Chapter Eighty-One
Well aware that Christmas was fast approaching, Mr. Darcy thought he had best make his intentions known to Miss Elizabeth as soon as possible.
He could not be away from Pemberley indefinitely; in truth, he had already been away too long.
He received daily letters from Mrs. Reynolds and Mr. Craddock, his steward, but his father had taught him that the master of an estate must be present as much as possible.
He thought Miss Elizabeth no longer disliked him; in truth, he thought her feelings might have undergone a considerable reversal. But he could not be certain. Thus, it was with a pounding heart that he prepared himself to journey to Longbourn.
“I will accompany you, Darcy; give me but a quarter of an hour,” Mr. Bingley said, upon hearing that his friend was to go to Longbourn.
“I must beg a favour of you, Bingley,” Mr. Darcy said.
“Anything, of course,” Mr. Bingley replied at once.
“Do you recall when I walked with Miss Elizabeth and held back, at your request, so that you might have some time alone with Miss Bennet?”
“I do, yes,” Mr. Bingley said, comprehension beginning in his eyes and a smile starting on his lips.
“Well, now I ask that you do me the same favour.”
“Ha! I knew it! Well, I will win my wager, at any rate,” Mr. Bingley said, rubbing his hands together.
“Wager?”
“Yes; Mr. Bennet and I just made a wager as to how long it would take you to ask him to allow you to court his second daughter!”
Mr. Darcy passed a hand over his eyes. “Mr. Bennet?” he asked, in a strangled voice.
“He is no fool, Darcy,” Mr. Bingley said. “But he thought it would take until after Christmas, and I said that no, it would surely be before Christmas.”
“See here, Bingley, I am not certain that I approve – no, no, it does not matter. How much was this – no, never mind. Come, let us go.”
Mr. Bingley laughed aloud at seeing his composed friend so obviously nonplused. “Your sister will doubtless want to come as well.”
A quarter of an hour later, the carriage was on its way to Longbourn.
***
The Bennet ladies were gathered in the parlour. Mrs. Bennet had been given a budget with which to redecorate the parlour, and everyone was huddled over the fabric samples.
When the guests were announced, the ladies scrambled to pat down their hair, their dresses and their manners. Mr. Darcy entered, bowed, and then asked to see Mr. Bennet. Mrs. Hill stared at him for a moment, and then led the way to the master’s study.
In the parlour, all eyes turned to Elizabeth. “What?” she said, blushing from head to toe.
“You know what, Lizzy,” Jane said, knowingly.
“They are doubtless about to have a long conversation about books,” Elizabeth said, defensively.
“You may believe that if you like, Lizzy,” Lydia said, grinning. “But we have all seen how he looks at you.”
Georgiana said, authoritatively, “Oh, he is definitely going to ask your father if he may court you. Please, please say yes, Lizzy! Am I not part of your family now? Say yes for me, if not for my brother!”
Everyone laughed at her.
***
Upon being asked to enter the room, Mr. Darcy did so and sat down. The two gentlemen stared at one another for a minute.
Finally, Mr. Bennet sighed and said, “You have cost me a full guinea, I would have you know.”
Mr. Darcy reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a guinea. Tossing it across the desk to Mr. Bennet, he said, “Here you are, sir. I would not want it said that my impetuousness cost you anything.”
“And I would not have it said that I sold my daughter for a guinea,” Mr. Bennet retorted, tossing the coin back. “Go on, then.”
“Do you think she will agree?” Mr. Darcy said, struck suddenly with uncertainty.
“There is only one way to find out.” Mr. Bennet opened the book on his desk, signaling that the interview was over.
He had known this was coming, of course, and he had briefly thought himself resigned to it.
But he was struck anew at the thought of Lizzy so far away.
Derbyshire! It might as well be the moon.
He had just got her back, and now she was about to fly away.