Mr. Darcy came, at the order of Mrs. Bennet, quite early; so soon in the day, in fact, that only a few in the Bennet house were yet awake. He had been shown to Mr. Bennet's study, where the two men spoke for a full half of an hour before requesting Mrs. Bennet's presence. Her approach was audible to the two men.
'Oh my, what could Mr. Bennet be needing at this early hour? After such a lovely assembly, it is much more pleasant to remain abed than to run about. I do so hope that my girls are yet asleep.' With such a cloud of comments preceding her, Mrs. Bennet stepped into her husband's private room. Before becoming silent, she slid the rubber coated, metal plate over the keyhole, attached for just this purpose.
As their guest was not accustomed to her true self, the transformation from a silly, chattering matron to the severity of one who makes frequent decisions of extreme gravity was quite disconcerting.
'Sir. Your actions of last night were indefensible and I expect a proper apology to be made to my daughter. Regardless of your situation, you appear to be in the habit of assuming ill of new acquaintances – or perhaps it is only those of lesser income and station? You maligned my daughter; you disparaged my family and believed us unintelligent and foolish. Would you have us judge you solely by your externals and actions; thus assuming that you are an unprincipled but very wealthy man?' She stopped speaking and stared at Mr. Darcy in emphasis of her point.
On seeing a look of contrition on his countenance, she resumed, 'You may begin, before we progress further, by acknowledging to Elizabeth the fault in your behavior and making amends. If you cannot, then our business is concluded.' She waved to a corner of Mr. Bennet's study and Elizabeth moved toward her mother, out of the shadows;
Darcy had noticed neither her entrance nor her presence until now, which rather discomposed him. He did pride himself on his observant nature and this fresh example of his lack in this particular area caused him to renew his distress, which did nothing to improve his mood, only assuring that he would give insult.
'Miss Bennet, allow me to express my regrets on having offended you at the assembly.' This was spoken in a direct and calm tone with little sincerity to be heard. Mrs. Bennet was not satisfied but Elizabeth requested permission to speak.
Smiling sardonically at the tall gentleman, she replied, 'I accept your sentiments as they were given, sir. If you would care to amend that statement in the future, it would not be amiss and no insult would be taken.'
Mrs. Bennet resumed, 'I shall suppose that Mr. Bennet has answered any questions that you may have thus far and therefore, must inquire: What is your purpose in seeking us out? Mr. Bingley had admitted to your encouraging him in the direction of Hertfordshire, so I understand that you intended to seek out our family. For what reason?' There was only cold civility in her voice. If Mr. Darcy wished a warm welcome, he must earn the right to such.
The great man sat, unspeaking and still. His purpose in seeking out the Watchmen was to right a terrible wrong; one that had been perpetrated against his own family. How was he to expose himself and his dearest relation to those wholly unconnected with him? He could not deny, however, that he had travelled to this precise location, hopeful that there might yet be a solution, one which this family might provide.
After several moments more of thought, Mr. Darcy began to explain. 'As this discussion is of a sensitive nature and pertaining quite closely to those whom I hold dear, I must request your complete confidence in these matters. There is a fellow with whom I grew up, an apparently amiable gentleman of engaging manners. His father was a most trustworthy manager of our property and all of its estates. As we grew, the son's nature became more known to me, a lad of similar age, as one of immorality and vicious propensities. My excellent father had respected the father and, thus, was inclined positively toward the son. There were multiple instances, too numerous and unpleasant to mention, where the son had shown himself to be a creature of the lowest character. About five years ago, my father passed away. He had left in his will that, in the case of this fellow taking up the clergy, the living nearest my estate should be proffered to this young man.'
Continuing, he said, 'There was, additionally, a gift of one thousand pounds willed to this young man. It was not upward of half a year more and my father's manager passed, as well. The late manager's son wrote to me, describing that he had, indeed, chosen to pursue the legal profession and not the clergy; the interest on one thousand pounds would not be sufficient for his needs. We agreed that, in lieu of his obtaining a living for which he was certainly not suited, he should receive a monetary compensation; therefore, I paid him three thousand pounds. I heard nothing further until last year, when this fellow obtruded quite painfully upon my existence. In addition to myself, my parents had a daughter, my much younger sister. I shall spare you what details I have been able to garner but suffice to say, this same fellow had attempted to persuade my sister, still a young girl, to elope with him. They were to leave the following day when I arrived and inadvertently – but fortuitously – thwarted his designs.' He stopped, clearly too overcome to carry on speaking.
'You wish to protect your sister and prevent this man from perpetrating greater harm?' inquired Elizabeth, to give him but a moment longer to collect himself. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet sat listening, neither indicating any reaction to the telling.
'You are correct, Miss Bennet. As I had earlier mentioned to Mr. Bennet, my intention in journeying hence is to garner what information I might to organize a similar system in my home county of Derbyshire. My cousin is a colonel and has contacts in, shall we say, disreputable places. From these sources, he heard tell of a band of men who were making the committing of any crime almost impossible in Hertfordshire. I solicited his aid in discovering as much information as possible, to the end that I should find those in charge of the men and appeal to them for their assistance.'
The narration complete, Mr. Darcy watched Mrs. Bennet carefully for a response. She looked askance at her husband and nodded slightly, as if in confirmation. Neither of Miss Bennet's parents appeared surprised to the least degree and it occurred to the gentleman that his application had been expected. This was not at all as he had assumed, finding a level of quickness and discernment in these modest, country-dwelling people that one would only anticipate in the most prestigious institutions of education. The mortification of his having grossly and wrongly misjudged the Bennets – and, worse, their awareness of such – made for an acutely uncomfortable wait, during which he sat, feeling the justice of their scrutiny.
At last, Mrs. Bennet spoke. 'Elizabeth, please accompany our guest to the barn. He might appreciate some exercise after sitting so long in one attitude. You may also acquaint him with some of the building's amenities.' With that statement, the two youngest occupants of the room were summarily dismissed.
The path to the barn was not long and Mr. Darcy found his excitement at the current turn of events – his cousin had been correct – was difficult to suppress. As they approached the common-looking edifice, he recalled the numerous occurrences in his life where appearances were not indicative of the essence and decided, wisely, to withhold judgment.
'Sir, we are here. My mother had asked if you might enjoy some exercise; would you prefer sword, quarterstaff or hand-to-hand? I can accommodate you in any of the above.' Elizabeth had been instructed that, should the gentleman prove worthy to view their barn, she was to ascertain his skills, by challenge if necessary.
He was all astonishment – this young lady was to fight him? 'Miss Bennet, you are of a much smaller stature than myself. I hardly consider it fair to engage you in combat. Perhaps one of the men would be a more appropriate choice?'
Elizabeth was unsurprised by his words, but felt the slight, nonetheless. 'Then, sir, I shall choose the weapon. Please follow me.' She led him to a truly awe-inspiring assortment of long and short swords, swords of all calibers.
'Which sword would you prefer? I am equally proficient with all.' This was not a boast; her voice held only truth. Darcy began to feel worried – he could not fight a lady and particularly one who seemed to be as capable as Miss Bennet. At this moment, he dearly wished for the presence of his cousin, the colonel, who would not have been as intimidated by her professed mastery.
'This one.' He selected a short sword, as he was familiar with fencing and had a greater comfort with the weapon.
Elizabeth smiled and found one that suited her. 'Very well, sir. En garde!'