Page 7

Mr. Abernathy studied him for a moment, his expression thoughtful.

"I feel I must be entirely forthright with you about Elizabeth's circumstances.

" He paused, taking a measured sip of his brandy.

"While Elizabeth is as dear to my family as a daughter, she brings neither fortune nor significant connections to a marriage.

She has us, of course, and her father is a gentleman, but Longbourn is a modest estate and is entailed away from the female line.

With five daughters at home, he has little to give them. "

Darcy's expression remained impassive. He had suspected as much, for Abernathy had only inherited the larger part of his wealth a few years ago. It stood to reason that a childhood friend of his daughter’s would be from their former sphere, not their current one.

"Furthermore," Mr. Abernathy continued, "while society now presumes that a compromise occurred, we both know the reality is that Ellington is to blame, not you, and that this incident has been exaggerated beyond all proportion.

" He leaned forward slightly. "What I am attempting to say, Darcy, is that should you wish to withdraw your offer, I would support both you and Elizabeth in managing the gossip.

It might require some delicate navigation, but I believe it could be accomplished without irreparable damage to either party. "

Darcy felt a flicker of something close to indignation. "You suggest I should retract my proposal?"

"I suggest no such thing," Mr. Abernathy clarified hastily.

"I honestly believe that Lizzy would make you an excellent bride.

I merely wish to ensure you understand you are not irreversibly bound.

She is not a girl who dreams of marriage, having had a poor example of it at home.

And a man of your position might reasonably expect a match with greater social and financial advantages.

I would not have you made miserable." He met Darcy’s gaze with his own. “ Either of you.”

Darcy set his barely touched glass upon the desk and rose to his feet, unable to remain seated under the implication that Miss Bennet was somehow insufficient to a man such as he.

Why he felt this way he did not understand, for her condition in life was indeed decidedly below his own.

He paced towards the window again, gathering his thoughts before turning back to his host. "Abernathy, I appreciate your candour, but I wish to continue the engagement. "

Mr. Abernathy's eyebrows rose slightly, and a slight smile played at the corners of his mouth. "Indeed?"

"Miss Bennet's position in life is of little consequence to me," Darcy continued, surprising himself with the truth of the statement. "Though I only met her last night, I have already been impressed by her spirit, her courage, and her wit. Tell me, is she always thus?”

The smile grew and Mr. Abernathy chuckled. "Yes."

"I believe such a woman as Miss Bennet could make an excellent mistress of Pemberley," he stated simply. “But I would like time to know her better.”

“The more time you spend engaged,” Abernathy warned, “the more difficult it will be to call off. And the harder Lizzy will try to get you to do just that.”

He almost smiled. “I understand.”

Mr. Abernathy nodded, his expression now decidedly pleased.

"Well, then. In that case, I should like to offer my assistance rather than my doubts.

" He reached for a sheet of paper from his desk drawer.

"Once I came into my inheritance, my wife and I immediately set aside monies to provide for Lizzy.

Given her sentiments, we were concerned that she not feel obligated to marry a man who is not her equal.

As she is like family to us, it seemed only proper.

It is not substantial by the standards of your circle, but it would ensure she does not come to you entirely without fortune. "

"That is unnecessary—" Darcy began, but Mr. Abernathy waved away his objection.

"It is essential, for the sake of appearances if nothing else. And it was decided long before you. More importantly, I offer my assistance in helping you secure her affections."

Darcy stared at him.

"Come now, Darcy," Mr. Abernathy said with unexpected directness. "I have known Elizabeth since she was a child. She is not a young woman to enter marriage merely because circumstance demands it. Indeed I know for certain she would never consider doing so."

“What do you mean?”

“Elizabeth has often said that if she cannot have mutual admiration and respect that she will not marry at all.”

Darcy felt an uncomfortable tightness in his chest. Had he read the situation incorrectly?

He had already known her feelings about their situation from her behaviour the past evening, but there was a difference between hating the scandal and hating him .

"She finds me truly objectionable?" That would change things.

"She would find any match made under such circumstances objectionable," Mr. Abernathy clarified. "She does not know you. But I also believe you might be precisely the sort of man who could win her regard, given time and opportunity."

His own reading of the situation was not so far off the mark, then. Darcy returned to his seat and reached for his neglected glass of brandy. "What makes you say so?"

"Elizabeth values cleverness, honesty, and integrity. From all I have observed and heard of you these past two years, you possess these qualities in abundance." Mr. Abernathy leaned back in his chair. "She also despises pretension and values genuine character over rank or fortune."

"Many would say I embody pretension," Darcy remarked.

He certainly lacked the charm of his cousin Fitzwilliam or even the amiability of his good friend Charles Bingley; indeed, he was forever giving offence.

Yet he could not help but feel offended in turn when he observed how many sought his acquaintance solely due to his fortune.

His cool manner in public was a necessary sort of armour.

He was not an effusive man. He was a strategic one. That was his strength.

"Perhaps you appear so to those who do not know you well," Mr. Abernathy allowed.

"But I have seen how you treat those in your employ, how you speak of your sister and your estate.

Those are the truer measures of a man's character, not his behaviour in a crowded ballroom when surrounded by strangers. "

Darcy was silent for a moment, considering. "You suggest I should attempt to court Miss Bennet properly, despite our engagement already being a matter of public knowledge?"

"Precisely." Mr. Abernathy nodded. "The engagement gives you the opportunity to know one another without the usual constraints of formal courtship.

And you being seen as enjoying the engagement period will do much to assuage any gossip.

" He smiled, a hint of mischief in his expression.

"Though I should warn you, Elizabeth is not easily impressed. "

"I am not accustomed to having to impress young ladies," Darcy admitted, though, truth be told, he rather looked forward to it with her.

Mr. Abernathy laughed. "Then this will be a new experience for you, Darcy. And, if I may say so, probably a beneficial one."

A knock at the door interrupted them, and the butler appeared to announce that the first of the dinner guests had arrived.

"We shall continue this discussion another time," Mr. Abernathy said, rising. "For tonight, perhaps simply observe Elizabeth. She is quite remarkable when she forgets to be guarded."

Darcy nodded, following his host from the study.

If Miss Bennet truly possessed the character Mr. Abernathy described and that he had glimpsed at the ball, she would not be easily won with the advantages that usually secured him deference.

His wealth, his estate, even his connections would mean little to her without the man behind them proving worthy of her regard.

His mind churned through the available facts and came up with a plan.

He would not press her; Miss Bennet must feel free to set the tone between them.

He would be courteous without being familiar, thoughtful but not obvious, and allow his conduct to speak on his behalf.

If he could merely demonstrate integrity, restraint, and respect, surely that would suffice to begin softening her resistance.

His strategy determined, Darcy approached the threshold of the drawing room and took a measured breath. Fitz’s warning echoed in his mind. What gentleman in his right mind ever looked forward to such a battle with this sort of unreasonable anticipation?

He nearly laughed aloud. This one.