Read Online Darcy & Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship (Darcy Saga Prequel Duo) by Sharon Lathan - Free Book Online
Authors: Sharon Lathan
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insisted I leave you be, and as difficult as
it was, I did not defy his orders, a small bit of advice for a proper marriage
I pass on to you two, for whatever good it will do when you especially, Lizzy,
take pleasure in vexing me at every turn. I never thought I would say this, Mr.
Darcy being a man I confess has not ranked high in my esteem, but I do pity him
in dealing with your—”
Smiling all through her mother’s
reproach, Lizzy crossed the room and engulfed her in a firm embrace. That,
along with a tight squeeze, a murmured “I love you, Mama,” and kiss to her
cheek, doused the flames of irritation. Mrs. Bennet relaxed instantly, and her
tone shifted to one of teary concern.
“Oh! My dear girl! Are you sure you
have chosen wisely?”
“Indeed, I am absolutely sure, Mama.”
Lizzy gave another squeeze, then laughed as she pulled away. “And here I
thought you would be singing raptures that I have finally accepted a marriage
proposal rather than rejecting them willy-nilly! No longer will you despair of
me becoming an old maid with nothing left to claim as my own but a sharp
tongue.”
“Now, Lizzy, you know I have only
wanted for your happiness and security. I daresay Mr. Darcy can provide the
latter, but what of the first? Mr. Darcy is, well, somewhat pompous and
disagreeable. If asked even this morning, I would have asserted you disliked
him!”
“I know. Your confusion is
justified. I have not meant to be secretive. It simply took me time to
understand my feelings for Mr. Darcy.”
“Do you care for him?”
“I love him. And he loves me.”
“Well! That does change things! How that came to be is more than I can take account of at the present, but
he is quite rich, as well as handsome, educated, and well-spoken when he does
speak, and not a bad dancer at all, so even with his flaws, he has much to
recommend as a husband. In time, I suppose I shall solve the mystery of it and
be appeased that your personalities will balance and find their way to coexist.
I am not, I admit, adept at understanding people, nor do I invest the time to
do so in all cases, so I am glad of the weeks ahead to grow familiar with the
man—”
“As am I.”
All eyes turned to Mr. Bennet,
where he stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the jamb. His
expression was uncharacteristically somber, and his tone grim.
“Papa?”
“I have given my permission, Lizzy,
but with reservations. In this area I am, surprising as it may be, in agreement
with your mother. Mr. Darcy does indeed have much to recommend, and I am
inclined to trust your assertions in regards to the other matters we discussed.
Nevertheless, you are young, and while not remotely as puerile as Lydia,
emotions can cloud one’s judgment.” He held up his hand when Lizzy opened her
mouth to rebut. “I am not rescinding my permission, Lizzy, nor shall I say a
word to Mr. Darcy. I am merely expressing a father’s concerns. Pray, indulge my
hesitation and wish to grow better acquainted with Mr. Darcy before I begin to
sing any raptures.”
Lizzy nodded. Truthfully, she could
not fault her father’s reservations despite her instinct to argue the point.
Even Jane, who possessed the maddening habit of seeing only the good in
everyone, and who on numerous occasions had defended Mr. Darcy when Lizzy
ranted against him, was shocked and perplexed by the match. Frank conversation
had gone a long way toward convincing Jane that Lizzy loved Mr. Darcy based on
sound principles, as well as emotions. Yet she also knew that Jane would feel
better as time passed and she witnessed their interactions.
Deciding that the whole situation
was, in a strange way, rather humorous and a challenge, Lizzy laughed gaily. “As
you wish, Papa. But when you are ready to sing your raptures, I get to pick the
song.”
“Knowing you, it will be an
especially long one with complex notes and high octaves.”
Further discussion was arrested by
the entrance of Mr. Hill, who announced the
it was, I did not defy his orders, a small bit of advice for a proper marriage
I pass on to you two, for whatever good it will do when you especially, Lizzy,
take pleasure in vexing me at every turn. I never thought I would say this, Mr.
Darcy being a man I confess has not ranked high in my esteem, but I do pity him
in dealing with your—”
Smiling all through her mother’s
reproach, Lizzy crossed the room and engulfed her in a firm embrace. That,
along with a tight squeeze, a murmured “I love you, Mama,” and kiss to her
cheek, doused the flames of irritation. Mrs. Bennet relaxed instantly, and her
tone shifted to one of teary concern.
“Oh! My dear girl! Are you sure you
have chosen wisely?”
“Indeed, I am absolutely sure, Mama.”
Lizzy gave another squeeze, then laughed as she pulled away. “And here I
thought you would be singing raptures that I have finally accepted a marriage
proposal rather than rejecting them willy-nilly! No longer will you despair of
me becoming an old maid with nothing left to claim as my own but a sharp
tongue.”
“Now, Lizzy, you know I have only
wanted for your happiness and security. I daresay Mr. Darcy can provide the
latter, but what of the first? Mr. Darcy is, well, somewhat pompous and
disagreeable. If asked even this morning, I would have asserted you disliked
him!”
“I know. Your confusion is
justified. I have not meant to be secretive. It simply took me time to
understand my feelings for Mr. Darcy.”
“Do you care for him?”
“I love him. And he loves me.”
“Well! That does change things! How that came to be is more than I can take account of at the present, but
he is quite rich, as well as handsome, educated, and well-spoken when he does
speak, and not a bad dancer at all, so even with his flaws, he has much to
recommend as a husband. In time, I suppose I shall solve the mystery of it and
be appeased that your personalities will balance and find their way to coexist.
I am not, I admit, adept at understanding people, nor do I invest the time to
do so in all cases, so I am glad of the weeks ahead to grow familiar with the
man—”
“As am I.”
All eyes turned to Mr. Bennet,
where he stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the jamb. His
expression was uncharacteristically somber, and his tone grim.
“Papa?”
“I have given my permission, Lizzy,
but with reservations. In this area I am, surprising as it may be, in agreement
with your mother. Mr. Darcy does indeed have much to recommend, and I am
inclined to trust your assertions in regards to the other matters we discussed.
Nevertheless, you are young, and while not remotely as puerile as Lydia,
emotions can cloud one’s judgment.” He held up his hand when Lizzy opened her
mouth to rebut. “I am not rescinding my permission, Lizzy, nor shall I say a
word to Mr. Darcy. I am merely expressing a father’s concerns. Pray, indulge my
hesitation and wish to grow better acquainted with Mr. Darcy before I begin to
sing any raptures.”
Lizzy nodded. Truthfully, she could
not fault her father’s reservations despite her instinct to argue the point.
Even Jane, who possessed the maddening habit of seeing only the good in
everyone, and who on numerous occasions had defended Mr. Darcy when Lizzy
ranted against him, was shocked and perplexed by the match. Frank conversation
had gone a long way toward convincing Jane that Lizzy loved Mr. Darcy based on
sound principles, as well as emotions. Yet she also knew that Jane would feel
better as time passed and she witnessed their interactions.
Deciding that the whole situation
was, in a strange way, rather humorous and a challenge, Lizzy laughed gaily. “As
you wish, Papa. But when you are ready to sing your raptures, I get to pick the
song.”
“Knowing you, it will be an
especially long one with complex notes and high octaves.”
Further discussion was arrested by
the entrance of Mr. Hill, who announced the
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