“Darcy,” Mr. Bennet greeted him, putting down his coffee and setting aside his newspaper. “To what do we owe the pleasure of such an early call?”
Darcy shifted nervously from one foot to the other. “Mr. Bennet, I have come to speak with you on a matter of great importance.”
A twinkle appeared in Mr. Bennet's eye. “Mr.Bennet, is it? I see. And would this matter happen to concern a certain daughter of mine?”
“Indeed, sir.” Darcy stood a little straighter. He glanced around the room, but he and Mr. Bennet were alone. “I had thought to make this request in your study.”
“You had better make it here. I would hate for my coffee to cool.”
Darcy half laughed. Mr. Bennet was teasing him again. Or was he? When the man made no move to stand, Darcy realised hetruly did mean to entertain this request in the breakfast room. In that case, it was best to be brief. “I wish to ask your permission to court Miss Elizabeth.”
Mr. Bennet leaned back in his chair, regarding Darcy with an appraising look. “And what makes you think you are worthy of my Lizzy, Mr. Darcy?”
For a moment, Darcy was taken aback, but then he saw the mischievous glint in Mr. Bennet's eye. “I am not, sir, in the ways that really matter,” he said. He genuinely believed that. “But I can promise to love her, respect her, and do everything in my power to ensure her happiness.”
The older man tipped his head to one side. “That is quite a statement, Mr. Darcy. Are you certain you are not asking for Lizzy’s hand?”
Darcy smiled and shook his head. He wanted nothing more, but some things were worth the wait. “Much as I would like to, I fear a great deal of our time together has been focused on other, more pressing matters. I am sure of my course, but I should like to court her as she deserves.”
Mr. Bennet nodded, his expression softening. “Then you have my blessing, Mr. Darcy. Though I daresay you will have a more challenging time convincing Lizzy herself.” He reached for his paper. “Or has he already won you over with his declarations, Elizabeth?”
Darcy could feel his cheeks warming even before he turned to see Miss Bennet standing in the doorway.
“How long have you been there?” he asked, surprised. Bennet had thoroughly fooled him.
She shook her head. “Are you pleased to have embarrassed us both, Papa?”
He peeked out from behind the news, his eyes alight with the pleasure of a good joke. “Indeed I am, Lizzy.”
Voices called out from the front hall, and Mr. Bennet lifted his eyebrows. “Your delivery is here, Elizabeth. Perhaps Mr. Darcy would like to help you with it.”
“The men have been here for some time, Papa,” Miss Bennet said, exasperated. “Did you not hear them arrive?”
Darcy had not noticed them either—they must be working on the other side of the house. “What are you having delivered, Miss Bennet?”
“A Broadwood Grand, Mr. Darcy.” She shifted uneasily from one foot to the other and glanced behind her at the stairs.
Broadwood made exquisite instruments. He knew this because he had researched them, meaning to purchase one for his sister when she turned sixteen. But Miss Bennet appeared ill at ease. “Is something wrong?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “No, only . . . It took months to order and deliver, and the sight of it being hoisted through a window has made me too anxious to watch. When I saw it was the time Papa usually has breakfast, I came to join him. I was seeking a distraction.”
“And you found one,” her father said, taking a piece of toast and buttering it. “You are welcome.”
“Miss Bennet?” It was Mr. Riggs who had called her name. The butler acknowledged Darcy but returned his addresses to her. “The pianoforte is safely inside. Will you come to the music room and tell the men where you wish it placed?”
“Will you accompany me, Mr. Darcy?” Miss Bennet asked. “If you remain here, Papa will only tease you more.”
Mr. Bennet, again hidden behind his paper, raised his coffee cup in a silent salute.
Darcy smiled. “I would be honoured.”
They entered the music room to find the beautiful instrument only a few feet from the window through which it had been lifted. Elizabeth was thrilled. “It is magnificent,” she breathed. “Mary will be so pleased.”
“Forgive me, Miss Bennet,” Mr. Darcy asked, “but which one of your many sisters is Miss Mary?”
“Third, just after me. She is too serious about her accomplishments, though she is far more diligent at her practice than I have ever been. But having such a beautiful instrument will certainly draw me here more often.”
Mr. Darcy nodded appreciatively. “Indeed, itisa fine instrument. However, it cannot remain there.”
