Chapter Fifteen

T he day after Elizabeth and Jane returned to Longbourn, three gentlemen rode up on horseback. When Mr. Thomas, Longbourn's butler, announced the three gentlemen, it was all Mrs. Bennet could do not to clap her hands with glee. Not only were Jane's two suitors, Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam here, but this unknown Mr. Darcy had come as well! Perhaps he, too, was interested in Jane. She was surprised that Lizzy had not mentioned it.

She welcomed the gentlemen in and then excused herself to get Jane and Lizzy. Had the two girls not seen the men riding up to the door? What was the matter with them?

She knocked on their door and then opened it. They were deep in conversation, oblivious to anything around them, but at least they were clad. She clapped her hands together sharply.

The two jumped. "Yes, Mama?" they chorused.

"You have visitors," she told them. "Stand up and let me look at you."

They obeyed, shaking out their skirts and smoothing their hair.

"Well, it could be better, but I do not think we should keep them waiting. Henceforth, you will both present yourselves in the drawing room every day immediately after breaking your fasts, properly dressed and coiffed."

Jane nodded; Lizzy looked mutinous, but nodded as well.

"Who is here, Mama?" Jane asked.

"Mr. Bingley, Colonel Fitzwilliam…and Mr. Darcy." When she uttered that final name, she eyed both girls closely. Lizzy was blushing! Evidently Lizzy was interested in this Mr. Darcy. Mrs. Bennet could only hope that the man was here to see Lizzy, not Jane. She doubted the two sisters would ever fight over a man, but it was perhaps best not to test that belief.

The three went downstairs together. Entering the parlour, they curtsied and murmured how happy they were to see their visitors. Introductions were made and the usual enquiries after everyone's health were asked. Finally, Mrs. Bennet suggested a short stroll in the garden. "It is rather cold outside," she said. "But not so cold as to deter healthy young people from getting some beneficial exercise."

The five healthy young people in question immediately rose and expressed their willingness to walk in the garden. Mr. Bingley and the Colonel walked on either side of Jane; Mr. Darcy offered his arm to Elizabeth, which she was happy to take. He walked slowly, allowing the others to move out of earshot.

"What in the world?" Elizabeth asked, nodding at the threesome in front of them.

"Neither would defer their attentions in favour of the other, so they are both here."

"And what is Jane to do?"

"Make her choice, I imagine. Based on what you told me of Mr. Bingley, I would advocate for the Colonel. But she will need to get to know him, and to be assured of his prospects. As I believe I told you, I plan to gift my cousin an estate, if he chooses to take a wife. However, if your sister is interested in the wealthier man, she should choose Bingley." His tone was even, but Elizabeth could tell that he was concerned about her response.

She stopped and turned to him, eyes narrowed. "Jane has very little interest in wealth, Mr. Darcy. However, she would like to be assured that she and any children they may have will be adequately fed and housed. That does not, I think, make her a fortune hunter."

"No, it does not," he said, ruefully. "I apologise, Miss Elizabeth. It is just that in my world…" And he trailed off, knowing that London's high society, the ton , was no longer his world. The Darcy name was ruined.

"It is kind of you to gift your cousin an estate, Mr. Darcy. That would enable him to marry, particularly as my sister would not be well-suited to following the drum."

"Your sister need have no fears in that regard."

Elizabeth thought it time to change the subject. "Is there any news of Miss Darcy? I am sorry; I meant Mrs.…" and she trailed off, not certain how she should refer to Mr. Darcy's sister.

"You do not want to call her Mrs. Wickham; I thank you for that. No, there is no news of Georgiana. The Colonel has men looking for her in London."

"But what can be done if she is found? She cannot be legally separated from her husband."

"The Colonel thinks we can at least make sure that she is not being mistreated."

She eyed him, doubtfully. "And what can you do if she is? I am sorry, I do not intend to make you feel any worse than you already do."

Her companion sighed. "You are right, of course; he can beat her near to death if he so wishes."

"Which is one of the things that is very much wrong in our society!" Her voice was fierce.

"Let us speak of something more pleasant," he suggested.

"Very well; what shall we discuss?"

"Books. You are a reader, I know."

"Oh, very much so! You should allow me to introduce you to my father, Mr. Darcy. He has an admirable library."

"I should very much enjoy meeting him, as well as seeing his library."

"Excellent; I believe he is at home today. I will introduce you to Mr. Bennet and Mr. Bennet's books when we go back inside."

Their conversation ceased when the three walkers in front of them stopped, turned around and headed back in their direction. They were soon back in the house, where Mrs. Bennet had refreshments ready. Elizabeth prepared a cup of tea for Mr. Darcy; she had learned his preferences while at Netherfield (one sugar, no milk) and offered him the plate of sandwiches. He took one rather absently, watching his cousin and his friend vie for Miss Bennet's attention.

"Are you ready to meet my father, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth asked. Hearing her mother's gasp, she rolled her eyes and quickly explained, "Mr. Darcy is interested in seeing Papa's library."

Mr. Darcy rose and followed Miss Elizabeth out of the parlour, across the entry way and into a wide hall. She stopped in front of a large door and knocked three times. The room's occupant evidently recognised her knock, for a deep voice promptly said, "Come in, Lizzy!"

She opened the door and said, "I have a visitor for you, Papa; a fellow bibliophile!"

"Welcome, friend!"

Mr. Darcy entered and was introduced to Mr. Bennet. The two men shook hands. Mr. Darcy saw that Miss Elizabeth took after Mr. Bennet, as they shared dark hair and dark eyes, while Miss Bennet resembled her blonde-haired and blue-eyed mother.

"Please browse at your leisure, Mr. Darcy. My collection is not appreciated as often as it deserves."

Mr. Darcy soon agreed, for he readily saw that Mr. Bennet had many volumes that he himself would have liked to possess.

"You have a library as well, I take it?" Mr. Bennet enquired.

How to answer without sounding like he was boasting? "I do, sir. I am fortunate that my family has been collecting books for several generations."

"Indeed!" Mr. Bennet's eyebrows winged up. "And where is this wonder of wonders?"

"In Derbyshire."

"Ah. Too far for me to visit, then." The man sounded deeply disappointed. Then he perked up. "What think you of this volume of Chaucer? It is in its original Middle English, which I am currently working on translating. Lizzy and I have spent considerable time studying Middle English, and…"

As the conversation continued, Elizabeth studied Mr. Darcy as he spoke with her father. He was an extremely handsome man; of that she had long been aware. But when he was engrossed as he was now, not thinking about his family's tragedy, he was even more captivating.

She still felt that she could not really know him. Who was he when he was not devastated? That he had been proud she could not doubt. Even tragedy could not mask the way he held himself, the way he strode into a room as if he owned it, the way he sat his horse, the way he – heavens, her heart was beating faster just thinking about him! Stop it, Lizzy, she told herself sternly.

Mr. Darcy was very much enjoying his discussion with Mr. Bennet, but was also noting that Miss Elizabeth had inherited more than just dark hair and dark eyes from her father; she had inherited her quick wit and sharp intelligence from him as well. But Elizabeth – when had he stopped thinking of her as Miss Elizabeth? – was captivating in her own right. Her sparkling eyes, the way one eyebrow would quirk up when she was amused, her light step, her womanly figure – stop it, Darcy admonished himself, you are speaking with the lady's father!

When he and Miss Elizabeth returned to the parlour, he was introduced to three additional young ladies, all sisters of Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet: Miss Mary, Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia. Mr. Darcy noted that Miss Mary was silent, but her reticence was more than made up for by the liveliness of the two younger girls.

It was not long before he felt that the liveliness could more accurately be termed bad manners. Truly, had these girls never been taught how to behave in company? Based on their hairstyles and clothing, they were "out," though they were far too young to have been granted that privilege.

Mr. Darcy shook his head. This was not a family that a Darcy of Pemberley should – no, hold. His own sister had eloped with the steward's son. Had he any right to judge these girls? He thought not.

***

When the gentlemen finally left, Mrs. Bennet could not stop smiling. Not only was Jane being wooed by two gentlemen, but it seemed that Mr. Darcy was interested in Lizzy. Knowing better than to exult in front of the two girls in question, she headed for Mr. Bennet's library, knocked on the door and immediately entered. "Mr. Bennet!"

"Mrs. Bennet," her husband responded, equably.

"You will never guess!"

"I think I shall, though," was the unexpected response.

"What?" Mrs. Bennet was taken aback.

"You have come to tell me that Mr. Darcy is interested in Lizzy."

She put her hands on her hips. "How could you know that?" She was disappointed not to be able to surprise him, but also quite curious.

"I saw them together, here in this very room."

"And, Mr. Bennet?"

"And what, Mrs. Bennet?"

He really was the most annoying man! "How could you know that he was interested in her?"

"Why, you must think me the blindest man in the kingdom, not to be able to recognise love offered and love returned when it is displayed before me."

"You think he loves her?"

"Without a doubt."

"And she loves him?"

"Without a doubt."

"Will he offer for her?"

"That I cannot know. I hope he does, as he claims to have an extensive library and I would very much like to see it, but I do not pretend to see the future. Close the door as you leave, will you, Mrs. Bennet?"

She left, closing the door behind her as directed. If the door made a bit more of a bang than was required as it closed, that was not to be mentioned.