The following evening, Darcy had followed Mr. Bennet shortly after the latter had retired to his library. Mr. Bennet had answered Darcy's knock with a nonchalant, "Come in," and looked rather puzzled. He had no reason to suspect that Darcy would seek him out.
"Excuse my intrusion, Mr. Bennet," Darcy began. "I had hoped for the opportunity to speak with you this evening."
"Mr. Darcy, what an unexpected surprise," Mr. Bennet's smile was genial enough as he gestured to the chair in front of his desk, inviting Darcy to sit. As he took his seat, Mr. Bennet subjoined with curiosity, "How might I be of service to you, sir?" Darcy supposed it best to proceed directly, as Mr. Bennet's disposition was similar to that of Elizabeth's.
"Mr. Bennet, I have offered my hand in marriage to Miss Elizabeth, and she has honored me with her acceptance." The old man stared back at Darcy, his expression frozen with his eyes wide. He was certainly taken by surprise. He had been holding his place in his book, but had abandoned it, placing it on the desk before him. Darcy knew his address was completely unexpected. "I humbly ask you now for your consent of the match." There were some moments of silence before Mr. Bennet ventured to speak.
"You have offered your hand to Elizabeth?"
"Yes, sir." A pause.
"And... she has accepted you?"
"Yes, sir." Mr. Bennet now looked truly perplexed. Darcy began to feel a creeping sense of unease as Mr. Bennet stared at him incredulously without saying a word.
Erelong, the gentleman replied, "I confess, this is unexpected. I had not known there was an attachment..." Here was a response Darcy had expected. He watched as Mr. Bennet digested his request, looked away in some confusion and became quite distant. No doubt, his mind was full of questions, not to mention the disappointment that came with facing the relinquishment of a favorite child.
"Mr. Bennet, it has been some time that I have esteemed Miss Elizabeth as one of the best women I have ever known," Darcy assured him. "I can only wish to be as good a husband to her as she deserves; that is, of course, if we are given your consent to marry." At this, Mr. Bennet met Darcy's eye once more. There was some semblance of realization in his look as he brought his full attention to the gentleman seated before him. Perhaps there was no true reason Darcy should believe he would be refused, though his anxieties raged all the same. He was sure his heart could be heard pounding in the near unbearable silence. He did not wish to accost Mr. Bennet with a further description of his affections for Elizabeth; the poor man seemed overwhelmed as it was.
As if coming to his senses, Mr. Bennet gave a slight shake of the head and replied, "If my daughter has indeed accepted you, then you have my consent, Mr. Darcy." In truth, Darcy had expected more of an interrogation considering the extended contemplative and dubious silence; but Mr. Bennet stood, reaching his hand out over his desk, and Darcy took it in a firm shake.
"Thank you, sir," Darcy said, his exhilaration rushing through him. Mr. Bennet nodded in acknowledgement, and requested that he send Elizabeth in when he returned to the drawing room.
His love looked up from her needlework when he re-entered, and the traces of the distress that she had held in her features eased somewhat at seeing his easy smile. He indulged himself, watching her from one side of the room for some minutes before he moved near her. He bent over her shoulder, pretending to admire her work, and whispered, "Go to your father, he wants you in the library." She stood immediately, and only having met his gaze for a moment, went away.
Though he appeared as he ever did with the others, Darcy resumed his previous seat feeling his exultation as keenly as he had when Elizabeth had accepted him the day before. He could not recall being at peace and simultaneously agitated as he did now. It felt wonderful. The swoop in his chest likened the feeling of his horse leaping at a gallop, the adrenaline of flight rushing through him in a fleeting moment. Receiving Elizabeth's hand, knowing she loved him in return, and now having her father's consent was enough for that rush to overtake him again and again. As he waited for her return, her words were a soothing mantra in his thoughts.
Do not be silent... I must tell you how ardently I love you in return.
Elizabeth had not often met his eye that evening, but her finger toyed with the edges of her needlework. Darcy noticed when she had not sewed for quite some time and subdued a grin knowing the source of her distraction. He suspected that she felt some degree of embarrassment as they sat with her family. It was still fresh (her blush had reasserted itself with every glance at him) and Darcy knew she was only worrying over anxieties regarding her father. In the course of the evening, he had to reassure himself twice over that it was all true. The memory was shrouded in such a beautiful haze, it seemed very much like a dream. The sky perfectly blue, a gentle breeze, the smell of Hertfordshire, and Elizabeth; smiling and laughing, her arm curling tighter around his as they wandered. Her cheek had been so soft, chilled and flushed pink by the autumn air. He had been so close to her, but had he been closer, he might have felt her breath against his face, her whispered words caressing him.
As the evening drew nearer to a close and Elizabeth returned with a look of relief, he dreaded leaving her. It was achingly intolerable to think of leaving her, even knowing full well that he would be returning to Longbourn the next day. Nothing prevented him calling every day if he pleased, now that their engagement was approved. A chill ran down his spine.
Engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
I must tell you how ardently I love you in return.
When the time came to make their goodbyes, he looked directly to his love with as much tenderness as he could portray in his eyes. The corners of her mouth twitched and he knew she understood. Though her expression would not betray it, he had no doubts in her look of confidence, the candlelight flickering in her eyes. Darcy only regretted being unable to give her the goodbye he wished to.