Chapter 2

Elizabeth hurried up the stairs, ignoring her mother’s shrieks, and barely noticing Mr. Darcy leaving Papa’s bookroom. What had he been doing there? But no time for that, she must take her nice warm pelisse; once her anger began to abate she would feel the cold as she climbed the hills. But Papa was waiting by his library door as she came down; Mama and Mr. Collins staring at her reproachfully from the sitting room doorway.

“Elizabeth, my dear, I would like to speak to you before you go out.” Papa’s voice was firm. “I am glad you have your warm coat on.” He was already wearing his greatcoat, she noticed.

“Where are we going?”

“I thought we could take the seat under the cherry tree as it is quite sheltered there.”

As they went out of the door, she heard Mama complaining to Mr. Collins. She was welcome to him.

“I have ordered hot chocolate brought out to us, Lizzy. That might keep us warmer.”

“So why aren’t we sitting indoors?” She saw Mr. Darcy over on the driveway mounting his horse and turning to ride away after a glance at them. “And what was he doing here?”

“All in good time, my dear.” Papa raised his eyebrows at her. “I want us both to speak frankly this morning, and, had we been indoors, I am convinced you would be concerned that your mother might listen at the door.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Though I am sure she cannot hear me if I keep my voice down.”

Papa looked steadily at her. “But I want you to speak openly, and I am certain that your voice will rise if you are angry.”

“True.” She took a deep breath. “It was the most dreadful of proposals, Papa. Why did you permit him to make an offer?”

“I did not. Collins had no business approaching you first, and you can be sure I will take him to task on it when I speak to him.”

Elizabeth sighed. “Mama arranged it with him, Papa. He will have assumed she had discussed it with you.”

“I will ensure she understands why that must change in the future.” Her father considered her. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

“Certainly.” Elizabeth gathered her thoughts again, and described as accurately as she could remember, what he had said to her.

She was happy to stop her diatribe while Mrs. Hill carefully brought over a tray with their hot chocolate, and watched the housekeeper return to the house.

Hands curled around the cup for warmth, she sighed. “I am sorry, Papa. I am afraid my constant complaints this morning must make me sound like Mama. I would not wish to have inflicted it on you, especially today.”

Papa raised his eyebrow. “Why today particularly?”

She shrugged. “If I were to annoy you too much, you could order me to marry.”

“So I could.” He stared contemplatively into his cup. “But do you really suppose I might?”

“No.” She flashed him a smile. “I was being melodramatic.”

He chuckled, and she was struck by how comforting the sound was — and that she had felt the same way when Mr. Darcy had chuckled during one of their — lively — debates when she had been staying at Netherfield with Jane. No! She must not think of him.

“Lizzy.” Her father drew her attention. “I believe what you said to Mr. Collins might have given him pause for thought. Do you believe he will think again about offering for you?”

“Oh, I do hope so, Papa!” Elizabeth shivered. “He is such an odious man, and the way he leers at me — at all of us — he is not pleasant.”

Papa sighed. “I agree; and I am concerned for Longbourn when he inherits, although there is no way to prevent it.”

Elizabeth knew her gaze was troubled. “You are not old, Papa. You will live for many, many years yet.” She forced a smile. “After all, you did tell Mama you intend to outlive her.”

He smiled wryly. “So I did. We must play more chess, my dear. It will keep my brain working.”

She put her head on one side. “So why did Mr. Darcy come to see you this morning?”

A frisson of unease spread across her shoulders as Papa considered her silently. “What? What did he want?”

He sighed, then, and looked away. “Lizzy, you are twenty years of age, and Jane is three and twenty. Until recently, there was not one man in the area who was a remotely good possible marital prospect for either of you.” He huffed a rueful laugh. “Or any possible match that your mother did not frighten away with her determination to see Jane wed.”

Icy fear spread through Elizabeth. “Please don’t make me marry Mr. Collins, Papa. Please. Or ask it of Jane.”

He reached over and patted her hand. “I am not going to do that, Lizzy. But you will have to marry at some time, you know that, don’t you?”

What had brought this to Papa’s notice at this moment? She carefully put down her cup and wrapped her arms around herself. She tried to keep her voice light. “Jane is so beautiful, she will undoubtedly marry well, and I will live with her and look after their ten children!”

“And what if her husband does not permit it?”

“Oh, of course he would! Jane would never marry an unpleasant man!”

Papa’s smile was sad. “Don’t you want a home of your own, my little Lizzy? The chance of a husband and children?”

She was troubled at the way the conversation was going. “Well, of course I do — eventually. But I am not ready to leave you and Longbourn just now.”

Papa smiled, a little sadly, she thought, and he reached over to take her hand. “And I would be sorry to see you leave us, my dear. But you cannot expect the right man for you to arrive just at the moment you think you might be ready. You must be conscious of the need to marry at some time, and be willing to consider options when they present themselves to you, however disguised they appear to be.” His voice turned stern.

“I will not force you, my daughter, but I am going to expect you to properly consider any interested gentleman, as well as your cousin.”

She found herself on her feet. “No! Papa, please don’t make me. Don’t give him any intimation I might accept him!”

Her father tugged her back down to sit beside him. “I cannot imagine he could possibly make an offer in any way that will induce you to accept him, Lizzy. But I will tell him why his proposal failed and ask him to show you how he would make you happy; how he would protect you from the officiousness of Lady Catherine and how he needs to be thoughtful of the wishes of a wife, such as removing the shelves from at least some of the closets!” He smiled at her. “I am sure he will withdraw his pursuit of you.” He rose to stand in front of her.

“And Mr. Darcy will be calling on you at some point in the next few days.” He ignored her gasp. “He overheard a little of Collins’ offer, and was concerned enough for your unhappiness to ask me if he might make you an offer of marriage.”

Elizabeth leapt to her feet again. “Mr. Darcy!” Her voice rose. “Mr. Darcy!”

Papa raised his eyebrows at her. “You see I was right to bring you outside. If your mother had heard that, your choices may have narrowed considerably.”

“Papa, I cannot marry him. You heard of his insult at the assembly. He looks down on us all. His pride and arrogance would make it impossible!”

“Peace, Lizzy. I refused to permit him to make an offer to you and told him you would refuse. However …” his tone was uncompromising. “I have given him permission to call on you, and I expect you to be polite and ladylike. One thing you must learn — and soon — is that people are neither wholly good, nor wholly bad, and that you must get to know a gentleman before ruining whatever chances you might have.” He smiled sadly. “I would not have you fail to learn the lesson and then frighten away whatever man you eventually decide on. Now,” his tone changed. “Go on, and have your walk. I will speak to your mother and Mr. Collins.”