Unconsciously Done: A Pride and Prejudice Novella by Cassandra B. Leigh

Author:Cassandra B. Leigh [Leigh, Cassandra B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-08-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Upon Mr Bennet’s cordial invitation to make themselves comfortable in his study, Darcy and Charles took their seats. “To what do I owe this honour?” the older gentleman inquired.

Darcy made his appeal first. “I have come to ask your consent to marry Miss Elizabeth,” he said.

Mr Bennet raised his brows. “Have you come to blows with some rival for Lizzy’s hand, Mr Darcy?” he inquired with a sly smile.

“Nothing quite so chivalrous. My injuries are the result of a poorly placed ottoman,” Darcy said, then explained his unfortunate accident at the parsonage.

“Has Lizzy accepted you?”

“She has, which she will confirm with you,” he said with confidence.

Mr Bennet nodded thoughtfully, then turned his attention to Charles. “I trust you are here on a similar mission, Mr Bingley.”

Charles straightened his shoulders. “Yes, sir. I respectfully request your permission to marry Miss Bennet,” he said, in his usual irrepressible spirits.

“I suppose I need not inquire if Jane has accepted you,” Mr Bennet said.

“Indeed, she has.”

Except for the ticking mantle clock, silence loomed while Mr Bennet appraised Charles. “You must forgive me if my memory has failed me, Mr Bingley, but I seem to recall that you left the neighbourhood without a word last November,” he said with no trace of humour. “Jane was cast into such despair that I sent her to London to recover her spirits.”

Charles blushed violently. “She has told me, sir, and I have begged her forgiveness as I also beg yours.”

“May I know the reason for your precipitous departure?”

Charles stammered. “Well, sir…”

Darcy could not allow Charles to suffer further recriminations on his account. “I am solely to blame for your daughter’s plight, Mr Bennet,” he said. “I convinced Mr Bingley that Miss Bennet cared no more for him than for any of her other suitors. Her constant smile led me to believe her affections were not attached. However, when Miss Elizabeth advised me of her sister’s lingering regard for my friend, I immediately sought to reverse my error.”

“I suspect Lizzy did not let you off as easily as you describe,” Mr Bennet said with a wry smile.

Mr Bennet knew his daughter well. “It is not a mistake I am likely to make again,” Darcy said, fully aware that he had not furthered his suit. “I apologise for causing you and your family such misery.”

Mr Bennet leaned back in his chair, folded his arms, and gazed out the window, appearing lost in contemplation. “I take it you are both wiser now for your blunders,” he finally said.

“Yes, sir,” Darcy and Charles said in unison.

“Very well, I shall not belabour the point. I give you both my consent,” Mr Bennet said, rising to shake each of their hands. He gestured to the door and suggested that they all join the ladies. Relieved to have successfully secured the gentleman’s consent, Darcy followed Mr Bennet and Charles out of the study.

***

When the gentlemen returned to the drawing-room, Mr Bennet asked Elizabeth to join him in his study. While this request was not unexpected, Elizabeth suffered a moment of trepidation.

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