Free First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) by Alexa Adams Page B

me – someone I can converse with who has the quickness, wit, and intelligence required for good company. Despite my wife’s behavior, I assure you I am in no rush to dispose of her in marriage and will only do so where I can be assured of her happiness. In the meantime, I may not always be able to provide her with all she deserves but I can, as her father, protect her from danger. And not just the kind posed by the likes of Mr. Wickham, Mr. Darcy. You have shown her attentions beyond what you have demonstrated towards any other lady in the neighborhood and it has given rise to wide speculation. While you have been the utmost gentleman on all occasions, I feel I must warn you, sir, that I cannot allow my daughter’s sentiments to be trifled with. So it is that I feel duty bound to ask: what exactly are your intentions towards my Lizzy?”
     
    Though the words were spoken rather gently, Darcy felt nearly asphyxiated with shame. To be on the receiving end of such a lecture from a lady’s father – particularly Elizabeth Bennet’s father – despite all his best intentions was humiliating in the extreme. But his pride, as always, rallied; he would not shirk this confrontation. As disguise of every sort was his abhorrence, he had little choice but to fully confide in Mr. Bennet.
     
    “ I understand your concerns, sir, and share them myself. I have the utmost respect and admiration for both your daughter and her reputation. Never would I do anything to harm her, including toying with her affections. Regarding gossip, if there is anything you would like me to do in order to stem it, I will behave accordingly. Regarding our relationship, let me assure you that Miss Elizabeth herself has declared ours a friendship only. She neither seeks nor expects anything more from me.”
     
    The hint of regret in Darcy’s voice as he spoke these last words was not lost on Mr. Bennet. He refrained from smirking at the thought of his matchmaking wife’s approval as he replied, “I know my daughter well and, as I am sure you have noticed, Mr. Darcy, my home is a bit chaotic. There is very little privacy to be had and Lizzy, in her own defense, has learned to closely guard her feelings, sometimes even from herself. She would never intentionally strive to deceive anyone, but if she instigated such a conversation with you as you recount, I have to imagine she did it in instinctive defensiveness. Had she no stronger feelings for you she would not have bothered; when the gossips grew loud, she would have simply avoided you.”
     
    Darcy looked into the man’s eyes, noticing how very much like Elizabeth’s they were, and felt the truth of his words. Indeed, had he not suspected as much himself? “Dear God! Does she truly return my affection?” he wondered, a churning of anxious happiness swirling inside him before being dashed by a sense of hopelessness so complete it threatened to overwhelm him. He stood and began to pace the room with violent strides.
     
    Mr. Bennet observed Mr. Darcy’s obvious torment with some degree of elation. Here was a man in love if he had ever seen one! Mr. Darcy was ideal for Lizzy, everything she deserved, but obviously something stood in his way. Mr. Bennet braced himself to hear what the obstacle was that impeded his daughter’s path to happiness, fervently hoping it could be easily overcome.
     
    After many silent moments, Darcy finally stopped pacing and turned to his host, “Mr. Bennet, I must say that your words greatly distress me. As you have correctly perceived your daughter is of great interest to me – in fact, I believe her to be the handsomest woman of my acquaintance! But sir, you must understand the familial obligations by which I am constrained. My choice of wife is not mine alone to make – I must think of how the connection will affect my sister, my future children, and the well-being of my estate. If it was my feelings alone that had to be considered, the situation would be different,