“Mr. Bennet,” Darcy began, “this morning, while riding in Hyde Park, I asked Miss Elizabeth to marry me, and she accepted.”
He steadied himself. “We would be most grateful for your permission and your blessing.”
Mr. Bennet regarded him for several long moments. “I believe it is customary to request permission before addressing the lady, not after the matter has been settled.”
Darcy inclined his head. “My apologies, sir.”
Mr. Bennet remained silent a moment longer, then exhaled softly. “I cannot say I am surprised,” he said at last. “Though I had hoped to keep her a little longer.”
There was a hint of warmth beneath the words. “You have my permission and my blessing. She is very special.”
Darcy’s voice was quiet but steady. “I am well aware of that, sir.”
He continued, after a brief pause: “She has no wish to relinquish the management of Longbourn, and I would not ask it of her. She takes great satisfaction in it, and she excels.”
Mr. Bennet studied him with new attention. “I appreciate that you do not remark upon her having taken on duties which ought properly to have been mine,” he said dryly.
“For a time, I made excuses, the lack of a son among them. At first, I indulged her interest.”
His expression softened. “But she does not abandon anything she sets her mind to. She persists.”
A faint smile touched his lips. “She would not be content with trimming bonnets and practicing needlework.”
Darcy allowed himself a small smile. “No, sir. She would not.”
Mr. Bennet rose. “On that, we are entirely agreed.”
Darcy stood as well, and they shook hands.
Mr. Bennet’s expression warmed. “Welcome to the family, my son.”
***
Elizabeth was on her way to the drawing room when Darcy stopped her.
“Elizabeth, might you come to my study for a moment?”
She hesitated. “I promised Anne I would be present when Mr. Denham calls.”
Darcy smiled reassuringly. “I understand. This will not take long.”
Elizabeth nodded and followed him.
In his study, Darcy went to his desk and opened a drawer. “I wished to give this to you after your father had granted his blessing.”
Elizabeth’s expression softened. “That is good news. I did not believe he would refuse, but I feared he might think I was abandoning him, and Longbourn.”
Darcy shook his head gently. “He did not think that. He is very proud of you, and rightly so.”
He turned and handed her a small box. “If it does not suit you, I shall find another.”
Elizabeth opened it and drew in a soft breath. “Oh… it is beautiful.” For a moment, she could look at nothing else.
Within lay a ring set with a rich jade stone, flanked by two smaller diamonds that caught the light.
Darcy took the box from her, removed the ring, and gently slipped it onto her finger.
She looked up at him, smiling. “It fits. How did you manage that?”
