Page 20 of An Interrupted Proposal (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
Darcy nodded. “I will speak to her and Mrs. Annesley, as well as Elizabeth, to gather their thoughts before we make a decision.”
“Wise man,” Gardiner said as he rose from his seat.
“You will do well to remember to include Elizabeth in matters. My Margaret has saved me from making many errors, once I learnt to ask her opinion.” He straightened his waistcoat and smiled.
“Shall we return before they come searching for us? I do not wish to displease the Earl.”
“Have no fear, sir. You need only send him a pound of your best coffee and you will be forgiven.” Darcy followed his guest back to the others.
***********
The Darcy carriage drew to a halt before the inn, and Darcy stepped forwards once the door was opened and the step was set. “Bingley and I have reserved a parlour and tea while the horses are being changed.” He handed the ladies out, placing Elizabeth’s hand upon his arm before leading them inside.
“Is this why the two of you rode ahead?” she asked. “I thought you had become bored by our conversation.”
Darcy chuckled. “I never tire of speaking with you, my love. We were simply seeing to your needs.”
“And it had nothing to do with Bingley challenging you to a race?” she asked innocently.
“I was correct,” he said with a theatrical sigh. “I have recently seen a similar expression on my sister’s countenance. My days of quiet and control are coming to an end.”
Her delightful peal of laughter caused him to chuckle. “You, sir, are quite ridiculous.” She leant closer after glancing over her shoulder. “And I suspect you are pleased to see your sister so happy.”
“You are correct, of course. I suspected you would be a wonderful influence for her and have been quite pleased that I was proven correct.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I am uncertain if your arrogance and pride are rearing their ugly heads again.”
“Ah,” Darcy held up a finger, wagging it from side to side. “But as I have mentioned before, even if there is a certain superiority of mind, pride must be kept under good regulation.”
Her eyes narrowed and her lips twitched. “I do not remember you saying it quite that way before.”
“Perhaps life lessons have adjusted my thoughts,” he said with a slight lift of his shoulders.
“Life lessons?” she asked.
“Oh yes, I have returned to the schoolroom recently and have had several tutors. You have taught me humility and your uncle has urged me to relinquish responsibility for issues that are not of my making.”
She nodded. “My sisters.”
“You did not seem disappointed when I mentioned spending several months at Pemberley alone.”
They had arrived at the parlour and Georgiana, Mrs. Annesley, Jane, and Maria Lucas began removing their outerwear. Elizabeth continued to hold Darcy’s arm and met his gaze.
“I believe I would like to stretch my legs a bit more, sir. Might we take a walk before refreshing ourselves?”
Darcy nodded. “Bingley, Elizabeth and I will be in the small garden behind the inn. We will return shortly.”
Once outside, Elizabeth laid her head against his arm.
“I was a bit surprised when you suggested Georgiana remain either in London or at Longbourn, but relieved as well. There will be much to do and learn once we arrive at Pemberley. We will want time alone, and I will have to learn my way about and where I fit. Your home has run without a mistress for over a decade, am I correct?”
“It has, nearly fifteen years.”
“Your housekeeper will need to know that I am not planning on overturning her ways in a fortnight.” She blushed.
“And you and I will have to learn how to work together. It will be easier to do so without worrying about our sisters.” Elizabeth looked up at him and smiled bashfully.
“I thank you for considering these things.”
Darcy brushed a light kiss over her lips. “Do not thank me, my dear. Thank your uncle. It was he who reminded me that we would want to be alone for a longer period of time than I was allowing. Of course, I have no desire to share you, but I also did not want our sisters to feel abandoned.”
“And they will not,” she said as they reached the end of the small garden path. “May we return now? I find I am a bit hungry after all.”
“Of course.” He turned them back towards the inn. “You are certain that Lydia will not be too disappointed about not going to Pemberley with us immediately? I did tell her that we would have to discuss it, but I also feel as though I have made her a promise.”
“A promise without a date,” Elizabeth replied. “And we will fulfil part of the promise by providing her with a companion to begin her training. If Mrs. Annesley and Georgiana return to London, we will simply find someone else to fill the role.”
Darcy nodded and opened the door to the parlour.
***********
Mr. Bennet waited outside the door to Longbourn, his arms folded across his chest and a frown fixed firmly upon his lips.
His wife and youngest daughters were at his side, each expressing their excitement in their own unique way.
Mrs. Bennet was already speaking before the door of the carriage was opened while Miss Mary stood at her mother’s side, a calming hand resting upon the lady’s arm.
The younger sisters might have attempted a mature countenance, but they veritably vibrated with excitement and bounced on their toes every few minutes.
Darcy and Bingley dismounted and waved the footman away from the carriage so they could assist the ladies within.
Darcy opened the door while Bingley stepped ahead of him and reached inside to hand Miss Bennet down.
He smiled jovially at Darcy as he walked his lady towards her waiting family.
Darcy reached inside and took Elizabeth’s hand.
She grinned at him and quickly rushed towards the others, allowing him to hand his sister and her companion out of the equipage, having delivered Miss Lucas directly to Lucas Lodge along the way.
He escorted the remaining ladies towards those gathered by the house.
“Mr. Bennet,” Darcy said with a bow. The older gentleman’s frown deepened, and he barely tipped his head in acknowledgement.
“Shall we conduct introductions inside?” Elizabeth asked, seemingly unaware of the exchange between the gentlemen.
The party relocated to Mrs. Bennet’s drawing room once the travellers removed their outerwear, and Elizabeth introduced Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley to the Bennet family.
Miss Lydia was the quietest Darcy had ever seen her as she studied his sister and her companion.
When tea was delivered, the youngest girl mimicked Georgie’s mannerisms, suppressing her normal exuberance.
Darcy glanced at his host and found the man watching the girl with an unreadable expression upon his countenance. Taking the opportunity of Jane and Elizabeth discussing their recent time in London and their engagements with their mother and sisters, Darcy stepped closer to Mr. Bennet.
“Are you displeased with me, sir?” he asked in a soft voice.
Mr. Bennet glanced at him, sighed, but then crossed his arms over his chest and frowned anew. “It was my understanding that a discussion would be held between Jane, Elizabeth, Bingley, you, and me when you returned to Longbourn. After your departure, I learnt that you had already spoken to Lydia.”
“Forgive me, sir.” He glanced at the ladies, then back to his host. “Might we speak in private?”
“Should we include the others now?” Mr. Bennet’s left brow arched, his displeasure remaining upon his features.
“I owe you the apology, sir, and would like to speak to you alone first. We may include the others later, if you wish.”
Mr. Bennet released a soft huff but rose and led Mr. Darcy from the room. Stopping at the door, Darcy looked back at Elizabeth and winked when her brow rose in question. Her nod allowed him to continue with a sense of peace over what must be said next.
Once they were settled in Mr. Bennet’s book room, Darcy tugged at his cuffs and began speaking with his gaze lowered.
“I hope you will forgive my overstepping, Mr. Bennet. Both Elizabeth and Mr. Gardiner have reminded me that there are some things which I should recognize are the responsibility of others. Unfortunately, for the last six years, most everything has ended at my feet and I have learnt to act in advance in order to avoid larger issues down the road. I am also unaccustomed to having to discuss my actions with others.”
Darcy sat back in his seat. “Before setting sail for America, George Wickham informed me that he had a few . . . encounters with your youngest daughter.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyes widened, and he sat forwards. “He what?”
“He assured me that he had not taken Miss Lydia’s virtue and that he had told no one else what had occurred between them.”
“And you believe him?” Mr. Bennet asked sarcastically.
“Surprisingly, I do. He was not in a position to lie to me as he required my assistance, which was dependent upon his complete honesty.”
Mr. Bennet huffed and sat back, but did not appear convinced.
“I felt it best to speak to Miss Lydia while I had the opportunity and offer an incentive for her to rethink her actions. Your brother has shown me that it was not my place to do so, and Elizabeth has reminded me that she and I will be making such decisions together now. They have chastised me, but I understand if you feel the need to have your say, sir.”
The older gentleman stared at him, his hands folded in his lap and his index fingers tapping together.
Finally, Mr. Bennet sighed. “You are a man of action, Darcy. I appreciate that and understand how you might believe that I would not be, given my history. Indeed, I may not have reacted as quickly had you told me what Mr. Wickham had said during our last meeting. That said, I should have been told.”
“You are correct, sir.”
Mr. Bennet lifted one finger. “You have spoken to Elizabeth. I am assuming that she has given her opinion. Has your initial plan changed?”