She could go on in such a way interminably, so she put a stop to her wayward thoughts and focused on the conversation around her.
Mondays Are for Meetings
Mr.DarcyarrivedearlyMonday morning and Elizabeth barely rose in time to see him.She and Jane had stayed up half Saturday night discussing their beaux, and Sunday had been more of the same.Elizabeth wanted to hear all about Mr.Bingley’s return and how Jane had received him.Jane spared no detail—she was as much in love as she had ever been, and it made Elizabeth’s heart glad to see her so happy.
Now, Elizabeth rushed down the stairs, her hair in a simple knot at the base of her neck, to see Mr.Darcy before he escorted her friends to Meryton.
She burst into the morning room to find him standing at the window all alone.
“Good morning, Mr.Darcy.”
He turned and smiled at the sound of her voice.“Good morning, Miss Elizabeth.”He looked around the room, and seeing no one about, quickly strode towards her and kissed her cheek.“I am glad to see you this morning.”
She smiled shyly at him.“As am I.”Her doubt and restlessness from the days before vanished at the sight of his smile.She had been utterly wrong about him, and she would admit it every day if it meant there would be more moments like this.
“Before I forget, do you have a letter for me?”
“Yes.”She handed him the folded paper she had written for her father.“If Papa is difficult and attempts to make sport of you, which he will likely do, tell him I expected as much and that I said you are not an unwanted suitor, and remind him that he promised.That should move things along.”
“He promised?”
She looked down and fidgeted with the edges of his coat.“Some months ago, he dispatched an unwanted admirer for me and told me that my choice of hu—, husband,” she stumbled on the word, “was mine to make.He promised he would stand by my choice and my right to make it.”
Darcy pressed her hands against his chest, longing to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless while asking if he was in fact her choice of husband.But she had asked him to progress slowly, and he wished her to be completely sure when she accepted him.She should be filled with joy, not lingering doubt.
He raised her hands to his lips one at a time and placed fervent kisses on the backs.“I am honored.”
They heard Charlotte and Maria coming in from the dining room.Elizabeth quickly rose to her toes and kissed his lips for the briefest moment, then moved swiftly to the door to greet her friend.
The journey to Meryton was uneventful and soon Darcy was standing in front of Longbourn’s door.He was let in by the butler and then taken to Mr.Bennet’s bookroom.By some unexpected stroke of luck, Mrs.Bennet and her two youngest daughters had gone on a call, and only Miss Mary was in the house, playing ponderously on a pianoforte somewhere out of sight.
Mr.Bennet’s bookroom was aptly named.The walls were covered floor to ceiling in books.The only open space was a large window on two of the walls, and a fireplace that bore an insignia in the center and some faded script on the stone.
“Mr.Darcy, what can I do for you?”
“I have just escorted Miss Lucas and Mrs.Collins to Lucas Lodge, and I have a letter from your daughter.”
He had intended to be more forthright, but as soon as he met the man’s shrewd eyes and realized how very much was at stake with this interview, all coherent thought had left him.He knew only that he must leave with Mr.Bennet’s consent for their courtship and eventual marriage.Elizabeth was not of age, and even if she were, he could not ask her to go against her family.He must obtain her father’s consent.
Mr.Bennet took the letter Darcy held out for him with a look of surprise, then pleasure when he recognized the writing.“I did not know you were in company with Elizabeth.”
“I was visiting my aunt, Lady Catherine, in Kent.Hunsford Parsonage is but a half mile up the lane.”
“Ah.”Mr.Bennet looked to his guest, then to his letter, then back to Mr.Darcy, clearly wondering what the man was still doing there.
“I also wished to speak with you about your daughter, Miss Elizabeth.I have asked and received her permission to court her, and now I would like your consent to the courtship and our eventual marriage.”There.He had said it.He exhaled audibly and felt his shoulders drop down from his ears.The worst was over.
Mr.Bennet stared at Mr.Darcy as if he were a mule who had suddenly begun speaking.
“Forgive me, Mr.Darcy.Did you say you wish to court my Lizzy?”
“Yes.”
“And she has agreed to this?”he asked, his grey brows raised nearly to his hairline.
“Yes.”
Mr.Bennet’s doubt was writ clearly upon his face, so Darcy added, “She did not agree immediately.There was much discussion and negotiation—”
