement at Longbourn

He looked appalled. Elizabeth laughed until she could scarcely breathe.

CHAPTER FORTY

Mr. Bennet Counts the Days

Mr. Bennet had once imagined the marriages of his daughters as distant events likely to arrive one at a time, allowing a father sufficient leisure to mock the preparations and retreat to his library when overwhelmed.

He had not planned for two daughters to marry on the same morning. Nor had he expected to like both men enough to make losing the daughters more painful. Bingley came to the library often. At first Mr. Bennet suspected nerves. Later he understood the young man genuinely liked talking to him.

“Do you intend to remain at Netherfield?” Mr. Bennet asked one afternoon.

“Yes. At least for several years.”

“Several?”

Bingley smiled. “Jane would like to be near her family. I would too.”

Mr. Bennet raised a brow. “You may regret that after Lydia visits three times a week.”

“I like Lydia.”

“You are young.”

Bingley laughed. “I have spoken with the owner about renewing the lease,” he said. “And perhaps purchasing, if he is willing.”

Mr. Bennet looked up from his book. “That is serious.”

“Yes.”

“Miss Bingley knows?” Bingley winced.

“She does now.”

“And survives?”

“Barely.”

Mr. Bennet smiled.

Darcy entered without knocking. Mr. Bennet looked offended. “Marriage does not grant library privileges before the ceremony.”

Darcy paused. “Shall I go out and knock?”

“Yes.”

Darcy went out.

He knocked. Mr. Bennet called, “Come.”

Darcy entered again.

Bingley laughed helplessly. Darcy looked at him. “You have encouraged this household.”

“I had nothing to do with it.”

Mr. Bennet closed his book. “What do you want, Darcy?”

“To return this.” He handed over a volume borrowed two months earlier.