Elizabeth glanced to her husband from her end of the dining table, her eyes alight with mischief although her younger sisters had embarrassed Lady Anne upon several occasions before the final course was served. Their delight in having the two young gentlemen from the ball as dinner guests brought about much merriment and earned them reproving glances from Mr. Darcy’s mother.
Once dinner was done, Darcy herded the men to the library for a much needed respite from the young women.
Elizabeth led the ladies to the parlor, her arm linked with Lady Anne, and cut a quieting stare at Lydia and Kitty. “The gentlemen will be along soon and we must appear calm, ladies. Quiet conversation and cards will suffice for the evening.”
Lydia and Kitty veritably skipped into the parlor but Lady Anne made a noise in her throat causing both young ladies to slow their pace. Elizabeth was certain had their mother remained at Brambling House with the Bingleys, the girls might have been able to control their childish glee.
As it was, Mrs. Bennet began to expound upon the wealth of the two young gentlemen her daughters had chosen. Elizabeth wished she might find an excuse to call her mother from the room before the men came to sit with them.
Her stomach turned as Mrs. Bennet continued her chatter and she touched her forehead finding it had become warm. She glanced to Lady Anne and winked, a small smile for the lady fading as she turned to her mother. “Mother, would you see me to my rooms? I believe I ought to lie down for a time.”
Mrs. Bennet glanced at Elizabeth but continued her instruction to Lydia and Kitty on how they might interest their suitors who were now engaged in conversation with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet in the library.
Jane took her mother’s hand and smiled. “Mother, Lizzy is unwell. Please see her to her room so that she might rest.”
Mrs. Bennet could not refuse her eldest daughter and turned to address Lady Anne. The woman had been watching Mrs. Bennet’s display, wishing she would take Elizabeth’s hint. With the foolish woman out of the way, Kitty and Lydia might find themselves well matched.
Lady Anne nodded at Mrs. Bennet, ignoring the words of excuse the woman gave, eager to see her leave the parlor. She would take the girls in hand and the evening would proceed quite nicely.
In the library, Mr. Darcy watched Mr. Bennet as he chatted amiably with the two young men from the ball. Being the father of the young women in question, Mr. Bennet was only behaving in the customary fashion. The decisions regarding marriage, should it come to that, would lie with Mr. Darcy.
He had already taken it upon himself to investigate the suitors and found them both beyond reproach and wagered the youngest of the Bennet sisters would be quite fortunate should offers be made.
He wondered how he might help mend the relationship between his wife and her father, for his Elizabeth tossed and turned in her sleep waking often with mumbling words of her father upon her lips. Now was not the time, not whilst they sought to settle the younger daughters and see them happily married.
Once Kitty and Lydia’s futures were settled, he would see to the needs of his wife concerning her parents. They were to stay until Spring but he had no need of them to wander the halls of Pemberley did they not please Elizabeth with their presence. The week in which they’d gone to Brambling had been a restorative of sorts for his bride, she’d slept better, ate better, and the bloom in her cheeks had returned.
When the men were ready to join the ladies in the parlor, he was given word that Elizabeth had retired upstairs with her mother. He urged Mr. Bennet to follow him to Elizabeth’s rooms. “I had thought to wait until later for such a meeting, but we might see to it now. Come along, sir. My mother shall chaperone the young ladies in the parlor for a time.”
Elizabeth sat in the small sitting room adjoining her bedroom and listened patiently as her mother opined on the perfect beauty of Kitty and Lydia and how they must receive offers that very evening. Elizabeth would not intervene in her mother’s dreams, though she hoped her sisters might receive offers of marriage but cared not whether it was this evening or another.
She raised her head as first Mr. Darcy entered and then Mr. Bennet. There was no mistake, she must now face her parents with her husband by her side.
Mr. Bennet nodded at Elizabeth and sat beside his wife, taking her hand and quieting her words. “My dear, we must speak with Elizabeth. The time has come.”
Mrs. Bennet, unhappy at the turn of events, glanced away when Mr. Bennet spoke softly to his favorite child.
Elizabeth waited for Mr. Darcy to come sit beside her for his quiet strength leant her confidence. “Father, mother, how odd to meet you here. Tis for the best as we should not be interrupted.”
Mr. Bennet gazed at Elizabeth, the glow about her causing him to soften his plea. “Lizzy, my dearest one, you must know how deeply sorry I am for all that happened after the Netherfield ball. I would never have allowed Mr. Collins near your person did I know the depths of his wickedness. I have learned that he cares for nothing more than the approval of his patroness. Could you forgive me, in time, for my error?”
Elizabeth had leaned against Mr. Darcy as her father spoke, drawing from his own courage and the comfort of his hand upon her aching back.
She turned her gaze at her mother, hoping to find the same humility her father had shown but finding only the same silly woman as ever.
Mrs. Bennet fanned herself and barely concealed her wish to return to the parlor below for the support of Kitty and Lydia in their pursuit of the wealthy young men.
Elizabeth knew in her heart the relationship with her mother was one that would not change, could never, because of the woman’s lack of concern. To her mind, Elizabeth ought to have married the parson and done so without her customary habit of melodrama.
She looked to Mr. Darcy and whispered. He escorted Mrs. Bennet from the room with a nod to Mr. Bennet.
After they had gone, Elizabeth went to sit beside her father, the hope shining in her eyes piercing his heart. He appeared ten years older in the candlelight of her sitting room and Elizabeth wished only to embrace him and forgive all that had passed.
Mr. Bennet took her hand and kissed it gently, the tears he’d sworn to hold back rushing forth. “My Lizzy, is this a dream or have you opened your heart to me once more?”
Elizabeth leaned against him, comforted by his solid form, and kissed his cheek wondering how they’d remained at odds for so long.
“Papa, you must never recommend husbands for your daughters again. I believe should you leave that to Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet remained in her sitting room as the evening deepened. Confessions passed between them but before he rose to leave, Elizabeth’s heart lifted at their reunion.
She might never forget his part in her abduction by Mr. Collins, but they were resolved to begin their precious relationship anew.