Page 18 of Timing Is Everything

“He brought you home? Where were you?” Caroline asked.

“I was staying with my friend, Mrs. Collins,” Elizabeth explained. “She is married to our cousin, Mr. Collins, who is the rector for Mr. Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”

“But, why was Mr. Darcy there?”

“Mr. Darcy was visiting Lady Catherine for Easter.”

“If you were staying with your friend, and Mr. Darcy was staying at Rosings Park, I cannot imagine how you came to spend much time together.”

“Lady Catherine regularly takes it upon herself to invite Mr. and Mrs. Collins to take tea or dine with her and her daughter at Rosings Park. As I was staying with them, I was included in the invitation.”

As Caroline continued to ask questions, Elizabeth felt her spine straightening. Her father had died, and the opportunity to choose her future husband had been taken out of her hands, but she would not let Miss Bingley belittle her.

“We were also in company on the many occasions when Mr. Darcy called with his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, at the parsonage.”

“He called on you at the parsonage?” Caroline asked.

“Yes, he even joined me on my walks about the groves of Rosings Park. After I told him which path was my favorite, I saw him with more regularity,” Elizabeth added. It was only as she voiced the words that she realized she had ignored Mr. Darcy’s attempts to spend more time with her. If he had disliked her, he could have easily avoided her during his stay. She had been the only one annoyed by his preference for the same grove in which she walked.

“We congratulate you on your engagement,” Mrs. Hurst cut in, with a look at her sister. “I am sorry we were unaware.”

“It has not yet been announced outside of the immediate neighborhood,” Elizabeth replied.

“Yes!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “Mr. Darcy insists that as we are in mourning they will not be married until a full six months have passed. The announcement will run in the paper when it is more proper to do so.”

Recognizing that Caroline was unlikely to be able to contribute any other rational conversation, Mrs. Hurst took it upon herself to express the proper sentiments in response, then indicate that it was time for them to take their leave. Mr. Bingley did not join them.

Elizabeth Bennet tilted her head back in order for the sun to wash over her face. After Miss Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst had taken their leave, she made her excuses and escaped into the garden. She found herself able to breathe a little easier. She had defended herself, without telling any lies. In doing so, she came to recognize that she had ignored some very obvious signs that Mr. Darcy preferred her company.

She contemplated the nature of their relationship, both before and after her father had passed away. He had done little to indicate any preference on his part before leaving Hertfordshire in November, but she could not deny that he had singled her out in Kent. She wondered at how she could have been so blind. In retrospect, she now understood why Charlotte had been convinced that Mr. Darcy loved her, and could only wonder as to why he had been so persistent when she had been so antagonistic. Perhaps he liked being challenged.

As Elizabeth pondered the care and concern that Darcy had shown her since learning of the passing of Mr. Bennet, she began to realize how fortunate she was to have inadvertently earned the love of such a man. She wondered at how a man that could behave so haughtily, could also be so caring. She still had many questions, and wished that she had been consulted concerning her future, but she also realized that maybe it was best that she had not been given an opportunity to refuse him. Also, he had been gone with Mr. Gardiner on business for a much longer portion of the day than usual, and she found herself wishing he were there. Though, she certainly was not missing him, or at least that is what she told herself, repeatedly.

Hearing a carriage approach, she walked to the front of the house, certain she would be greeting Mr. Darcy. Instead, she found Lady Catherine exiting her carriage, and from the expression on her face, she had not arrived to wish her joy.

Chapter 11

As Fitzwilliam Darcy walked through the Netherfield Park dower house, he was left with no doubt that it was currently uninhabitable. The framework was sturdy, even if it would require a lot of work to be livable. With over five months remaining until it would be necessary for the Bennet ladies to move, it should be possible to make the needed repairs. During the reconstruction it would be fairly easy to ensure the drawing rooms were of an adequate size and the attics were well ventilated. With it being only three miles from Longbourn, Mrs. Bennet would not need to adjust her circle of acquaintances.

As an added benefit, if he were to purchase Netherfield Park it could be used as an inheritance for a younger son. By continuing to let out the main house, he would be able to regain the capital lost in a more reasonable amount of time.

“Would it be possible to purchase Netherfield Park?” Darcy asked Mr. Morris.

“I believe that when Mr. Bingley leased Netherfield Park it was with an option to buy it at the end of the lease,” Mr. Morris indicated. “It would not be available to purchase until after his lease is complete, and then only if he decides not to purchase it himself.”

“If I had Mr. Bingley’s consent, would the owner be willing to sell?”

“That would be up to the owner, but I don’t see why not,” Mr. Morris replied.

“Then I think we are done for today,” Darcy stated. “I need to have a conversation with my friend.”

“You would consider purchasing an entire estate for the use of a dower house that is not currently habitable?” Mr. Gardiner asked, starting to question his sanity.

“Precisely,” Darcy said, with a smile on his face. His headache was finally going away.

To Elizabeth Bennet, it was incredibly easy to recognize the moment that Lady Catherine noticed her coming around the side of the house. Her eyes narrowed to such an extent, Elizabeth wondered how Lady Catherine was able to see out of them.

“Miss Bennet, I will have a word with you,” Lady Catherine demanded, walking in her direction.