Apprehension and Desire: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice by Ola Wegner Read Free Book Online Page B

Bennet’s eyes narrowed into black slits. “So we have a problem.”
    Darcy shook his head and stood up. “No, there is no problem.” He spoke evenly,  “I hardly have any other choice but to agree to your conditions. I respect your decision, even understand it, though I am hardly pleased with this unexpected delay. However, I have sixteen year-old sister under my care, and I would like to know the man I will one day give her to.”
    Mr. Bennet  rose as well and held out his hand. Darcy instantly accepted it. Mr. Bennet was nearly as tall as he, and their eyes were at the same level. Height seemed to be the only thing that Elizabeth had not inherited from her father.
    “Mrs. Bennet! Wife!” the older gentleman cried in a raised voice when he released Darcy’s hand. “Mrs. Bennet, would you come here, please!”
    The very next moment, the door opened, and Mrs. Bennet’s blond curls and a white lacy cap popped in.
    Mr. Bennet extended his hand. “My dear.” 
    The woman walked to them, looking from her husband to Darcy.
    “Imagine, my dear, that Mr. Darcy paid us a visit today to ask me permission to court Lizzy.”
    Mrs. Bennet gave her husband a most incredible look, “Lizzy? Our Lizzy?” she wanted to make sure.
    Mr. Bennet smiled, nodding his bald head. “Yes, my dear, our Lizzy.”
    “Mr. Darcy... our Lizzy.” Mrs. Bennet repeated slowly.
    “What are your plans for the rest of day, Mr. Darcy?” Mr. Bennet asked, turning to the guest, and ignoring his wife for a moment as she digested the news.
    “I will spend the night at the inn at Meryton before heading back to Kent tomorrow morning.”
    “At the inn? We cannot allow that!” Mr. Bennet cried almost theatrically, “Mrs. Bennet, do you agree with me that we cannot let Mr. Darcy stay at the inn?”
    The woman shook her head eagerly. “No, indeed, Mr. Bennet. Mr. Darcy should be our guest.”
    Mr. Bennet smiled wildly, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he looked at the younger man. “Of course, he should.” He turned to his wife. “I hope you have a good dinner planned for today, Mrs. Bennet. Our guest travelled many miles to pay us a visit.”
    Mrs. Bennet gave a loud gasp. “Dinner.” She turned on her feet and, running to the door, cried. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I must speak with Hill directly.”
    When Mrs. Bennet was gone, Darcy spoke hastily. “It is not necessary, sir. I will gladly stay at the inn.”
    “You will not disappoint us, Mr. Darcy. We may be a family one day, after all. I am sure Lizzy will like to visit us very often as your wife.”
    ***
    Darcy ordered the driver to stop the carriage on the outskirts of Rosings Park. He sent his people to the manor while he decided to take a short walk to the parsonage. He had left Longbourn at first light, when the whole house had been yet in deep sleep, thereby avoiding unwanted farewells.
    Elizabeth.  He would see her soon, talk with her, touch her. He hastened his pace. He had never thought that such an occurrence could happen to him, that he would fall for any woman so deeply. One her smile directed at him, one glance at her comely figure and a sort of balmy feeling instantly overpowered him. He felt content, peaceful and perfectly happy simply being in the same room with her. He lived for the next time he would see her. He had been alone as his own Master for so long, but not anymore. He was a true fool in love. It was like an addiction, an illness which had afflicted him.
    He reached the parsonage from the back gate, sincerely hoping not to meet Collins working in the garden. Thankfully, there was no sign of the parson, and the cottage seemed very quiet. As he darted his eyes to the façade of the building, his heart squeezed pleasantly at the sight of Elizabeth seated in an upstairs window, reading.
    The back door stood wide open, and he entered,  passing by the kitchen and the pantry. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Mrs. Collins talking with the cook. They did not see