Darcy shifted uncomfortably. “I had hoped we would travel alone. Once we are returned to Pemberley, her sisters, indeed all your family, would be welcome to visit.”

“I see.” Mr. Bennet nodded. “I will have to discuss this with Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth, of course, but I believe a wedding in mid-June and a trip to The Lakes after will be acceptable. Is there a place I can tell Elizabeth to meet you in the morning?”

Darcy was taken aback that a father would suggest an assignation so blatantly, but he quickly answered, “There is a grove she favors. I will meet her there before breakfast.”

“Very good. Do not worry, Mr. Darcy, I trust you.” Mr. Bennet chuckled. “I would not agree to let you marry my daughter if I did not.”

Darcy looked ashamed of his earlier thoughts and nodded.

“If I may give you a piece of advice,” Mr. Bennet said. “Go slowly with Elizabeth. My daughter does not tell me everything, but I believe I am correct when I say her feelings are not equal to yours.”

Darcy nodded once in response, trying to keep the surprise from his eyes. Mr. Bennet turned to walk out the door and Darcy followed slowly. Truly, he did not know if he had ever given her feelings much thought before, but if he had been forced to guess, he would have said she felt similarly to him. They were much of a mind and he felt she understood him and he her, and that was why they would do so well together.

He took a deep breath. It was no matter. Of course his feelings were stronger, as they should be. He was to be the leader of their household, after all; it would not do for him to feel less than she did. And she was a lady. She would have kept her feelings in check until she was sure of his. Poor dear, she likely wondered why he had not spoken up. He had walked with her almost daily but spoken nothing of love or marriage. How could he have let her suffer so?

When they returned to the drawing room, both men’s eyes were drawn to Elizabeth where she sat at the pianoforte, playing and singing with her sisters and Colonel Fitzwilliam who had rejoined the ladies. Darcy sat down and enjoyed the show, gazing upon her with a soft expression on his face. When she looked his direction, he smiled so brightly at her that she lost her place in the music and wondered what he was about.

Chapter 10

After they arrived at the parsonage, Mr. Bennet asked Elizabeth to join him in the garden. It was newly dark and she slipped out behind her father and joined him on a stone bench near the far wall, well away from the house.

"Lizzy, I must speak to you.” He took her hand and looked at her face, shadowed in the evening light.