“That is perhaps the best part of this situation. With Mr. Bingley, though I respect him, I wondered if he could be that protector. There is no question of your cousin’s capabilities.”
“No, there is not.”
Darcy regarded this exquisite creature, wondering at the goodness that prompted her to put her concerns aside in favor of her sister. Should Darcy persuade her, theirs would not be a union such as Fitzwilliam would enjoy with her sister. No complying miss, she would have her own opinions and defend them when she must—they would need to learn to yield, reason together, and sometimes give way. As Darcy had always wanted a partner, nothing could be morewelcome than to find it with such an excellent woman.
“This is all well and good, Miss Elizabeth,” said Darcy, “but I would prefer to speak of our situation, rather than your sister and my cousin.”
“Oh?” asked she, arching an eyebrow at him. “I was not aware there was a ‘situation’ to discuss.”
“Perhaps there is notyet. I know you have seen enough in my recent behavior to apprehend that I would like there to be.”
“No, I have not misunderstood.” Miss Elizabeth watched him. “You already know of my expectations in a husband, Mr. Darcy. The question before us is whether you will meet those standards.”
“I hope that I will. As you know, I never wanted Miss Bingley for a wife and have not found a woman in London to provoke more than a casual interest. I want a true helpmate, Miss Elizabeth, a woman who will complement me, support me, and bring happiness into my life. You are such a woman.”
“Well,” said Mr. Bennet, catching their attention, “if this be the case, you are indeed worthy of my daughter.”
Mr. Bennet fixed Miss Elizabeth with an affectionate smile. “I have always known that Lizzy required a man she could look up to as an equal. As I know you are such a man, I suspect the rest will fall into place.”
“You know Mama will require you to introduce your younger sisters to all Mr. Darcy’s friends,” said Miss Mary.
Father and daughters laughed—Darcy knew the comment was all too apropos.
“Then I suspect I only need to inform Mrs. Bennet of my wishes.”
Miss Elizabeth was not amused. “Recall my response to Mr. Collins, sir.”
“You would do well not to provoke her,” said Mr. Bennet. “Lizzy is quite capable of making you regret your temerity.”
“I have every intention of provoking her, Mr. Bennet, but not in the way you suggest.”
“You will do well, Mr. Darcy. I suspect you will do very well, indeed.”
Chapter XII
Pulvis Lodge lacked the grace of Pemberley or even the character of Netherfield. Mrs. Bennet might rail about the dreadful attics, but Darcy noticed nothing remarkable about them. The estate was quiet. Peaceful. Darcy had come to value peace—until the day it was broken, not with Mrs. Bennet’s loud exclamations or the youngest girls’ giggles, but with a knock at the door.
The moment Bingley entered the room on the housekeeper’s heels, Darcy knew which way this would go. Bingley’s jaw appeared chiseled from stone, his lips set in a thin line. Darcy supposed that his friend’s lack of response to the letter Darcy had sent, thanking him for the use of Netherfield and their intention to remove to Pulvis Lodge, should have warned him of Bingley’s state of mind. Nothing could have prepared him for the reality of his anger.
“So this is how you repay my generosity.”
It was almost a snarl, so far removed from the friend he knew it might as well be another man. Darcy, shocked as he was by Bingley’s behavior, found it necessary to gather himself, allowing Fitzwilliam to speak.
“Bingley. I have no notion of your meaning—you must be plain.”
“I have just come from Longbourn,” spat Bingley, his fists clenchedtightly by his side. “There, I learned a most surprising bit of news. Not only areyouengaged to Miss Bennet, but Darcy—who disparaged Miss Elizabeth upon first acquaintance—is engaged toher. It is a betrayal beyond anything I ever expected of you.”
“What betrayal do you call it?”
“Did you not come to Netherfield, stay at my house, and pursue the woman I love?”
“If you will pardon me, Bingley,” said Fitzwilliam, not giving an inch, “you had a strange way of showing Miss Bennet you loved her. Before you accuse me of stealing her, perhaps you should ask yourself why she has not been engaged to you these past months—why she was at liberty to accept me.”
“BecauseDarcy,” Bingley’s finger jutted toward him, “persuaded me against returning.”
“If you recall,” said Darcy, finally finding his voice, “I confined my comments to the extent of Miss Bennet’s esteem for you.”
“You are an amusing fellow, Darcy,” scoffed Bingley. “Not only do you lord your superiority over everyone, but you can see into the hearts of young ladies all but unknown to you.”
