Page 87 of To Win Her Affections

“As I told your father,” said Mr. Darcy, appearing quite complacent, “an acquaintance between them is inevitable. I cannot keep my sister away from yours, nor would I want to. I hope that your sister can learn better manners—she must, if she comes out in London.”

“You expect my sisters to come out in London?” asked Elizabeth.

“It would be for the best,” said Mr. Darcy agreeably. “If they come out together, I believe Georgiana will find the experience easier. She may even insist on waiting an extra year, since Miss Lydia is a year younger. That will be no hardship for her, I assure you.”

“What of Kitty?” asked Elizabeth. “She is a year older than Lydia.”

“We can sponsor her,” said Mr. Darcy, “or if she is of a mind, she may wait until Georgiana and Miss Lydia come out.”

Elizabeth nodded and smiled. “Do not suppose that I expected you to shun my family, Mr. Darcy. Yet I know how they can be—do you not think it would be better to increase your tolerance for them by degrees?”

Mr. Darcy chuckled at this jest. “As I am to go to Netherfield and Georgiana is to join me, I do not think that is an option. Better to start your sister’s education as soon as may be.

“Besides,” said Mr. Darcy, an air of mischief about him, “I imagine your sister will experience certain restrictions when she returns home. Having my sister to commiserate with will help her endure her new situation.”

“If my father holds to his purpose,” said Elizabeth, watching her father, who was speaking with Lydia.

“I believe he has learned his lesson,” assured Mr. Darcy. “Mr. Bennet will provide the structure, and I shall provide the escape. It will be a novel experience, I assure you.”

Elizabeth understood what he said at once, and while she might have jested, the gratitude welled up within her, such that she could not summon her usual mirth.

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”

“It is nothing.”

“It is something,” said Elizabeth, for the first time feeling a well of affection for this quiet gentleman who had overturned her expectations. “You have taken on so much for my family—I cannot help but feel indebted.”

“I would not have you feel that way,” said the gentleman, turning to her and grasping her hand in his. “There are very good reasons for it—this you have not misunderstood.”

“No,” agreed Elizabeth. “I have not.”

“Then let us not make it more of a virtue than it is. We are to be partners, Miss Elizabeth, and part of that will be to provide your sisters with guidance if they need it, and access into society you will inhabit. My life has been a calm existence—I find that I am anticipating a little excitement.”

“That we can provide, Mr. Darcy. Perhaps more than you bargained for.”

Mr. Darcy did not reply—he contented himself with a smile and continued to hold her hand. Perhaps it was not strictly proper, but Elizabeth found she cared little for propriety at that moment.

After the gentlemen departed, the party at Gracechurch Street retired soon thereafter. As they were preparing for bed in the chamber Jane and Elizabeth shared whenever they were in London, she noted how distracted Lydia appeared. Just before they snuffed out the candle, Lydia turned to her.

“Never would I have expected you to accept a proposal from Mr. Darcy, Lizzy.”

“Trust me, Lydia,” replied Elizabeth, “I had not expected it myself.”

Lydia considered this. “Perhaps Mr. Darcy is not the man we all thought he was.”

“He is not,” replied Elizabeth. “I am well on my way to considering him the best man of my acquaintance.”

“Mayhap I shall find a man to love me as much as he seems to love you.”

Elizabeth nodded and blew out the candle. “That should be your ambition, Lydia. Forget all this nonsense about being first to the altar or marrying an officer. Whatever situation your future husband inhabits, you should consider character and his ability to support you. Should you esteem him as you ought a prospective husband, you will know if you should accept a proposal.”

“You have given me much on which to think,” replied Lydia, sounding drowsy.

“That is well,” replied Elizabeth. “You still have your whole life ahead of you. Take care that you make the most of it, for one lifetime is all any of us will ever have.”

Lydia did not respond, though Elizabeth was not certain if she was deep in thought or had drifted off to sleep. For Elizabeth’s part, she was eager to find sleep. That way, Mr. Darcy’s return would seem to arrive all that much more quickly. And Elizabeth was not insensible about her growing desire for his company. Indeed, it had quietly become one of the most important things in her life.

Chapter XXI