“May we discuss your… arrangement with the general?”
He was well aware of my avowed goal. I may have even told him at some point, but it was impolitic for him to bring it up now. I, of course, had complete faith in the man and saw no objection to his involvement in my affairs. I had been under his protection for months, and I would be surprised were he not to take that responsibility as seriously as all his other duties.
“I would like to ask you to suspend the general’s actions for a time. Are you in aparticular hurryto wed?”
He was approaching an uncomfortable area, and I started to feel a bit tense and restless, so I picked up my work box that sat there like a talisman and idly fingered the repairs. I would likely not feel the need to smash it against yet another gentleman’s head, but I found the box’s presence in my hands comforting.
“I am not in a hurry tobemarried. I am content for the moment, but Iamin a hurry to besettled—to know I will not be a burden to my parents or my brothers, to know that I will have home and hearth one day. Why do you ask?”
He gave me a piercing look that I am certain he never turned on any of the simpering ladies of the ton. It was too bad it would be wholly ineffective with Elizabeth. Like Jane, he would not suitme, but he would suitsomebodyvery well.
“I now hold both you and Mrs Bingley in a degree of affection previously reserved for my sister and… one other. I find I am not satisfied with you accepting an officer unless that is your fondest desire. I would prefer to see you mistress of an estate.”
I just laughed. “Yes, yes of course. Perhaps I could be a princess as well.”
The insufferable man laughed again, showing the good humour only a few of us were privileged to see.
“Even I cannot achievethat, but mistress of a sizable estate is well within your grasp. I would like to settle a decent dowry on you, and launch you into society… and please spare me the tedium of disagreement. It is already done, and done for the best. I will of course ask my aunt, Lady Matlock, to assist with your introduction. If you can simply wait half a year for my return, I will introduce you to men of worth and character, and I have no doubt you will soon secure a home and husband worthy of you… ideally close enough to Pemberley to maintain our association.”
This should have been shocking, yet it was not. Still, I had to ask, “Why?”
He gave me his customary smirk. “You know why!Well, at least you know part of the reason. You no doubt understand how much of this I do for the same reason as the general—gratitude, affection, and appreciation for a difficult task well done. That much we can at least agree on, surely?”
“Yes, I can see a man like you would feel that.”
“Of course, there is also the matter of my pride.”
“Your pride?” I asked in confusion
“Yes, my pride. I would feel proud to know that I helped arrange a match that is good for youandgood for one of my friends or acquaintances. You are exactly what a young master of an estate needs, and it would gratify my pride to place one of those men in my debt. Yes, my pride demands nothing less. I will be quite insufferable about it when the deed is done, and equally morose if you deny me the boasting privileges. Truly, my future happiness is in your hands.”
Insufferable man!
“You are an enigma.”
“Perhaps, but unless you plan a contest of wills, I would ask you to accede to my scheme.”
“Well—”
“Pray, will you at least think on it? I am in something of a hurry to make my own journey that you know all about, but I would like to be the one to launch you into society and do my best to help you choose wisely. I like and respect your father, but he does not know many beyond Meryton society, and we can agree your fate lies elsewhere? If you are not in a great hurry, I would appreciate the privilege.”
He was so earnest and endearing, I had to relent.
“I hope you can turn such specious arguments into success with Lizzy. She is somewhat set in her ways. You will need your wits about you.”
“Is she likely to knock me senseless with a workbox?”
That set me giggling, which had most certainly not been a habit these past months, and the gentleman joined me immediately. Yes, he would do for Lizzy. He would do for Lizzy very well.
“She may try, but if you cannot dodge a blind woman, you deserve what you get.”
He joined me in laughter, so I returned to the main topic.
“I am not in a desperate hurry. I will not live on your charity—”
He started shaking his head, but I forestalled his protests.
“—or gratitude, or sisterly affection, or duty to your cousin, or whatever you choose to call it—”
