Page 50 of Penned By Mr Darcy
“What?” Darcy replied inelegantly, entirely caught off guard. “No - no, of course not. How could you think…? I cannot marry her, Bingley, that is something we both know. And anything else - it would be unthinkable.”
“Why not?” Bingley pressed, his tone gentle but insistent. “She is not married, nor betrothed. She would make a fine wife, I am sure of it.”
“Perhaps,” Darcy said tightly. “But notmywife. My family would never accept it.”
“By which you mean Lady Catherine. And her family - yes, I know. Her younger sisters are unrestrained, and her mother lacks discretion. But the girls will mature, and I dare say Mrs. Bennet’s nerves might improve once her daughters are wed and she does not have the concern of what will become of them because of the entailment.”
“You are being remarkably generous,” Darcy muttered.
“I am being honest,” Bingley replied. “I ask because I see something in you when you are near her. I am famously oblivious to matters of feeling. If evenIcan see it, Darcy, it must be blinding.”
Darcy turned away, jaw set, but said nothing.
“Tell me, then,” Bingley said quietly. “If your families were of no importance to this decision, if it were just you and her, ensconced in a world of your own with no judgement or society to worry about, would you ask for her hand?”
Darcy closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
“Then there is your answer.”
“It is a pretty sentiment, Bingley, but the world you describe is not reality.”
“If you would be ashamed to be married to her, then forget everything I have just told you. Leave, and do her the service, for she deserves a man who would be proud to be her husband.”
“I would not be ashamed,” he said quietly.
“Then why do you hinge your happiness on the opinions of others? I am tired of wrapping myself in knots to protect your sensibilities, Darcy. I will ask Miss Bennet for her hand, for I am sure I will go mad if I do not. Do you truly believe she does not care for me?”
He thought of Miss Bennet and her pretty smiles, her soft voice.
“I…I do not know.”
“Then I will find out for myself.”
∞∞∞
And so, Darcy and Bingley returned to Longbourn the next morning. It was not to ask Mr Bennet for his permission to wed either of his eldest daughters, but simply to ask permission to accompany them on a walk. Darcy had at least convincedBingley to go about this in the proper fashion, but he was still not entirely convinced that Bingley would not blurt out his desires to the bewildered Miss Bennet.
The door was answered as expected on that day, by a servant. He found himself disappointed not to see Miss Elizabeth, but pushed that feeling away as quickly as it had come to him.
“May we speak to Mr Bennet?”
“’Course, sir. He’s in his library; follow me.”
They were led through the house. Darcy had yet to see so much of Longbourn, and though he was sure it had seen better days, he could not deny that there was a gentle sort of charm about the place.
“This is Mr Bennet’s study. Hold on a moment, and I’ll make sure he is happy to see visitors. He doesn’t much like being disturbed.”
What business could this man have that kept him so occupied? The estate was not particularly large, the household small – for he saw smears of flour about the woman who had brought them here that suggested she was also a kitchen maid, if not a cook – and his daughters impossibly independent and without control. He certainly was not occupied with their education.
The woman returned, brushing down her hands on her apron.
“Mr Bennet shall see you both. If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to him.”
“Thank you very much,” Bingley said effusively.
Darcy lingered – if he were to enter with Bingley, then surely the implication would be that he, too, wished to walk with a Bennet girl. In this world, there was no such thinga man walking alongside a woman without intent. He would then be considered to hold an interest in Miss Elizabeth – for she would be the onlysister he held any interest at all – and as such a proposal would be expected and…
