Page 21 of May I Have the Pleasure
Naturally, they had already canvassed the subject of Mr Wickham and Mr Darcy’s lesson of life it afforded during their walk. She knew more than anyone else in Meryton, as Darcy had confessed both his sister’s near ruin and what he considered his fault in the matter—an assessment Elizabeth heard with some scepticism. Even Mrs Bennet was quieter and more sensible, while Mr Bennet was less sarcastic and condescending.
All in all, Elizabeth thought replacing herself with Mr Darcy for six weeks had improved her family considerably.
Naturally, a leopard does not change its spots, so any table containing three possible couples in variousstages of acknowledgement and Mrs Bennet, could not avoid the subject of matrimony for an entire meal.
That said, the lady had become much calmer over the previous month, so she waited until the second course, and her attack was from the flank.
“What think you on the subject of courtships, Mr Darcy? How long should they take?”
“Why ask me?” he replied blithely. “I should think there is only one couple at the table who has run the gauntlet successfully, so you should be as qualified to answer as me, if not more so?”
She laughed, “You shall not escape so easily. You well-know my thoughts on the subject, and even you must admit that nobody really cares about my husband’s opinion.”
Mr Bennet laughed gaily, having almost entirely forgotten what it felt like to be teased by his wife. “Aside from one rather obvious error, you have been right about most everything since your arrival. I would appreciate your thoughts.”
Everyone waited anxiously as Darcy gave the matter due consideration.
“Perhaps, I might suggest the rule-of-six, which I naturally just invented.”
“Do tell,” Mr Bennet encouraged jovially.
“Let us start with the easiest. Bingley and Miss Bennet have been courting for six weeks. That seems like a good time to fish or cut bait.”
The table burst out laughing, and Elizabeth rewarded him for both his humour and his candour by reaching across to squeeze his hand, which had the unfortunate effect of freezing his mind up like a vise.
Jane laughingly said, “A true romantic might be best advised to avoid any and all references to bait in a proposal.”
Bingley blushed, but the none-too-subtle hint that she would likely accept his proposal when they got a privatemoment if he did not stuff it up too badly, was not an ill omen.
“Well, that is one,” chimed in Mr Bennet. “Carry on, if you might.”
Darcy looked to Mary, feeling very much less comfortable speaking about them.
She returned the look then glanced at Mr Collins. “Pray, proceed, Mr Darcy. You know me as well as anybody at this point.”
“Naturally, I should like to hear your strictures,” Mr Collins added, and then to the amazement of everyone, he stopped talking, leaving Darcy wondering if Miss Mary had kicked him under the table.
Darcy looked to Elizabeth as if seeking a reprieve from duty, but she added, “Pray, continue, sir. I am as fascinated as everyone else.”
He took a deep breath and tried to just get through it in one go.
“I have far less confidence on that subject, so I recommend a large grain of salt, but I should think your situation different from Bingley and Miss Bennet. Neither of you seem particularly romantic in nature, and I believe you both have strong ideas of what you seek in a spouse and a situation.
“I would ordinarily recommend considerably more time, and if you wish that, I will convince my aunt to go along with the scheme. However, if you both feel you know enough to be satisfied with your choice, thesix daysyou have spent together seems barely sufficient to me.
“You are both old enough to make your own decisions, Mr Collins has not exactly been subtle about what he seeks in a wife, and Miss Mary has not shown any discernible lack in capabilities nor objection to the scheme. I believe the idea of some time as a parson’s wife followed by some years as mistress of Longbourn is close to her ideal life plan, according to our earlier discussions.
“I can confidently assert that Lady Catherine and your parishioners would be well satisfied. If you think you are ready to proceed, I will not be the one to dissuade you—though I still think a longer courtship would not be amiss.”
Ignoring propriety entirely, Elizabeth squeezed his hand and even wrapped her fingers through his, which he supposed indicated approval, though once again, it made it hard to speak or even think.
Mary said, “Thank you, Mr Darcy. You are one of the very few men I know who reallylisten, and perhaps the first to allow that I may know my own mind. Mr Collins and I will take your words under advisement.”
Darcy smiled, reading the none-too-subtle suggestion that Lady Catherine’s days of ordering the parsonage residents about were numbered. “It is all new, Miss Mary. I confess that, before I came here, I would have been one of those who ignored you—or worse.”
Darcy did not quite feel up to confessing he was such a good listener because it was easier to listen than speak, and the only way to get a decent topic he could speak on when his turn came.
“I can only speak to the man I know, not the hypothetical man he may once have been. The man I know has shown wisdom and kindness, and I look forward to knowing you better.”
