I know it's short, but I didn't want to keep you guys waiting! Hopefully this weekend I will be able to make some real progress.
Thanks for all the reviews, everyone! Keep it up!
Rosings Park
26th of April
Mr. Bennet,
This is to inform you that I will be paying a call at Longbourn this afternoon. If you , sir, would honor me with a private audience in course of the evening, I would find myself greatly indebted to you.
Sincerely,
F. Darcy
Mr. Bennet tipped the special messenger and sent him to the kitchen for a light repast.
"There will be no reply, thank you."
"Well, well, well, Mr. Darcy," Mr. Bennet chuckled to himself, "so you and my daughter have finally called a cease-fire." He tucked the missive into his coat pocket laughed heartily to himself all the way back to his book room.
In his luxurious carriage, Darcy was mentally fortifying himself for his interview with Mr. Bennet. If Elizabeth had been correct about her father, he would not be easily convinced of the soundness of their attachment, especially on her side.
When Elizabeth had finally finished being angry with him for unceremoniously dropping her on her backside back in the woods, they had had a good long talk about how her father should be approached. Elizabeth warned Darcy that her father was not to be underestimated. Like Elizabeth, he was a keen observer of character, and an avid lover of the ridiculous, and would probably do everything in his power to trick Darcy into saying things that would hurt his case. Having been on the receiving end of Elizabeth's formidable wit on more than one occasion, Darcy was quite wary of her father, who, having had many more years to sharpen his wit and perfect his powers of observation, was a force to be reckoned with. He would have to be extremely careful in the way he handled Mr. Bennet.
Darcy sincerely hoped that Mr. Bennet would not insist upon a long engagement. Considering the passionate nature of their connection, such a delay could have disastrous results. All he would have to do to secure an immediate marriage to Elizabeth would be to tell her father that he had compromised her, in quite a delicious variety of ways. But he did not want his father-in-law to disapprove of him for Elizabeth's sake. No, he would do everything he could to ensure that Mr. Bennet never found out about the nature of their interactions. Elizabeth's reputation, even with her own family, must be protected.
When the carriage passed the road that led to Netherfield, Darcy wondered if Bingley had received his explanatory letter yet. He and Elizabeth had gone together to post it the previous morning, having thought better of their previous activities for the time being. Damn that Richard!
The grand Darcy carriage rolled to a stop in front Longbourn house. Darcy stepped out, and was greeted by sever pairs of eyes watching him from the parlor window. Mr. Bennet's amused smile greeted him at the door.
"Well, if it isn't the illustrious Mr. Darcy! Whatever brings you to my humble abode, sir?"
Back in her room at the parsonage, Elizabeth was pacing restlessly. Had Darcy arrived safely? met with her father yet? Had he given his consent? God forbid he should insist on a long engagement!
She threw herself on the bed, exhausted with worry. She hadn't been able to sleep much the previous night, and had awoken much earlier than even she was wont to do. Her first thought was to alleviate her anxiety with exercise, but she quickly decided against it. If she were to happen across Colonel Fitzwilliam again Elizabeth was sure she would die of mortification!
Elizabeth greatly anticipated the day when she and Darcy could be in each other's company without fear of discovery or censure, when they could simply close the door and lose themselves in each other for hours on end. Elizabeth thought of Darcy's dark eyes, and the feel of his lips on her skin. There was no need for her to be anxious. She knew they would find a way to be together no matter the obstacles. If all else failed, there was always Gretna Green!
"Well, now, Mr. Darcy," Mr. Bennet said as he closed the study door behind them, " what is it I can do for you? I trust that the master of such an illustrious estate as Pemberly does not need advice from a poor country gentleman such as myself, though I would be vastly happy to oblige you."
Mr. Bennet wore the same arch look that Elizabeth wore when teasing unsuspecting victims. Darcy knew it well, and knew to be on his guard. He could not help but smile, however, at Elizabeth's bright green eyes that watched him expectantly from the older man's face. Elizabeth was truly a younger, female copy of her father.
"I shall certainly keep that in mind, sir, but it is another matter entirely that brings me to you today," Darcy began, bracing for the moment he would have to reveal his true motives. His palms began to sweat.
Mr. Bennet thoroughly alarmed him by saying, "so, you want to marry my Lizzy, do you?"
Mr. Bennet laughed heartily at Darcy's open-mouthed astonishment.
"How did..."
"I am not blind, Mr. Darcy," Mr. Bennet interrupted, " nor am I deaf, though I would not have my wife know it for a kingdom." He chuckled again at Darcy's continued confusion. "My cousin, Mr. Collins, mentioned in his last letter that you were among the party at Rosings Park. I expected that, once you and Elizabeth were in company together again, that something like this might happen. I must say, I am relieved that you two have finally come to your senses."
Darcy was beyond astonished. How could Mr. Bennet possibly expect an attachment between them?
"Mr. Bennet, I don't understand. Elizabeth said that you knew that she...well, that she hated me before, and..."
"Yes, yes, so she said," Mr. Bennet interrupted again," but I know my daughter sir, and she has never been indifferent to you. No sir, not from the first night she laid eyes on you. Had it been any other gentleman who had slighted her in the way you did, she would have merely laughed and forgotten the incident. But Lizzy never forgave you for it, and that spoke volumes of her true feelings. Love and hate are both passionate emotions Mr. Darcy. Lizzy was merely masking one with the other."
Darcy smiled broadly at Mr. Bennet. Elizabeth's father was just as extraordinary as she was!
"Sir, I must say that I am astonished. You're a very wise man, Mr. Bennet."
"I thank you for your kind flattery, Mr. Darcy, but I simply know my daughter."
Both men started at the shrill voice of Mrs. Bennet calling everyone to the dining room for supper.
"My wife, however, remains the eternal mystery." Mr. Bennet rubbed his ears for emphases.
Mr. Bennet rose and Darcy followed him to the door. Mr. Bennet suddenly turned back, with his hand on the knob, and addressed Darcy again.
"Well, sir, I believe our time of solitude is at an end, so I will spare you the trouble of asking and simply say that you have my hearty consent and blessing to marry my Lizzy. Now, shall we to supper?"
Not quite what you were expecting, huh? ;) I had to give Mr. Bennet credit for being a good observer of character by having him spot the chemistry between Darcy and Elizabeth. Now our lovers can set a date for their nuptials. Ideas and requests are welcome!