Chapter Nineteen #3
Jeffry arrived in the bookroom, landing inconspicuously under Mr. Bennet’s desk. Darcy sat in the chair facing the desk, while Mr. Bennet strolled about the room, peering at books on the shelves. Jeffry sneaked forward so he could watch Darcy more closely.
“I see you under there,” Darcy said. He reached down and gently lifted Jeffry into his arms. “What are you doing in here?”
“Were you speaking to me?” Mr. Bennet asked.
Jeffry watched him approach. Lizzy’s father adjusted his spectacles and looked closely at him.
“So, this is the guinea pig?” he asked.
“This is Jeffry, yes,” Darcy said. “You have not met him before?”
“Lizzy says she means to introduce us but every time she goes to do so, the rascal has disappeared,” Mr. Bennet said.
He gently touched Jeffry’s head and stroked him down his back.
“You are a fine fellow, Jeffry.” Mr. Bennet straightened and sat in the other chair facing his desk, half-turned toward Darcy.
“Lizzy has been attracting animals since she was a young child. The frogs, rodents, and birds that appeared in our parlor just about drove Mrs. Bennet to distraction. Lizzy’s collection of beetles—living, of course—was the final straw.
That is why I turned the orangery over to Lizzy as her animal domain.
She charmed our handyman into making her the enclosures and cages, too.
When she found an injured owl—I think Lizzy had twelve years at the time—I directed him to build that aviary next to the barn. ”
“I have never known anyone like Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy confessed, gently stroking Jeffry.
“Any husband of hers will have to accept her gift with animals,” Mr. Bennet said, his words sounding like a warning to Jeffry. His words reflected Jeffry’s wishes. “No matter what you do, they keep showing up.”
A knock sounded at the door and it opened immediately, revealing Hill carrying a silver tray.
“Ah, the lemonade,” Mr. Bennet said, grinning. “I hope there is cake.”
“There is, sir,” Hill said, placing the tray on a small, empty table. “Spiced plum cake, with lemon drizzle icing.”
“Good man,” Mr. Bennet praised, rising. “I will pour out.”
“Yes, sir,” Hill said, withdrawing from the room.
Jeffry purred, sending waves of approval toward Darcy’s heart. As he purred, he thought, the animals are welcome at Pemberly. The animals are welcome at Pemberly. They will be no trouble…no trouble…welcome…welcome. Lizzy’s talent is a gift…a gift.
“Miss Elizabeth’s animal entourage will create some trouble for her future husband,” Darcy said, frowning and accepting a glass of lemonade.
Drat the man. Jeffry purred louder, redoubling his efforts to influence Darcy’s thinking, in spite of the resistance he felt to his efforts. Darcy is so strong-willed. How does Aunty do it?
“Whom she marries will make the most difference.” Mr. Bennet hovered over the plate of sliced cake.
“A gentleman with a country seat would be the best for her. Someone who has a situation similar to myself would be ideal. Or a gentleman farmer. Perhaps a nice squire.” Mr. Bennet chuckled.
“I shudder to think of the animals she would attract if she married a gentleman who only had a city house.”
Jeffry felt Darcy’s rejection of the thought that Lizzy could marry anyone other than himself.
“There would be little room for animals in a city residence,” Darcy said in agreement.
You have lots of room at Pemberly! Oodles of room. There is even room in your house in London. You have no excuse! Jeffry purred and purred, desperately hoping Darcy would be influenced by his thoughts. To his chagrin, Darcy placed him back on the floor, underneath the desk.
“Have some cake,” Mr. Bennet said, passing him a slice of plum cake.
“I fear it will make the lemonade taste sour, but no matter.” He took a slice for himself and returned to his chair, placing his glass of lemonade on the desk.
Jeffry watched him take a bite of the cake, smiling in his pleasure at its taste.
He swallowed before saying, “Lizzy’s mother would marry her off to anyone with a thousand pounds a year, but I want something more for my best girl.
I have promised her that only a love match will be acceptable to me.
She wants the same, and that is what I will grant her—even though her portion is exceedingly small.
I pray she chooses wisely.” He sighed in a melancholy way.
“I should have planned better for my daughters’ futures. ” He took another bite of his cake.
“I suppose you thought you would have a son to inherit,” Darcy offered.
“You have the right of it. Five daughters, five easy births, and then…nothing,” Mr. Bennet said, shaking his head and reaching for his glass of lemonade. He took a gulp and his face puckered. “Sour. Drink some before you eat your cake.”
Darcy obediently drank down half of his lemonade before he took his first bite of cake. Once he tried the cake, he swiftly finished it.
“This is delicious,” Darcy praised. “My compliments to your cook. By-the-by, sir, what have you been reading? Are you studying anything in particular?”
Jeffry gave up his attempt to influence Darcy’s thinking and disappeared, having no interest in Mr. Bennet’s scholarship.