Aghast, Lydia could not muster a response, allowing Kitty to speak in her stead. “You do not want us to see the officers anymore?”
“What I want, Kitty, is prudence,” replied Mr. Bennet. “So long as they are in the neighborhood, there is little chance of avoiding them. The truth, however, is that you and your sister have gone about with nothing but the officers in your headsfor several months now. It is high time you behaved as young gentlewomen ought.
“Lydia,” continued Mr. Bennet as the girl was gathering herself for an impressive outburst, “you should think twice before you say anything further. Remember that I am your father, and you are underage. If you do not wish me to rescind your permission to attend local society and return you to the nursery, you had best not provoke me.”
That silenced Lydia, though her petulance remained. A pouting Lydia was far preferable to a screeching Lydia, so Elizabeth was inclined to accept minor victories when she could. Kitty was subdued, but Lydia grabbed her hand and led her to a corner, where they sat whispering. Elizabeth fixed them with a critical eye, noting that Lydia was doing most of the talking while Kitty listened, most likely plotting how to persuade their father to relent. Given her father’s character and Lydia’s determination, Elizabeth did not know who would prevail. If she were to guess, she might choose Lydia, for she suspected her sister would wear down her father’s patience.
“If you will forgive me, Miss Elizabeth,” said Mr. Darcy, capturing her attention again, “I have never considered your father to be an authoritarian.”
Elizabeth smiled and fixed her father with an affectionate look. “No, Mr. Darcy, he is not. Papa has many sterling qualities, but he finds living in a house with six women taxing to his patience, particularly my youngest sisters. As you have been in company with them, you must already understand they are not shy and retiring girls.”
A slight smile curved Mr. Darcy’s lips. “No, I cannot think anyone would describe them thus and maintain a straight face.”
“Unless I am mistaken,” continued Elizabeth, “Lydia is now plotting how to induce Papa to relent.”
“I doubt your father will prevent them from seeing the officers—as he suggested himself, it will be difficult to avoid them so long as they remain in the district. The mere threat of it may do much to alter their behavior.”
“IfPapa can withstand their whining.” Elizabeth turned a wry smile on Mr. Darcy. “That is no guarantee, Mr. Darcy, for I give even odds that she will wear him down and force him back to his study.”
“You never know, Miss Elizabeth,” replied Mr. Darcy. “The business with Wickham appears to have changed his perspective. A man who has seen the warning signs may do much to change his approach—I suspect your father has seen the danger that he never acknowledged before.”
“I hope so, Mr. Darcy.”
For several minutes after, they sat in companionable silence. They were, she noted, a subject of curiosity, probably because everyone in her family knew of her previous opinion of Mr. Darcy. Mrs. Bennet kept darting questioning looks at Elizabeth, though she knew her mother would commend her for keeping the attention of such a disagreeable man. Mr. Hurst and her father appeared to be speaking of something diverting, and the frequent glances both sent her way suggested she and Mr. Darcy were the subject of their jesting. Elizabeth might have suspected Mr. Darcy had exhausted his limited supply of words that day, had he not opened his mouth soon after.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Elizabeth, but I have a question I would like to ask you.”
Elizabeth turned to him, noting that the unflappable Mr. Darcy appeared quite discomposed. Not understanding what was bothering him, she did nothing more than nod.
“Is it true—well, I have heard—” Mr. Darcy paused and gathered himself. “Is it true that you rejected a proposal of marriage from your father’s cousin?”
Feeling a hint of mischief coming over her, Elizabeth opted for teasing. “Is that so surprising, Mr. Darcy? Do you think it shocking that there is a man in the world who is interested in me?”
While it was a jest, there was a measure of curiosity that Elizabeth could not deny. Since this man had disparaged her charms, it seemed reasonable to suppose he could not imagine any man finding her attractive. As her perspective had changed, however, it occurred to her to wonder if something other than distaste for her person had provoked Mr. Darcy’s comment at the assembly.
The gentleman started at her response and replied at once. “Not at all!”
Elizabeth regarded him, feeling his sincerity, but he was not finished.
“Any man would be fortunate to have you for a wife, Miss Elizabeth. What I cannot fathom is any man proposing on the strength of a week’s acquaintance.”
“Itwasprecipitous,” agreed Elizabeth. “I suspect you would not be so quick to pay a woman your addresses.”
“Not at all,” agreed Mr. Darcy. “By nature, I am far more cautious than that. While I can understand instant attraction well enough, to suppose a man is in love with a woman after only a few meetings is beyond my comprehension. A man would not evenknowa woman under such circumstances.”
“I cannot say you are incorrect,” said Elizabeth. “But it is much worse than that, for Mr. Collins was so disappointed by my rejection that he proposed to my dear friend, Charlotte Lucas, mere days after I broke his heart forever.”
“So Hurst has told me,” replied the gentleman, shaking his head. “Such a transfer in three days strains credulity.”
“Two days, actually.” Elizabeth grinned. “Mr. Collins proposed to me on Wednesday, the day after the ball, but wasobliged to return to Kent on Saturday. His successful proposal occurred on Friday.”
“And Miss Lucas?” asked Mr. Darcy. “I cannot suppose she felt much more for Mr. Collins than the reverse.”
“Prudence dictated Charlotte’s response, Mr. Darcy. As a woman approaching that dreaded time where all hope for marriage must be lost, she accepted him because his prospects are good, and she wished for a situation of her own. Charlotte does not love him.”
Elizabeth leaned closer as if to impart a secret. “Though I would never say as much to my friend, the notion ofanyonefinding Mr. Collins appealing as a prospective husband disgusts me.”
The gentleman stifled a laugh at Elizabeth’s irreverent comment. “Perhaps it is something you should not say in company, but I cannot say I do not understand. In truth, I cannot see you as the wife to such a man as Collins—every proper feeling rebels against such an unequal connection.”
