When William led Elizabeth back to her parents, Holder indicated for him to follow him. William hoped he had not angered Lizzy’s father but dutifully followed the earl to one corner away from the departing crowd.
“Please present yourself in my study on Monday morning at ten.” With that, Holder left the bewildered younger man behind him. He knew that William had no idea if he was about to be called on the carpet or worse. This was the man who would carry Lizzy off one day so Holder would have a little fun with him.
William hoped this would be a similar conversation to the one Richard had regarding Jane, but Holder’s bearing told him nothing. He would know on Monday.
Chapter 33
A rather concerned William Darcy presented himself at Holder House a few minutes before ten on Monday morning.
William very much wanted to believe that he was about to receive permission to openly court Lizzy now, without waiting until the end of the season, but his doubts told him that Holder had only spoken to Richard a month or two into Jane’s season. So far, other than her ball, Lizzy had not been out in society at all.
His rational mind told him that until he heard what it was Holder wanted to discuss, he was purchasing trouble for no reason. Then again, the uncertain voice would remind him of the curt manner in which Holder had summoned him.
Fenster led the way up to the study on the first floor of the mansion. He knocked once and swung the door open knowing the master was waiting for his caller within. “Mr Darcy, the younger, to see you, my Lord,” the butler intoned. Seeing a nod from the master, Fenster stood aside for the man behind him to enter. As soon as young Mr Darcy entered the room, the butler pulled the door closed.
“I appreciate your punctuality. Please sit, William.” Holder indicated the three chairs before his broad, highly polished mahogany desk. He waited until the younger man sat and then said nothing for some moments. ‘Good, I see uncertainty in William’s eyes. He did not assume what the subject would be or that it would be favourable to him.’ “The reason I invited you here to see me is connected to Lizzy and your wooing of her.”
“If I have done something to anger you…” William stopped when he saw Holder raise his hand and grin. Why would he be grinning?
“No, William, you have done nothing wrong. Although I had my fun in making you think that I may want to address an unpleasant subject, that is not the case,” Holder revealed. “Some weeks ago, Lizzy approached my wife with certain questions. If she decides to reveal to you what she asked her mother, that is up to her. However, she expressed her disdain for wading through insincere fortune hunters for a season. She requested that I have this conversation with you, like I had one similar with Richard before he declared himself for Jane.”
It took some moments for the import of Holder’s words to be assimilated into William’s brain and for him to comprehend what was being said. “Are you saying I may declare myself to Lizzy after a month or so of her season like you allowed Richard to do with Jane?”
“No, that is not what I am saying.” Holder had to fight from laughing at the way William’s face fell. “What I mean is that you may approach Lizzy as soon as you gain her permission to do so. Do not forget this was all at her instigation.”
William felt a huge smile form on his face when Holder’s words were heard. “In that case, may I seek Lizzy out to request a private interview?”
“You may.In caseshe agrees, Biggs and Johns are outside of the blue parlour, and you will have no more than ten minutes. Do I need to tell you that the door will not be closed all the way?” Holder responded. He saw William shake his head. “There is only one restriction: the courtship and engagement, if that is what you agree to, will be a minimum of six weeks each. On this, your Aunt Edith and I are not flexible. There will be a total of twelve weeks before you two marry. Again, if that is where this all leads.”
As if a dog were biting at his heels, William shot out of the chair. His smile was still firmly in place. He remembered to shake Holder’s hand before heading for the main drawing room. When he entered, he had to force himself to greet Aunt Edith and the others in the room; however, his eyes never left Lizzy’s beautiful face.
“Aunt Edith, I have permission from your husband to address Lizzy,ifshe agrees…” William did not complete his thought because he was interrupted.
“Yes, I wouldloveto hear what you have to say.” Elizabeth had stood as swiftly as she was able, her face beaming with joy at the prospect of William declaring himself for her.
“My husband told you the blue parlour, did he not?” Edith verified.
“Indeed, he did,” William confirmed. He turned back to Elizabeth, who was standing close to him, and reached out his hand. She extended her hand and took his. Neither of them was concerned about the impropriety of them leaving the drawing room hand in hand.
Even had William not known where the blue parlour was, and he did, the twin sentinels of the enormous footmen-guards would have marked the correct room. He was still holding Elizabeth’s hand; it just felt right. As he led her into the parlour, he ignored the raised eyebrows of both huge men when they saw the hands were connected.
First, William made sure Lizzy was comfortable on the settee where he had guided her. As soon as that was established, he pushed the door about three quarters closed.
“Your father told me that he asked to speak to me today because of a request you had made. What prompted you to do that?” William enquired.
“William, we only have ten minutes, do we not?” Elizabeth returned. She saw him nod. “Then, I suggest you use the time judiciously. Later, when we have the freedom of time, I will be more than willing to answer any questions you have.”
“In that case, Lady Elizabeth Rose Carrington-Bennet, would you do me the great honour of allowing me to court you?” William asked without any preamble.
“William, do you love me?” Elizabeth queried forthrightly.
“Yes, I do. I have for some time now.”
“In that we are the same. Do you respect me?”
“Of course I do. I could not respect you more.”
“As I do you. I assume you wish to make me your wife?”
