Elizabeth nodded, grateful he was not too confident. The true spectacle, however, ensued the day after their visit to Netherfield, when Mr. Darcy visited Longbourn. Mrs. Bennet, itseemed, had had two days to consider what she had seen of Mr. Darcy’s behavior, and she had come to the wrong conclusion.
“Miss Darcy!” shrilled she when they entered the room. “How good of you to join us today. My Lizzy has been eager to see you.
“And Mr. Darcy, I am certain you will find Lydia to be an excellent and lively companion.”
Though Mr. Darcy fixed Mrs. Bennet with a gravity not unwarranted to the situation, Elizabeth found it vastly amusing, as did her father, who snorted behind his book. Mr. Bennet said nothing, eager to observe his wife’s inanities. For a moment, Elizabeth thought Mr. Darcy might do as her mother suggested, if only to consider his next move. Before he could decide, however, Georgiana solved the dilemma for him.
“I should prefer to sit with Lydia this morning, Mrs. Bennet. My brother may keep Elizabeth company.”
By this time, Mr. Bingley, who was sitting beside Jane, was struggling to contain his laughter, though Elizabeth was not certain how much he knew. Though she was taken aback, Mrs. Bennet made no protest, though the way she regarded Georgiana suggested concern that Georgiana, the girl she had mothered, would prove an impediment to her plans. Mr. Darcy, not needing any additional motivation, moved to Elizabeth’s side.
“Well, Darcy,” said Mr. Bennet, keeping his tone low to avoid Mrs. Bennet overhearing, “it seems your sister is as much a friend to your interest in Lizzy as my wife will be. When she notices it, of course.”
“Georgiana has made it very clear how agreeableshefinds the idea of having a sister.”
Mr. Bennet laughed. “Yes, I suppose to a girl of sixteen, it is much more important to obtain a sister than for her brother to find a wife.”
“You have the right of it, Mr. Bennet,” replied Darcy.
“I will own, however,” said Mr. Bennet, “that I did not think you approved of Elizabeth so much when you came to Meryton.”
“That was an error on my part, based on certain circumstances in my family before I came and a misapprehension of your daughter’s worth.”
“Then it is well that you have thought better of it,” said Mr. Bennet with a nod. “I hope you will not consider it a father’s hubris when I tell you that I consider Elizabeth to be among the most remarkable young ladies in England.”
“Not at all, Mr. Bennet, for I quite agree.”
Satisfied, Mr. Bennet turned back to his book, though Elizabeth could see that he kept an eye on the company. Around them, no one appeared to be paying special attention to them, though Georgiana regarded them often, and Mr. Bingley and Jane were speaking in low tones, their eyes darting to them more than she might have expected. Reasonably assured of having a little privacy, Elizabeth turned her attention to Mr. Darcy, arching a brow.
“I must own,” said Elizabeth once she knew his attention was fixed on her, “that I wonder if you can withstand my mother, Mr. Darcy.”
The gentleman returned her gaze, accompanied by a slight quirk in his lips. “And you suppose that I cannot?”
“My wife is an acquired taste, Darcy,” said her father, proving he was still listening.
“That is amost ... unusual way for a man to talk about his wife.”
Mr. Bennet made a great show of giving an insouciant shrug. “Perhaps it is. Yet it is nothing less than the truth.”
Then he turned to regard Mrs. Bennet from across the room. “I am fond of the woman I married, for all that her nerves are thebane of my existence. She can be mulish and has not the foggiest notion of propriety, but she is a good sort of woman.”
“To own the truth, I have always wondered...”
Mr. Darcy did not complete the question, but Mr. Bennet understood regardless. “Let us simply say that it was not my most intelligent decision. However, Mrs. Bennet has given me five beautiful daughters, so I have no cause to repine, even if I lack an heir.”
“Longbourn is entailed, is it not?”
“To my cousin, Mr. Collins.” Mr. Bennet regarded him. “As I recall, his patroness is your aunt.”
“A most curious connection, but not surprising.”
Mr. Bennet regarded him, his glee at the absurd evident. “So she is as ridiculous as I supposed?”
“In some ways, yes,” replied Mr. Darcy. “Lady Catherine does not lack understanding, but she has a peculiar ability to persuade herself to almost anything and a penchant for employing those who will not dare contradict her.”
“That is no surprise, given your comments about her. I labeled my cousin a most subservient toady the moment I read his first letter.”
“Yes, that is an excellent representation of the men my aunt prefers to employ.”
