Page 32 of The Slipper Scandal
The thought was both liberating and terrifying. Beyond the demands of honour and propriety, he wished to know her better, to understand the quick mind behind those expressive eyes, to discover what might make her laugh with genuine pleasure rather than sharp irony.
Darcy picked up a pen and began to write, not compliments or pleasantries, but a list of topics Elizabeth had shown interest in: literature, politics, Hertfordshire. He had observed Miss Bennet's interest in classical sculptures at the masquerade ball, the way her eyes had lingered on a statue of Neptune. He added art to the list. If conversation was to be his means of redemption, then he would arm himself appropriately.
For a man accustomed to managing an estate of thousands of acres, surely engaging one young woman in pleasant discourse could not be so insurmountable a challenge.
Could it?
Elizabeth broke the seal on Jane's letter. Only three weeks had passed since she had come to London and her family had departed on their own journey, yet it felt like an eternity.
"Are there any exciting developments in the north?" Arabella inquired cheerfully from her position at the pianoforte, where she had been idly practising a new piece.
"I have only just opened it," Elizabeth replied, running her fingers over her sister's neat, precise handwriting. "Though I do admit to some trepidation about what Jane might say regarding my unexpected change in status."
She had written to her sister immediately after the fateful masquerade, explaining the circumstances of her sudden engagement with as much clarity as propriety would allow. She had not, however, confessed her determination to end the betrothal. Such confidences were too dangerous to commit to paper, even in a letter to Jane.
"Read it aloud if you do not mind," Arabella urged, abandoning her music to join Elizabeth on the settee. "I should like to know how your family has received the news."
Elizabeth cleared her throat and began to read:
My dearest Lizzy,
I cannot adequately express the astonishment with which we received your news. An engagement, and to Mr. Darcy of Pemberley! Aunt Gardiner recognised the name at once, for Pemberley is but six miles from Green Hill House. She speaks most highly of the family, though she has never met the current master.
Elizabeth paused, somewhat surprised. "I had no idea Aunt Gardiner would have heard of Mr. Darcy.”
"We live on an island," Arabella commented. "It is difficult to travel anywhere without discovering relations or mutual acquaintances. What else has Jane to say?"
Mr. Abernathy wrote to Papa, explaining the circumstances and requesting permission to sign the marriage articles on his behalf. Papa was most intrigued by this gentleman who so expeditiously offered for your hand after what Mr. Abernathy delicately termed “an unfortunate misunderstanding at a masquerade.”
Elizabeth groaned softly. "So Papa knows everything."
"Almost certainly," Arabella agreed. “My father would not keep such a thing from yours.”
He has asked me to tell you that he gives his permission for Mr. Abernathy to act in his stead regarding the marriage articles and that he trusts Mr. Abernathy's judgment implicitly in thismatter. He also wishes you to know that Mamma has not read his letter, though she did intercept mine. Because you were discreet, Mamma believes only that you have a suitor.
Papa’s exact words were "Should Lizzy discover she wishes to wriggle out of this arrangement, I trust Abernathy to manage it with discretion. My contribution shall be to keep her mother occupied in the north while Elizabeth decides what she truly desires.”
“Your father has always been perceptive,” Arabella noted.
Elizabeth lowered the letter, a rush of affection for her father warming her heart. “He has.” She returned to the letter, her voice softening as she continued:
Papa added that should matters progress to a conclusion you find unsatisfactory, he will of course support whatever resolution you and Mr. Abernathy determine is best. However, he also bade me remind you, and again, these are his precise words, "If this is a man she can respect and admire, she would do well to consider the match with care before discarding it. Good men are far rarer than wealthy ones, though occasionally the two qualities may coincide.”
Elizabeth frowned slightly at this. Even her father, it seemed, was not entirely opposed to the match.
As for myself, dearest Lizzy, I am pleased if you are pleased. You have always possessed excellent judgment, and if Mr. Darcy can earn your regard, then I have no doubt of his worth. I confess, I am anxious to meet the gentleman.
"How very like Jane," Elizabeth murmured, "to assume the best of everyone."
"She is the best of women," Arabella agreed. “Far better than the pair of us.”
They smiled at one another, and Elizabeth resumed reading.
Lydia and Kitty insist that I inquire whether your Mr. Darcy is handsome, whether he is truly as rich as Aunt Gardiner implies, and whether he might be persuaded to treat them to new bonnets when they eventually visit London. Mary offers her sincere congratulations and hopes that your future husband appreciates the superior value of moral reflection over worldly advantages.
I must add, though I hesitate to cause you anxiety, that Mamma is exceedingly happy with the news of your "suitor." She speaks of little else, and though Papa has told her that we shall remain in Derbyshire until the end of February as planned, I fear she grows more determined by the day to return to London.
Elizabeth set the letter down in her lap with a heavy sigh. "Precisely as I feared. Mamma will not remain in Derbyshire much longer, no matter what Papa says. She is undoubtedly already planning our wedding breakfast and selecting lace for my trousseau."
