Once they were safely away from the parlor, Elizabeth turned to Mr. Darcy. “Will you be staying, sir? You have spent four hours in the saddle already. You must be tired.”
He shook his head. “I believe I will return to London tonight. We have but twenty days until our wedding, and I must see to preparing your chambers at Darcy House, along with finalizing the marriage settlement. I shall bring the finished documents ready to sign when I return.”
“And when might we expect you?” she asked. “Will you take a room at the inn in Meryton?”
“It will be at least a week before I come. Bingley will have returned to town. I plan to ask him if I can use Netherfield. It is large enough to house me and any family.”
She nodded. “Will you bring Georgiana?”
He smiled. “I did not tell her of the engagement yet. I wanted to wait until I spoke with your father. She will be enormously pleased. She speaks of you in her letters to me.”
“We have so slight an acquaintance!” Her surprise showed. “Does she truly think so highly of me already?”
“Yes, my sister has never met a lady that wished to be her friend with no other strings or caveats attached. Her school fellows sought her company for the connection, and she has been wounded by those who value her fortune over her person.” He scowled. “Thankfully, it will no longer be unwise to bring her to Meryton.” These last words were whispered, and Elizabeth bristled. Did he wish to shield his sister from their country manners?Haughty, arrogant man.
He took her hand and bowed over it, kissing the back. “Farewell, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth,” he said before donning his hat and departing.
She watched him go, wondering at his callousness. How could he show so little feeling for the man who used to be his friend? Mr. Wickham now sat in a cell, waiting for his punishment for theft.Who but Mr. Darcy put him in such a desperate situation?
She shook her head at her own thoughts. How she wished to completely blame Mr. Darcy for all Mr. Wickham’s woes, but she could not. The latter gentleman’s actions were his own responsibility. Stealing from the very people who opened their homes to him and the other militia officers could not be explained away. Still, she wondered how Mr. Wickham would have fared if Mr. Darcy had not withheld the Kympton living from him.
A memory tickled her thoughts, and she recalled encountering the man on the path to Longbourn before Jane married.Had he been in the midst of thievery then?His presence he had explained away, but now she wondered if his first Longbourn theft had been that day.
“Elizabeth.” Mr. Bennet stood in the doorway of his book room. “Come.”
She obeyed, closing the door behind her. He moved slowly, seating himself in his chair. She followed, taking the same chair she had occupied just a half an hour before.
“Now, tell me, child. Do you really mean to accept Mr. Darcy? The man cannot look at a woman but to find a blemish.” He took a drink from his glass. “He spoke very well while he was here. I did not see the same disdain I remember from last autumn.”
Elizabeth did not answer. She watched her father’s hand shake as he sat the glass down. “What has happened to you, Papa?” she asked quietly.
He frowned. “We are not speaking of me, child. If you do not wish to marry Mr. Darcy, simply say so. I shall withdraw my consent.”
She shook her head. “Do not prevaricate, Father. You look dreadful!”
“Thank you for that fair assessment, Elizabeth,” he replied sardonically.
“Stop! Please, answer me. Are you ill?” Her voice shook, and tears threatened.He cannot be dying. It is not possible.
He sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. “Mr. Jones cannot decipher what is wrong with me. The food I eat does not agree with my stomach. My sleep is rarely restful. There is pain in my joints and in my back. I have tried tinctures and tonics, plasters and tisanes. Nothing helps.”
“Mama does not know?”
He shook his head. “She is cheerfully oblivious. I appear at meals, and if she needs me, she sees me here. I daresay she has not troubled herself to notice.” He paused and sipped his drink again. “Elizabeth, you must not marry for my sake. If you cannot esteem and respect your partner in life, marriage will prove to be a sore trial. It would be nothing for me to withdraw my consent if I knew it to be what you truly desired.”
“How can you say such a thing? How can I not take your health into account as I make my decision?” She spoke animatedly, gesturing to his frail figure as she spoke.
“You would not be without should I pass on. Jane is married to Mr. Collins. She will not see you cast into the cold.”
She sighed sadly. “Oh, Papa.” She spent the next half an hour telling him all that Jane and Charlotte had told her. She spoke of Mr. Collins and his edict that Jane cease communicating with her, and of Mama’s letter to her sister. He sat silently, though his expression became more distressed as she spoke.
“But what of my brother and sister in London?” he asked weakly.
“I cannot prevail upon my aunt and uncle on a permanent basis. Their family is growing, and while my uncle’s income is comfortable, I do not think it could sustain another adult long term. It is better if I have my own home to manage. Besides, it would prick my pride to be a dependent relation.” Elizabeth fell silent, waiting for him to respond.
“If you are certain, if you are set on this course, I will not gainsay you. I hope you are prepared for this life, Lizzy. A woman is powerless against her husband’s will. I will not be able to protect you if you find yourself in an untenable position.” He smiled sadly.
“My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me. I will be well.” She rose and came around the desk, hugging him about the shoulders. “I love you, Papa.”
