“If the island does not tip over from her rampage, it will be nothing less than a miracle.”
A hearty laugh was the man’s response. “Shedoesappear akin to a force of nature.”
Then he sobered and turned all his attention on Darcy. “I shall not sport with your intelligence, sir, for I suspect you understand something of the lay of the land. At present, I cannot say Lizzy favors you, though I believe I detected a softening of her feelings.”
“That is heartening, Mr. Bennet,” said Darcy.
“Yes, I suppose it is. While I do not think a father shouldinvolve himself in his daughters’ romances, except perhaps to run off those unworthy, allow me to give you a bit of advice. Lizzy is strong-willed and capable, and she will not take kindly to anyone attempting to stifle those facets of her character that make her exceptional. I hope you will pardon me for this bit of fatherly pride, but it is the truth.”
“I could not agree more, sir.”
“Then you should also know that she will never be happy in marriage unless she can look up to her partner as her equal, and she will not accept any proposal unless she feels herself attached to the man. I have heard my eldest speak of their desire for a meeting of minds to know that they are determined on this point.”
“It may be a surprise,” replied Darcy, “but I wish for the same. My parents enjoyed a close attachment, and their example is something I have always wished to emulate.”
Mr. Bennet regarded him for a long moment, though his scrutiny was not uncomfortable. At length, he nodded.
“I think you have a chance, sir. Once you push past this nonsense of her first impression of you, I believe you are the sort of man who will intrigue her.
“You will, you understand,” said Mr. Bennet in a dryer tone of voice, “deprive me of the company of my favorite daughter and most sensible companion. When you and Bingley remove my eldest from the house, it will leave me with naught but silliness. Perhaps I should not have given you the key to her heart.”
“For that, I make no apologies,” replied Darcy. “But I shall offer an olive branch.”
“Oh?” asked Mr. Bennet, his raised eyebrow showing Darcy whence Miss Elizabeth had inherited that saucy response.
“At both my house in town and my estate in Derbyshire, I have fine libraries, the one in the north the work of many generations.”
“Bribery, sir?” asked Mr. Bennet. “Fortunately, you could not have chosen a better bribe. I accept though I offer this warning: you may regret your offer and grow tired of me.”
“Why that should be, I cannot say,” replied Darcy. “The house is large, and you will be in the library. If I do not wish to see you, I dare say I may go to other parts of the house.”
“That is the spirit, sir!” said Mr. Bennet, clapping him on the shoulder. “I shall anticipate it very much.”
It was nearing time for dinner. Lady Catherine, who was now fussing over Anne, much to her daughter’s annoyance, would demand Darcy escort Anne the moment the housekeeper made the announcement. Now that he noted Anne’s reaction to her mother, he could not help but see a change in her demeanor. Darcy had never witnessed her so much as give the appearance of disagreeing with Lady Catherine, yet here she was, keeping a check on her perturbation by only the barest of margins. Something had changed, and he could not quite put his finger on what it was.
Fitzwilliam appeared to see the same, for he shot a grin at Darcy and moved to distract them, sitting nearby and speaking in low tones. As the opportunity had presented itself, Darcy excused himself from Mr. Bennet—noting the man’s seemingly endless sense of amusement—and approached Miss Elizabeth. The woman herself noted his approach, and though her attitude was not precisely welcoming, it was not as cold as he might have expected, given the events of their last meeting. Perhaps Mr. Bennet was correct.
“Miss Elizabeth,” greeted Darcy, “I appreciate this moment to converse with you, for I cannot express my appreciation for what you did for my cousin today in warm enough terms.”
Miss Elizabeth regarded him, a hint of asperity coming over her features. “Please allow me to say that I do not believe I did anything extraordinary, and certainly nothing more thananyperson of moral character would do. As the thanks are becoming a little excessive, I hope you will accept my assurances that I was happy to do it and allow the subject to rest.”
“Believe me, Miss Bennet,” said Darcy, “I would never suspend any pleasure of yours. I said that once before, and I meant it without reservation.”
Miss Elizabeth nodded, and they did not speak of the matter again. For a time, their conversation was not stimulating, nothing of the interesting repartee or depth of subjects they had discussed in the past. It had a more hesitant quality as if each was uncertain of the other and struggled to find firm footing. It was a close approximation of what he felt, for while he wished for nothing more than to be in her company, he also did not wish to make another mistake.
“I see my friend has picked up where he left off in the autumn,” said Darcy after he noted the looks Miss Elizabeth was giving to her sister.
She turned and regarded him, considering her answer before responding. “Jane’s happiness is pleasing to see, Mr. Darcy.”
There were no comments concerning her sister’s suffering or suggestions that he had caused it, and for that Darcy was grateful. Her sister was still a closed book, even more reticent and difficult to understand than Darcy was himself. At this late date, nothing would make him even hint at the suggestion that Miss Bennet was not desperately in love with his friend. Thus, Darcy endeavored to respond in a manner that would not offend her.
“When Bingley learned the truth, he was determined to come to Hertfordshire at the soonest opportunity. Had this business with Anne not brought us here today, only a few more days would have passed before he was beating down your father’s door.”
Again, Miss Bennet did not respond at once, content to regardhim with no little interest. “While I should ask why he is here at all given the matter of your cousin does not concern him, I am more interested in the exact means by which he became aware of my sister’s regard for him. Didyoutell him?”
Darcy chuckled. “You are nothing if not direct, Miss Elizabeth.”
“I find it saves time,” was her bland reply. “Will you not answer my question?”
