Chapter 15
Elizabeth's smile graced her face as soon as Mr and Miss Darcy entered the room, and it had the effect of liquid sunshine to both of them, warming them and setting them at ease. She curtsied demurely in an echo to her elder sister Jane when her father said "Miss Elizabeth, with whom you are both acquainted." She could hear the sarcasm in his voice, and wondered if her sisters and mother would pick up on it. She spared a sideways glance to Jane, whose steady smile and reassuring nod spoke to her goodness of character.
When all of the introductions had been made, Mrs Bennet broke her stunned silence to ask if their visitors would like any tea or coffee, and to encourage them to sit down. Elizabeth was pleasantly surprised at her presence of mind, and noticed the slight wobble in her voice that betrayed her excitement at hosting such visitors. Her mother was a bit over-the-top, but Elizabeth believed she truly cared about her brood, and indeed wanted the best for all of them.
"Very kind, thank you Mrs Bennet. I believe a coffee would hit the spot," Mr Darcy replied. He sent a surreptitious look towards Elizabeth, and the corners of his mouth twitched into an almost imperceptible smile, which she returned with a dancing amusement and affection in her eyes. They both knew that it was his duty as a guest to turn his attention to their host, and in a move that surprised all of the Bennet females, Mr Bennet deigned to remain in the parlour with their guests. The tea came quickly, and the room split distinctly into three parties.
The youngest three Misses Bennet were playing a game in the corner, occasionally sneaking a sweet treat from the tea tray but generally remaining out of the way. Jane, Elizabeth and Mrs Bennet shared a pleasant conversation with Miss Georgiana, asking the young girl about her travels over the summer. Mrs Bennet was pleasantly surprised at her least favourite daughter's cleverness in acquiring such an advantageous friendship. Perhaps her impudence and general wildness, which her mother had long tried to refine and suppress, had proved their worth after all.
The least comfortable of the three groups was that of the gentlemen, who were sharing a stilted conversation over coffee. Mr Darcy was exceedingly nervous to finally be talking to Elizabeth's father, and all of the conversation topics that Elizabeth had supplied him with had deserted him. So instead of discussing books and estate management, they were sharing a particularly disjointed few minutes talking about Mr Bennet's distaste for Town. In fact, Mr Darcy shared quite a few of Mr Bennet's opinions of London, but he was particularly concerned with appearing agreeable and genial - so not wanting to disparage any particular thing overmuch. He was tying himself in knots trying not to contradict himself or Mr Bennet.
"So tell me Mr Bennet, for I know that Miss Elizabeth is a great study of literary plays, when you brave a trip to town, do you frequent the great theatre halls?"
"I mostly visit town on business," he gestured to the room at large and chuckled, "for organising six women as a travelling party is not a feat that I imagine many a mere mortal man has ever undertaken. And certainly in view of the theatre, whilst I am sure Elizabeth and Jane would enjoy a trip to the opera or to see a play, I am not convinced that all of my family have the required attention span. Perhaps it is a pastime for the elder two." This was said with a wry smile, a conspiratorial look, and a pointed gesture to the younger girls playing cards in the corner.
Mr Darcy followed the gestures towards Mr Bennet's family with genuine curiosity and affection, and his tone was warm when he replied.
"Should the occasion ever arise that you or your family are in town at the same time as I, you would be most welcome to join me in my box at the - theatre on Shaftesbury. Or perhaps, as you so diplomatically put it, the elder few of you Bennets."
Mr Bennet was not quite sure what to make of that request, with the information he held.
"Is that an occasion that you foresee happening in the near future, Mr Darcy?" Mr Bennet challenged, letting the awkward silence linger a beat too long before continuing, "or perhaps you think we would meet again in town on the occasion of your sister's coming out a year or two hence?"
Mr Darcy had the good grace to blush as he realised he had been too presumptuous despite his best efforts. "Indeed, I was thinking of Georgiana and how she would certainly demand Elizabeth's presence at such an event."
He bushed anew when he saw Mr Bennet's raised eyebrow at his slip of the tongue. She was irrevocably Elizabeth in his mind, so he was not surprised it was slipping into his speaking. This was not going well. Pull yourself together and for goodness sakes, charm the man, he chastised himself.
"I am not one to revel in society balls, Mr Bennet, but I imagine hosting an intimate circle of family and friends to our London residence for such an occasion would be rather enjoyable. As will the ball at Netherfield that my friend Mr Charles Bingley is planning for a week or two hence."
"A young man like yourself ought to enjoy a good ball, Mr Darcy. Plenty of beautiful women, good food, wine, dancing, what is not to like?"
"If you will allow a certain frankness, I do not enjoy being offered as a piece of meat to the marriage market, as is so often the case wherever the ton congregates. The matchmaking mamas arrive in all of their terror to wreak havoc upon my dance card and my disposition. I am sure that is not such a distant memory for you that you cannot sympathise with my predicament."
Mr Bennet nodded, conceding that it did not sound like a particularly pleasant manner in which to spend an evening, when one could be enjoying a perfectly good evening at home with a glass of whiskey and a good book, especially in the company of such an avid reader as his second daughter.
Books! Of course, a safe topic that Elizabeth had coached him to broach with her father. Mr Darcy's heart swelled at the image of Elizabeth curled at her father's side reading together, and to think of their future happiness sitting together in the library at Pemberley, sharing the same space and reading aloud to each other. He had a stray, inappropriate, thought about non-library activities that they could pursue amongst the bookcases, but squashed those thoughts when he made eye contact with Mr Bennet. Books, think about books, he forced himself.
Much as he wished to move on to an easier conversation about great writers, he needed to know whether Elizabeth would be allowed to attend the ball at Netherfield, so he did not let the subject drop just yet.
"The ball at Netherfield will be a more private and more enjoyable affair, I should imagine?" Mr Darcy asked with an air of innocence.
"I should not be so sure that there will be no matchmaking mamas, I am afraid. Of the four and twenty families we are acquainted with, there are at least ten young ladies of marriageable age - not including my own daughters. So you can expect a full card if you are of the disposition to dance."
"Excellent," he replied, in a tone which attested to his true feeling that this revelation was anything but excellent. How was he supposed to enjoy an evening full of Elizabeth's attention with a full dance card and an obligation to be polite towards people he did not care one jot for? He knew it would be worth any amount of uncomfortable pleasantries with strangers to publically hold her in a dance, but he would not pretend to be happy about it, not even with her father. "Will you and your family attend, Mr Bennet?"
"I daresay we shall. For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?" He gave Mr Darcy a broad smile, which came across rather intentionally as mildly threatening. "And besides, my wife is intrigued to see the inside of Netherfield. She has it in her mind that one of her elder daughters will be its mistress one of these days," he teased as an afterthought.
Mr Darcy felt his colour rise at the mere implication that Elizabeth could be his dear friend Charles' mistress. It would not happen. Not ever, he reassured himself, she has accepted my hand. He schooled his heated features and replied, "I am sure Mr Bingley will be very pleased to host your family."
"The elusive Mr 'five-thousand-pounds-a-year' indeed," he smiled wryly. He winked at Mr Darcy and continued "do not worry Mr Darcy, I understand that he is a fiercely intelligent and wonderfully charismatic businessman, whose financial title is only a fraction of his many achievements. I am just preparing you for the matchmaking mamas, and cautioning that you keep your cards close to your chest."
"Thank you for your concern," Mr Darcy replied. He had decided throughout the course of the conversation that he genuinely liked Mr Bennet. He was a witty and astute gentleman who clearly loved Elizabeth a great deal. He sensed that they had much in common on many fronts and, although he didn't much like being teased, he found that he could respect Mr Bennet and wouldn't begrudge him visiting Pemberley after he had stolen Elizabeth away to live with him there, so long as he did not visit too soon or too often.
"Miss Elizabeth mentioned when she toured my library at Pemberley that she is a great lover of books," he began, "and that this was a pastime that you shared. Have you read the latest treatise by -"
Mr Bennet fairly came alive at the mention of his current favourite author, and the discussion was much less awkward for the remaining twenty minutes before Elizabeth suggested a turn in the garden for their guests. He was happy to rejoin her company, but had genuinely enjoyed his discussion on books with his future father-in-law, all being well.
~.~
He managed to secure a more private interval with his intended future father-in-law some time later. On their return from the garden, he asked Mr Bennet to see a particular novel they had been discussing in order to gain some time alone with the gentleman. This was readily acquiesced and Mr Darcy spared Elizabeth a long look, squared his shoulders and followed him into his study.
"Mr Bennet, I believe you have spoken with your daughter Elizabeth and it has given me hope for our future felicity."
Mr Bennet remained pointedly silent to get the measure of the man. Mr Darcy visibly squirmed under his intense gaze.
"Let me begin by apologising for my manner in approaching this conversation. I am aware it is occurring unduly late."
"Indeed," Mr Bennet uttered and once again silenced.
"Even so, I should like to formally request the honour of your daughter's hand in marriage. She is a singular woman and I know with great certainty that she is the one who I wish to spend my life with."
"That is all very romantic, Mr Darcy. I suppose you forgot yourself, tied up in romance, and that is the reason why you did not deign to talk to me before offering for her."
"Romance? Not hardly. I am a sensible man, and this - your daughter - is a matter I am wholly serious about" he looked away wistfully.
"I should wager if you felt seriously, then you should have followed the proper order of things," Mr Bennet grumbled.
"If I may be frank, sir. I offered for her because I want her to be my wife, and simply could not bear not knowing whether she felt the same."
He cursed himself silently. He had let his words become carried away with him. Perhaps admitting how affected he was by her was not the wisest of approaches.
"If I may be equally frank, I must admit to my concern at the match. For we know so little of you and this courtship has proceeded so quickly. You stand before me telling me of how much you admire my daughter, and yet expect me to exalt at this finding. The guardian of a young woman in your own right, I implore you to think of your sister and how you would respond to such a young gentleman."
Mr Bennet secretly thrilled at seeing Mr Darcy squirm. From what little he knew of the gentleman's character, he did not object to him. Rather the fast nature of their coming together, which told of passionate and tender feelings between the pair - feelings that rendered Mr Bennet extremely protective.
"I abhor disguise of any sort, Mr Bennet. And I will not pretend my feelings are not as they are. Regardless of how much you wish mine to be dispassionate, you will not find me so."
"I see," said Mr Bennet, not quite willing to spare the younger man just yet. "However, I do not understand the urgency of your proposal. Your feelings, strong as they may be, could stand to be tested before you tie yourselves to one another."
"If you only knew-" he breathed to himself. Louder, he spoke to his older companion. "My feelings have indeed been thrust into turmoil by Elizabeth for better and for worse. But perhaps she has not told you, discreet as she is. First in Ramsgate and then when she visited us in Derbyshire, your brilliant daughter saved my sister's reputation and very likely my life also."
"Of this I was not aware."
Mr Darcy told the abbreviated tale of how they had come to their understanding, and how very much his feelings had been tested.
"Before I met your daughter, I lived a very sombre and solitary life. I was permitted to dwell in my selfishness and discontent, until she was accidentally intertwined into my affairs when she performed for my sister a service I doubt I ever shall repay."
Mr Bennet grumbled noncommittally to hear the fervour in his counterpart's voice. His intentions were clear, and he had no concern that Mr Darcy would shirk on his duty to Elizabeth. But he was not pleased with the growing evidence of Mr Darcy's more passionate desires for his daughter. It would not breed calm amongst his household, and he worried for his favourite child.
"Mr Bennet, I do not think I can state my case in any firmer manner than in the simple truth that my life is better with Elizabeth in it, and I am selfish enough to ask for her to join herself to me such that she might remain so. By some miracle, she has reassured me that she feels the same." And I daresay she has told you the same.
Mr Bennet sensed that Mr Darcy was growing tired of justifying himself.
"Mr Darcy," he began, his tone calculated. "I can see that this is merely a formality. For you both seem so set on the idea that I imagine a man of your means would supply a carriage to Gretna Green if I were to refuse."
Mr Darcy's heart lurched at the tantalising idea of eloping this very day, but cared enough of Elizabeth and her reputation to quash that particular desire.
"Therefore, I shall grant you my consent-" a relieved sigh from the other gentleman interrupted him. He raised a brow in a manner that reminded Mr Darcy of Elizabeth, and continued. "However, I must ask that you allow a week or two before you announce your happy news. It will be much better for her reputation if you are understood by her family and the townsfolk here to be of good character before the news of your engagement circulates."
There was a heavy and pregnant pause, where Mr Bennet silently dared Mr Darcy to challenge his paternal authority. The younger man conceded with a sigh.
"In that manner, we can avoid any suggestion of her reputation being compromised by an altogether overly ardent suitor."
The warning in his tone was clear as day, although it had not been spoken in as many words. Do not let yourself get carried away in your ardent affection, young man, less you wish to face my wrath.
"I understand," he replied solemnly.
When the silent threat had settled for a moment, Mr Darcy allowed Mr Bennet's acceptance to sink in. He broke into a wide smile, and the older gentleman noticed a raising of his posture.
"Thank you," Mr Darcy said simply, reaching out to shake Mr Bennet's hand. His feelings begged for more words to be spilled but he held them in his chest instead, worried that if he started they would all tumble like water over stones and he would only give Mr Bennet more cause for concern.
"Yes, well. Let us see if you feel the same way after two weeks with my family."
"I will always be grateful for this," he replied with a smile.
Mr Bennet quietly grumbled. He was torn, feeling the weight of the responsibility of his daughter's choice. Mr Darcy seemed to be a good man, in fact the exact sort of fellow that he would have chosen for his children. But he was not ready to let go of his favourite daughter just yet. He doubted he ever would be.
~.~
The two siblings stayed at Longbourn for longer than was strictly appropriate, only pulling themselves away when Mr Bennet drew their attention to the hour and suggested they return to their friends at Netherfield. Mr Darcy begrudgingly accepted that this was the optimal course of action, though his sister needed further persuasion.
On the route home, she betrayed her immaturity in a near constant stream of moping and complaining.
"I do not understand why I cannot simply stay with Lizzy and her sisters," she moaned petulantly. "They are much closer in age to me, and I want to see more of Lizzy's world. It is so unfair that I must follow you about rather than surrounding myself with my own friends. And I don't want to have to talk to Caroline and Louisa, and pretend to be interested in what they have to say."
"Careful, Georgie," her brother cautioned. "I know you are disappointed, but it is very unlike you to be so unkind."
"I am sorry," she said insincerely. "But let us avoid any pretence in each others' confidence. They are not nice people, brother. Mr Bingley, granted, is a brilliant fellow. But his sisters-"
"I am truly sorry to pull you away from your friend," he placed a calming hand on her arm, which she shrugged off, pouting her lips and angling her frame away from him. She was a picture of youthful annoyance. "As you know, I am sorry that we both are forced to separate from her company." Here he looked wistfully out of the other window. "But for a few weeks' more patience we will never need to be parted from her again."
Georgiana had to smile with him at that realisation. It really was not that long that they had been acquainted with her Hertfordshire friend, when she thought of how little time it had really been since Elizabeth came rushing into their lives like a runaway carriage. She had reset all of their expectations from life, and settled herself steadfast in their hearts.
"I do understand," She admitted. "I - more than ever before - know what potential there is for lapses in propriety to ruin a perfect reputation." She gestured wryly to him.
He squeezed the arm he held, and felt pleased he had managed to make her listen.
"I shall not pretend to be happy about you locking me away with the Bingley sisters, though" she grumbled.
"Let us both promise to try to be patient with them," he countered.
"I shall promise to tolerate them if you shall," she mentioned.
~.~
Mr Darcy spent the remainder of the carriage ride reminiscing on the few scant minutes of solitude he had managed to steal with Elizabeth during the course of his visit to Longbourn - the few minutes that had made the whole two-hour ordeal worthwhile.
He had come across her in the hallway upon exiting the water closet, and he could tell that she had designed it so that they would have a few moments of alone time together. He had felt his heart racing as he bumped into her softness upon drying his hands and leaving the room.
"Excellent, my love," she whispered. "I have managed to steal you away from my family." Her tone was rich and reverent, and his cheeks contorted into a warm smile as he felt her sweet breath wash over him.
He could not quite believe that she was giving him that particular epithet, the honour sitting heavily into his gut and bubbling an uncharacteristic effervescence to his grin.
"I am a victim who surrenders willingly to his kidnapper," he chuckled softly, then for fear of being misunderstood, added, "when my kidnapper is also my delightful fiancée."
Elizabeth was overjoyed by his playfulness, and retorted, "I hope you do not consider me as evil as all that, Fitzwilliam. For any time stolen with you is intended for both of our benefit, and adds greatly to my collection of treasure."
Her sweet words rendered him rather speechless. He could not quite believe how lucky he was to be the willing recipient of her love and affection.
"I cannot say I disagree with that assessment of your stolen time, as you call it."
"Well, the more the better," she added with finality.
She paused for a moment before saying, "As much as I am enjoying our usual witty repartee, my love, I should like to employ this rare moment of solitude in a manner we can not well do in my parents' drawing room," she flirted with him, cocking her head to one side and allowing her tongue to wet her lips.
He had about enough wits to nod his acknowledgement of her flirtatious words before kissing her soundly on the lips. He elicited a quiet moan from her, which was one of the most heavenly sounds he had ever heard.
They returned to the remaining Bennets not five minutes after he had happened upon her, as she made a show of noisily showing him some portraits of her extended family in the dining room shortly after they had kissed. She left the door open so that they could be effectively chaperoned by the family in the next room. He enjoyed seeing some familiar faces in the Gardiners, and some new in the Phillipses, but could not concentrate entirely on her words, for she retained their connection through the joining of their hands. He felt the weight of her hand in his as meaningfully as the kiss she had given him in the hallway. It reminded him of why this whole charade was worth it, for Elizabeth was entirely worth it.