A Wife for Mr. Darcy

each other, Lizzy turned to Mr. Darcy. “Sir, we were just making our way home after visiting the library. Will you join us for tea?”
    This offer was met by protests from Kitty and Lydia, who declared that they were not ready to return to Longbourn.
    “Lydia, it would be helpful if you went ahead to tell Mrs. Hill that we will be having two visitors for tea,” Lizzy said in a voice that made it clear it was not a request. Kitty, who was somewhat more mature than her sister, tugged on Lydia’s sleeve, indicating they needed to return home, and together with Mary, they made their way toward Longbourn.
    As they had done at Netherfield, Mr. Darcy walked beside Lizzy leading his horse by his reins. Unlike their previous encounter, the gentleman was not in the mood for conversation, and they walked side by side in silence. When they finally reached the house, Lizzy let out a sigh of relief.
    With Mr. Darcy accompanying his friend, no one had guessed the purpose of Mr. Bingley’s visit, but after tea and cake, Charles could wait no longer and asked Mrs. Bennet if he could have a word in private with Miss Bennet. The question catapulted Mrs. Bennet out of her seat. She had been running about the room, urging everyone to leave as quickly as possible, when Lizzy suggested that the couple should go across the hall to the parlor, and everyone again sat down. Mr. Darcy continued to say nothing, but the chaotic scene had caused his mood to lighten, and it appeared to Lizzy that he was struggling not to laugh.
    Everything played out as expected. Jane and Charles returned to the parlor to announce their engagement, with Charles quickly leaving to ask his future father-in-law for his daughter’s hand. Mrs. Bennet was beside herself with joy at Jane making such an advantageous marriage and ordered Mr. Hill to open a bottle to toast the occasion, and a spontaneous celebration ensued.
    “I believe, Mr. Darcy, it will prove to be an excellent match as they are well suited to each other,” Lizzy said. “Is life not full of surprises? A gentleman from London signs a lease on a property in Hertfordshire, and the result is my sister will shortly be married.”
    “Everyone seemed to be surprised by Mr. Bingley’s sudden proposal, except you. I attribute that to your keen powers of observation.”
    “You give me too much credit, Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley’s joyful countenance revealed his purpose in coming to Netherfield. Most people are more difficult to read than Mr. Bingley.”
    “Am I one of them?”
    “Yes, on most occasions, you show very little.”
    “You say ‘on most occasions.’ I imagine I was less difficult to read today in Meryton.”
    “I believe you are referring to Mr. Wickham. Do you know the gentleman?”
    “Yes. When Wickham was about six years old, both of his parents died, and the steward at Pemberley and his wife adopted him. He is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making many friends here in Meryton, but I would caution you to be wary of anything he says.”
    “With regard to you, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth asked, puzzled by his ambiguous statement.
    Darcy hesitated, unsure of how much should be said. The previous autumn Wickham had tried to arrange an elopement with Georgiana, and even with the passage of a year’s time, it was a subject that caused his blood to boil.
    “Miss Elizabeth, you have had sufficient time to sketch my character, and since I shall soon depart for London, I shall leave you to judge the truth of any assertions he may make regarding me. I believe I can safely rely on your justice.”
    Lizzy, sensing his distress and not knowing how to respond, changed the conversation and asked if he would be attending the Netherfield ball.
    “I have important business to see to in London, and I am not sure if I will be able to return.”
    “I hope you will, Mr. Darcy, as I owe you a dance.”
    “Which I would very much like to claim, but everything turns on events in London.”

Darcy was sitting with Miss Montford in the parlor of the family’s Mayfair townhouse. They had already discussed the weather and had talked about the families who had returned to London from their country estates, and with all the easy topics got out of the way, Darcy was staring off into the distance, hoping for divine intervention to assist him in finding something else to say.
    “While you were in the country, did you shoot many birds, Mr. Darcy?” Miss Montford asked, and he silently thanked