Page 9 of Timing Is Everything

As Bingley related the fact that his sisters had no current plan to return to Netherfield Park, he realized that the room did not really have the feel of a house in mourning. It was clear that Miss Bennet and her sisters were deeply distressed, but there was an undercurrent of excitement emanating from Mrs. Bennet and her friends. He tried again to address Jane Bennet, hoping to comfort her in some way, but Mrs. Bennet had not finished her inquiries.

“Do you plan to stay long at Netherfield, or will Mr. Darcy be remaining on his own?”

“I would imagine I will stay at least as long as Mr. Darcy is in residence,” Mr. Bingley answered, slightly bewildered.

“So, you will be here for the wedding, then?” Mrs. Bennet asked.

“Wedding?” Mr. Bingley asked, suddenly realizing that while he was away his Jane may have formed an attachment to another gentleman. Even though he knew that it was not completely reasonable to be jealous of the unknown gentleman, the thought of Jane married to another caused his stomach to twist into knots.

“Well, yes. I imagine that Mr. Darcy and my brother Gardiner are discussing the particulars at this moment.”

Bingley did not know how to respond. He knew his friend well enough to know that he would not have engaged himself to Jane Bennet. All of a sudden, the realization hit, and in his relief that it was not Jane that would be getting married, he spoke his revelation out loud.

“That is why they were together when word arrived concerning Mr. Bennet’s death.” Bingley was incredibly surprised. After the many arguments Darcy had made against his own match to a Miss Bennet, it was astonishing that he would engage himself to her sister.

“Yes, it seems he had only just asked Elizabeth to marry him when the express arrived. It really is quite romantic.”

It was only when Mr. Bingley looked back at Jane once more that he realized the whole conversation was causing her distress. He did not know how to comfort her when her mother continued to interrupt any attempts he made at conversation. He was saved by the timely entrance of his friend.

Mr. Darcy and Mr. Gardiner had been able to cover the basic plans for the future in a relatively short amount of time. They had come to an agreement on everything that should be included in the settlement papers. Though Mr. Gardiner thought Mr. Darcy was being much more generous than necessary, he was not going to tell him that.

Even though there were still several months before the wedding, Darcy hoped to have the settlement papers signed as soon as possible. He promised to send his instructions to his solicitor by express. He knew it would still be a few days before the solicitor would be able to get the papers in order, but the sooner he had the information, the sooner he would be able to start.

With everything settled as well as it could be, the gentlemen made their way to the drawing room. Neither of them found the women they were looking for. Mr. Gardiner was quickly able to determine that his wife had retreated to the guest chamber in order to send a note home to their children. Not wanting to sit in a room full of neighbors, he made his excuses and went to join her.

Mr. Darcy was disappointed that no one seemed to know where Elizabeth was located. Jane immediately volunteered to look for her, and all her sisters jumped up to help, eager to escape the room. It was clear that Mr. Darcy was expected to wait in the drawing room, so he took the seat abandoned by Jane, closest to Mr. Bingley.

“Mr. Darcy, we were just discussing how romantic it is that you had just proposed to our Lizzy when the express arrived informing her of her father’s death.”

“Indeed,” was the only response Darcy could muster. He would never understand how his Elizabeth had such a woman for a mother.

“Have you decided on a date for the wedding?” Mrs. Bennet asked.

“We will marry when Elizabeth enters half mourning,” Darcy replied.

“Six months!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed in shock. “Surely you do not want to wait such a long time.”

“It would not be proper to marry any sooner,” Darcy insisted.

“But you were engaged before you learned of Mr. Bennet’s death.”

“And those few moments are the only reason I do not feel it would be best to wait a year,” Darcy explained, growing agitated. “Miss Elizabeth will be my wife for the rest of my life. I can certainly wait six months so that she has time to grieve.”

At all the approving nods from her friends in the room, Mrs. Bennet could do naught but agree. Secretly, though, she was a bit worried that if Elizabeth did not marry Mr. Darcy soon, one of them might change their mind. It would be just like her obstinate daughter to jilt a man that could take care of all of them for the rest of their lives.

By the time visiting hours were over, Darcy was becoming worried that none of the Miss Bennets had returned with news as to Elizabeth’s location. As the neighborhood women were taking their leave, Jane reappeared. It was clear she had been crying.

Darcy was instantly worried that something had happened to Elizabeth; Jane quickly put his mind at ease. As she tried to apologize for the behavior of her mother, Darcy assured her that he did not hold any of them to blame for the actions of their mother. As he and Bingley took their leave, he was told that Elizabeth would most likely be found on Oakham Mount, if he wished to speak with her again. Expressing his gratitude, he mounted his horse.

“I believe you failed to mention some very important news when you asked to stay at Netherfield,” Bingley said as they started down the drive.

“I told you that Mr. Bennet had died,” Darcy responded.

“Yes, but you did not tell me the reason you were escorting Miss Elizabeth home was due to the fact that she was your betrothed.”

“I thought it would be obvious.”

“It was not. Next time, just assume that you will need to explain everything. Your thoughts are not always clear to those around you.”