“No, why did he convince you to write a letter to me?”
“Oh, that. He saw I was upset—he asked me about it. And he sat next to me while I wrote the letter. I could not have done so otherwise. And when we’d agreed to marry, he insisted that you be informed.”
“I see,” Papa said slowly. “And the only reason he wishes to marry you is out a sense of duty. That is what he says?”
“Why else would a gentleman in his position ever marry a woman in mine?” Elizabeth replied.
“Why else indeed?”
“Yes, a man could be driven by passion. I do not trust passion. I do not trust it at all. I have not only my own example in mind when I say that. Perhaps my memory deceives me, but I think you rather regret your marriage as well—that was the tone of much of what you said to me. Amongst the acquaintances we had in London, I saw the unhappiness that a marriage driven by fleeting passion can bring. I would never marry a man who swore up and down that he was in love with me. Not again.”
Papa’s face was solemn. But…
Elizabeth thought he was struggling to control a smile.
“I am serious. This was why I hesitated when he asked to marry me,” Elizabeth added. “I did not plan to ever marry again, because I know that I cannot trust myself in such a matter. This, however, is a matter driven byserious and sober reflection, where I soberly judged the character and situation of Mr. Darcy to see if I might trust in him.”
“Ah. A sober judgement of his character and situation. Andthatis the whole ofyourmotivation?”
“George wants me to marry Mr. Darcy, and I do not think I have ever met a man who would make a better father than Mr. Darcy. He is a man of upright character, he has been patient and kind, he lets George pester him, he reads to him, and he talks to George in such a happy manner. Emily also loves to sit next to him and show him all her little drawings and toys. Though she is, I must confess, rather more enamored of Georgiana and her piano. I love to watch it—even when his fever was at its worst, and the pain from his wound was great he never snapped at the children or showed any impatience with them. He refused much of the laudanum I tried to make him take, and his pain was without doubt severe. He is a man who is the opposite of Wickham. When he makes a promise, he solemnly does all that he can to achieve it. He cares about his duty, about his honor, and he seeks to avoid harming or imposing upon others. He is fundamentally kind and caring. Besides, I like to talk with him.”
“And he is handsome,” Papa added, “which a gentleman ought to be, if he can possibly manage it.”
Elizabeth flushed. “I assure you, that I have put any such thoughts to the side, and it is my sober belief that I did not let my attraction to his person affect my decision in any undue amount. But it cannot be a disadvantage in a marriage that I like the look of my partner. And I have reason to be confident that he likes my looks.”
“Do you?” Papa asked with raised eyebrows.
Elizabeth flushed and stared down at her hands. She absolutely could not look at her father.
Especially after they had agreed to marry, she had seen how Darcy’s eyes lingered on her. If he was not thinking about anything in particular, his eyes usually drifted towards her, in an almost shy way.
It certainly wasnotwhy she had accepted him. But this knowledge filled her with an extra eagerness for the marriage to in fact happen. That thought made her face grow even redder.
And she had noticed how he reacted when her fingers brushed against his chest as she changed his bandage.
“Ahem.” Papa interrupted her reverie. “You two like the look of each other. Though of course neither of you are the sort of ordinary person who would marry for such a ridiculous reason. I see.”
“Papa…”
“It is rather easy,” Papa said, “to forget that you are very much not a maiden, but rather one of those young widows full of life, desire, and of a clear knowledge of what precisely both involve—do not blush Lizzy. I have always liked to say shocking things.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I insist that is notwhyI agreed to a marriage.”
“I believe you.” Papa sighed. “Well, well, well.”
“Well, what?—and tell me about all of this money you have set aside with retrenchment and economy.”
“What? Oh yes, the better part of three thousand in consols. Not so much with five daughters, one of whom has two children of her own. But matters would be less tight than before. And I do not feel any likelihood of dying soon. We have gotten into the habit of a more restrained pattern of living, and we can maintain it. In fact, handing journals and books around with a few other gentlemen, instead of purchasing them all myself, has led to pleasant enough conversations.”
“Oh, Papa. And you did this for me?—But you said nothing about it. Perhaps, you have a bit of pride as well.”
Papa laughed. “I dare say I do. But I acted for all of you. The shock of your elopement was enough, I think, for your mother to be easier about spending less. And the same for me as well. So, if you will marry this Mr. Darcy, do not use the need for money as your explanation to yourself of your behavior. Though I suppose Mr. Darcy has far more than I could ever save.”
The waves slapped on the beach.
A seagull swept near them, gave them a look with its eye, and then settled on the ground five feet away.
“Would you like to sign the settlement documents,” Elizabeth asked. “They are only completely legally binding on Mr. Darcy, but not on me, as I am not yet one-and-twenty.”
