Chapter 8

8

T he housekeeper announced Darcy to Mr. Bennet who welcomed him into his library, and ordered coffee while glancing curiously at him.

Finally, he sat opposite him and raised a brow. "Do you have any further information about Wickham, Mr. Darcy? I thought it would be a little soon to have heard from him already?"

Darcy nodded. "There is another reason entirely that I have called on you, sir. But while we are on this subject, I might ask that you send on any begging letters from Mr. Wickham — or from him using his wife to write — to me to deal with. It is best that he has a single creditor, or that I discover any difficulties he is in relatively soon."

Bennet looked older. "I will do that, although I do not like it."

"I doubt it will happen very much, Mr. Bennet. Wickham usually sends creditors my way directly, by using my name to guarantee being able to gain credit."

"Very well. What was the other matter you wished to speak about?" Bennet didn't seem to be too pleased to have Darcy in his bookroom, and he thought the embarrassment of needing him to assist getting rid of the Wickhams was still a little too raw.

"I have the consent of Miss Elizabeth to call upon her, and I would wish to make my intentions known to you, sir, and gain your consent."

The man's eyebrows rose in unfeigned surprise. "My Lizzy? Intentions? But …"

Darcy smiled painfully. "I am not surprised at your shock, Mr. Bennet. I am aware that I insulted your daughter before we were even introduced properly; and that she harboured a firm dislike of me due to my stupid behaviour. But she has forgiven me, and I am hoping for your consent to call, so that I may prove to her that I am worthy of her."

"With what aim?"

Darcy bowed his head. "I am aware I need to allow Miss Elizabeth the time to get to know me better. But, for myself, I would like to progress to a formal courtship and then marriage."

Bennet raised his eyebrows. "I cannot think your family will approve."

"My sister and my cousin are the only family who matter to me. They have met Miss Elizabeth and both like her very much. The rest of my family? I will ensure that no disapprobation harms or discomposes your daughter."

"Very well. I suppose you do not want to broadcast this consent too much, until you request a courtship, Mr. Darcy? Or my cousin's noble patroness may wish to call and berate you that you are engaged to her daughter."

Darcy winced. "There is no contract; I am not obliged, and I am my own master. But I will ensure that is made very clear to her. Again."

Bennet chuckled. "From what I have heard from my cousin and from Lizzy, your aunt is a redoubtable woman who does not suffer anyone to cross her."

Darcy smiled ruefully. "Should I go to Kent to tell her once more of my unbending refusal to marry Miss de Bourgh, I suggest you cover your ears. Her lamentations will undoubtedly be heard throughout the south of England!"

Bennet chuckled. "Well, begone and see Lizzy. I thank you for your courtesy in informing me of your intentions." He waved Darcy away and laid a hand on a book beside him, his own intentions clear.

Darcy rose and bowed. "Thank you, Mr. Bennet."

Elizabeth was waiting for him, curled up in the window seat beside the front door, and she put her finger on her lips as he approached her. Then she took his hand and drew him along the hall to the back parlour.

Leaving the door ajar, she drew him to stand by the window and kept her voice low. "How did Papa seem when you spoke to him?"

He took her hand. "Dearest Elizabeth. He was surprised; of course he was. But before he could say anything much, I told him that I knew you had disliked me, but you had forgiven me and consented that I attempt to prove myself worthy of you." He lifted his other hand and tucked an escaped curl behind her ear, the intimacy of it shocking her. She could barely concentrate on his words.

"Then he was only concerned that I protect you from the disapprobation of my family and I was able to inform him that I had already considered the issue, for you already know the only two members of my family whose opinion I care about."

She smiled at the mischief in his eyes. "I do not imagine one of those two is Lady Catherine!"

His eyes darkened. "You are correct, Elizabeth. Now, before I am tempted too far, perhaps we had better return to the sitting room and rescue Bingley and your sister."

"Mary is with them." Elizabeth sighed. "But I suppose we ought to return to company." But these stolen moments had been — wonderful. And he had called her dearest Elizabeth ! She drew the memory closer, knowing she would be thinking of it all night.

Once she sat beside him in the sitting room, the tea things refreshed, she saw Mary slip out to go to the piano to practice, and she smiled. The presence of guests, especially gentlemen, always discomposed her most reserved sister.

William glanced at her and the other couple, and raised his voice slightly. "I believe the weather is set fair for the next few days. Perhaps, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, you would like to go out in my chaise tomorrow. I wondered if you have perhaps already been to Aldwickbury House? I have heard it is a fine house to visit and the grounds are extensive. It is not more than four miles along some pretty lanes."

Elizabeth glanced at him as Jane and Mr. Bingley expressed happy surprise. William — she liked thinking of him as William — was looking down at her, an eyebrow slightly raised.

"It sounds wonderful," she sighed. "And Mama will think we are only there to chaperone the courting couple." She let her eyes dance. "We can continue to know each other better without her suspecting a thing!"

His smile could almost be called smug, and Elizabeth tipped her head on one side and gave him her best challenging look.

"I know!" His chuckle reminded her that she was not going to hold out against him for long, not now he was flirting — Mr. Darcy; flirting! — with her.

Jane and her beau were so caught up in each other, they were blind to William taking her hand and pressing it between her fingers. "I am hoping you know of other places we may take outings; perhaps a picnic one day. Then, in a week or so, you may persuade your parents that a few weeks in town would give Bingley and I the opportunity of our escorting you both to the theatre."

Elizabeth stared at him. "You have this all planned out, don't you, sir?"

She caught her breath as he bent towards her. "I have been thinking of nothing else, Elizabeth, since I gained your consent this morning. You are a lady worthy of being pleased, and I will let nothing stand in my way."