Page 45 of To Win Her Affections

Not taking his eyes from Miss Bennet, Darcy nodded and turned back to her relations. “I think an explanation is warranted—a brief explanation, for we should be on our way. My interest in your niece stems from almost the first moment of our acquaintance.”

“Mr. Darcy,” said Miss Bennet, “do you mean to share everything?”

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner did not miss the strained note in her voice, but they did not comment. Instead, they exchanged a glance, then waited for the explanation.

“Yes, I think it is necessary,” replied Darcy. “It will be easier for them to accept if they know all.”

ELIZABETH WAS NOT CONCERNED about her relations’ judgment. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner would see the humor in all that had passed between them—to own the truth, Elizabeth could see it herself, though at the time, of course, she had possessed no such insight. To relate it all to her aunt and uncle, however, was mortifying. Yet it seemed Mr. Darcy was determined, so she gave her reluctant assent.

What followed was as humiliating as Elizabeth expected, yet strangely cathartic. Mr. Darcy began with the proposal at Hunsford, which soon devolved into an explanation of their dealings in Hertfordshire and even their actions since. It was not detailed—they did not have time to permit that. Though the gentleman remained calm as he related the tale, Elizabeth thought she detected more than a hint of embarrassment when the Gardiners asked questions, delving into certain points he might not have wished to consider at length.

“If I did not know Lizzy Bennet,” said Aunt Gardiner when the tale drew to a close, “I might not have believed it.”

“Nothing seemed unjustified in the moment, Aunt,” replied Elizabeth, trying to maintain a shred of dignity.

“No, I dare say there was not,” agreed her aunt. “Yet I cannot but suppose you made it as difficult as you could, and all without knowing.”

“What I cannot fathom,” said her uncle, “is that you approached Elizabeth at all with a proposal of marriage, Mr. Darcy.” Uncle Gardiner laughed with delight. “Elizabeth is far more adept at showing more than she ought, especially when she gets her back up. Should that not have warned you against any suggestion of marriage?”

“Would you believe I convinced myself that she would accept me?” said Mr. Darcy, the pain of the moment giving way to the humor of the present. Elizabeth gave him a look and Mr. Darcy did not hesitate to explain. “I have much to offer, and I convinced myself there was no reason any rational woman would reject me. Furthermore, I considered our exchanges nothing more than lively debates.”

“Yet you came across the one woman who would not hesitate to reject your offer if she found it insufficient.” Mrs. Gardiner accompanied this statement with an arched brow at Elizabeth, who did not hesitate to take up the argument.

“Not at all, Aunt. Why, I suspect there are many such ladies.”

Mr. Gardiner chuckled, regarding her with equal parts fondness and disbelief. “If there are, I should like to know where you found them.”

“They are correct, Miss Bennet,” said Mr. Darcy. “There are daughters of duchesses and even earls who would turn their noses up should I turn my attention to them. Below a certain rank, however, I suspect very few would reject me. This is not my pride speaking, but my position in society is the envy of many.”

“Such as Miss Bingley,” said Mrs. Gardiner.

“Miss Bingley is one such,” drawled Mr. Darcy, “but of her, it would be best to remain silent.”

“Then this was not an impulsive act on your part,” said Aunt Gardiner.

“My proposal today was not,” agreed Mr. Darcy. “The proposal at Hunsford was, to a certain extent, but I have had the months since then to consider my behavior.”

“Had you considered returning to Hertfordshire?” asked Mr. Gardiner.

That was a question Elizabeth had not considered, but now that her uncle had asked, it made perfect sense. Mr. Darcy turned to regard her, perhaps choosing his words. When he spoke, he was far more open than Elizabeth expected, even with his actions since their meeting at Pemberley.

“I wished to return to Netherfield the moment I knew Miss Bennet left Kent.”

A quiet confession, it told Elizabeth a great deal about the gentleman, enough to recall everything she’d learned about him these previous months. Contrary to what she had supposed after he departed from Kent, Mr. Darcy had not been in the throes of an infatuation he would soon overcome and then rejoice in his narrow escape. The love he felt for her was real, though he had not expressed himself well during his proposal. Of course, she had ample proof since meeting him here, but he had laid any lingering doubts to rest with his heartfelt statement.

“As for the future, I had not yet decided,” continued he, still regarding Elizabeth. “Bingley still holds the lease at Netherfield—it would have taken little to persuade him to check in on the estate.”

“Once there, you could measure Elizabeth’s response,” said Aunt Gardiner. “If she seemed unopposed to your presence, you could have proceeded with caution.”

Mr. Darcy shook his head. “My thoughts were not so far developed, but you have the right of it.”

“Now, you are entangled in our family’s emergency,” said Mr. Gardiner.

“Without hesitation,” said Mr. Darcy. “It will right a wrong to see Wickham called to account for his deeds.”

“And with that,” replied Uncle Gardiner, turning businesslike, “it would behoove us to turn our attention to the matter at hand. Since you mean to be involved, might I suppose you have a notion about how to proceed?”

Mr. Darcy nodded, adopting Mr. Gardiner’s focus. “Yes, I do. First, I propose we make for London with all speed. To do that, we should take my carriage and leave yours to convey your wife and niece back to Longbourn.”