“Papa.”
He looked up in surprise.
“Back so soon? Have you changed your mind?”
“No. On the contrary. I had a fortunate encounter with Mr. Darcy. We passed each other on the toll road and had to turn back.” She blushed. “Mr. Darcy is outside. He would like to speak to you.”
Mr. Bennet rose to his feet, his eyes on her face. “Is his purpose what I think it is?”
“Yes, Papa.” She tried, but she could not conceal the grin that spread across her face.
He came to her and kissed her on the forehead. “I do not need to ask if you are pleased with the outcome. Your expression says it all.”
“I am more than pleased,” she said. “I am bursting with joy.”
“Then what are you waiting for? Send him in.”
Elizabeth paced outside the library, wondering what was taking so long. She could hear Mr. Darcy and Papa speaking, but could not tell what they were saying. She could only suppose they were discussing settlements and legal matters, since Papa had not expressed any objections to her. Still, her father was such a mixture of caprice and sarcastic humor, there was no predicting what he might do.
Finally, Mr. Darcy came out. He gave a nod and a smile, which bode well.
“Your father did not make it easy,” he muttered. “I trust I was able to convince him. He wishes to speak to you.”
She went in. “Why did you take so long, Papa? Do not say you tried to discourage him!”
“I will not part with my favorite daughter readily, just because a gentleman happens to be in possession of a fortune. You are head over heels in love and may not see him for who he is. I wanted to be confident that he respects you and is serious in his affections. I cannot simply let him off the hook, when you were treated so shabbily not once, but twice.”
“Mr. Darcy and I have spoken about it, and he has provided a convincing explanation. It is all in the past now. He loves me. He is an honorable gentleman. I am certain of it.”
Mr. Bennet’s face softened. “I hope he proves to be worthy of you. You deserve to be happy, Lizzy.”
“I do believe we will be happy together.”
“When Mr. Darcy wrote me that letter, who could have imagined that in such a short time, this would happen? Your mother is going to be beside herself with joy. Now go, child. You had better inform Mr. Darcy that I have given my blessing.”
Chapter 26
There remained one large obstacle in their relationship. Mr. Darcy had not yet met Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth’s younger sisters. Elizabeth preferred for that to happen after Mrs. Bennet’s dramatic expressions of triumph at the news of their engagement had run their course.
Elizabeth had no sooner left the library when she heard the chattering of her sisters as they came down the lane, along with the loud voice of Mrs. Bennet.
“You had better brace yourself. Mama is going to be overjoyed at the news of our engagement, and she has a— theatrical way of expressing it. There will likely be loud exclamations and some shrieking. You should also be aware that my father considers my younger sisters the silliest girls in England, probably for goodreason. I would not blame you if you ran as fast as you can in the opposite direction after meeting them. But for now, could you please stay away so I can break the news privately to Mama?”
“I will bow to your superior knowledge,” he said. “It sounds terrifying.”
Elizabeth pushed him unceremoniously out of the garden door and shut the windows so he would hear as little as possible. Not a moment too soon. The front door opened, and Mrs. Bennet and her four daughters barged into the parlor.
“What are you doing here, Lizzy? Why are you back? Do not tell me you changed your mind.” The belligerent glint in her mother’s eyes was a clear warning of trouble to come.
“Does Mr. Bennet have a visitor?” said Mary, drawing her attention. “I noticed an elegant claret carriage with a coat of arms stopped at the corner of the house. I wonder whose it could be?”
Elizabeth’s gaze met Jane’s. Her sister had recognized the carriage, and there was a question on her face. Elizabeth nodded in response to the unspoken question. Jane’s face lit up.
Jane came up to her and took her hands. “Oh, Lizzy!”
“What is it? What is happening, Lizzy?” demanded her mother.
“Mama,” said Kitty, “why is there a tall handsome gentleman in our garden?”
