Pride and Premeditation (Jane Austen Murder Mystery #1)(74)

“I’ll happily lend you my legal expertise if you choose to introduce this into evidence,” Mr. Bennet told him. “We won’t have much time, but there may still be a chance that we can present it in such a light that Weatherford won’t hold it against Mr. Bingley.”

Darcy nodded his thanks and sat in quiet contemplation. Lizzie appreciated that he was giving it careful consideration, but she suspected his mind was made up. All Darcy wanted was to clear Bingley’s name, and could she blame him? She looked to Charlotte and thought of Jane. She would go to any distance to protect them, especially if she knew they were innocent.

So Lizzie was stunned when Darcy finally said, “Let’s introduce it.”

“But Bingley might go to prison!” Lizzie protested. “Or worse.”

“I know,” Darcy said. “And he might be found guilty if I take the easy route. But Bingley would prefer the honest track—the man refused to pay off pirates even as they drained his coffers! And I can’t make a habit of settling things the way I used to, in partial truths and dishonor.” He gazed at her, and she knew that he was referring to the duel. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m simply surprised. Pleasantly so. I’d have thought after our last conversation concerning the law, you would have made a different choice.”

“Yes, well . . . I’m finding that when certain people make excellent points, my opinion can be swayed.”

Lizzie was struck speechless. But before she could even begin to piece together a reply, Mrs. Bennet said, “Well, I suppose you had better go up to your study, Mr. Bennet.”

“Excellent idea,” Lizzie proclaimed, and stood to hide that she was flustered.

“Oh, not you, dear!” Mrs. Bennet took hold of Lizzie’s arm. “We are receiving callers. Have you forgotten?”

“Mama, this is far more important—”

“We’re expecting Mr. Collins today,” Mrs. Bennet reminded her.

Bollocks! Lizzie had forgotten. “Mama, I don’t think that Mr. Collins will call today.”

“Nonsense. You invited him.” To Darcy, she explained, “Mr. Collins is my husband’s junior partner. We expect that he’ll propose to Lizzie very soon, which is very convenient as he is Mr. Bennet’s successor. He shall truly be the family’s savior on the event of Mr. Bennet’s death.”

At Charlotte’s small gasp, Lizzie guiltily looked at her friend. “Mama, I only invited him at your request. I don’t wish to marry him at all, nor do I think he will propose to me.”

“What an unfortunate surprise,” Darcy murmured, and Lizzie hoped that he was teasing her.

“Whatever do you mean?” Mrs. Bennet demanded.

Lizzie looked to her father. “He truly hasn’t said anything to you?”

“I’m ignorant of the matter,” her father replied mildly. “But please, for the sake of your mother’s nerves and my own well-being, enlighten us.”

Avoiding Darcy’s gaze and thinking ruefully that Jane was correct about the hazards of keeping secrets, Lizzie reluctantly faced not her parents but Charlotte. “Mr. Collins proposed to me three days ago. I turned him down.”

Mrs. Bennet’s wail of despair raised the hair on Lizzie’s arms. “You foolish girl! What have you done?”

Pain flitted across Charlotte’s face, but she said, “You can’t help who proposes to you.”

That wasn’t entirely reassuring, and Lizzie felt miserable at dashing her friend’s hopes. Mrs. Bennet was not quite so understanding. “Mr. Bennet, your daughter must be brought to reason!” she insisted. “It’s been three days! What if he’s found someone else?”

Lizzie was relieved to find her father entirely unconcerned. “I don’t understand what I’m to do about it—it sounds as though the matter is settled.”

“I don’t believe that Mr. Collins truly loves me, anyway,” Lizzie said, hoping to spare her mother a bit of heartache.

Instead, her words brought about a new round of hysterics from Mrs. Bennet. “You’ll marry him, Elizabeth! You must, or I shall never speak to you again!”

Darcy observed the scene with impatience mixed with amusement, and Lizzie thought that her humiliation could not be more complete.

Finally, Mr. Bennet intervened. “Enough!” He looked to Lizzie, and she couldn’t read the look on his face as he said, “I’m afraid an unhappy alternative has been brought before you, my dear. From this day, you must be estranged from one of your parents. Your mother proclaims that she will never speak to you again if you don’t marry Mr. Collins. And I will never speak to you again if you do.”

Lizzie stood, frozen, as her father spoke. She took an extra moment to ensure that she had heard him correctly, and then a delighted smile blossomed across her face. Her father would not force her into an unhappy marriage! She flung her arms around him. “Thank you, Papa!”

Mr. Bennet returned her hug and then whispered so her mother could not overhear, “I’m proud of you, Lizzie.”

Lizzie had to wipe at her eyes quickly when she finally released her father. Mrs. Bennet was deeply irritated. “How can you say such a thing? We agreed that Lizzie must marry him.”

Mr. Bennet took his wife’s arm. “My dear, we agreed on no such matter. I must ask that you grant me two requests: First, the freedom of my own reason in this particular situation. Second, that you allow me, Mr. Darcy, Lizzie, and Miss Lucas to retire to my study so that we can formulate a defense for Mr. Bingley.”