Page 65 of The Engagement at Longbourn

Elizabeth stopped at the door.

Mr. Bennet saw her first. “Ah. The subject herself. Perhaps she may settle it.”

Darcy looked annoyed.

That was enough to put Elizabeth on guard. “What am I settling?”

“Your future husband wishes to bury you under money.”

“Papa.”

“He believes this will compensate for the awkward beginning to your engagement.”

Darcy said, “That is not what I said.”

“It is what you mean.”

Elizabeth looked at Darcy. “Do you?”

“No.”

Her father raised an eyebrow.

Darcy corrected himself. “Not entirely.”

Elizabeth folded her arms.

Mr. Bennet stood. “I shall leave you to destroy one another privately.”

“Coward,” Elizabeth said.

“Experienced father.”

He escaped.

Darcy gathered the papers.

“Do not put those away.”

He stopped.

Elizabeth crossed the room. “Why thirty thousand?”

“It is a reasonable settlement.”

“For whom?”

“My wife.”

“You do not yet have one.”

His eyes narrowed. “I am aware.”

“Are you?”

“Elizabeth.”

The use of her Christian name in that grave tone usually softened her.