Falling for Mr. Darcy (17 page)

“He is no gentleman.” Mr. Darcy spoke harshly but then quickly recovered from his sudden anger. “I apologize, sir. I do not want to presume to tell you what you ought to do with your own household, but I feel it incumbent upon me to warn you that your daughters are not safe with Mr. Wickham.”

The steely set of Mr. Darcy’s jaw made Mr. Bennet curious at his strong reaction to Mr. Wickham, and he felt it necessary to ask the nature of their acquaintance. Darcy’s pain at having to disclose some particulars of his relationship with Wickham became evident to Mr. Bennet, and he was thankful to Darcy for taking the opportunity to warn him. That such a scoundrel could be amongst society and not be known was unbelievable to Mr. Bennet.

Mr. Darcy had not intended to go into specifics with regards to his history with Wickham, but something about Mr. Bennet had reminded him of the wisdom of his own father. Before even realizing it, he had related the whole of his history, including the painful betrayal of Georgiana. It had felt like a purge to his system finally to talk about it. It surprised him that the only other person besides his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam to know of what happened at Ramsgate would be, of all people, Elizabeth’s father.

“Mr. Darcy, I must thank you for warning me about Mr. Wickham. I can assure you that, after hearing what you know of the man, I will not allow him further acquaintance with any of my daughters. You are a good man for being willing to lay out your personal dealings, some of which I can see are quite troublesome to you, in order to protect my family. I assure you that you have my secrecy regarding what you have told me. I will not betray your confidence regarding the pain you and your sister have been dealt at the hand of Mr. Wickham, but I will protect my family. I trust that I may do whatever is necessary with your permission?”

“Yes, sir. I have come to respect Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth as our acquaintance has furthered during my stay in Hertfordshire, and I would not wish to see either of them, or someone they care for, pained by the likes of Mr. Wickham. I have already informed Colonel Forster about his character, and he has promised to keep a close eye on the man. It is the most I can do,” he added, with frustration.

“You have done more than enough, sir. Let the rest of us take it from here, and do not let it trouble you further.” He offered Mr. Darcy his hand and was gratified when it was readily accepted. “Well, Mr. Darcy, my estate business is concluded. Would you care to join me back at Longbourn for a glass of brandy? You look as if you could use one after this discourse.”

Mr. Bennet watched as, at the mention of returning home with him, Mr. Darcy’s gaze fixed on the direction of Longbourn despite it no longer being in view. He seemed to think about it for a minute and even smiled a little bit.

“I thank you, sir, but I cannot accept for today. Our previous discussion on estate matters reminded me of a letter I must send to my steward at Pemberley regarding a matter of concern we are working through. Perhaps another time.” Mr. Darcy pulled out his watch to check the time, and a sudden smile spread across his face as he caught a glimpse of the silk flower hidden in it. He had forgotten about placing it there the night before, and he was sorely tempted to change his mind and accept Mr. Bennet’s invitation, but he could not. He had ridden out that morning to clear his thoughts a bit, and seeing Elizabeth would not help that at all — however tempting it was.

With obvious reluctance, he bid his farewell with thanks for the pleasant company and shook Mr. Bennet’s hand again.

“I enjoyed our conversation, too, Mr. Darcy. I may pick your brain again sometime about that four-crop rotation plan you say you implemented last year at Pemberley.”

“It would be my pleasure, sir. Good day.”

“Good day, Mr. Darcy.”

Mr. Bennet waited only a moment before turning his horse away and riding in the direction of home. He felt a little less concerned over losing Lizzy to such a man. Although he was not sure whether he would ever find a man truly worthy of his bright and witty little girl, he was beginning to think Mr. Darcy came pretty close. Oddly, Mr. Bennet had begun to think of Mr. Darcy as a son not long into their amicable conversation. Mr. Bennet admitted to himself that if he had had a son, he hoped he would have turned out much like Mr. Darcy. Riding about the estate and inspecting it with Mr. Darcy brought back visions he had had for himself and the son he was sure he would produce but had not. He pondered these strange impressions all the way back to Longbourn and further as he settled himself into his chair in the library with a glass of brandy. His thoughts returned to the discussion earlier with Lizzy regarding Mr. Darcy.
When is a father allowed to stop worrying about the happiness of his children?
The answer was never. He took another drink.

Chapter 7

When the house came into view, Mr. Bingley sat up straighter in his seat and nervously fingered his cravat. He had asked his valet to tie it into a more formal knot than was usually appropriate for a simple morning call. He hoped that it would present him in the most favorable light to his Jane, but as the house came closer, he repented that request, as now the knot began to feel restrictive around his neck.

No sooner had he dismounted than the doors of the house opened and Mrs. Bennet came quickly out to greet him.

“Mr. Bingley, you are welcome to Longbourn. Did you have a pleasant ride, sir?”

“Indeed, I did, ma’am,” he replied, smiling widely at her.

One hand instantly rose to cover her beating heart even as the other fanned her face. He marveled at the flush of her face, and he considered it odd that she appeared about to swoon at his smile. He turned his gaze towards the door and noticed Jane standing in the entryway. All thoughts of her mother’s strange behavior vanished at the vision of the woman he loved.

Jane was exquisite in a light blue morning dress that matched her eyes perfectly. The yellow dress was forgotten at seeing the way the blue complemented and warmed the ivory softness of her skin. Her smile was delightful, and he could not believe his good fortune that she was, indeed, happily greeting his arrival. He returned a broad smile and broke into a long stride to close the distance to her.

“Miss Bennet, good morning to you.” He bowed over her hand as she curtsied.

“Welcome to Longbourn, sir.” She blushed slightly at his light touch and stepped aside to allow him access to the house.

A few moments later found Mr. Bingley seated awkwardly in a room full of women. Mary was reading, ignoring everyone. Lydia and Kitty were uncharacteristically silent as they sat boldly inspecting his person. Elizabeth was seated beside Jane on the sofa next to his chair. Mrs. Bennet’s gaze, much in the same vein as her youngest daughters, was also fixed on him in a manner that made him want to look anywhere but at her.

For a few minutes, nobody spoke. Finally, Mr. Bingley cleared his throat and addressed Mrs. Bennet. “I hope that your family is well this morning, Mrs. Bennet.”

“You are all kindness. We are well this morning. My Jane looks especially well, does she not, sir?”

Jane blushed and shifted a quick, uneasy glance at Elizabeth. Mr. Bingley was not discomfited at all by the comment, enjoying the opportunity it gave him to rest his eyes on Jane. “Indeed, ma’am, she looks exceedingly well this morning.”

He watched with a satisfied smile as the blush spread further across her face.

“Thank you, sir,” she softly replied.

With the help of Elizabeth and Mr. Bingley, the conversation began with a pleasant recital of the previous evening’s festivities. All the ladies had compliments to give on the enjoyable evening at Netherfield. Even Mary voiced an uncharacteristically satisfied opinion of the outcome of the evening.

“I am glad that you all enjoyed yourselves. For myself, I cannot think of a more pleasant time than I spent last night.” Bingley glanced significantly at Jane.

At that moment, the door opened, and Mr. Collins entered. He made his usual officious greeting to Mr. Bingley and then took a seat next to Mary. Mr. Bingley noted with amusement the obvious preference each showed in the company of the other.

After another few moments, Mr. Bingley began to feel that his time was running short, yet he had not had the chance to speak with Jane alone. His natural modesty made him question whether Jane would accept with pleasure his request to court her. As he considered the unhappy alternative, his eyes moved to settle on her. As if sensing his gaze, she looked to him and smiled brightly in her shy way before lowering her eyes back to her hands in her lap. It was enough. He sat up and, with a happy countenance, began to speak.

“It is such a lovely day. I would like to take a walk. Perhaps Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth would care to join me?”

He eyed Jane significantly and was happy to hear her acceptance. Elizabeth, having seen the particular way he looked at her sister, knew that her own presence was not necessarily wished for, and she decided that she would find some way to allow them time alone.

Jane and Elizabeth rose to retrieve their pelisses and bonnets. Once they reached their room, Elizabeth turned to Jane and, holding both her hands, smiled knowingly.

“I know that look, Lizzy, and you must not think it.”

With pretended offense, Elizabeth responded, “Jane! I do not know what you mean!” Seeing Jane smile and shake her head, Elizabeth gave her another knowing smile.

“Lizzy!”

“Dear Jane, you know my opinion as we spoke at length of it this morning, and you shall not convince me that he is merely a friend to you.”

“I only said that I believed him to be
inclined
towards me, but that is hardly being in love — ”

Elizabeth’s groan interrupted her sister, and she rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, dear, you did say that. And I said that you could not make him more in love with you if you tried.” Elizabeth gave her blushing sister a warm hug. “And furthermore, it is your luck that you are, indeed, hopelessly in love with Mr. Bingley too. At least on this point, I believe we may agree, do we not?”

Jane smiled softly at her sister. “I believe we do.”

“Well then, shall we join the gentleman downstairs?”

“We shall, indeed.” Jane’s smile widened.

The ladies descended the staircase and, upon meeting Mr. Bingley, exited the house towards the gardens.

* * *

As soon as the guest and his cousins left the morning room, Mr. Collins decided it was the right time to make a request of his hostess. He turned in his seat and, with an air of confidence that his request would be given ready approval, said, “Mrs. Bennet. I wonder if I may request the honor of a private audience with your daughter this morning.”

Mrs. Bennet could not think of happier words to have come out of Mr. Collins’s mouth in the course of his whole visit. She was so lost in the satisfied musings of her luck in the attentions of Mr. Bingley to Jane — and now Mr. Collins’s request — that she almost forgot to respond.

“Of course, Mr. Collins, you may have your audience with any of my sweet daughters.” She glanced from Lydia to Kitty, whose faces were locked in shocked amusement at their cousin’s request. She then briefly looked at her daughter Mary and dismissed the idea.
Elizabeth! Of course, he must mean Elizabeth. Oh, wretched mistake, she has left with Mr. Bingley!
Mrs. Bennet rose quickly and said hurriedly to Mr. Collins, “I will just go get her, sir. You will not have to wait.”

“Mrs. Bennet, I would like to speak with Miss Mary if I may.” Even as he said this, he turned his head and tilted it with a smile at Mary, who returned his look blankly.

“Mary?!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed in obvious amazement but recovered quickly. “Of course, sir. Mary, you will stay here and hear Mr. Collins.” Not wanting to waste a single opportunity, she turned to her youngest daughters and snapped them out of their shocked state. “Lydia, Kitty — I wish to speak to you; follow me.” With giggles, the girls exited the room with their mother.

As soon as the door closed behind the ladies, Mr. Collins slid to one knee and grabbed one of Mary’s hands, causing the girl to startle at the familiarity.

He began speaking rapidly. “Miss Mary, you cannot mistake the meaning of my request to speak to you. Indeed, I am sure you are aware of the special attention I have paid you during my visit to Longbourn. Please allow me to impart to you my reasons for seeking your hand. Firstly, it is the implicit request of my noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, that I set the example of matrimony to the people of my parish. Indeed, her condescension is most generous. Secondly, I am convinced that marriage will bring me much happiness. And lastly, my marriage to you will resolve the distress your family feels on the subject of the entail of this estate.”

“Mr. Collins, are you asking me to marry you?” Mary asked incredulously.

“Indeed, I am, and you have made me the happiest of men!”

“You are too hasty, sir. You forget I have not given you my answer. If you please, I have some questions before I can do so.”

“Ask away, Mary, my delight, my sweet!” Mr. Collins brought her hands to his lips and squished them against her knuckles.

“Sir, what is your home like?” she asked, removing her hand from his grasp.