Page 70

"Something stranger than useful." Darcy opened a volume from the table. "He wrote a question in the margin of Sense and Sensibility. An answer appeared in another hand. I tried it here, with a question about the weather."

Elizabeth bent over the page. Beneath Darcy's careful inquiry someone had written: We have quite sufficient rain of our own. Pray do not send yours. Signed, E. Dashwood.

"Can you be certain it is not the narrator entertaining itself?"

"No. But a second question received a second answer, and she declined a third. We seem able to correspond through books when both parties wish it."

Elizabeth closed the volume gently. "Miss Dashwood has declined further correspondence. I like her already."

"I have told Wickham to ask before adding anyone to his correspondence list. He is disappointed by the administrative burden of courtesy."

Darcy put Wickham's papers beneath the book. "He proposes a continuing collaboration. I have declined."

"Will he accept that?"

"I cannot compel him to stop writing. I can stop supplying answers."

"Can we please focus on us for a moment?"

"Yes. Of course." Darcy put the charts into a drawer. "I should like to discuss a wedding. Our own, if no one objects to so narrow a subject."

"I already said yes."

"I remember your answer very well. I am attempting to proceed without another proposal."

It started raining.

They both looked at the window.

"Another one!" Elizabeth addressed the ceiling. "We are already engaged. You need not continue watering the courtship."

The rain got heavier.

"It's angry we're not following the script," Darcy observed.

Elizabeth turned from the window. "Three days. Could we be married in three days?"

Darcy looked at her before answering. "The license is here. We could ask the clergyman. Is that what you wish?"

She had been ready to defy the rain. His question made her consider the quieter thing beyond it: breakfast with him, a walk without parting at the gate, the right to remain when an evening grew late.

"Yes. I should like to begin our life together. I have no wish to spend another month preparing to begin it."

"That's the most romantic thing you've ever said to me."

"It wasn't romantic! It was practical!"

"I have a high regard for practical arrangements which make me happy." Darcy crossed to her and took her hands. "Three days, Elizabeth. I should like that very much."

"Yes!"

Darcy smiled. "Three days, and time enough to invite those you want with us."

"Perfect!"

They kissed.

Thunder crashed outside.