Page 85 of To Go Against Her Heart
“I shall wish to speak with your father,” he said, and Elizabeth nodded, though a sudden doubt arose within her as to how he would react to the news. She led him to the drawing room and called for tea.
It was a struggle for them to spend the next half hour in the same room, unable to relish the closeness they had experienced just minutes ago.
“Do you intend to leave to town today?” she asked him formally.
“I do, after speaking with your father,” he replied with forced formality, seeing the worry in her countenance.
“Is something troubling you?” he asked her, and Elizabeth wanted to be honest with him.
“I know not what my father might say, though you should know he holds you in great respect; yet, this may come as a sudden revelation to him. Had I been my usual self, I might have confided in him regarding my struggles, but there has been considerable distance between us, and to be honest, I have not truly been myself—until I met you,” she said. Before he could reply, Mr. Bennet entered, his surprise evident upon seeing Darcy.
“Mr. Darcy,how unexpected to see you! I trust you are well,” he said, his eyes traveling between him and Elizabeth, and immediately he understood that the visit was of some seriousnature. Darcy wasted no time in expressing his wish to speak with Mr. Bennet in private.
Elizabeth remained in the parlor, and Mr. Bennet directed Darcy to his study, casting a doubtful look at his daughter.
He motioned for Darcy to be seated, curiously observing the proud man he once beheld sit before him with a look of apprehension.
“I am no simpleton, Mr. Darcy, and if I know my daughter at all, you are here on some matter that concerns her,” he said, much to Darcy’s surprise.
“You are quite right sir, it is and I sit before you now, asking for your consent to marry her, and she has already agreed, and in doing so, has made me a very happy man,” he said much to Mr. Bennet’s shock. Her father finally understood what had disturbed Elizabeth since her return and the reason for her unconscious happy spirits in her letters when she wrote from town. He quickly realized that perhaps both Darcy and Elizabeth had long struggled with their sentiments and had finally acted upon them.
“You say she accepted your proposal.”
“Yes! She most certainly did.”
“Forgive me, but as a father I must know this: are you aware that she was courted in town last year, and that experience ending in bitterness has caused her considerable torment?”
“I am, and in truth, to ease your mind, I have discussed it with her, and I have assured her that I do not care about the past, nor will I brush it aside if she feels the need for me to support her in any way required with regard to the subject.”
“I see that she has bestowed the honor of discussing her troubles with you and, as envious as I am, I am glad that she sees you as someone she can trust,” he said with evident pain in his voice, and Darcy perceived that he was ignorant of Elizabeth’s secret engagement as mentioned by Jane. It was also plain tohim that Mr. Bennet would be devastated to learn that Elizabeth had concealed it. He understood that she must have done so only to spare him further hurt.
“Sir, I assure you it was not as simple as that; it has taken me months to earn her trust, and I am glad she has at last chosen to grant me a place in her heart and in her life. I promise to keep her safe and happy for the rest of our lives,” he said, and Mr. Bennet summoned Elizabeth before giving Darcy his consent.
Darcy met her with a look of assurance as she entered; however, Elizabeth’s features were laced with worry.
“I would be lying if I were to say that I was not surprised by Mr. Darcy’s declaration now, Lizzy. Yet what I wish to know is whether you refused to travel to town to avoid this gentleman here. For these past few days, I have presumed it was because you did not wish to part from me,” he said, and Elizabeth noticed a slight smile play upon his lips.
“Papa! I did not…”
“You need not explain your actions. I can see that it has not been easy for Mr. Darcy to win your affection, and all I wanted to see in your eyes is what I see now— a glimpse of your old self, with the hope I see in your eyes towards a future with a man who deserves you. I grant you both my consent, and as much as it pains me, I must deal with the torment of parting with my two favorite daughters at once,” he said, and Elizabeth immediately ran and hugged him with happiness.
To Darcy, it gave him pure joy to have her father’s consent and to see her this happy. Elizabeth finally looked up at him and smiled, and he knew that it was very important for her to have Mr. Bennet’s approval.
As much as it pained him to leave, he was eager to convey the news to Georgiana and the Matlocks.
“Would you like to return to town with me? I am certain you would like to assist your sister with shopping, and quitehonestly, if Bingley agrees, we can wed the same day as your sister and him,” he asked Elizabeth, much to her surprise. He conveyed his proposal to her father, and though Mr. Bennet greatly disliked traveling to town, he resolved to do what pleased Elizabeth, and truly did not wish to take for granted the time he had with her before she departed Longbourn as a married woman, and henceforth, agreed.
Darcy was to leave on his horse, and Elizabeth and her father were to leave for town a few hours later to stay with the Gardiners.
As difficult as it was, Darcy knew it was time to leave, and Elizabeth walked him outside.
“You surely know that I do not wish to part from you, but I can no longer keep Georgiana in the dark.”
“I feel the same about Jane, and, honestly, she would be quite shocked to see me and Papa together later,” she said. Approaching his horse, she gently petted the creature, and to Darcy’s surprise, he observed how the horse—who rarely allowed anyone such close company—seemed to enjoy her touch.
“His name is…”
“Spartan?” she asked, much to Darcy’s surprise.
