Page 31 of Timing Is Everything

As Mr. Darcy was occupied, Jane did not overly concern herself when Elizabeth walked out of sight on her way to Oakham Mount. She was so busy enjoying her conversation about the merits of Mr. Bingley choosing to ride his horse to Longbourn instead of taking his carriage that she did not see when Mr. Darcy set off in the same direction fifteen minutes later.

When Darcy crested the top of Oakham Mount, he stopped momentarily to watch the woman he loved. Elizabeth had her eyes closed, with her face raised to the sun. She looked peaceful. He did not think he had ever seen a more beautiful sight. As Elizabeth opened her eyes and turned towards him, Darcy could not describe the feeling of joy in his heart as she smiled.

“I am glad you found me here,” Elizabeth said, softly.

“I have wanted to return here with you for some time,” Darcy admitted, stepping closer to her. “I just did not want to come with any of your sisters in tow.”

“Do you think we will be able to avoid the magpie this time?” Elizabeth asked.

“My hope is that you will allow me to hold you without the impetus of needing protection,” Darcy replied.

“But you do provide protection, and not just from nesting birds,” Elizabeth said, stepping closer to Darcy. “I do not know what we would have done without your assistance these last few months.”

“Mr. Gardiner would have still helped you,” Darcy replied. “You would not have been left completely desolate.”

“But it would not be the same,” Elizabeth insisted. “You have provided for us in ways that Uncle Gardiner never could have done. I am thankful for that.”

“I do not want your thanks,” Darcy stated.

“If not my thanks, then what do you want?” Elizabeth asked.

“Do you think you will ever grow to love me? I know that there is a reason you have not yet said the words.”

Elizabeth studied Darcy’s face. His eyes were full of love and concern.

“Do you want to know what I was thinking about when you found me?” Elizabeth asked.

“If you would like to tell me.”

“I was thinking about you. I was thinking about the last time that we were together here on the top of Oakham Mount. I was thinking about everything that you have done for me and my family. I was thinking about all the quiet ways you have supported me over the last three months. I was thinking that it has been a very long time since we have been allowed time alone together, and how badly I wanted that to change. Then, I was asking myself why I wanted to be alone with you.”

Elizabeth paused. Darcy was growing concerned that she would not continue when she started speaking again.

“I have never considered myself in love before. I have never felt that my happiness relied on another. But, when I look into the future and imagine it without you there, my heart aches. I can no longer see a happy future without you in it. You have become a part of me.”

“I would never leave you,” Darcy said fervently. “I love you more than I know how to express.”

“I do not know when it began, or why I have been so blind to it in the past, but I also love you. It runs deeper than I understand, and is growing every day,” Elizabeth responded. “It frightens me a little.”

The kiss that followed was not as chaste as the ones they had shared in the garden of Longbourn. As Darcy opened his eyes to look for a convenient fallen log or rock to sit upon, he caught some motion out of the corner of his eye. Turning in that direction, he saw the backs of Kitty and Lydia as they fled from the top of Oakham Mount, laughing.

When Darcy and Elizabeth started to return to Longbourn, Kitty and Lydia were waiting for them at the bottom of the path.

“Jane need never know,” Lydia whispered with a giggle as she quickly fixed Elizabeth’s hair before they returned to the house.

At dinner that evening, most of the women were able to tell that there was a change in the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth. On the other hand, neither Mr. Collins nor Mr. Bingley noticed anything. Mr. Collins because he was too distracted by his plate, and Mr. Bingley because he was too distracted by Miss Bennet.

Mrs. Bennet rested easier that night than she had since before the death of Mr. Bennet. She was no longer concerned that Mr. Darcy would tire of Elizabeth before they made it to the altar. Elizabeth had secured their futures.

Chapter 18

Five and a half months after the death of Mr. Bennet, the Great House at Stoke was ready for the Bennet ladies to move in. This was fortunate, as there were beginning to be some disagreements between Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Collins over the running of the house. Darcy had checked with Mrs. Hill to see whether she would rather move with the Bennet ladies or continue as the housekeeper at Longbourn. Having become accustomed to Mrs. Bennet, she decided to move. This was a great comfort to Mrs. Bennet.

Touring the house as their belongings were being arranged, Elizabeth was stunned when Darcy led her into the attic. Shelves had been constructed in a corner, and on the shelves were all of her father’s favorite books. Darcy had arranged a compromise with Mr. Collins. All the bookplates were checked. If they only showed the name of the estate, they would stay with Longbourn. If they showed the name of Mr. Bennet, or a recent ancestor, they would go with the Bennet ladies. Darcy gained Mr. Collins’ gratitude once again when he left all the books on estate management and crop rotation, even when the bookplates showed Mr. Bennet as the owner. As there was no longer a proper library at the Great House at Stoke, and there were more books than would fit in the small study, Darcy worked with the men refurbishing the house to add a library nook in the attic in order to properly store all the books.

Elizabeth did not need words to express her thanks.

Georgiana Darcy was not at all what Elizabeth expected. Instead of a proud, confident young woman, she was a shy, soft-spoken girl. She had arrived in Hertfordshire a week before the wedding, escorted by Colonel Fitzwilliam and her companion, Mrs. Annesley.