Chapter 9 – A Proposal
A/N: Thank you again for all of your lovely—and candid—comments. You've definitely been morale boosters.
As Darcy followed Mr. Bennet to the library, he glanced up to meet Bingley's eyes. While Bingley was most content to stay in the company of his angel, his loyalty to Darcy forced him to consider whether he needed to follow as well for the sake of moral support. Darcy gave him the slightest of winks and barely brushed his shoulder in a show of assurance he was prepared to meet Mr. Bennet solo this time. Bingley nodded in a show of support, content that he would stay with Jane, even though he would share her company with the remainder of her family.
Once again, the two men entered the library with Mr. Bennet gesturing Darcy to sit. Once settled, Mr. Bennet began, "I trust you are able to tell me more of what just transpired, Mr. Darcy?"
Instead of repeating his action of the previous day and rising as he gave his explanation, Darcy remained comfortably seated and began his exchange with Mr. Bennet in a casual, comfortable manner.
"As I approached the stillroom, sir, I could hear the heated conversation between Wickham and Miss Elizabeth," he started. "She was doing an admirable job of keeping him at bay with her words, but Wickham was exercising his physical advantage to intimidate her."
Mr. Bennet shifted and leaned closer. "Did he touch her in anyway?"
"Not that I saw," Darcy was quick to assure him, "but I'm sure she can confirm that for you herself, sir." Mr. Bennet relaxed and sat back. "He backed off immediately as I entered and then made haste to flee," Darcy continued, "but not before telling Miss Elizabeth he would see her again."
Mr. Bennet's face showed his shock before his shoulders fell. "Then he still has designs on her." He looked down in bewilderment. "But what?" He looked up. "And why?"
Darcy stood to his feet and stepped toward the older gentleman. "Sir, I don't know whether his object is to merely unsettle Miss Elizabeth or to do actual harm." The look in Mr. Bennet's eyes turned to fear. "But I believe his motive is revenge."
"Revenge," he asked. "Against …?"
Darcy cleared his throat. "Against both Elizabeth and myself." Ah, his first slip; he thought he was being careful and he berated himself. The slight shift in his face told Darcy Mr. Bennet caught it too.
"Wickham lost face yesterday in front of her. He is always a threat, but now that she knows the man he truly is, she is a danger to him; something he cannot abide."
"And you, Darcy?"
"Wickham has a long history of grievances against me and has used others to exact his revenge." Darcy's pause gave Mr. Bennet an opening.
"And that affects Lizzie…?," he asked, trying to sound casual.
He was not ready to admit it yet. "Wickham believes there is an attachment between Miss Elizabeth and myself," he responded with his head dropping, avoiding the man's eyes.
But the man's probing was not finished and required satisfaction. "And he thinks this because …?"
Darcy lowered his head even more if possible, trying to hide, but then ... Mr. Bennet saw what looked liked the closest thing to a smile show on the younger man's face. Raising his head to address Mr. Bennet, he felt the unfamiliar warmth of a blush cross his face.
"Sir, though I have tried to deny it to myself, I believe I," he steadied himself (to the hidden amusement of his audience), "I have fallen in love with your daughter, sir."
Suddenly Darcy understood why Bingley had been aglow after speaking with Mr. Bennet the day before: finally saying it aloud lifted a heavy load from him. It was now an established fact and he would not withdraw his admission. Looking down at his love's father, he saw the man's unabashed amusement. With an unmistakeable gleam in his eye, he continued his questioning.
"And when did you come to this understanding, Mr. Darcy?"
Darcy now understood they were adversaries in a playful sport; he decided to oblige his opponent.
"I had struggled with the thought for many weeks, sir. Having come to Meryton with no plans to fall in love or keep company with any woman, I was surprised to find myself becoming more entranced by Elizabeth." As he had just announced his current state of romantic bliss, he was not averse to using her proper name now; neither was Mr. Bennet averse to hearing her name from his lips.
"Does my daughter share your affections, Mr. Darcy," he asked with a sideways glance.
"She has consented to be Elizabeth to me, when we are in private, sir."
"Have you and Lizzie discussed anything further on this, Mr. Darcy?" Mr. Bennet realized now that questioning the now mildly squirming Darcy was a guilty pleasure, but still was unable to help himself.
"No, we have not," Darcy responded resolutely. "I plan to discuss more fully with her my feelings for her after this meeting, and, if her feelings are as I think they are, then explain that I will not immediately be asking her to be my wife."
Mr. Bennet was taken up short, as he thought he had misunderstood Darcy. Though he was aware his face asked the question, he felt his words were needed for emphasis.
"Are you saying, Mr. Darcy, that you are in love with my daughter, but do not plan to make her your wife?" He rose to his feet, advancing on Darcy. "What kind of a man are you to …?"
"You do not understand my meaning, sir," Darcy stood, quickly cutting him off to assure him. "I did not say I would not ask her at any time." Mr. Bennet still looked puzzled. "I will, but not straightaway."
"Do you not think Lizzie will accept you? Is that your hesitation?" He started settling back down into his seat. Darcy's revelation had changed the playful tone of the "game" to one much more earnest.
"On the contrary," Darcy replied quietly, "I think she would most willingly accept my offer." He looked down and pensively formed his words. "But I would not have her agree to be my wife out of any sense of gratefulness; I would have her for no other reason but love."
The playful gleam returned to Mr. Bennet's eye as he studied the younger man before him. Darcy was becoming uncomfortable as the subject of the Mr. Bennet's observation, but realized the amusement the older man was experiencing. Before he was able to inquire regarding his mirth, Mr. Bennet obliged him.
"Mr. Darcy, I do believe I never thought you would be the most besotted man I have ever seen." Darcy's shy smile made Mr. Bennet's grow even more. "And to think it is my Lizzie that has done this to you makes the whole matter even more entertaining. Until yesterday, I would never have imagined a civil word could pass between the two of you." Darcy nodded his head subtly, acknowledging there could be some truth to his words.
"Indeed, sir, I am sure you are not alone in that opinion." Darcy's eyes seemed to wander before returning to the man before him. "But much has occurred to change my feelings toward Elizabeth, and, likewise, hers." Further clarifying, he added, "Not just in these two days, but during the extent of my time here in Hertfordshire and being in her company."
After studying Darcy's demeanour for a moment, Mr. Bennet, being satisfied that he could trust his favourite daughter to this man, furthered their conversation. "So, Darcy, if you are asking for my permission to further your relationship with my daughter, be assured you have it, with my blessing." He rose and offered his hand, which was heartily accepted.
"Thank you, sir," responded Darcy, rising as well, "but this does not conclude our business, as there is a proposal of another kind I would like to put forward." Mr. Bennet inclined his head for Darcy to continue.
"As there is a continuing threat from Wickham," he began seeing Mr. Bennet grimace, "I would like to propose removing Elizabeth from Meryton until we can be assured of no further risk to her safety." Mr. Bennet was silent as he reseated himself, considering Darcy's words.
"Are you proposing somewhere specific? Somewhere she, herself, is safe, as well as her reputation?" The piercing glare from Mr. Bennet gave Darcy no equivocation of his meaning.
"Sir, I can provide the safety of Pemberley or my place in London to Elizabeth, accompanied by a chaperone of your choosing." Mr. Bennet still eyed him warily.
"Sir," Darcy tried, now in a tone eschewing formality, but sounding as a plea, "With Wickham brazenly trespassing on your property today, there can be no dismissing the threat he poses, whatever his motives are." He now sounded desperate, "You must know that I would do anything to ensure Elizabeth's safety."
There was sense in everything Darcy said, Mr. Bennet reasoned, but he was still uneasy about letting "his" Lizzie out of his sight. He struggled with his guilt over not keeping her safe there at Longbourn and his resentment that Darcy could seemingly give her what he could not provide. Still, he had to resign himself that the most important issue was that his daughter, his dearest daughter, was made safe.
"I thank you for your offer and concern, Mr. Darcy," he began, "perhaps her safety may be more suitably ensured elsewhere." Glancing out the window, he added, "My wife's brother lives on Gracechurch Street. Do you know if?" He turned to look at Darcy.
"Not well, but yes, I know of it."
Resuming his gaze out the window, Mr. Bennet went further. "Lizzie is very close to my brother Gardiner and his family. Perhaps she could stay with them comfortably until the militia has moved on." By "militia" both men knew specifically to whom he referred. "I will post a letter to them to inquire; they will be here at Christmas and by that time, things surely will have returned to their wearisome normalcy." He said this, returning to his usual, sardonic manner.
"May I suggest, sir, sending an express, and pending an affirmative answer from your family, have the same messenger summon my carriage here for Elizabeth's transport."
Mr. Bennet regarded the younger gentleman. "Mr. Darcy, I must say you seem to think of everything," he said with reluctant admiration. "I thank you and accept your offer."
With relief, Darcy responded, "I am only too happy to provide the service, sir."
Standing to indicate—once again—that their business was concluded, Mr. Bennet stepped with Darcy toward the door.
"And now, Mr. Darcy," he said, opening the door, "I believe you were intending to speak with my daughter."
A/N: Yes, there's more; just give me a little bit of time.