Chapter Fifty-Six
Letters from his Aunt Ellen rarely brought welcome news, but Mr. Darcy knew she had his family’s best interests in mind.
Dear Darcy,
I have consulted with no less an authority than Emily, the Countess Cowper, in confidence, regarding Georgiana.
Her advice is that you and Georgiana be seen in Town this Season, preferably with a Mrs. Darcy!
Emily seems certain that you having a wife would help your situation.
The idea is that the gossip would focus on your new wife, rather than on your sister.
Emily is not only knowledgeable about Society, but she has the ability to issue vouchers for Almack’s, and I need not tell you how important that is.
I understand that this is not welcome news, as I know you have not shown interest in any of the many young ladies you have met, Perhaps you might reconsider someone? I understand that Lady Alicia is still unmarried, and I do recall that you agreed she was pretty enough.
Richard has informed me, however obliquely, of the situation regarding one particular miscreant. I do not care to know any details, nor details of what your plan is regarding the remaining problem, but I am frankly glad that it is being dealt with.
Your affectionate aunt,
Aunt Ellen
Mr. Darcy’s mind was whirling by the time he reached the end of the letter. He could not remember Lady Alicia at all, but it did not matter, as he had someone very different in mind!
The Season would begin in January, and it was now December.
There was not a good deal of time in which to make Elizabeth his wife and present her in London as the new Mrs. Darcy.
Mr. Darcy knew that he had not made his preference for Miss Elizabeth as plain as Bingley had for Miss Bennet; as a result, it was too soon to issue an actual marriage proposal, but he could indicate his intentions by asking Mr. Bennet for permission to court his daughter.
***
“Elizabeth?” Mr. Bennet’s tone was doubtful. “This is rather a surprise, Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley’s affections were plain for all to see, as were Jane’s reciprocal feelings, but I have seen no indication of a similar meeting of the minds between you and Lizzy.”
Mr. Bennet’s reaction told Mr. Darcy that he had been right; it was too soon for a proposal.
He knew his own heart now without a doubt, but he did not know Miss Elizabeth’s.
He had been perhaps a little too adept at keeping his feelings hidden; as a result, being a young lady of good breeding, Miss Elizabeth would not show any preference for a gentleman until he had first shown his own preference.
And then he was assailed by doubt. Did Miss Elizabeth have a preference for him? Or had he simply assumed it?
Mr. Bennet was staring at him and seemed to understand his thoughts at once, for he chuckled and said, “It did not occur to you, I suppose, that she might not share your inclination?”
Mr. Darcy hesitated before replying. “I cannot point to any concrete evidence, certainly, but I have a strong sense that my feelings are reciprocated.”
Mr. Bennet cleared his throat. “You will understand, I hope, when I say that I will consult with my daughter before giving you permission to court her.”
“If you are concerned about my ability to support her –“
Mr. Bennet interrupted him. “Not at all; we are aware that you are master of a large estate.” He waved that away. “Elizabeth has always said that she will only marry for affection, and she is a young woman who knows her own mind. I will send word to Netherfield Park this afternoon, Mr. Darcy.”
“Thank you.” Mr. Darcy hesitated, but could think of nothing more to say, so he bowed politely and left.
***
“Mr. Darcy was here and then left? I do not understand,” Elizabeth said. She had just returned from a walk, and had been informed of Mr. Darcy’s brief visit by Kitty, who had been in her usual window perch when that gentleman had come and gone.
“He went to see Papa!” Kitty said, triumphantly.
“He did?” Elizabeth and Jane chorused together. Elizabeth tried to walk, not run, to her father’s study.
Upon being bade to enter, she sat in one of the chairs opposite her father’s and fixed her eyes upon him. Her heart was pounding. Was it possible that Mr. Darcy…?
“Yes, Lizzy?”
“Kitty says that Mr. Darcy was here to speak to you.”
“He was, yes.”
Elizabeth waited. She was quite familiar with her father’s tendency to tease his wife and daughters, and she was not in the mood for it. After a minute, she shrugged, selected a book from a shelf at random and began to walk out the door.
“Oh, very well, Lizzy,” Mr. Bennet said, peevishly. “I know what you are about.”
Elizabeth turned back into the room and dropped back into the chair. “What did he want?”
“He wants a courtship with you.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “And what did you reply?”
“That I would have to ask you first.”
She exhaled, loudly.
Her father eyed her keenly. “I told him I would send a message to Netherfield Park tonight with my answer. What shall I tell him?”
For a moment, she could not speak. Finally, she said, “Tell him that I would be happy to enter into a courtship with him.”
“Are you certain, Lizzy? You will always have a home with Jane, you know.”
Was there a catch in his voice? She went to his chair, knelt beside him, and rested her head on his knee, as she had done when she was little. “I will always love you, Papa.”
“And I, you, my Lizzy. I do not like to think of you as far away as Derbyshire.”
“You would visit me, would you not?”
“He brags a good deal about his library, so I suppose I would. Very well, Lizzy, I will write the note at once.”
“Thank you, Papa.” Elizabeth rose, kissed him on the cheek, and ran out to find Jane.