“I understood you were in want of a large dowry. My Lizzy does not come with anything save a thousand pounds upon her mother’s death.”
Darcy had expected the question. He had not expected how unpleasant it would feel to hear the rumor placed so plainly between them.
“I would not say inwant,” he answered carefully, “but I will not insult your intelligence by pretending fortune was of no consequence to me. Pemberley has required a great deal of repair since my father’s death. The estate is recovering, but not as quickly as I would wish. A large dowry would have been… my preference.”
“Your preference.”
“Yes.”
“And now?”
“Now I love your daughter.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Darcy held his gaze. “A large fortune would make some matters easier. It is not necessary. I have weighed that question with more severity than perhaps I ought, and I have come to the conclusion that I would rather face difficulty with Miss Elizabeth than ease without her.”
“That is a pretty sentiment.”
“It is also true.”
Mr. Bennet was quiet for a moment. “Truth and prettiness are not always companions. We are fortunate when they meet.”
Darcy inclined his head.
“And if difficulty does come?” Mr. Bennet asked. “You will not repent your choice? You will not look upon my Lizzy and think of the dowry she did not bring you?”
“No.”
“You answer very quickly.”
“Because the answer is not difficult.”
“Most answers are not difficult in a gentleman’s study before the wedding.”
Darcy accepted the rebuke, though it was difficult. “I know the risk you are naming. Miss Elizabeth named it as well. It is one reason she declined my offer of marriage. She fears that I might one day resent her for what I sacrificed. I cannot prove, in this room, that I never shall. I can only say that I have lived long enough with the consequences of my father’s selfishness to know what resentment does to a household. I will not bring such poison into mine. If I am blessed enough to earn your daughter’s hand, I will honor her as my wife and as the woman I chose freely.”
Mr. Bennet watched him with an expression Darcy could not entirely decipher. Elizabeth’s eyes, even when teasing, were alive with movement. Her father’s had a lazier sharpness, as though he disliked exerting himself but could cut deeply when he chose.
“You know she is stubborn,” Mr. Bennet said.
“I do.”
“And difficult.”
Darcy hesitated. “I would not use that word.”
“No? What word would you use?”
“Confident. Well-informed. Intelligent.”
Mr. Bennet’s mouth twitched.
“And opinionated,” Darcy added, because honesty required it.
“There you are. I knew we should reach the truth eventually.”
“I admire her opinions. Even when I disagree with them.”
