Page 27 of A Different Impression

Darcy felt an unexpected surge of gratitude towards the older man.

“How can you permit Lizzy to be courted before Jane?” Mrs Bennet persisted.

“You appeared perfectly content to see her marry before Jane when you believed Mr Lucas the suitor,” Mr Bennet replied evenly. “Have you truly failed to notice that an eligible gentleman has devoted nearly every waking hour of the past several days to her? Mr Darcy has been courting Elizabeth beneath your very nose.”

Mrs Bennet stared.

When Mr Bennet merely inclined his head, she seemed genuinely at a loss.

“But... Why Lizzy? Mr Darcy is wealthier even than Mr Bingley. Mr Bingley has paid such marked attention to Jane... and Jane is so much prettier...”

As the conversation dragged on, Darcy watched the light slowly fade from Elizabeth’s eyes. Each comparison to Jane, each slight seemed to diminish the happiness she had worn only moments before. Every instinct urged him to cross the room, take her hand, and spare her another word of it, yet he knew this was a battle Mr Bennet needed to fight.

He kept his gaze fixed upon Mr Bennet. If the older gentleman failed to answer, Darcy fully intended to do so himself.

“Mrs Bennet,” her husband said quietly, though his voice carried unmistakable authority, “cease this nonsense. You make yourself appear mercenary and foolish, and if you persist, you will frighten away both our daughters’ suitors. Has it not occurred to you that Mr Darcy might admire Elizabeth for qualities other than those you choose to value?”

He paused before continuing more soberly.

“I have only just realised how little you think of our second daughter. I am ashamed that I failed to see it sooner.”

Darcy found himself respecting Mr Bennet more with every word. The man was plainly acknowledging years of neglect before his own family—a humbling admission few gentlemen would willingly make.

After Mrs Bennet left the room, Darcy and Bingley once again made to leave. Elizabeth walked Darcy towards the door behind Jane and Bingley and softly apologised for her mother’s words. He noted the slight evidence of tears pooling in her bright eyes and sought to comfort her.

He wished she would cease apologising for faults that were not her own.

“Elizabeth, please do not be offended. Your mother is a foolish woman who cannot understand you because you are so unlike her. Your father has observed how he has done little to aid her or your younger sisters in their education, and this appears likely to change in the near future. Regardless of what your mother says or believes, I know what I want, and that is you,” he whispered. “Nothing will change my mind about that, so please, do not let her worry you, dearest.”

“You are too kind, William,” she whispered in return. “Forgive me if it takes me some time to believe you and not be affected by what she says of me. I have heard it all for many years. Are you sure you wish to court me knowing what a foolish mother I have?”

“Then allow me to convince you of your worth,” he murmured in her ear. “Your father mentioned something about allowing you to go to London for a month or so. He seems to think I could court you more effectively there.”

“We would not have the freedom of our walks in the country,” she replied. “And surely it is too soon for you to leave your friend. Are you not here to teach him how to run an estate?”

“That was the intent, although Bingley has proven a somewhat distracted student since meeting your sister,” he said with a sigh. “But please know that London remains an option, especially if matters become too difficult for you here.”

“Thank you,” she replied. “I will let you know. Perhaps in a few weeks, I can go, and maybe then it will be time to begin my trousseau.” She winked as she said the last, and he brought her hand to his lips to kiss before turning it over and pressing a second kiss into her palm. Darcy laughed, thinking he would gladly commission every gown in London if it meant seeing that playful smile again.

“That, my dear, is a wonderful idea,” he said. Releasing her hand, he mounted the waiting horse and urged it forward to catch up with Bingley, who had ridden ahead.

The following day was Sunday, which meant Elizabeth was unable to walk out early in the morning, and Darcy had been unable to persuade Bingley to rise early. Since they were now formally courting, and due to Lucas’s actions the previous day, Darcy had every intention of demonstrating his preference for and connexion to Elizabeth publicly at church, where all could see it and know she was his.

The gentlemen from Netherfield arrived at church early and stood in the yard awaiting the Bennets. Darcy observed Lucas there as well, seemingly waiting for the same person he was. Soon, the Bennets arrived. Darcy rushed forward to greet Elizabeth, immediately offering her his arm, which she gratefully accepted. Her hand settled upon his arm, and the simple public acknowledgement of their understanding pleased him more than he cared to admit.

Lucas appeared on Elizabeth’s other side, near where Jane stood, evidently waiting for Bingley to claim Jane so he might take Elizabeth’s other arm and draw her away from Darcy. To his frustration, however, when Bingley did offer Jane his arm, the two sisters remained together, and the four continued speaking in the churchyard until it was nearly time for the service to begin.

Only then did they enter the church, leaving Lucas no opportunity to separate Elizabeth from the group.

Jane released Bingley’s arm when they entered the church, as they had no understanding. Darcy continued forward with Elizabeth and only released her arm when they arrived at her family’s pew. Darcy noticed more than one curious glance following them as he escorted Elizabeth forward.

Therefore, when the service was over, and Darcy once again waited to escort Miss Elizabeth, many whispers followed them. Mrs Bennet was heard crowing about the fact that Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy had visited her home several times since the assembly and had much to say about the potential of a match between Jane and Mr Bingley, mentioning his own courtship of Elizabeth only as an afterthought and openly speculating on how soon it would end.

He overheard more than one conversation speculating about the marked attention he had shown Elizabeth that morning. Several neighbours appeared far more optimistic about their attachment than Mrs Bennet had been.

Together, he and Elizabeth studiously ignored the notice they had attracted. After speaking with a few of Elizabeth’s friends, they began walking towards the Bennet home with Jane and Bingley.

Before they could depart, however, Lucas moved purposefully towards Elizabeth once more, only to be intercepted by Mr Bennet. Though Darcy could not hear what was said, Lucas’s expression darkened before he turned away. He could only hope the warning had finally been understood.