The Art of Apology: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Happiness in Marriage Series) by Lucy Marin

Author:Lucy Marin [Marin, Lucy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing
Published: 2024-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

Taking the chair across from Mr Bennet, an old walnut table between them, Darcy sat as still as possible while the older gentleman examined him. Despite feeling that he should speak, he was not sure what to say. Instead, he surreptitiously studied the room while he waited for Mr Bennet to begin the conversation. There was plenty in it to interest him beyond the shelves full of books, such as souvenirs that looked like they had come from abroad. It was not nearly as large as the library at Pemberley, which was hardly a surprise, but by all appearances, Mr Bennet had an excellent collection. Given how much Darcy valued books, it made him like Mr Bennet even more. That, in turn, made him wish to improve the gentleman’s view of him.

“I have been attempting to decide whether I am surprised, possibly even affronted, that you are here,” Mr Bennet said.

“Sir?” he managed to say despite how his throat muscles tightened.

“Oh, I know you came to dinner not long after that…what shall we call it? Unfortunate incident at the assembly? I only agreed to you being part of the invitation under duress. In short, my wife and daughters—Lizzy chief amongst them—assured me we could not ask Mr Bingley and his family without including you. You know that I told my girls to have as little to do with you as possible, and Lizzy to avoid you entirely?”

Darcy nodded glumly; this was not going well at all.

“I wish to protect them from those who would injure them. I do not believe you would physically harm them, but words can be damaging.”

“I deeply regret my behaviour that night,” Darcy interjected.

Mr Bennet tilted his head to the side in a manner that reminded Darcy of Miss Elizabeth and peered at him for a long moment. “I think I might believe you. Thus, my surprise. When we spoke the morning after the assembly, I was convinced you would never be willing to accept you might have been wrong. Observing you of late, I begin to think perhaps you have. Certainly, how warmly you spoke of my family at Lucas Lodge gives that impression.”

Good Lord, Darcy thought. Could he be any more uncomfortable? Perhaps if he were sitting here seeking permission to marry one of the man’s daughters. Miss Elizabeth’s image came to mind, and he swatted it away; it had no place here, and really, he could hardly be thinking of her in such a manner, not after so short an acquaintance, especially when they had passed most of it at odds.

“I do not like to hear people disparage others unless they have genuine cause to,” Darcy said. “Perhaps the situation would be different if the other person had cheated them or something such as that. I recognise the irony in my statement, given how I spoke of Miss Elizabeth. It was plain to me that Mrs Best expected me to agree with her, and I could not.” It had also been an opportunity

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