A Collection of Unusual Tales by Adams Elizabeth

Author:Adams, Elizabeth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-10-03T00:00:00+00:00

Mr. Bennet smiled when Elizabeth entered his bookroom. “How was your sojourn at Netherfield, my dear? Have you come back engaged like your sister? Jane has told me all about her plans with Mr. Bingley. And now Collins is sniffing around Mary. If he follows through, I will lose two of my girls in the same month.”

Elizabeth looked at him guiltily. “Three of your girls, papa.”

“What?”

“While I was at Netherfield, I made a discovery.” She took a deep breath. “Mr. Darcy is my soulmate.”

Mr. Bennet stared at his daughter with a blank expression.

“Papa? Will you not say something?”

“Mr. Darcy? Your soulmate?”

“Yes. We were both quite surprised. He has the mark on his right arm. I only saw the bottom portion, it would have been indecorous for me to see the whole thing, but it is an exact replica of my mark, only smaller.”

Mr. Bennet continued to stare at his favorite daughter.

“I thought you liked Mr. Darcy? You seem to enjoy your discussions.”

“Yes, I like him well enough for a game of chess or a discussion of politics, but that is a far cry from wanting him to marry my daughter!” Bennet’s voice rose louder as he talked, and Elizabeth cringed back into her seat.

“So you do not approve?” she said in a small voice. She had never thought her father would deny her. She did not know what she would do if he withheld his consent.

Mr. Bennet sighed. “I am not saying I do not approve, but I do not love the idea either. He is a difficult man, Elizabeth. He will not be easy to be married to.”

“How do you mean?”

“Men like that are used to having things the way they like them. They do not often have to cede to another’s wishes or place another’s desires above their own. It can make them selfish, demanding. Unpleasant companions for more than an afternoon.”

“Mr. Bingley seems to like him well enough.”

“Bingley likes everyone.”

Elizabeth worried her lip. “I had not thought of all that. Do you truly think he will be a difficult companion?”

Bennet rubbed a hand across his brow. “I cannot say with any certainty. And it is a moot point if he is your soulmate. The mark will make him treat you well, or so I have heard. He will be incapable of being unkind to you.”

That was only a slight relief to Elizabeth. “I do not know that I want a husband who is kind only to me and a tyrant to everyone else.”

“Now, now, we don’t know that he is a tyrant. I should not have said anything. The truth is that we do not know him well. He may be perfectly companionable.”

Elizabeth nodded, her forehead still creased with worry.

“Let us do this. I will give him my permission to court you, and we will acknowledge the marks match after I have seen his, but you will wait several months before you wed. That will give you time to get to know him, and at least you will know what you are getting into.

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