Chapter 54

54

D arcy's heart was leaping joyfully in his chest. She had agreed to a formal courtship! She had not taken offence at his careful endearments!

Soon — oh, pray that it was soon — she might agree to an engagement, and he would move heaven and earth to make it a short one.

Mr. Hill knocked on the library door, and announced Darcy, who waited until Bennet called out. "Come in, Mr. Darcy, and pour us both a drink before you sit down."

Darcy obeyed him, and saw that the man was gazing at him benevolently. "Are you here for a game of chess, having been exhausted by the wedding preparations?"

Darcy bowed his head. "Another day, perhaps. I am here, after speaking to Miss Elizabeth and gaining her consent, to ask if you might agree to my calls on your daughter to be formalised into an official courtship, sir."

Bennet's eyebrows went up. "And she agreed to it for today? Two days before her sister's wedding?"

Darcy smiled. "She did ask that we not announce it publicly until after the marriage."

"Ah. That makes sense, I suppose." Bennet eyed him carefully. "How will you cope with the effusions of my wife, sir, when she knows? She will have nothing more to wish for, to take her mind off the emptiness of the house when the future Mrs. Bingley is gone."

Darcy nodded. Bennet was as much a test of his mettle as Elizabeth had been, he knew. "I would hope that I will understand her feelings of loss, sir, and be as patient with her as I am with my sister."

Bennet nodded. "I need to speak to you about another matter; which I am not sure you know about." He pondered. "It might be that you withdraw your request."

Darcy frowned. "I can think of nothing you could tell me that would mean I would wish to withdraw my request for a courtship, sir."

The man nodded. "Do relax into the chair. It is difficult to speak if I think at any moment that you may leap to your feet to pace around."

Darcy took a deep breath. This interview was not proceeding as he had expected. But he must remember the material point. Elizabeth had agreed to a courtship! He sat back, waiting.

Bennet's gaze took on a distant look. "I wish I had remembered to write to you about it then. But it was rather busy, which is my only excuse." He raised an eyebrow at Darcy, reminding him irresistibly of Elizabeth.

"Well, you will recall when we spoke at Gracechurch Street and I gave you permission to call upon Elizabeth?"

"Yes, Mr. Bennet." Darcy bowed his head.

"Well, I returned home the following morning, to discover that Lord and Lady Matlock had called and found Longbourn empty."

Darcy knew his shock reflected in his eyes. "I am surprised they never mentioned it to me."

Bennet looked down. "Perhaps they thought I might rail about them to you."

"But you say the house was empty."

His host nodded. "I understand they went to Netherfield for some lunch and spoke to your cousin before returning here in the afternoon to call upon me after I had arrived."

"Richard never mentioned it, either." Darcy simmered.

"You must be aware that there was a great deal going on. Sir William and I were kept very busy by your cousin, aiming to protect the remaining young ladies of the town and the serving girls."

Darcy bowed his head. "No blame can be laid at your door, sir."

"Nor at your cousin's, Mr. Darcy. I would not have you blame him, either. However, let me explain what transpired, although you might not be happy that I did take some offence at what was said, leading her ladyship to apologise."

Darcy swallowed. "I have seen no sign of any change in my aunt's behaviour to me or my sister."

"I am glad of it." Bennet's voice was dry. Was there a hint of amusement there, too?

"Regardless, Lady Matlock explained that she had been waiting too long for you to gain Elizabeth's agreement to perform for her, so she had come to ask her direct and asked to be introduced. I explained why the ladies were all in town, and that they would not be returning until the day before the wedding — of course, I did not know then that they would be able to come back earlier — but regardless, your aunt then said your cousin had told her that you had been calling here quite often and that he thought you had feelings for Elizabeth."

Darcy could not stay in his chair. He crossed to the window, staring out. His nails dug into his palms. Richard would certainly get a piece of his mind.

Bennet coughed, and Darcy turned back to him. He must remember that this was not Bennet's fault.

"I apologise, Mr. Bennet."

The other man waved back to the chair, but continued without waiting for Darcy to seat himself.

"She asked me to explain. I merely said that we have had several games of chess and that you were also escorting your sister, who has become good friends with Elizabeth." He grinned. "I also said that you had taunted your cousin over his chess match here." He laughed openly.

"It was very instructive that he had not mentioned that to his lordship, who immediately wanted to play, although Lady Matlock denied him as dusk was not far off."

He passed his hand over his face and continued. "Your aunt was quite persistent in asking to hear Elizabeth play and sing, and I explained why it may not be likely. And I am afraid I gave her a little set down when she said that we were not from the right level of society, and said that sort of attitude was why my daughter was unlikely to wish to move in society."

He stopped, leaving Darcy thinking furiously. After a few moments, he spoke carefully. "Have you told Miss Elizabeth of their call?"

Bennet shook his head. "No, I have not. To be honest, your aunt did apologise to me; I have agreed to a chess match in the future with your uncle; and there is quite enough going on in Elizabeth's mind at present."

"I suppose you are right," Darcy agreed reluctantly. "Although I hope you will not object to me raising the matter when I am next in company with them."

Bennet grinned, a little wolfishly. "Not at all. I will be interested to hear how they mend their bridges, if you ever feel it appropriate to inform me."

Darcy drew a deep breath. "May I reiterate my request for a formal courtship with Miss Elizabeth, sir?"

Bennet gave him a level look. "As Elizabeth has agreed, I can hardly refuse, Mr. Darcy. However, I do not want you to think that an engagement will inevitably follow." He held up his hand to prevent Darcy's interruption. " You have yet to prove trustworthy; both to Elizabeth and me, regarding her talents." He cocked an eye at the clock.

"Now, I expect Elizabeth will shortly break the door down if I do not permit you to rejoin her post-haste." He looked pensive. "I hope you can think of another way to explain how long we have been without distressing her about the call of your relations." He sighed. "I cannot imagine how, but take care, Mr. Darcy. She has not yet discovered many men that she can trust."

Darcy bowed his head. "I will take the greatest of care with Miss Elizabeth's happiness and security, Mr. Bennet, and I thank you for your consent."

He went to find Elizabeth. I will not fail her, and there is nothing you can do to prevent me, Bennet, if I have anything to do with it.