Darcy chuckled. “Truthfully, even just one would be a blessing.”
She smirked and nodded in response.
He laughed again, noting the look she was giving him. Darcy decided to leave well enough alone and broached a different topic.
“While we were guests at Longbourn, I was impressed with your dedication to the estate and your care of the people. How involved would you wish to be as mistress of an estate? Of course, I would not want you to feel overwhelmed or compelled to take on more than you would like.”
He could see that he had surprised her with his question, but she seemed pleased by his asking it.
“Thank you for the compliment,” she said. “I know most gentlemen do not prefer their wives to be involved in estate management, so to answer your question, I suppose I would wish to be as involved as you are comfortable with. Of course, I realize there would be many duties that would fall solely to the mistress. I would need to prioritize those as well, but I would be happy to assist you in any way I can.”
Darcy’s smile grew wider as she stood there watching him and looking so beautiful doing it.
“Well, the last time you mentioned how most gentlemen run their estates, I believe I made it clear I am not like most gentlemen, did I not?”
Elizabeth chuckled. “Yes, I believe you did.”
He looked deeply into her eyes. “I think you and I would work well together, especially if the short time we did so at Longbourn is any indication.”
Holding his gaze with her own, she said, “I agree. I think it was a good indicator.”
Darcy knew it was. He was utterly convinced that Elizabeth was made for him. How had he been so fortunate to find her? When had she become so essential to him? He loved her! Darcy knew he could not do without her, not now. She was everything to him.
Later that evening, Elizabeth and her sisters were sitting in the drawing room with Aunt Madeleine. It was another half hour until dinner, and they expected Uncle Edward would join them at any minute. However, when the door opened, it was not her uncle who walked in.
Elizabeth gasped in surprise. “Papa!”
Aunt Madeleine looked up from her needlework and exclaimed, “Thomas! I did not know you were coming. Is Edward expecting you?”
Aunt Madeleine began to rise, but Papa asked her to keep her seat. He said the same to Elizabeth and her sisters. As Elizabeth looked at her father, she could tell something was not right. What was he even doing here?
“Is everyone well?" Jane asked. "Are you well, Papa?”
“Yes, everyone is in health, but there have been . . . some troubling circumstances of late.”
At that moment, Uncle Edward entered the room and noticed his brother-in-law.
“Bennet! This is a surprise. I hope all is well at Longbourn.”
“There have been some developments and actions taken that I need to make you all aware of,” Papa said.
“So, we do not need the privacy of my study?” Uncle Edward asked to clarify.
“No, the girls need to know all the details. The whole sorry business does concern them after all.”
“It is Lydia! I know it!” Elizabeth blurted out. “What has she done?”
“Yes, Lizzy, I am afraid you are correct,” Papa said tiredly.
“No,” Mary whispered, a look of trepidation on her face.
Jane simply closed her eyes.
“Wait, girls, just a minute. I have rung the bell for Fletcher,” Aunt Madeleine said.
A moment later, Fletcher entered the room.
“Yes, ma’am?”
