Page 15

E lizabeth sat in the parlor, curled up in her father’s chair and enjoying a novel.

The family had gone up the road for Sunday dinner with the Gardiners, but she begged off, citing a headache.

Her head did hurt—well, a little—but truthfully, she could have gone with them.

It was just so nice to have the parlor all to herself for a couple of hours: no Mama quizzing Jane about whether Mr. Bingley had been at the shop, no Amos and Andy on the radio, no Kitty and Lydia squabbling about heaven knows what.

The rattle of a car approaching pulled Elizabeth out of her silent reverie. Thinking it was probably someone out for a Sunday afternoon drive, she returned to her book.

She heard a car door, and several seconds after that, a loud knock. Curious, she got up to answer, but her curiosity turned to bewilderment when she opened the front door.

“Mr. Darcy!”

“Hello, Miss Bennet.” He stood, hands in his pockets, looking at her across the threshold.

“Oh, come in,” she said, recalling her manners and opening the door wider so he could step in. “It’s freezing out there.”

“Thank you.” Darcy’s gaze wandered the room, as if he was looking for someone.

“My father’s not here.”

He hesitated. “He’s not?”

“No, I’m afraid you find me all alone today. They’ve gone up to the Gardiners’ for Sunday dinner.” She looked at the mantle clock. “I’m sure they will be back by two, if you’d like to wait.” She indicated a chair.

“You didn’t go with them?”

“No, I had a little headache, I’m afraid.”

“I hope you’re feeling better.” He took the chair she offered.

“Yes, I am, thank you.”

She sat back down. He bounced right back up and began pacing.He turned and looked at her.

“Is there something I can help you with?” she asked.

“Hmm.” A distracted smile floated across his expression.

He paced the room a few more times and stopped abruptly. Then he approached, halting just a few feet in front of her. She had to tilt her head upward to see his face. His cheeks were red, and his eyes were as dark as night. He looked her over one more time, and finally, he spoke.

“I was going to talk to your father first, but perhaps this is the better way.”

“Better way for what?”

He bridged the remaining steps between them, and to Elizabeth’s horror, he bent down on one knee and took her hand in his.

“I have struggled with my feelings, but I can’t seem to put them aside.I’m compelled to…I have to…tell you how much I admire you and ask you—ask you…”

He took a deep breath as if he was about to dive under water. “I would like to marry you, Elizabeth.” He exhaled the rest of his air and stood up to resume his pacing.

“Before you say anything, hear me out. I realize that we haven’t known each other very long, and you may not have the kind of feelings for me you think you should.

I know girls have silly, romantic notions about being in love before they marry.

But you seem to have some sense about you, and I think you can see how this marriage would benefit both of us. ”

Elizabeth sat in complete and utter shock, her eyes round as saucers, her blood roaring in her ears. She started to speak, stopped, and was silent. Darcy took this as encouragement and went on.

“I’m thirty years old, and most likely tied to Pemberley for the rest of my life.

I’m not complaining, mind you, but that is the reality of my situation.

I have always wanted a family—I know you must have seen how I dote on my nieces—but I’ve never married because, quite frankly, since I returned from college, I haven’t met anyone I thought I could tolerate who would also consider living at Pemberley.

Your family is already in Meryton, so I believe you could live here and be content.

I know people will perhaps look askance at the difference in our social and financial stations, but I care little for other’s opinions. I know what I am doing.

“You are a kind, Christian woman, with some education and intellect. I know that you will be a good mother—I’ve watched you with Maggie and Ruth.

And you seem to be very accepting of Georgiana’s past.” He turned and looked at her closely.

“That is very important to me. I could never allow my wife to treat my sister poorly. She and the girls will, after all, be living in the same house with us. You have lived with several sisters, some of whom are—well, let’s just say that it wouldn’t be too difficult for Georgiana to be a more pleasant companion for you. ”

Elizabeth felt her hackles rise and straightened up, ready to speak, when he interrupted her again.

“Excepting Jane, of course, who is very pleasant to talk to—and maybe that middle one—what is her name again?”

“Mary.”

“Yes, of course, Mary.” After an awkward pause, he carried on. “On your side, the advantages would be obvious: a good home, a respected standing in the community, financial security, and a family of your own, to name a few.”

He seemed to suddenly sense some tension in the air and stopped to observe her.“You have nothing to say?”

“I’m not sure what to say,” she whispered.

He went on as if he had not heard her. “Oh, and I would like to marry as soon as possible. Spring is a very busy time, and I would like to take you somewhere on a short honeymoon before spring planting.I was thinking late February or early March would be a good time for a wedding.”

“Mr. Darcy, I—”

“I can speak with your father as soon as he returns, if you like.”

Elizabeth’s initial reaction was to send him packing. She had just endured the most un-romantic proposal imaginable.Except for the brief stint down on one knee, he had botched the entire affair! Presumptuous, arrogant, high-handed…

She looked up at him and the words died in her throat. He was watching her with an intensity that was unnerving at worst, and at best—well, it was somewhat stirring.

“A lot of girls would put up with a serious feller if he was tall and rich—and had those pretty eyes and that wavy hair. ” Charlotte’s words echoed in her head. It was almost unbelievable, but Charlotte had been right about his interest all along.

Befuddled, she looked away. His gaze pierced her reserve, as if he was trying to read her mind.

Suddenly, it all made sense. The staring, the escorted walks around town, asking her to dance at Netherfield, the frequent trips he made to the vet office—to think, he had admired her all that time!

Her mind whirled as she realized that she had inadvertently captured the interest of this man, whom everyone in town said was unobtainable. Meryton’s confirmed bachelor.

“You look a little apprehensive,” he said. “But you needn’t be troubled. I would never treat you with anything less than respect. I think—I think…we would do well together. Please don’t worry about the future.”

The future. And there it was—the major reason she hadn’t turned him down flat.

The future.

Snippets of conversations flitted through Elizabeth’s mind like a bird trapped indoors and trying to escape.

“I’ll run out of savings by the end of February.”

“…perhaps Mary could go, or Kitty.”

“…we won’t let you starve…”

“I’ve known him a long time. He’s a good man.”

“Mr. Darcy,” she began, her voice shaky. “I’m honored by your proposal, but I was wondering—might I have a day or so to think it over?”

He seemed surprised by this. “Think it over?”

“Yes, it is a momentous decision. And while you have apparently been acclimating yourself to the idea for some time now, I have only just had it sprung upon me. I’d like to sleep on it so as not to make an impulsive decision.”

He smiled.“Ah, I understand. Of course. Very sensible. That’s one of the things I appreciate most about you.”

“Be careful, sir. You will sweep me off my feet with your ardent declaration,” Elizabeth muttered with sarcasm. She stood.

He let out a bark of laughter, which startled her.“I also appreciate your quick wit and irreverent humor—even if, at times, I am the object of it.”

Elizabeth had no idea how to respond to that, so she said nothing.

“I will call on you at your uncle’s office—when? Tomorrow? The next day?”

“The day after tomorrow. I will let you know my decision by then.”

“Until Tuesday then.” He reached out and took her hand, looking down at it and moving his thumb across her knuckles slowly. He gently pulled her toward him, gazing down on her. His eyes closed, and he swiftly brushed his lips across her cheek. “Goodbye…Elizabeth.”

Butterflies swirled around in her stomach at the low, hoarse voice in her ear. He turned away and left before she could say another word.

“He did what ?”

“Hush, Jane!You’ll wake the entire house. The last thing I need is Mama putting in her two cents about this.” Elizabeth paced back and forth in front of her sister. “I couldn’t believe it myself.”

“And you had no idea?”

“Absolutely none. I thought he came over to ask me if I would teach Maggie to read! Apparently, he has been thinking about this marriage business for a while—long enough to have it all planned out.” She shook her head. “I just can’t believe he would ask me to marry him.”

“Why is it so hard for you to believe that someone might fall in love with you?”

“Oh Jane. He’s not in love with me. It was the coldest, most practical exchange of words we have ever had. He wants to marry and have a family, and I’m simply the best option available.”

“But then, if he isn’t in love with you, why does he look at you the way he does?

I overheard Mr. Bingley and his aunt talking about it several months ago when we were staying at Netherfield.

Mr. Bingley seemed to think Mr. Darcy was enamored of you, and Miss Caroline was of the opposite opinion.

After I heard that, I began to notice it more. ”

“I thought that he was staring because he disapproved of me.”

“I guess he doesn’t.”

“Apparently not.What am I going to do?”

Elizabeth turned and plopped back on the bed beside Jane. She put her head in her hands, and Jane reached over and rubbed her back gently.

“You don’t have to say yes, Lizzy.”

“It’s not that simple.” Elizabeth’s mind waged an internal debate.

She had decided to respect her father’s wishes—despite her anger—and not tell Jane about their impending financial crisis.

However, that was before Mr. Darcy had thrown her into this whirlwind of doubt.

Hadn’t she said she would do anything to get them out of this situation?

Wouldn’t it help her father to have one less mouth to feed?

Perhaps, if she married, she could spare Mary or Kitty being sent away from home.

Surely, Mr. Darcy would be willing to help his in-laws at least a little bit.

Should she tell Jane? Her older sister was na?ve in so many ways—protected, sheltered—as Elizabeth herself had been before they moved from Chicago.

No, she wouldn’t tell Jane about the conversation she overheard between their uncle and their father. She would make this decision on her own.

Elizabeth took a deep breath. “He is, in many ways, a ‘good catch’ for me. Aside from his financial situation, he is well-educated and seems to enjoy intelligent conversation, once he deigns to converse with the common folk, that is. He is arrogant, that’s true, but I don’t think he would mistreat me.

He will most likely be devoted to any children we have, judging from his commitment to his sister and his nieces.

Uncle Ed says he is a good man, if a little serious.

” She gave Jane a sidelong glance. “He is handsome.”

“He is that.” Jane agreed. “And he seems enamored of you, which shows he has good taste.”

Elizabeth looked down at the floor. “Right before he left this afternoon, he took my hand, and…he kissed me.”

She looked up and saw Jane’s look of astonishment. “What was that like?”

“It was just on the cheek—and, well, it was not…unpleasant.It was certainly different than when Bobby Anderson tried to kiss me under the mistletoe at that college mixer. Back then, I was just worried about someone catching us. This time, I couldn’t think about anything at all, except how hot my face felt.

So, I don’t suppose being married to him would be very objectionable.

I think we could even be friends, in time. ”

“I’m not sure that’s a good enough reason for getting married. Marriage is for the rest of your life.”

“Let’s be truthful. What are my options for the rest of my life?

I have no education and no money. I can marry, or I can live with Mama and Papa, or I can strike out on my own and live God knows how.

If I marry Mr. Darcy, I know what I’m getting into, and I will be close to my family.

” She reached out and took Jane’s hand. “Perhaps I could even help Mama and Papa—if I were Mrs. Darcy.”

Jane shook her head.“Papa will not let you do that—he is too proud to take charity from Mr. Darcy.”

“Perhaps.” Elizabeth had her own ideas about how she would circumvent her father’s pride.

“It sounds as though you have made up your mind already.”

“I guess I have. He is going to call on me on Tuesday, and I said I would give him an answer then.” She sat down close to Jane and laid her head on her sister’s shoulder.

“I am so tired right now. I feel as if the weight of the world is on my shoulders and has been since July. I just want all this worry to end.”

Jane enclosed her in a sisterly hug. “As long as I am able, I will be here for you.”

“Thank you. And Jane?”

“Yes?”

“Please pray for me.”

Jane squeezed her one more time. “That you may rely upon.”