“At the risk of emulating Mr Collins… or Miss Bennet as the case may be—” I began, and was rewarded with a hearty laugh from both sisters—a good sign if ever there was one.
“We need to depart from here soon! Regardless of how careful we are, our absence will be noticed.”
They exchanged sheepish glances, so I continued.
“Before we go, may I just lay my cards on the table, so we all understand what we are about. We will have plenty of time to work through the implications in the days and weeks to come.”
I turned first to Miss Bennet.
“Allow me to reiterate and emphasize that I will do anything you ask, and some things you would not, if I believe them to your benefit. I offer this partially out of gratitude for saving my sister’s life at considerable risk to your own safety andreputation, but more out of respect for the way both of you have acted through the entire ordeal. You are both women I highly respect, and there are few of those in my life, so I am loath to allow any to escape my circle easily. Regarding Mr Bingley, I will have a difficult time restraining myself from recommending you in the most glowing terms but will manage. I will do my best to keep his sisters from poisoning your relationship, but in the end, we all know that he needs to learn to deal with them himself—something he has yet to even attempt. I will also say that, as per our earlier discussion, we all agree your family has some… ah… difficulties to overcome. I will help you in any way I can, from chastising your mother if it will do any good, to paying for a governess or school if that would be helpful. There are few limits to what I am willing to do to repay you, and I humbly beg you might accept it. Regarding Mrs Bennet, perhaps all I need do is relieve her anxiety about what happens when your father dies to make her easier in her situation, and I would do that without a second thought. Do not consider this generosity, as protecting your mother and sisters will cost me far less than you risked in rescuing my sister, and you did that without qualms.”
Both sisters were stunned, though whether it was the content or length of the speech affecting them was hard to tell.
“I will take it under advisement,” Miss Bennet replied with iron in her voice, then with a cheeky grin added, “Mr Collins.”
Miss Elizabeth laughed gaily, and I joined her.
I continued, “Should things not work out with Mr Bingley, or even if you simply want… more… you are afriend of the Darcys.Bingley is a good man who lacks nothing but a bit of backbone. That said, if you wish to look for a different sort of man in London, I will see to it. Your choice of husbands has expanded dramatically. I obviously have no opinion about the sort of husband youshouldhave, but I will do my best to assist you to find one that you can properly esteem.”
She appeared ready to object, but I said, “We need not discuss specifics or argue the point right now. Simply know it will be done if you ask it of me. It would be my honour and privilege.”
She studied me a moment, then nodded agreement. “Let us cross that bridge if and when we come to it. For the moment, I am content to see what happens with Mr Bingley, and I make no predictions.”
I nodded, turned to my left, and began the most important part of the discussion.
“Miss Elizabeth, our acquaintance has thus far been hampered by your very reasonable fear of discovery, but I believe I have learnt enough to understand your nature.I would very much like permission to court you with honourable intentions.I hope that when we come to know each other well enough, we will find we meet or exceed our respective goals, including honour, trust, affection, passion, and even, dare I say it, love. I ask leave to call on you, so we may come to know each other, free of the disguise that has hampered our association and learn if we can build a happy future together.”
She stared in shock, and I wondered if I had overplayed my hand. I suspected she had started to like certain aspects of my character, but the very idea of marriage had either never occurred to her, or more likely she discounted it because of the differences in our conditions in life.
A minute or more ticked by as she stared at me in tongue-tied silence until Miss Bennet spoke.
“You now have your lifetime record for silence, Lizzy, so no need to show off. I believe you owe the man an answer.”
That snapped her out of her stupor; she shook her head and seemed at a loss.
She finally asked, “Was that an aspirational statement or proposal, Mr Darcy?”
“The former, though if you interpreted it as the latter, I would consider myself fortunate.”
“You would offer your hand on my whim?” she squeaked in alarm.
“I would, and I am convinced we would do well. I should prefer a more ordinary courtship, but I have been comfortable with the idea we might wed since I left the ballroom. It has always been a possibility, and I would never have agreed to meet were I not willing to accept the consequences.”
She paused, then asked, “Do you have any idea what I am most terrified of, sir?”
Thatwas progress, so I leaned as far forward as I could in my chair to inch closer to her without taking a knee, which would have had a very different interpretation from the same position in Miss Bennet’s direction earlier.
“Tell me.”
“I fear repeating our parents' mistakes. I do not believe my mother was as bright as I am, but she must have beensomethingbetter than the tired, nervous, mercenary woman she now presents. My father has been teasing her instead of helping her for a quarter century. I want no part of a husband who cannot respect me! You have made very pretty apologies tonight, and I do find you handsome and, in many ways, just the sort of man I should like very much. In some ways the union would be to the advantage of both. By my ease and liveliness, your mind might be softened, and from your judgement and knowledge of the world, I might receive considerable benefit.”
I felt slightly positive until she frowned and continued in a far different tone.
“However, if your character needs amendment as you readily admit, how will I know if you have truly changed or simply behaved better for a few weeks or months? I am quite sceptical about people changing in essentials, but vastly experienced inpeople pretending to get something they want. Should we make a match, and should you revert, I would be stuck. It is a big risk, based on evidence that is ambiguous at best.”
I took the chance to drop to the floor and take her hand. It was risky, but she did not withdraw hers… at least not immediately.
“I imagine we have a great deal to discuss, and I know I need to make the requisite changes—for yours and my sake, and even my sister’s. I do not ask you to accept me, or to accept the expected character growth which I have only begun.I only ask a chance to prove myself.”
