Page 7 of Idle Gossip

“It is quite alright, Miss Bennet.” Bingley shifted and Elizabeth noted his nerves. “We have something we wish to discuss with you—”

“There you are! Gentlemen, I believe you are here to see me.” Mr. Bennet stood in the doorway, his expression serious.

“Papa?” Jane turned to Mr. Bennet. “What do you mean?”

“The rumors have reached you, then,” Mr. Darcy answered.

Rumors? Elizabeth glanced back and forth between her father and their guests. “I think this is a conversation we had best have together.” She glared at Mr. Bennet, hoping he would not exclude her and Jane.

“Very well. To my library, if you please.” Mr. Bennet stepped aside and waited for the four of them to file out before following them. Jane led the way, with Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Bingley following.

The library was but a short walk away, and Mr. Bennet closed and locked the door when they had all entered.

“It is best for privacy,” he said at Mr. Bingley’s questioning gaze. “Now, let us be seated. I gather you and Mr. Darcy brought the same news my wife has just received from town.”

“Indeed. I feel Darcy is best equipped to speak, since his aunt is the one who wrote.” Bingley nodded at his friend.

Darcy cleared his throat and produced a letter from his pocket. “I received this express this morning.” He began to read aloud. With every word, Elizabeth felt the color draining from her face.

“Who did this?” she whispered.

“We do not know,” Darcy admitted.

Jane did not seem at all displeased about the news, but she and Bingley had formed a rapport already. “And what is to be done?” Elizabeth looked at her father, her gaze pleading.

“I could demand Mr. Darcy marry you,” Mr. Bennet mused, “but he does not strike me as a man willing to be ordered about by anyone.” He sighed and ran a hand over his face. “Mr. Darcy, what do you intend to do? I believe we all know how Mr. Bingley will proceed.”

Mr. Bingley, indeed, looked ridiculously happy at the turn of events. He had taken Jane’s hand and was staring deeply into her eyes. Jane’s reserve had shattered. If there had been any doubt as to the nature of her feelings, none was there now.

“I—” Darcy paused. “I believe I need to speak to Miss Elizabeth. Mr. Bennet, may we have a few minutes alone?”

No, no, no. Elizabeth did not wish to speak to Mr. Darcy. He was a prideful, arrogant man who thought himself above others. He thought she was tolerable.

“Yes. Lizzy, be a dear and give Mr. Darcy the opportunity to speak before you lose your temper.” Mr. Bennet stood and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Bingley, Jane, you may take the small parlor. Mrs. Bennet is in her bedchamber. Until this is resolved, her nerves will overtake her completely.”

Jane and Bingley followed Mr. Bennet from the room. The door closed, and suddenly, she was alone with Mr. Darcy.

Chapter Four

Mr. Darcy cleared his throat. “Miss Elizabeth—”

“No. This cannot be happening.” Elizabeth placed her hands on her cheeks. “What is to become of me?”

“Miss Elizabeth, I will not leave you to face this alone. It would not be the honorable thing to do.”

“Honor? Your honor has always been in question since the first night of our acquaintance.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.

“What do you mean?” Darcy felt stricken that she believed him to be anything less than a gentleman. He suspected the source of her misapprehension, but wished to hear her say it.

“I believe tolerable is the word used.” She sniffed again, and Darcy wished to hold her and whisper in her ear that all would be well.

“I should never have spoken such a blatant untruth.” He moved to her side and knelt beside her. “Miss Elizabeth, it has been many weeks since I considered you the handsomest woman I have ever met. You are kind, witty, engaging, intelligent, and genuine. Never have I met a lady who possesses all the qualities I seek in a wife…until you.”

“Wife?” Elizabeth pulled away. “Sir, we do not like each other!”

“It is clear that you do not like me. Pray, allow me to be master of my own sentiments.” Darcy heard the testiness in his tone and struggled to remain calm. “Miss Elizabeth, these rumors have removed the final reservations I had about pursuing you.” He paused, suddenly conscious that his next words were poorly chosen. “You see,” he said instead, “my family’s opinion is important to me. I wanted them to adore you, but I feared they would disapprove…so I did not court you as I wished. But I could not resist you. All I could manage was to hover at the edge of your conversations so I could bask in your glow.”

It sounded like sentimental drivel, but his words seemed to penetrate the stubbornness his lady possessed. Elizabeth looked up and met his gaze.