Darcy glanced away. “I might.”
She shook her head at him and smiled a little. “Of course you do. You made a recommendation, I assume.”
“Was I wrong to do so?” He did not believe so, but he berated himself for not conferring with Miss Bennet and her mother first. He did not believe Mr. Fitch a hardened criminal, and Miss Bennet was always so forgiving. . .
He released the breath he had been holding when she said, “You were not.” She invited him into the drawing room. “My mother will be down soon.”
Anxious, Darcy cleared his throat before he began to speak, his voice low and earnest. “Miss Bennet, now that your father is returning to Hollydale, there is a matter of great importance I wish to discuss.”
Her breath caught, but she maintained her composure. “Yes, Mr. Darcy?”
“When Mr. Bennet arrives, I would like to speak with him.”
Miss Bennet waited for a moment, but when he did not continue, she said, “You have spoken to him many times, sir. You need not make a formal request.”
Typically he would return her banter, but he was nervous. He was never nervous, and he did not care for it. “I see I must be direct. I wish to request your father’s permission to formally court you.” Darcy took a breath. “But of course, I would like to seek your permission first.”
A smile bloomed on Miss Bennet’s face, her eyes shining with what he hoped was happiness. “I would like that very much, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy reached out his hand, palm up, and waited for Miss Bennet to place hers in it. When she did, he raised it to his lips slowly, deliberately. The kiss he placed upon her fingers was soft yet lingering, a gesture he hoped spoke to his deep devotion. They stood, enjoying the tenderness of the moment, before Darcy reluctantly ended it. “I would not interfere with your family’s arrival, and Georgiana is certainly awaiting my return to Pemberley. I shall call again soon.”
She tipped her head to one side and smiled impishly. “Come tomorrow, Mr. Darcy, if you are able. And bring Miss Darcy with you.”
He smiled broadly. It was such a relief to know things were again as they ought to be, that he would be welcomed back, that Mrs. Bennet's aversion to him had been resolved. But most of all, Miss Bennet’s invitation warmed his heart.
“Tomorrow?” Darcy raised an eyebrow, his own eyes glinting with amusement. “Miss Bennet, I fear you may be overestimating my ability to stay away. I might return this afternoon.”
Miss Bennet laughed. “Should I be concerned about your lack of restraint, Mr. Darcy?”
“I assure you, Miss Bennet,” Darcy’s voice was low and teasing, “my restraint is formidable, except when it comes to you.”
“How convenient,” Miss Bennet retorted, her smile widening. “Well then, Mr. Darcy, I leave it to you to determine when we shall next meet. Though I must warn you, you are quite redeemed in my mother’s eyes, and she may have plans to thank you for your heroics. You ought to prepare yourself accordingly.”
“I shall consider myself duly warned, Miss Bennet. Until we meet again.” With a final bow, Darcy took his leave.
“I look forward to it,” she replied softly.
Mr. Darcy had mounted his horse and ridden away with his men not two hours before a small carriage that appeared a bit worse for wear rattled up the drive and her father’s arrival was announced. Elizabeth folded and put away the letter she had been reading from Mr. Milner that outlined some of his ideas for a village school. She addressed a maid as she walked towards the front door. “Please tell Mrs. Bennet my father has arrived.”
To her astonishment, the carriage had scarcely rolled to a stop before Mr. Bennet flung open the door, nearly tumbling out in his haste. His usually composed features were etched with worry, and his cravat was slightly askew–a testament to the urgency of his journey.
“Lizzy!” he called out, striding towards her with surprising speed for a man of his years and habitual indolence. “Are you and your mother well?”
Elizabeth rushed over to meet him, embracing him tightly. “We are well, Papa. All is well.” She buried her face in his shoulder, expecting to breathe in his familiar scent of tobacco and coffee, but instead she detected sandalwood. She sniffed delicately.
Papa cleared his throat, embarrassed. “Your mother likes it,” he grumbled.
She almost giggled, so surprised was she by his remark. But as she stepped back, she saw Mamma had come outside and was standing by the front doors, her eyes luminous.
Her father spied Mamma only a moment later, and he huffed out a relieved breath as he went to greet her. “My dear Mrs.Bennet,” he said, reaching for her hands and meeting her gaze. “How good it is to see you both safe. Your letter was panicked, Fanny. It greatly concerned me.”
“Oh Thomas,” she breathed, leaning into his embrace. “We are quite well now, I assure you. But you have missed quite an adventure!”
Papa’s countenance creased, and his next words were a little sharp. “An adventure, you say? What has happened?”
“Perhaps we should continue this discussion inside?” Elizabeth asked. “The wind has a bite to it today. We may see snow.”
“I hope that will not keep the girls and my brother’s family away,” Mamma fretted.
