“Miss Elizabeth,” Elizabeth corrected. “I am the second Bennet daughter, so that title belongs to Jane.” She offered Uncle Henry her arm and led him to the study.
Fanny had remained quiet after the introductions as she sat next to Aunt Felicity on the sofa. This Mr Darcy was extremely handsome, and evidently Lizzy had caught his eye. She renewed her pledge to never again interfere in her daughters’ romantic endeavours, unless one of them asked for her advice.
As he had been with the house so far, Darcy was impressed by the study.
“You asked to speak to me?” Henry drawled after Lizzy showed him to a comfortable wingback chair.
“I did. Please allow me to beg your pardon for the way I treated you for far too long. When I was a lad, before my mother poured poison in my ear, I used to love your stories of India, especially the fictions like finding massive veins of gold.” Darcy did not miss the way Miss Elizabeth’s face broke out in smiles, and she had to use a hand to cover her giggles. “That was not a good story by an accomplished fabulist, was it?”
“No, it was not,” Henry owned. “Your father, Uncle Reggie, and Cousin Andrew only heard the truth from me when Anna met three of my great-nieces. Richard and de Bourgh were informed in the last few days. I sold the mine in late 1786 after thirteen years of accumulating gold. You met me almost a year after that. Excuse me, I interrupted you.”
“I should have woken to this fact earlier, when mylate father told me it was so. My late mother was being manipulated by my Aunt Catherine for her own selfish purposes. The latter’s attempt to steal Rosings Park from de Bourgh was the final act which caused all of the remaining scales to fall from my eyes. I cannot change the past, but I can and will be better in the future,” Darcy pledged.
Elizabeth was very impressed. This man had no improper pride, as his contrition to Uncle Henry was sincere. Mr Darcy had decided to beg Uncle Henry’s pardon before he knew about the wealth.
“Yes, I forgive you without reservation,” Henry granted. “Your late father would have been very proud of you. He always hoped you would reach this point on your own. To that end, he entrusted identical letters to me and your uncle. The letter he left with me is in the desk drawer of the dower house at Longbourn, but I believe your uncle has his with him. As soon as he wakes, I am sure he will be happy to hand it to you.”
“That is why Uncle Reggie said Father left at least one letter for me,” Darcy realised. “I thank you for your benevolence in forgiving me after I behaved like an arrogant horse’s arse for many years.” Darcy would have bowed if Mr Bennet could see. Instead, he found his hand and shook it.
“I believe in my great-niece’s philosophy; what is it you say, Lizzy?” Henry queried.
“Learn from the past, but then only remember the past as that remembrance gives you pleasure,” Elizabeth recited. She felt weak at the knees when Mr Darcy smiled, revealing a dimple.
“A good maxim to live by,” Darcy opined. Miss Elizabeth was fascinating. Granted, they had just met, but she had not attempted to attract his notice at all. Richard had the right of it when he said the ladies in this family were the opposite of Miss Bingley and those like her. “Miss Elizabeth, will you attend the assembly tonight?”
“Most certainly,” Elizabeth replied with an arched eyebrow. “The assembly promises to be most interesting.” She saw the quizzical look on Mr Darcy’s countenance.
Henry sensed the unspoken question. “Tell him, Lizzy. After all, the rest of his family knows.”
Elizabeth, with some help from Uncle Henry, told Mr Darcy why this assembly would be important. She did not miss the clouds of anger gathering above his head as she completed the telling. “I am sorry if you think what we plan is improper…” She stopped when he lifted his hand.
“Miss Elizabeth, I beg of you to please not misconstrue my response. Mr Thomas Bennet and the former parson deserve everything they will get and more. I know we are newly met, but that any man who calls himself father, could countenance such a crime against his own daughter is unconscionable. What you noted was anger at those two, not a shred of disapproval of your intention to end this once and for all,” Darcy clarified.
“Now I need to beg your pardon,” Elizabeth stated sheepishly with contrition. “As Uncle Henry will tell you, I have been known to jump to conclusions.”
“You owe me no apology. Now to the reason I asked about the assembly; once the two miscreants have been sent packing, do I ask too much to reserve your first open set?” Darcy requested.
“You ask just enough,” Elizabeth teased. “Yes, Mr Darcy, I will keep a set for you.”
Asking for a second set was on the tip of his tongue, but as he bowed over the fascinating woman’s hand, he restrained himself. They had only just met. Darcy was sure this would not be the only time they were at the same ball.
By the time those who had been in the study returned, Andrew Fitzwilliam was back from his ride. Darcy noticed that his eldest cousin was seated next to Miss Bennet. It did nottake long before he had learnt that Miss Mary and Roger Taylor were engaged; also evident, was that Richard had not moved from the eldest Miss Taylor’s side, the one they called Elli, if his memory served.
When his aunt, uncle, and Anne joined them in the drawing room for tea, Darcy had been discussing horses and riding with Miss Elizabeth, Lola, and Felix. He had quickly learnt that the Taylors eschewed the more formal address as used in England.
Before the three being hosted at Netherfield Park’s manor house departed the dower house, Darcy had the letter from his father safely tucked away in his inside jacket pocket. Mr Bennet had been correct; Uncle Reggie had his copy with him.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Miss Bingley was still in a snit over what Mr Darcy had said to her earlier, and then the three men had been gone for some hours with no explanation. She had decided to punish Mr Darcy by not speaking to him or agreeing to dance with him at the backwater public ball. She was sure he would soon apologise for his words. In the meanwhile, she would transfer her attention to Mr de Bourgh.
When the three returned, they went right to their chambers to change, much to their hostess’s chagrin, who had hoped to begin her campaign with Mr de Bourgh.
Once he was down to his lawn shirt and riding breeches, Darcy sat in a chair in his sitting room with his letter. It was a little faded, but still easily readable. He broke the seal and began to read.
1 May 1806
William:
