Page 74 of The Crown’s Gift

"Mama," Elizabeth said.

"Oh, she may call it consultation if she prefers. Your father has become very particular about words."

Sir Thomas lowered his paper. "I begin to regret my clarity."

Darcy arrived on Tuesday afternoon.

Elizabeth saw him from the west window crossing Netherfield's drive on horseback. He dismounted before the groom reached him and looked up toward the house with an expression she could not read from a distance.

She did not wait in the drawing room to be discovered.

When Darcy entered the hall, Elizabeth stood near the staircase.

His face changed.

"Miss Elizabeth."

"Mr Darcy. Welcome back to Hertfordshire."

The footman took his coat. For a moment they were observed by three servants, Hill, and Lydia leaning over the upper banister.

"I hope your journey was comfortable," Elizabeth said.

"Very. I hope yours ended safely."

"It did."

Lydia whispered, "Ask him about Pemberley," to Kitty, loudly enough to reach the hall.

Darcy looked upward. The girls vanished.

"Your sisters have become discreet," he said.

"It is a recent and fragile development."

Sir Thomas received him in the library after dinner. Elizabeth did not know whether Darcy asked for the interview or her father summoned him. She sat with Jane and pretended to sew while the clock advanced.

Inside the library, Darcy stood before Sir Thomas's desk—the same desk where Sir Thomas had once held Lydia's muddy boot.

"You spoke to Elizabeth in Kent," Sir Thomas said.

Darcy had prepared for indirect questions. "I proposed to her. She refused me."

Sir Thomas's brows rose slightly. "She did not tell me until later."

"Her reasons were just."

"All of them?"

"Enough."

"And now?"

"Her feelings have changed. She has given me reason to hope, but I have not proposed again. I came first to ask whether, should she accept me, you would consent."

Sir Thomas studied him. "Why Elizabeth?"

Darcy had expected questions of settlement, family, and Lady Catherine. This was harder.