Page 47 of Most Truly the Gentleman

“Charles has spoken of wishing to purchase more to the north. He still has some involvement with his father’s business in Scarborough, and many relations there. He mentioned the possibility of looking near Mr Darcy’s estate; that would place him two days’ travel from Scarborough, whereas Netherfield is five in good weather.”

This gave Elizabeth the opportunity to confess her own hopes of one day residing in that neighbourhood. Jane was only a little surprised, for though she had been wrapped up in her own courtship, she had not failed to notice the growing friendship between her sister and Mr Darcy. It was the work of a moment for Jane to conclude that such a good and sensible man could not fail to admire and love her dearest Lizzy.

“How happy I should be,” Jane declared, “if we were to settle near to Pemberley and you were to be its mistress! We should see one another very often, and our children might be to each other as Mr Darcy and his cousin are. Do you truly think he means to make you an offer?”

“He has given every indication that he is courting me and intends to take his attentions to their natural conclusion,” Elizabeth replied with a pink-cheeked smile. “And I shall happily accept. In disposition and talents, I can think of none more suited to me. We complement each other. I am lively, and he is serious; I lift his spirits, and he induces me to deliberation and prudence. We are each made better by the other.”

“That is wonderful, Lizzy. I am so happy for you, and will be even happier when all is settled between you and Mr Darcy. I hope…” She bit her lip and seemed uncertain. “I hope I may be so important to Charles. I confess, though I know why I have come to love him so completely, I am uncertain why he has chosen me.”

“Do you fear he values only your beauty?” Elizabeth enquired, concerned.

“No,” Jane replied swiftly, to her sister’s relief. “He listens to me, Lizzy. He truly listens to what I say, and he recalls it later, and on occasion, he has changed an opinion of his after I voiced my own. That is why I love him so dearly—no one has ever heard me so well or valued my thoughts, except you and our relations in London. I simply do not know what I have to offer him that another lady does not.”

Elizabeth shook her head. Jane’s modesty was becoming, but perhaps excessive. “I think it cannot have been often, Jane, that he has met with a lady who is beautiful and intelligent, warm and caring, and who shares his distaste for a quarrel. In fact, I dare say he met none such, before you! But to all that I will add that you care for him, for the person he is, and not for his wealth and his connexion to the Darcy and Fitzwilliam families. His own sisters do not seem to think much of his opinions and his desires; they have tried to deflect him from paying his attentions to you, even after it became entirely apparent that his affection as well as his interest was engaged. I have seen it, and though you will deny it, it is true. They think of their own ambitions and not his happiness, but your first ambition is his happiness, and your own. I should say that is why he loves you. He knows that if he lost his fortune tomorrow and had to work as a clerk or the like, you would not forsake him.”

“I most certainly would not!” Jane was aghast at the very thought. “The only reason I should ever give him up would be if he said he did not want me any longer.”

“And that is what you have to offer him that few other ladies could or would.”

Jane regarded her seriously. “And is not that also what you offer Mr Darcy?”

“I suppose it is, and I hope he knows it,” Elizabeth replied thoughtfully. “I suspect he began to like me because I treated him just as I would any other gentleman, and not as though he were some majestic creature who must be feted and praised. When he offended me, I was cold to him, and when he was polite, so was I. I believe it was the novelty which caught his attention,” she concluded with a laugh.

“And you were sympathetic about his difficulty with noisy places,” Jane pointed out. “I expect many would see that as a weakness in a gentleman, and mock or scorn him for it, as some have done to Papa.”

“I do not see why they should,” Elizabeth grumbled. “He cannot help that his hearing is unusually sensitive, or whatever it is that makes such a setting so difficult for him. It is like blaming someone for having… crooked teeth! One might wish it were not so, but it cannot be altered.”

“I agree with you completely, Lizzy. And unlike Mama, you will soothe him when he is troubled by it. I do not think he is quite as able to avoid social engagements as my father is, so he must look forward to having you by his side for them.”

“What strange dowries we have, Jane.”

Jane smiled. “But no less worthy for all that, I hope.”

Darcy was eager to call at Longbourn the following day, having been prevented from accompanying Bingley after the wedding by the arrival at Netherfield of a letter from his steward which required a prompt response. He had reluctantly stayed behind to compose and dispatch it. Fitzwilliam had gone out, too, to call at Lucas Lodge, and once Darcy had arranged for his missive to be sent by express, he had sought out his sister. She had been cornered by Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst, and was patiently enduring their complaints of their brother’s ‘unwise’ engagement. For her sake, he joined the ladies and added his voice to Georgiana’s in expressing contentment at Bingley’s undeniable happiness. Only the need to change for dinner had released them, though Bingley’s presence at the meal and afterwards had restrained the sisters’ later remarks against Miss Bennet to only an occasional jibe.

In great anticipation of seeing Miss Elizabeth for the first time since the Twelfth Night assembly, he was a little unhappy to be informed by Mrs Hill that Mr Bennet had requested that Mr Darcy attend him if he should appear. He swallowed his disappointment and allowed himself to be conducted to the study, where his friend wasted little time in questioning why he had singled Miss Elizabeth out by dancing the first and the last with her, concluding with the stern enquiry, “Do you mean to carry my daughter off to the north, Darcy?”

Surprised into bare honesty, Darcy replied, “If she will allow it, sir.”

Bennet sat back, regarding him through slightly narrowed eyes. “I see. Do you believe she is anticipating your addresses?”

“I do, yes,” he replied. “I believe I have made myself as plain as propriety allows, and she has not turned me away. I am extremely hopeful that my petition, when I make it, shall meet with success.”

“And did you plan to secure my permission first? Elizabeth is not yet of age.”

“Most certainly,” he replied, shocked that it could be in doubt. “I consider you a friend, Bennet, but even were that not the case, I should never have disregarded your role as her father.”

“I see.” Bennet smiled tightly, seeming rather abashed. “Forgive me, Darcy. Your interest in her came as something of a shock to me. I will admit that I have always hoped Lizzy would settle within an easy distance of me. Perhaps in London—it seemed more likely she would meet someone through her uncle than hereabouts. I am selfish enough to be angry that she may go so far away. It is nothing to do with you; I could hardly imagine a finer man to whom to surrender her care.”

Somewhat mollified by this final statement, Darcy exerted himself to speak with sympathy rather than offence. If some fellow proposed taking Georgiana off to Somerset, he would not be best pleased, either, he knew. “I must visit London at least once a year, sir, and would wish to have my wife with me. Naturally, we should stop here for a visit, and you might come to town while we are in residence.” When the older man grimaced, he smirked and added, “With both your daughter and Hatchard’s there, you might like the place well enough for a short stay. You would, of course, always be welcome at Pemberley. I believe I have mentioned my library?”

Bennet affected a glare but the corners of his mouth were twitching with a repressed smile. “You think to lure me from the comfort of my own study by tempting me with books?”

“With books and the company of your daughter, I do,” Darcy replied, grinning openly now.

“Next you will offer me my own travelling coach to secure my permission.”

“What an excellent notion, Bennet. Four horses, or six?”