"They are not here," Elizabeth said, looking into the drawing room. Jane and Bingley joined David and Louisa, the sole occupants of the room. While Louisa engaged in conversation with her brother and Jane, David focused his attention on Elizabeth and Darcy, whispering in the doorway, and moved closer.
"I will have a footman summon my fathers to the study," Elizabeth said.
"I should tidy up a bit. I want to present myself at my best." Darcy brushed at his jacket.
Elizabeth ran her hand through his hair to smooth what the wind had mussed. "Pity, I rather like you a bit tousled, but you are always the very picture of perfection to me."
David narrowed his eyes as he continued to observe the couple until they removed themselves from his view. He followed them out, knowing exactly what he needed to do, and waited. His patience was rewarded only a short time later.
"Enter," he replied to the knock on the study door. Darcy stopped when he saw David Hurst seated behind the great desk in the study. Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bennet were nowhere to be seen. "Yes, Darcy? May I help you in some way?"
Darcy sighed, accepting David's presence in this conference as inevitable. "If you do not mind, I will wait for your father and Mr. Bennet."
"Why should I mind?" He got up and poured Darcy a finger of scotch. "For courage. Now, tell me, young man, what are your prospects? Can you provide for a wife?"
"Teasing again, David?" Mr. Hurst had overheard his son's comments as he entered. He gestured for Darcy to be seated in one of the chairs clustered by the fireplace. Mr. Bennet followed a moment later. Before David could take the last seat, Elizabeth slipped in and claimed it. Not to be left out, David dragged the desk chair over to the edge of the group.
"Comfortable?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, very, but perhaps you would be more comfortable waiting with the ladies," David joked.
Mr. Bennet could not help but wince at the jest. "You might want to back your chair up, son…out of reach. And be grateful Lizzy is not closer to the fireplace poker."
Elizabeth just stared at David, her face frozen in a neutral expression. There was no sign of anger or humor. She stared so long he started to feel the weight of her gaze as if it was a physical burden. "All right, I surrender. I should not have joked so. I am sorry," he said. "Did Darcy teach you that? It is most unsettling."
Elizabeth reclined back into her chair with a pleased look on her face. "That was very satisfying. Who knew a mere look could be so powerful?"
"That was no 'mere look'. I feel as if I have been flayed alive." He paused for a moment then a gleam came to his eye. "I cannot wait to try it on someone else. Just out of curiosity, will Caroline be invited to your wedding?"
"Before we discuss the guest list, I believe there is another conversation to be had. Mr. Darcy, would you like to begin?" Mr. Hurst turned the conversation over to the younger man.
"I know it is tradition for the gentleman to seek the consent of the father, but I think our circumstances strayed from tradition well before now. Elizabeth and I will be joining our lives and we wished to demonstrate our commitment to one another by coming before you together." Darcy took Elizabeth's hand. "We would like your permission and blessing to wed."
"That is very admirable. Obviously, we do not question your prospects," Mr. Hurst looked at his son, who just shrugged. "And you both have been very patient in indulging our rules throughout your courtship, but –"
Elizabeth had no doubt her fathers would give their consent, but she was oddly nervous. When she heard "but" she could not help but interrupt. "We are confident in our love for one another. We want to hang mistletoe, bake apple tarts, and make people uncomfortable with our stares together. Please may we marry?"
"I do not know how to respond to that. I am not even sure I know what most of that means," Mr. Bennet laughed. "Child, I know you are sincere in your feelings. We have anticipated this conversation and discussed it aforehand. We would not dream of denying you. You have the blessing of the Bennets, with the full force of our love and hope for your future behind it."
"Well said, Bennet. We are in agreement. Zibby, Mr. Darcy, you may consider yourself engaged." Mr. Hurst's happy smile was tinged with sadness.
"I must have my share of the conversation," David quipped. "I have not been consulted."
"Nor will you be. I love you, David, but you are being a pest." Elizabeth made a face at her brother.
"Awww, you love me? I am touched." David was indeed touched. Elizabeth had not expressed such a sentiment to him before. He fought to school his features so his emotion would not rise to the surface. "I love you, too, baby sister, and give my blessing."
"I am grateful." Elizabeth looked at her fathers and rolled her eyes.
"I am grateful as well. Thank you for your trust in me. I shall endeavor every day to be worthy of your daughter…and sister." Darcy grinned at David.
"Have you given any thought to the details? Tessa and Mae started planning almost immediately. These nuptials will be a little more complex, but I am sure you have given some thought to where and when you might wed." Mr. Hurst braced himself for the inevitable question. The answer of which could take his Zibby away sooner than he would like.
"I know it is not what we agreed to, but we should like to marry alongside Jane and Mr. Bingley. They have spoken of marrying on the anniversary of their first meeting, in October. That is our first meeting as well." Elizabeth tightened her grip on Darcy's hand, just as she had those months ago in Longbourn's study, when she learned of her parentage.
"I do not know, Zibby. I expected you to ask and I thought I would be able to give you what you wanted but I just do not know if I can let you go so soon." Mr. Hurst's voice wavered while his eyes pleaded for understanding.
Elizabeth averted her gaze for she did not want her tears to influence his decision. "I understand. I made a promise to you."
Mr. Hurst was overwhelmed by the silence in the room. He realized it was just as Mr. Bennet said, Elizabeth would hide her own disappointment and unhappiness in order to preserve his feelings. "Zibby, your father and I do not see eye to eye on this. You should know that. This is my decision."
"I understand," she repeated quietly.
David knew exactly what his father was feeling, he had no desire to be separated from Elizabeth so soon either. But then, his future was already secured, as much as futures can be. He had his family and this second chance with Louisa and the babe. He would assist his sister if he could. "Lizzy, do you wish to be married in Meryton?"
"I do, but that was a girlhood dream without thought to whatever my future husband might wish."
"Your future husband is happy to let you have that girlhood dream." Darcy kissed her hand.
Mr. Hurst cleared his throat, "Um, your mother and I thought it would be nice if you were married from our parish. It would be the final act of you assuming your place as our daughter." Once more, the room was silenced with Mr. Hurst's words.
"Perhaps it would be easier if you tell us what we might have a say in, Mr. Hurst." Darcy was not happy. "Have you any thoughts on the flowers? What say you about our wedding trip? I am afraid you will have no input on our children's names for my cousin already claims that privilege. I suppose we are lucky Elizabeth is allowed her choice of groom. Andrew Kern is certainly a more convenient choice."
"That is not fair, Mr. Darcy," Mr. Bennet said quietly.
"It is, Thomas. I do not fault Mr. Darcy for his feelings. I just hope you do not fault me mine," Mr. Hurst said.
"I cannot not ask Jane to compromise her own wishes for me. I will not ask her to move her wedding, not the date nor the location. I thought it was serendipitous that we might marry alongside one another, in the place where I was raised, among the community that embraced me." Elizabeth did not respond to her father's plea but spoke only to Darcy. "We shall have to make do."
"I know you do not want to upset your family, but we will not make do. This is my wedding, too, and this is unacceptable. Our wedding should be more than something to be tolerated." Darcy turned toward Mr. Hurst. "You may have one of your requests, Mr. Hurst. As we have already agreed to wait, that is what we do. However, Elizabeth and I will marry in Hertfordshire."
Mr. Hurst opened his mouth to challenge Mr. Darcy's last statement but one look at Elizabeth's face stopped his words. She looked at her betrothed with admiration shining from her eyes. He feared how she would look at him when she once more turned her gaze to him. He was sorry he had brought up the planning. He did not even give his daughter time to enjoy her engagement before upsetting her. He would concede this point. "Very well."
"London. August. Double wedding," David said firmly.
"Marriage vows at ten paces? You sound as though you are challenging someone to a duel, perhaps you can elaborate?" Mr. Bennet asked.
"It was not my intent, but I think a duel is an apt comparison, though I do not think any party will achieve complete satisfaction. Lizzy, what do you value most for your wedding day?"
"My groom," Elizabeth replied with an affectionate glance toward Darcy.
"Yes, yes, Darcy is very enchanting, but beyond that?"
"Beyond my enchanting betrothed? I would like to marry alongside Jane and Bingley. Not only is Jane my closest friend and sister but Mr. Bingley is Fitzwilliam's close friend and the reason we met."
"Darcy, what is it you value? And I acknowledge Lizzy is equally enchanting so we may skip that step."
"I certainly agree with Elizabeth's wish for a double ceremony with Miss Bennet and Bingley but after that I would like my family to be present. We are a small family but very close, well, except for my aunt Catherine." Darcy said with a wry smile.
"Bingley's family is even smaller. It is very important to both Bingley and Louisa that Louisa be present considering what has occurred with Caroline. While I joked about it earlier, Caroline most certainly will not be present." There was a collective sigh of relief at this information. "Father, Mr. Bennet, how do you answer my question?"
"I must think of both of my girls, and I just wish for what makes them happy. I no longer have the right to ask for more as concerns Lizzy. By the way, I do thank you for the courtesy of including me in this discussion today."
Mr. Hurst was pensive as the others looked at him expectantly. "I agree family is most important. And I would also like to give Zibby away. Before we go any further, perhaps can you explain your earlier remark? I take it you are proposing the ceremonies take place this August in London."
"It just makes sense. All the families have a connection or presence in London. It does not privilege any one family over another. Raber Hill holds no significance for Bingley or Miss Bennet or Darcy, other than it is Lizzy's birthplace and, for now, her home. As to August, that is purely selfish. Any later and I think it would be too difficult for Louisa to travel. I believe she is with child."
"David, that is blessed news indeed! I am so very pleased for you," Mr. Hurst leaned over from his seat to clasp his son's hand in both of his. He held it for a moment. "Let us go tell your mother."
"Thank you. We should wait to tell the others, though. Louisa has not even told me. It is speculation on my part, but I am fairly confident in my observations, just not the timing. I think we should continue with the conversation at hand."
Elizabeth rose so she could kiss her brother on the cheek and offer her congratulations. When she returned to her seat, she noted Darcy's seemingly perfunctory response to her brother's news. "You already knew."
"I did. We spoke of it but a few days ago. I had simply forgotten with everything else that has occurred. I am sorry I did not tell you, but it was not my news to share." Darcy explained.
"There is no need to apologize. I am glad that David could confide in you." Ignoring the presence of the others, she kissed Darcy on the cheek as well. Mr. Hurst watched every interaction between the two, noting the support and tenderness they shared.
"Normally, I would not reveal this information at this time, but I believed it relevant. I cannot say when the babe will arrive, but I do know that if we adhere to the original timeline, Louisa will still be recovering from childbirth. The middle of October might be too close to her confinement. Of course, if Darcy and Lizzy would be willing to wait until next spring that would work quite well, too."
"That is not happening." Darcy would not entertain such a thought, even in jest.
"A journey to London would be just as arduous as a journey to Hertfordshire, would it not? Is it not better to stay here rather than to risk travel?" Mr. Hurst asked.
"I thought it wise to move to London for the second half of her pregnancy. I am not fond of London summers, but we have spent the last several summers there. We are accustomed to it and our family doctor is already there."
"But London is so dirty and sticky and…soulless." There was a look of disgust on Mr. Hurst's face. After Elizabeth's loss he had come to detest London.
"On that we agree." Mr. Bennet's aversion to London was well-known.
"If it is between London and Hertfordshire, the latter is certainly preferrable. If I recall correctly, the church near Longbourn is charming." Mr. Hurst nodded, as if making up his mind. "If Darcy and Bingley do not mind, Hertfordshire it shall be. And Meryton is close enough to London if Louisa should require care."
"I am sure Bingley would put us up at Netherfield. And the Grands could travel at their leisure without fear for what the weather might bring. They said they wanted to see where Lizzy was raised. This would be the perfect opportunity for them."
"August seems too soon. Can we not plan for October? We can make adjustments if needed once we know more of Louisa's condition."
"October in Meryton and a double ceremony with Bingley and Jane. We shall have to confer with them, of course, but I am sure they will be amenable to your plan, Father."
"Lizzy, you and Darcy should go ask them. If they approve, we will announce it at dinner tonight." Mr. Hurst hugged his daughter once more and did not let Darcy escape without a quick embrace. "You will have to get used to it, lad. You are one of the family now."
As they left the room, David followed behind them. Turning at the door, he addressed his father. "You truly are a masterful negotiator."
Once Elizabeth's fathers were left alone, Mr. Bennet exhaled heavily. "I need a drink. May I?" he asked, holding up a decanter.
"Yes, pour two large ones. A headache powder would not go amiss, either." Taking the glass, he clinked it against Mr. Bennet's. "To daughters, what is there to do but love and guide them, and apparently deny them nothing."
Mr. Bennet raised his own glass in toast. "Do not forget, I have to do this three more times. At least Lizzy and Jane have compassion for my poor nerves by sharing their nuptials."
"Are you upset that your will not walk Zibby down the aisle? It is your church."
"It is as it should be. I would never begrudge you that privilege. Besides, you conceded on almost every other point." He took a sip, as he contemplated his next words. "By the way, might I suggest cards as the after-dinner entertainment. Your son is not well-practiced in the art of game-playing."
"No, that he is not. Truth is, I was ready to yield as I realized how foolish I was being. But he was enjoying himself. He thought he was doing right by Zibby. It was a noble effort, and it came from a good place. He may have his win. I think he will be an excellent father."
Mr. Bennet raised his glass again. "To fathers…and God help David when it is his own daughter."