A Wife for Mr. Darcy

along she was, he bowed and made his way to the other side of the room where an amused Lizzy waited.
    “Mr. Darcy, you look ill at ease,” Lizzy said. She had noted how short his conversation with Mrs. Crenshaw had been.
    “Do not be surprised if, between the toasts for the bride and groom, you hear a baby’s cry.”
    “You need not worry. Dr. Paterson is here.”
    “You find my discomfort funny; I do not. So let us change the subject. You have said nothing of my letter.”
    “Well, let me say something now. Shame on you!” she said, laughing, and soon left his side, but not before rewarding him with her brilliant smile.
    As soon as Lizzy departed, a merry Mr. Bennet joined Mr. Darcy. “What a display of finery and array of food we have, Mr. Darcy! But such a joyous occasion merits all this folderol, does it not?” Darcy nodded his head in agreement.
    “It gladdens a father’s heart to see a daughter well married to someone she loves, as that is not always the case, and now that Jane is married, it will be Lizzy’s turn. I hope she is as fortunate as her sister because she is equally deserving of a fine man. I do not think I could part with her if that were not the case.”
    “Naturally, a father would wish for such things,” Darcy said, and he shifted uneasily.
    “Mr. Darcy, I am giving you an opening, and you are not taking it.”
    Darcy looked at Mr. Bennet, smiled, and laughed. “Is it that obvious?”
    “Not as obvious as Mrs. Crenshaw being with child, but close.”
    “I am embarrassed to be found out so easily.”
    “Don’t be. It was in this very ballroom where I fell in love with Mrs. Bennet. By the end of that long-ago evening, there wasn’t a soul in the room who doubted that we would marry because I could not hide my feelings for her. In addition to being the most beautiful lady in the county, I was attracted to Mrs. Bennet because she had the ability to make me laugh, which is a necessity if a marriage is to survive the storms that will rise up every now and then. I think you require the same thing.”
    “I do, sir. But I suspect Elizabeth’s wit has a bit more bite to it than Mrs. Bennet’s does.”
    “No doubt. My daughter has a satirical eye, and I must congratulate you on winning her affection. It is my understanding that the first time you met Elizabeth you insulted her. Something about her being rather plain and not wanting to dance with her?”
    “I plead guilty,” Darcy answered, “but Elizabeth has forgiven me.”
    Mr. Bennet started to laugh. “A word of advice from an old married man. Although she may have forgiven you, she will never forget, so be prepared to hear about it for the rest of your life.”
    “Fortunately, we make a joke of it now.”
    “Yes, at the beginning of your marriage, you may joke about it, but wait until your first argument when it will once again rear its ugly head. Hopefully, that is far into the future. So when are you to call on me, Mr. Darcy?”
    “As soon as possible.”
    “Ah, that quickly then,” he said with a hint of sadness. “I know that a father should not favor one daughter over another, but I am a man of many faults. I enjoy Lizzy’s company so much that it will be difficult for me not to have her about, but I am comforted in knowing that she will marry a man with a generous heart. You see, I am convinced that if you had learned of Wickham’s designs on any other vulnerable young lady, you would not have acted any differently. And so, Mr. Darcy, I am placing Elizabeth in your care, and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, after church, for tea.”
    From across the room, Lizzy looked to Mr. Darcy for some indication of what the two men had been discussing, but noting her interest, he gave nothing away by his expression. But Lizzy gave him such a look that he smiled and nodded his head, and she placed her hand over her heart in acknowledgment. It was exactly as she had hoped it would be.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bingley joined the Bennet family for tea. They had left behind a house near to bursting with relations and wanted something less hectic for their first full day together as husband and wife. With Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and their father engaged in conversation, Lizzy motioned for Jane to go upstairs, and they both quietly disappeared from the parlor.
    “Well?” Lizzy said as soon as she had closed the door.
    Jane knew exactly what Lizzy wanted to hear. “Everything is fine, but I cannot begin to tell you how