Page 80 of The Heroic Mr Darcy's Bad Manners
“I should summon Doctor Scott and have him bleed your excessive pride.” Darcy smirked.
“When one is wed to the most precious woman in the world, pride will always be under good regulation,” the colonel asserted with immoderate gratification.
After breakfast they all gathered in the library. With the rain pelting steadily on the windows, there was not much else to do. It was fortunate that they had books, a fine chessboard, and cards to entertain them.
The gentlemen were playing chess when Mr Darcy’s booming voice startled Elizabeth to her feet.
“Put that down or I shall have you hanged for thievery!”
“Not a chance, Fitzy.” The colonel smirked and gulped down the last lemon tart.
“Why did I invite you here again?”
“You did not. I sent you a letter inviting myself.”
“That is correct, though I retain the authority to evict—”
“Oh, look at the time.” The colonel fished out his pocket watch and sprung to his feet. “It is time for your nap, darling.” He marched to Jane, took the book from her hands, put it gingerly on the table, and expertly helped her out of her chair. “We shall join you at dinner,” he called over his shoulder, and they were gone.
“Excellent chaperons,” Elizabeth muttered.
“Yes, I dare say they are,” Darcy drawled with a gleam in his eyes.
She had never seen him thus. So at ease and free with his words—unguarded and content. She liked to think she was the main reason for his present comfort, but being in his own home must necessarily account for part of the change.
“You are uncommonly quiet,” he remarked with concern.
“I cannot always be witty and loquacious. I must allow for some contemplation upon the inconsistencies of the man I love.”
“I hope you do not believe me to be inconstant?”
“Oh no, that was not what I meant. I am trying to sketch your character, but I do not get on at all,” she lamented playfully.
“I am your servant, madam, and you have the rest of your life to come to an understanding.”
“I am exceedingly sorry to be the cause of a rift in your family,” she admitted.
“You are not. The cause I mean. I am. It was my decision and my decision alone to investigate the Campbells. When I discovered their perfidy, I had no choice but to act. Lord Matlock is a decent man who has erred grievously. Of that fact he is painfully aware and is hiding his shame behind indignation. With time, I believe we shall mend the chasm, if not completely, by some measure.”
“When your reply is so reasonable I cannot object, but I am in awe of your discernment.”
Her comment made Darcy look a bit uncomfortable, and she was sad to see that she had disrupted his ease.
“Discerning and wretchedly blind. I still cannot account for not recognising you at the Meryton assembly.”
“Let us leave the grievances in the past and think only of the future. We have a wedding to plan, and it would be wise to decide as much as we can before my mother is apprised.”
“In this I shall bow to your commands,” he graciously offered. “I understand your sister had an intimate family wedding, but you may have a lavish society event if that would please you.”
He looked at her expectantly. What would he prefer?
“I think not. I would like something similar to Jane’s wedding.”
“Thank heavens!” Darcy muttered breathily.
“And I would not like to wait for as long as it takes my mother to plan a lavish affair.”
“Even better!” he rejoiced.
