Free Darcy & Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship (Darcy Saga Prequel Duo) by Sharon Lathan

whisked away, he gave up and turned his attention to Mr.
Bennet. The older gentleman devoted his conversation primarily to Mr. Darcy.
    Kitty was clearly thrilled to be
seated between Jane and Mr. Darcy. Her juvenile chatter and inane queries
caused Lizzy to cringe and stifle a few groans, but aside from a handful of
rapidly hidden surprised reactions from Mr. Darcy, he replied with serious
deliberation and respect. Once deciding to ignore the somber Mary, Mr. Bingley
became especially jolly. He laughed sunnily at Kitty’s innocent quips, and
gaily jumped in with answers to Mr. Bennet’s subtle prods for information about
Mr. Darcy. Lizzy saw through her father’s casual repose and harmless
promptings. She did not begrudge his mission, had agreed to it in fact, and was
relieved to witness it unfolding in a nonchalant manner versus an inquisition.
    Lizzy doubted Mr. Darcy was fooled
by the carefree attitude from his future father-in-law. He replied succinctly
and with traces of humor, although the bulk of the time he remained silent
while Bingley and Kitty chattered on. The glances shared with Lizzy hinted of
his comprehension and tolerance for Mr. Bennet’s investigation. How long his
good humor and forbearance would last was another matter entirely.
    “Why, Mr. Bennet! I have had the
most amazing idea!”
    “If it is amazing , Mrs.
Bennet, then by all means, do share it with the rest of us immediately.”
    “Jane and I have been discussing
plans for the wedding, Lizzy too when she can remove her eyes from Mr. Darcy
and pay attention”—Lizzy blushed and ducked her head—“and we were
considering the practical benefits, as well as the romantic notion and delight
to the community, if Jane and Lizzy were to be married in a joint ceremony. Is
that not a fabulous idea? I think it best to avoid a date too close to Guy
Fawkes Day, but shortly thereafter will give us plenty of time to prepare and
announce the banns—”
    “I see no reason to discuss the
specifics at this point, Mrs. Bennet. There is no need to be hasty when Lizzy
and Mr. Darcy have been betrothed for less than a day. Mr. Bingley has been
promised to our Jane for over a week, and has yet to place demands upon
wresting her away from the family. I am sure Mr. Darcy possesses the same
patience and understanding of parental hesitation. And now”—Mr. Bennet
stood, having not looked at either daughter or future son-in-law to verify
their thoughts on the subject—“the gentlemen shall join me for a glass of
port in my study while the ladies enjoy a respite from male conversation. I
know it is fruitless to command you not to talk wedding folderol, so will
merely caution against establishing concrete details as of yet.”
    Bingley and Darcy rose from the
table after a slight hesitation, performed proper bows and expressions of
thanks for the meal, smiled warmly at each fiancée, and moved to join Mr.
Bennet where he had paused in the doorway.
    “I promise not to keep them long,
girls. Lizzy, if you can delay your ritual after-dinner stroll in the garden, I
bet Mr. Darcy can be enticed to join you. With Jane and Mr. Bingley, of course.”
     
    * *
*
     
    Mr. Bennet’s study dually served as
the Longbourn library. Open-shelf cases jammed with books covered three of the
four walls, and encompassed the large desk sitting near the lone window. A
narrow commode, overstuffed sofa, small wood-burning stove, and two worn chairs
occupied the remaining area. Every inch of space was filled with a book or
stack of papers. Odd personal items were strewn on top of or in between the
books, adding to the impression of cramped disorder.
    The room where Lizzy’s father
frequently retreated was a third the size of Mr. Darcy’s spacious business
chamber at Pemberley. In fact, the Derbyshire manor’s library was so massive
that a size comparison was ludicrous. Amazingly, while Mr. Bennet’s study
lacked the sophistication of expensive furnishings arranged with