Page 17 of Timing Is Everything

Fitzwilliam Darcy had a headache. It started to develop at breakfast as he attempted to ignore Miss Bingley’s constant chattering. It grew in intensity as he listened to her screech in protest when Charles suggested she pay a condolence call to Longbourn. Not wanting to be included in the argument, he made his escape to Longbourn.

As usual, he started his visit by meeting with Mr. Gardiner to discuss the future of the Bennet ladies. They had an appointment during the course of the morning to view a house in the neighborhood. Another one. They had already viewed the Great House at Stoke, with its tiny drawing rooms; Purvis Lodge, with its dreadful attics; and Haye-Park, which would have been perfect if the Gouldings would quit it (they would not). They were left with very few options.

As they toured Ashworth, Darcy thought they had finally found the perfect home for his future family. Then, Mr. Gardiner expressed concern at the distance from Longbourn. Darcy did not think ten miles to be so very long, but Mr. Gardiner was fairly certain that his sister would object to being so far removed from her close acquaintances. They would not have the convenience of a carriage, and it was much too far to walk.

Darcy did not think it would be such a trial to find an acceptable home in the area. He knew they still had several months before it would be necessary to move the women, but it was unlikely any new houses would become available in that time.

As they travelled from Ashworth back to Longbourn, Darcy tried resting his eyes in order to relieve his headache. As they were jostled by a particularly large bump in the road, he opened his eyes, noticing they were passing the road to Netherfield Park. He was struck with an idea.

“Does Netherfield have a dower house?” Darcy asked the agent, Mr. Morris, who had accompanied them on their visit.

“It does, but it has fallen into disrepair,” Mr. Morris told him.

“May we see it?” Darcy asked.

“It is not currently habitable.”

“I would like to see it, all the same.”

“Certainly,” Mr. Morris replied, curious at the thoughts of the quiet gentleman. He was also feeling the strain as the gentlemen attempted to find a home for the Bennet ladies. In his personal opinion, either the Great House at Stoke or Purvis Lodge would have been acceptable choices. Mr. Gardiner had seemed to agree with him, but Mr. Darcy did not. Then, when they visited Ashworth, they reversed their roles. Mr. Darcy was ready to approve the house, but Mr. Gardiner was not. It was not as if either gentleman would actually be living in the house they chose; they did not need to be nearly so exacting.

After a quick discussion with the coachman, the carriage was turned around in order for the gentlemen to visit the dilapidated dower house of Netherfield Park.

Over an hour after Darcy had left with Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Bingley and his family arrived at Longbourn. Of the four of them, it was clear that Mr. Bingley was the only person happy to be there. Mr. Hurst simply expressed his condolences, then settled into the most comfortable chair available with a clear view out the window. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley were another matter entirely.

With noses held high in the air, both ladies settled on the very edge of their seats, clearly displeased with their surroundings. Caroline Bingley, in particular, was unhappy with the visit. She had only condescended to come because her brother had assured them that Mr. Darcy made it a habit of visiting Longbourn every day. She had convinced Mr. and Mrs. Hurst to bring her to Netherfield Park in order to spend more time with Mr. Darcy, but so far she had hardly even seen him.

Caroline was not going to let an opportunity to spend time with Mr. Darcy go to waste, even if she could not fathom why Mr. Darcy and her brother would return to Hertfordshire. When they had arrived, she was disappointed to learn that neither her brother nor his friend were at home. When they did eventually arrive, Darcy quickly excused himself, saying he did not want to interfere with their reunion. That morning at breakfast, he had seemed distant. As he was leaving, she noticed the black ribbon on his arm. She wondered who in his family had died. When she asked her brother who had passed away, he repeated the news that Mr. Bennet had died. She tried to ask him again, but he assured her he was only aware of the death of Mr. Bennet, though as people died every day, there were certainly many people that had passed away without his notice. Frustrated with her brother, but determined to ask Mr. Darcy about his black ribbon as soon as possible, she finally agreed to visit Longbourn. Now, she was sitting in the drawing room at Longbourn, with no Mr. Darcy in sight.

After all proper condolences were expressed, and graciously received, as well as a discussion on the state of the roads, Caroline glanced at the clock. Only five minutes had passed since they had arrived. It would be at least another ten minutes before they would be able to make their escape without appearing exceedingly rude. She would lecture her brother later for telling her that Mr. Darcy would be there, when he obviously was not.

“Will you be joining us for dinner today?” Mrs. Bennet asked.

“I am sorry, but we have other plans,” Miss Bingley replied, completely astonished that Mrs. Bennet would make plans to entertain while she was still in such deep mourning.

“I was not aware you made any plans,” Mr. Bingley interjected. “You have only just arrived.”

“I am sorry to disappoint you, Charles, but we do, indeed, have other plans. Do we not, Louisa?”

“Of course,” Louisa responded. “We made them last evening while we were waiting for you to return to Netherfield.”

“That is unfortunate,” Mrs. Bennet told them. “As your brother and Mr. Darcy have dined with us for well over a week now, I thought you might want to join us as well.”

Caroline’s ears perked up at the mention of Mr. Darcy.

“Mr. Darcy has been dining here?” Caroline asked. “Every day? But, why?”

“It is only natural that he would want to be closer to his betrothed,” Mrs. Bennet tittered, with a wink in Elizabeth’s direction.

Not being able to comprehend what she was hearing, Caroline looked at Elizabeth. She looked back at Mrs. Bennet, who may have been dressed in black, but did not appear despondent. She looked at Elizabeth, again.

“You are engaged to Mr. Darcy?” Caroline finally managed to ask.

“So I have been told,” Elizabeth replied.

“But, how? Are you not in mourning?”

“He had just asked her to marry him when the express arrived announcing Mr. Bennet’s death,” Mrs. Bennet interjected. “He brought her home, and has been most attentive ever since.”