Page 50 of Saved By Mr. Darcy
“Do you know why I asked to speak to you without your sister?”
“I have some idea,” Lizzy said. “You wish to speak to me about Mr Darcy.”
Her father nodded.
“Mr Darcy brought not only Lydia and that dastardly man home, but news from Pemberley I had not expected. Is it true?”
“What is that, Papa?”
“He asked me for your hand. He wishes to marry you. Has he expressed this wish to you?”
“Yes, Father. He has.”
“And what is your own desire? I thought you did not care for the man; indeed, there have been few that you have ever held in suchcontempt. I must know, my dear; has he forced this marriage upon you? If he has, I will take you away from here at once. You are held to nothing.”
“No! No, he has not. However I have misjudged Mr Darcy, I know for certain that he is capable of no such thing. He has shown me who he is, and I have come to like him a great deal. I love him, Father. I have every wish to marry him.”
“Truly?”
“Yes, Papa.”
“He has shown this family unimaginable generosity. And I will admit, such a marriage will perhaps hinder the damage of your sister’s union. Your mother is thrilled at her marriage, of course, no matter how wretched the circumstances.”
“I imagine Lydia is unbearable,” Lizzy chuckled mirthlessly. “Quite the married lady.”
“The terrible pair returned to Longbourn with your Mr Darcy. Your mother welcomed them with open arms, thrilled at a married daughter at last. I do not know what sort of life she will have with such a rogue. And you, Lizzy, you are certain that this is what you desire? You will be the mistress of all of this, but your happiness is far more valuable. I would not stand by and watch another bad marriage.”
“Thank you, Papa. I have never been more certain of anything in my life.”
“And you are fond of him?”
“Fond of him?” Lizzy laughed in disbelief. “Papa, I love him dearly. So dearly that I could not be without him for anything in the world.”
Her father smiled, patting her hand indulgently.
“Good! I should be disappointed if you consented to marry any man who did not make your eyes sparkle as they do. We shall have to write to your mother, and tell her there is a wedding to be held at Pemberley. I am sure she will overcome her fear of carriages at once.”
“Is she truly afraid? I thought that was a ruse, so that I would not suspect anything was amiss.”
“Oh no, it is the truth. Even the sound of horses’ hooves sends her into a tizzy.”
“She did not even send me a letter to see if I was well. Neither did you, Papa.”
“I’m sorry. Your mother banned all letters from leaving the house. She was surprisingly pernicious; I attempted a few times to send Hill out with letters secreted about him, but the woman smelt ink upon her. You were never far from our thoughts.”
“I suppose I can understand her motivations, though I do not agree with the manner she went about it. How could you let her be so cruel, Papa? Even if you had all lied to me about Lydia’s disappearance, mentioned nothing of it, that would have been better. This silence has been torture.”
He leaned forward and patted her hand. Her father had never been a man that could apologise easily, but she had seen this little gesture a thousand times. It was his silent apology, and she believed she must accept it equally as silently.
“Your mother did what she thought was right. Let us speak no more of it. I will stay until the wedding, of course. After this business with your sister, we can have no further suggestion ofimpropriety. Mr Darcy offered his hospitality before I even had to ask.”
“I am glad you are here. I have missed you.”
He patted her hand again, before standing and wandering idly around the bookshelves that surrounded them.
“I suppose it shall not be too bad to stay here,” he hummed. “This library looks to be satisfactory. And it is so veryquiet.”
“May I see Mr Darcy, Papa? There is much we need to discuss.”
