Page 17

CHAPTER 17

I stood rooted in place for heaven knows how long, a stupid grin pulling my lips upward and my eyes seeing only the lady I hoped to marry standing in the window.

“Oh, Mr. Darcy! How happy we are to see you!”

I blinked to see Mrs. Bennet tugging Mr. Bennet over to me, talking all the while. “You know how welcome you have always been at Longbourn!”

Mr. Bennet cast me a wry smile. “As are Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Bingley.”

Only then did his wife notice my companions, and my pride did a satisfied little jig. Richard would torment me for years about my conduct this morning, but I no longer cared. The reward far surpassed the embarrassment I had endured. Elizabeth still watched me, her hand pressed against the glass. If she asked me, I would sing another verse.

Mrs. Bennet led Richard and Bingley inside the house, and Elizabeth’s mare allowed the stableboy to lead her to her stall, leaving Mr. Bennet alone with me.

There was an awkward pause. I was about to make the suggestion that we join the others, but he remarked, “I pray you never have a daughter, Mr. Darcy.”

I stood mute beside him, not knowing what to say at the implication of his statement.

He gestured at the window where his favorite daughter sat watching us?though my cousin, no doubt, was doing his best to distract her—and continued, “One look at you with her large, pleading eyes and she will have her pony… and whatever else her heart desires.” He looked at me directly, and I saw his heart breaking.

I could not apologize for wishing to take his daughter away, but I would not add to his sorrow by admitting as much aloud right then.

Mr. Bennet sniffed and dabbed his eyes. “It does a man good to make a fool of himself over a woman.”

I grimaced.

“Humility suits you, Mr. Darcy.”

I hoped so. But was it enough? I did not expect I had won Elizabeth’s heart in less than a week, but I would be satisfied with her improved opinion.

Mr. Bennet sighed, his voice gravelly. “Promise me, sir. Swear to me you will never stop wooing my daughter… not even after you have been married for years.” He swallowed hard. “Mrs. Bennet used to look at me the way Lizzy is looking at you this moment.” He shook his head. “Somewhere along the years, I stopped trying to please her. I stopped doing the little things I had done as her suitor. Since the flower arrangement arrived for my wife with my name on the card, sent from a florist in London completely unfamiliar to me, she has not suffered one fit of nerves. She is more attentive to her daughters. The peace I have enjoyed in my household in this short time is nothing short of miraculous.”

I bit my tongue, though had I not suspected as much? I would pummel Richard later.

“I have allowed my wife to credit me with your thoughtfulness. To tell her otherwise would crush her.”

“Pray, do not spoil her pleasure if it can be avoided.”

“I will do as you ask, which is what Colonel Fitzwilliam suggested in his note, but I must express my gratitude to you for awakening me from my neglect.”

“What did Richard say?” Perhaps my interfering cousin might be spared his well-deserved thrashing.

“He explained your predicament, not wanting to surpass Mr. Bingley’s flowers to Janey. I can only hope Mr. Bingley’s other friends are as thoughtful as you, as he seems to be a gentleman who is easily influenced.”

“So long as he surrounds himself with good people, he will fare well.”

“I agree, and I aim to be such a person. To that end, I have written to my brother-in-law in London to recommend a governess to teach my younger daughters the proper deportment and accomplishments ladies of their station ought to possess.”

My relief was immense. I could imagine nothing worse than having to cover up a compromise between Wickham and Miss Lydia that would otherwise attach that blackguard to my family by marriage.

“Lizzy knows.”

Heart lurching to a stop, I tried to comprehend Mr. Bennet’s meaning. “She knows?”

“That the flowers were selected by you and meant for her.”

My triumph deflated. “Nothing I have done for her has gone according to plan.”

“Nevertheless, your suit has been most effective.”

I scoffed.

He raised a finger. “Only last month, she claimed there was no gentleman in the Kingdom she despised more than you…” My heart fell. “… and yet, here we are.” He turned away from me to the window.

Elizabeth beckoned us inside with a wave and a beguiling smile. She might have been gesturing mostly for her father, but my heart soared.

Mr. Bennet clasped his hands behind his back with a faint chuckle and walked toward the house.

I called after him. “Do you think… is it possible that…?” I let my question trail off unfinished, not because words failed me, but because I had already caused him enough anguish for one day.

He spun around, and the deep breath he took was one of resignation. “You have much to learn yet, Mr. Darcy, but from what I have seen, I believe you are up to the task.”

When I walked into the parlor and Elizabeth greeted me with a warmth directed exclusively at me, I realized that when Mr. Bennet had spoken of her heart’s desire, he was referring to me.

My apprenticeship had begun. I was Elizabeth’s student, and I humbly threw myself into the lifelong pursuit of learning how to be—today and always—the gentleman of her heart.