Chapter 7 Mr Bennet
Mr Bennet
Mr Bennet stroked the cover of his first edition one more time and reluctantly restored it to a place of honour on his shelves. He felt a great deal of satisfaction to be gaining a son like Fitzwilliam Darcy.
But he was determined to act the crusty patriarch a little longer.
After all, Lizzy was only eighteen years old.
And when he had asked, she had admitted she only met the man—and his illustrious relatives—in early May.
That meant that they had not known each other even three months complete. It was too early to settle things!
However, he did hope that Darcy would come that day. He had been reading more Philidor, and he was eager to take on the man in a game of chess. Naturally, he hoped to win this time!
Also, he wondered if he could embarrass the young man regarding gaps in his education.
Certainly Cambridge would teach its students about Ancient Rome and Greece, and likely would make a swipe towards ancient British history—the Celts and the Anglo-Saxons.
But…had he learnt anything at all about the Norsemen?
In hopes to show the wealthy man up, Mr Bennet took down a few volumes of history and philology, and he brushed up on all things Norse.
Eventually, Mr Bennet closed the second volume, in need of refreshment.
As he opened the door of the library, he overheard Hill announce Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley to the parlour.
He frowned slightly at the second name. He had met Bingley only one time, and they had exchanged a few words, but from what he had seen and heard of the man, he seemed flighty and either unintelligent, unknowledgeable, or both.
He seemed to have eyes only for Jane, but whether or not she liked him, Mr Bennet had no idea.
Oh, it was a terrible thing to be the father of single daughters of marriageable ages. And it would surely be his lot in life for at least the next decade!
Mr Bennet shuffled towards the retiring room and, once refreshed, he scurried back to his quiet library.
He decided to wait an hour to see if Mr Darcy would condescend to visit him; if he did not, he would have Hill fetch the man.
He was determined, this time, that he would in fact take him down a peg or two.
But it was surely beyond Mr Bennet’s capability to take him down ten pegs. Mr Darcy was certainly a worthy opponent….