“I believe that I do, Miss Bennet, yet I should prefer to hear it from your own lips. What is it that you are trying to tell me?”
She flushed, and her eyes fell away from his.
“I am certain that this subject is improper, sir, and that you will most likely think me indelicate, yet I shall say it nonetheless. I believe that when a woman gives herself to a man, and he knows her in the Biblical sense, they truly do become one flesh and their hearts are joined together.”
She raised her eyes to meet his.
His smile was broad; his teeth were straight and white. He had an attractive smile. “I believe that as well, Miss Bennet, and I am very pleased to learn that you are capable of loving more than one man. I will do all I can to turn your affections, and if fortune favors me, you will very soon love me more than youlove Mr. Darcy, and he will become only a pleasant memory of a gentleman you once knew.”
She laughed. “You are teasing me, sir.”
He chuckled. “I am, ma’am, and it gives me great pleasure to do so. Come, let us return to the house, for I see that your nose has grown pink, and I am loath to see you catch a cold.”
As they walked back, she glanced up at his profile. He was a fine-looking gentleman, with dark, wavy hair and a strong chin. Most of all, she was drawn to his smile. Her heart gave a little skip.
His eyes met hers, and he smiled.
Mr. Allen remained with the family for half an hour, and then he rose to take his leave.
Mr. Bennet extended his hand.
“It has been a pleasure to meet you, Allen. If you have no prior engagement, would you join us for dinner?”
The gentleman’s eyes brightened, and Elizabeth saw that he was well pleased with the invitation.
“I should like that very much, sir. At what hour shall I present myself?”
“We dine early here at Longbourn. Would six o’clock be too early for you, sir?”
“No, indeed, for it means that I may spend more time in Miss Bennet’s company.”
When Mr. Allen had departed, Thomas Bennet looked at his second daughter and raised his brow in amusement. She appeared very well pleased with the world.
“Lizzy, I would speak with you in my study.”
“Yes, sir.”
She rose and followed him down the hall. When they were both seated, he spoke.
“My dear, your brother-in-law has done a fine thing in inviting Mr. Allen into the neighborhood. I believe you find this gentleman pleasing.”
“I do, Papa. He is very amiable, and he has asked whether he may visit me so that we might discover if we suit one another.”
“Yes, my girl, I suspected as much. But what of Mr. Darcy? Do you set him aside so easily?”
Her eyes clouded. He waited while she patted them dry with her handkerchief. She sniffed.
“Mr. Darcy is a fine man, and I confess that I love him, Papa. However, nothing can come of it, for I refuse to become my mother, who married above her station and never felt at ease in the world into which she entered. I have seen how much you suffered in that marriage, and she also suffered, though she never understood the cause.”
Elizabeth worried the delicate handkerchief in restless hands. “You heard what he said. He would be opposing his uncle, the Earl. He is expected to marry brilliantly. A marriage to me would be a degradation to Mr. Darcy, and I will not do it. Beyond that, I wish to be happy in my marriage. Though I love Mr. Darcy, Aunt Madeline has told me of a friend who married from prudence and is now happily settled, with children, and in love with her husband, though she had once loved another. Her friend has never regretted her choice.”
She raised her eyes to read her father's.
“Do you believe that such a thing is possible, Papa?”
He sat for a time considering her words.
“I believe it is possible, Lizzy, especially if you are resolved that it shall be so. The human mind is capable of remarkable things, my girl. Mr. Allen has granted you time in which you may discover whether an attachment might grow between you. Be easy in your mind and enjoy his companionship. Then you will see whether the acquaintance leads to anything.”
