Page 66 of To Win Her Affections

“One more matter we should discuss,” said Mr. Darcy, “is your father. As he is in London and will question my involvement, it would be best if I spoke to him about our engagement tomorrow. If that is acceptable to you.”

A fluttering rose in Elizabeth’s midsection. Not that she doubted her decision or wished she had chosen otherwise, though a small part of her still wondered if she knew what she was doing. Speaking to her father, however, would make it all real in a way that she could not yet comprehend. It would not do to keep Mr. Darcy waiting, however, so she answered at once in the only way she could.

“That would be acceptable, Mr. Darcy.”

Mr. Darcy nodded. “Then I shall come tomorrow morning.”

The gentleman then lifted the hand he still held to his lips and kissed it, before straightening and giving her a bright smile. “Until then, Miss Bennet.”

Though she was half in a daze, Elizabeth farewelled Mr. Darcy, joining her uncle as the gentleman returned to his carriage and departed. When the carriage disappeared around a corner, she turned to find her uncle watching her, his expression one of amusement, and more than a little knowing.

“That is an excellent gentleman, Lizzy,” observed he. “It does my heart good that you have recognized it yourself.”

“I have, Uncle,” replied Elizabeth.

“Good. Now we must explain it to your father.”

It was a part of this business Elizabeth had not considered to any great degree, largely because she could predict her father’s response with little thought. The time to test her perception was upon her, for the moment they entered, she heard Mr. Bennet’s footsteps down the hall from Mr. Gardiner’s study.

“Edward,” said Mr. Bennet when he stepped into the vestibule, though he paused when he saw Elizabeth.

Then the father proved he was as well acquainted with his daughter as the reverse.

“I might have expected that you would insist on being a part of this business, Lizzy,” said he, arms surrounding her when she went to him.

Mr. Bennet turned back to Mr. Gardiner. “It is well that you have returned, though I expected you a day or two ago.”

“For that,” replied Mr. Gardiner with no little irony, “you have your eldest daughter to thank. Elizabeth received two letters from Jane at once because Jane wrote the directions ill the first time.”

A grimace comprised Bennet’s response. “I cannot blame Jane. The house was in uproar, Mrs. Bennet already calling for her salts, and I could hardly understand what had happened myself.”

Upon seeing Mr. Gardiner’s face, Bennet spoke to forestall the reprimand. “I know what you will say, Gardiner, and I agree—though perhaps I could not have foreseen what happened, I should not have allowed Lydia to go to Brighton.”

“There is little reason to belabor the point now,” said Gardiner, though his gruff tone betrayed what he thought of the matter. “If you will allow Lizzy and me a few moments to refresh ourselves, we shall return and exchange news.”

“I am afire with curiosity for your news,” said Mr. Bennet, a hint of his usual humor returning. “But I shall restrain myself. Did you stop for dinner?”

Mr. Gardiner looked at Elizabeth, who nodded. “I should like a light dinner if possible.”

“I shall see to it,” said Mr. Bennet.

It was only fifteen minutes later that Elizabeth descended to find Mr. Gardiner already in the sitting-room with Mr. Bennet, speaking in quiet tones. Her father looked up when she entered and invited her to sit next to him.

“Ah, Lizzy, please join us.”

“You were about to explain what you have found,” prompted Mr. Gardiner.

Mr. Bennet’s grimace told the story of his frustration. “Precious little. London is a large city—there is little hope of discovering their location, for I have not the faintest notion of where to look.”

Perceptive as he was, the look exchanged between Elizabeth and Mr. Gardiner did not escape his attention. “Have you something to tell me?”

“Only that a man I respect suggested finding Wickham was nigh impossible if you do not know him.”

Mr. Bennet frowned. “You have mentioned our troubles to someone else?”

Rather than answer the question at once, Mr. Gardiner said: “Might I suppose that is the extent of what you have to report of your search?”

“There is not much more to say,” said Mr. Bennet with a shrug, though he still regarded Mr. Gardiner, his expression censorious. “I can tell you where I have looked, but there will be time enough for that later. Now, what did you mean?”