Darcy’s lips pressed together. “Sir, I danced with Miss Elizabeth earlier in the evening, and it came to my attention how much she feared him, to the point that I saw her shiver. I asked about it and, though she did not say very much, I understood that she feared him because of his carnal propensities. She did not use that language, but I knew what she meant. I took it upon myself to watch him throughout the evening, and I saw how he looked at her. I could see that Mr. Collins did not have the best intentions for your daughter. You can imagine my misgivings when I saw Elizabeth leave the ballroom with him following close behind. I followed, but was detained by Miss Bingley. Unfortunately, Sir William Lucas arrived before I did, and all that was left for me to do was to announce our betrothal. I wished to save her from that roué, for I am certain that iswhat he is, and by the time I reached them, announcing an engagement was the only way left open to save her.”
“But why was it your responsibility to rescue my daughter?”
Darcy flushed, and his gaze dropped to the floor. He stood and walked to the window. “It was entirely my fault that Miss Elizabeth sought refuge in the library. Miss Bingley repeated something I said to the Netherfield party, and she shared it as a jest with all of Bingley’s friends and within hearing of your two eldest daughters. Miss Elizabeth was quick to answer, and her quip caused the gentlemen to laugh, and she saved face. But I saw the pain it caused her, and I knew she had been injured. When she fled to the library, I knew I had driven her there. Therefore, it was left to me to make things right.”
Thomas Bennet exhaled, a low grunt. “Marriage is a high price to pay for a casual jest, sir. Are you certain you wish to tie yourself to my daughter, a woman far below you in social status, wealth, and connections, for the rest of your life? It is not too late. I can still give her to my cousin and insist that he not take her into his bed until she has had ample opportunity to know him better.”
Darcy turned to face Bennet, alarmed. “No, sir. I will not allow you to give her to him.” He paused and was silent for a moment. “Forgive me. I overstep. I meant to say, sir, I wish to marry Miss Elizabeth myself. I could not bear for her to be another man’s wife. It would be insupportable.”
Bennet had his answer and was satisfied. “Very well, sir. You may have my daughter, but under certain stipulations. Elizabeth has agreed to the marriage, but wishes to know you better. She has asked that her two sisters be allowed to reside with her at Pemberley, to keep her company while she comes to know you well enough to give herself to you as your wife. She wishes towait to consummate the marriage until she and you have formed an attachment.”
Mr. Darcy looked pained. Bennet continued. “You must understand that my Lizzy believes you find her repellent. According to my daughter, you believe she is not comely, based on the insults you have made about her appearance. She does not understand why you should wish to marry her if you do not even like her. And to be honest, sir, if you do not take my Lizzy into your bed, you will have the option of an annulment. I am concerned that perhaps you jumped into this too quickly and may be seeking a way out before long. Rather than have my Elizabeth suffer through a lifetime married to a man who does not like or respect her, I would rather she suffer the shame of an annulment. At least she could spend her days with me, taking whatever happiness could be found in that sorrowful state. Sir, it is not too late to back out, now that you have heard all her stipulations.”
Darcy paced the floor. “Mr. Bennet, please know that early in my visit to Netherfield, I said some things about Miss Elizabeth that were not true. I was goaded into saying them by my friend’s insistence that I dance and by his sister’s incessant teasing. I like Miss Elizabeth. She is lively and intelligent. I would never consider an annulment unless she wished it. I want her to be happy, and I will do everything in my power to make her so. And so that you know I mean well by your daughter, I agree to her stipulations. Her sisters are welcome to my home as honored guests, and I will not visit her bed until she invites me.”
Mr. Bennet stood and shook his hand. “I believe you, Mr. Darcy, and I believe my Lizzy will be in good hands if she marries you.”
Darcy asked, “Mr. Bennet, how is it that you are sending all three daughters to Derbyshire with me? Do you not wish to attach one of them to Mr. Collins?”
Bennet shook his head. “No indeed. Mr. Collins must return to Hunsford a married man, so I advised him to pursue Miss Mary King, who has a dowry of ten thousand pounds and who has been pursuing him since the first time she saw him. She finds him perfectly acceptable, and I refuse to give any of my daughters to him. They would not suit.”
Chapter 11: Leaving Longbourn
Bennet rose, and Darcy’s eyes followed him.
“Mr. Darcy, my daughters are packed and ready to remove to Netherfield Park. I will ring and have the servants bring their trunks down.”
With that simple statement, reality settled swiftly and sharply upon him, and a chill ran up Darcy’s spine. He was the very fool he had spoken of earlier in the visit, the fool who had taken upon himself the burden of five dowerless daughters. He must be mad. What had he done? Beads of sweat gathered on his brow. He drew out his handkerchief, wiping first his forehead, then his eyes. His heart seemed to leap and stumble in his chest, and for one panicked moment, he thought he might faint.
So this was how Elizabeth must have felt when her whole world turned upside down, twice, on the night of the Netherfield ball. He breathed deeply, steadying himself. Mr. Bennet was still alive and the guardian to all five daughters. Darcy was taking only one as his wife and two as guests.
He paused to consider. Bingley was apparently deeply in love with Miss Bennet. He would invite the Bingleys to join them at Pemberley. Perhaps, before the summer ended, Bingley would marry Miss Jane Bennet. The thought calmed him. Bingley would be all the more inclined to propose once Jane was connected to the Darcys. If Darcy could also find a suitable match for Mary, then the last two Bennet daughters might be more easily settled. Perhaps having Bingley near would bring Miss Elizabeth some comfort. Seeing her sister happy in thecompany of her favorite would surely offer her solace through the coming ordeal.
Since when had he become a matchmaker? Why was he doing this? His tongue. It all came down to his unruly tongue, his pride, and his prejudice. He realized with sudden clarity how prone he was to judging others, and worse, to giving voice to those thoughts. Richard would have a field day once he heard of this debacle.
He mopped his brow again as he walked out to the carriage. Calling to his servants, he explained that they would be taking three trunks instead of two. He paced the entrance hall of Longbourn while the ladies and their trunks were brought down. He had just wiped his forehead for the third time when his eyes fell on Mr. Collins.
The man looked disgruntled, and worse, his gaze followed Elizabeth as she stepped through the door, raking over her figure like a starving dog. Darcy flushed hot and moved forward to meet his intended. As he drew near, he studied her face. She looked pale and wan, with faint blue shadows beneath her eyes. She must have slept ill. His heart went out to her. He had brought this disaster upon her through the wretched insult he had spoken in the presence of Caroline Bingley. It had been a comedy of errors, though there was nothing humorous in it.
Bennet had even offered to give her to his cousin. Darcy grimaced. Under no circumstances would he permit that scoundrel to lay a hand upon her. Elizabeth must have seen his expression and mistaken it as censure, for she looked suddenly uncertain. He sought to correct the misunderstanding.
He guided her by the elbow toward the rose garden, far enough that Mr. Collins could not overhear. Glancing back, he sawher sisters and mother stepping out of the house. Turning to Elizabeth, he spoke quietly.
“Miss Elizabeth, I see the shadows beneath your eyes and must assume you did not sleep well last night. I take the blame upon myself. It is my fault that you are now suffering such anxiety. Had I not spoken that insult, Caroline would not have repeated it at the ball, and you would not have fled. I know you cannot forgive me, but I want you to know that I understand it was my fault, and I will do everything in my power to make you happy. But more importantly, I will not allow you to fall into the power of that roué.”
Elizabeth met his clear brown eyes, framed by those lovely dark lashes. His expression was sincere; there was no trace of pride in his manner. She relaxed, her brow smoothing.
“Thank you, sir. I did not sleep last night for fear that you would feel ensnared this morning. Because I have four sisters, I am not free to walk away unmarried. But it is not too late for you to release yourself. Just now, I told Papa that this entire embroglio was caused by Mr. Collins and me. You warned me at the ball that I was not safe and that I must not allow myself to be alone, but I did not listen. I was angry and hurt, and I fled. Then Mr. Collins, disregarding all propriety, entered the room, knowing I was alone, and placed his hands upon my arms.”
Her hand fluttered to cover her mouth. “I told Papa that Mr. Collins and I alone should suffer the consequences of the compromise.” She looked into Darcy’s eyes once more. “It is not too late for you, sir. If you harbor any doubts, please speak now.”
She stood quietly, watching him. Their eyes locked together for what could have been a lifetime.
After a long moment, he said, “No, Miss Elizabeth. I do not repent my decision. I choose to marry you.”
She reached out and placed her hand upon his. “Papa told me you believe yourself the cause of this embroglio. You are not. It was I. I should not have left my father’s side. I was safe with him. Mr. Darcy, do you truly wish to marry me?”
Darcy was struck by her courage, her willingness to speak plainly, to release him, even while she faced her cousin’s threat. She accepted responsibility for her own part in the affair. What he felt in that moment was something new to him. Something he had not felt for a woman. Was it admiration? Affection? Protectiveness?
