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Expecting that the couple would want a little bit of privacy, and not really wanting to be in the room, Mr. Gardiner excused himself for a few minutes, leaving the door slightly ajar.

“None of this makes any sense,” Elizabeth said as she burst into tears. “I don’t remember you asking me to marry you.”

“Admittedly, I was in the process when we were interrupted,” Mr. Darcy confessed. “But, I had at least told you that I love you.”

“I’m so confused. I don’t know what to do.”

“You need not worry. I will take care of everything. You do not need to do anything.”

With these words, Darcy drew Elizabeth into his arms. Even though it was not quite the type of embrace he was looking forward to in the future, he was pleased that he was finally able to offer Elizabeth some sort of physical comfort.

Elizabeth’s tears only increased. As she soaked his waistcoat, she finally understood why he would hire a personal maid to take care of her. She also understood what her mother had been thanking her for. She did not know what she should do. She then became upset with herself as she realized being in his arms did bring her some comfort, even though he was causing so much of her confusion. This thought brought on a fresh bout of sobs. Several minutes later, as her tears subsided, she took a slight perverse satisfaction in seeing that she had completely ruined his waistcoat, and not just with tears. It appeared that as she sobbed she must have wiped her nose against his chest. As her nose flowed almost as freely as her eyes when she cried heavily, it really had created quite a mess.

Chapter 5

Mr. Darcy would have been content holding Elizabeth for the entire day; unfortunately, there was much that needed to be done. He reluctantly released Elizabeth, who immediately fled from the room. When Mr. Gardiner returned to the study, he questioned Mr. Darcy about his missing niece. When Mr. Darcy assured him that he had promised Elizabeth he would take care of everything, the two gentlemen began the discussion concerning the future of the Bennet family.

“I feel as if we should start by discussing your interest in the matter,” Mr. Gardiner began. “You certainly hinted at your intentions in your letter, but I feel we should have a clear discussion.”

“I was in the midst of asking for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage when the express arrived, alerting us to the death of her father,” Mr. Darcy replied. “As I remember the turmoil that I went through after the death of my own father, not five years ago, I immediately set about easing the way for Elizabeth, to the best of my abilities.”

“And so, I am assuming you would like to ask me a question, as Mr. Bennet named me guardian of his unmarried daughters in his will.”

“Of course,” Darcy responded, slightly embarrassed. “I have come to care deeply for your niece and will be able to provide well for her. May I have Elizabeth’s hand in marriage?” His mind had been so fully engaged in planning for the future, he had forgotten that he had not yet asked anyone for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage.

“I am pleased to give my consent,” Mr. Gardiner said in response, one burden lifted from his shoulders. “Have you given any thought to when the marriage will take place?”

“As our engagement has not been announced, it would be unseemly to marry while Elizabeth is still in full mourning,” Mr. Darcy replied. “If circumstances were different, I would wish for a shorter engagement period. With things the way they are, it would be best to plan for a marriage in six months’ time.”

“That seems reasonable,” Mr. Gardiner agreed.

“In the meantime, I will have the settlement papers drawn up,” Mr. Darcy stated. “Once they have been signed it will be proper for me to provide for Elizabeth’s mother and sisters, even if we are not to marry for some time.”

The conversation then devolved into more particulars concerning Mrs. Bennet’s future living arrangements and other needs.

When Elizabeth fled the study, her only thought was to get as far away as possible. She quickly donned her outer clothing and made her way to Oakham Mount. The view had long been a favorite of hers. She sat on the ground, leaning against a tree. If she spared a thought for her clothing, it was only that dirt would not show well on black.

As she stared into space, she gave no thought for the time. Tears fell, unhindered, as she attempted to reconcile herself to a marriage with Mr. Darcy. She did not know how she could do it, yet she did not know how she could refuse. She knew she did not love him, yet he professed to love her. She thought he was full of pride and conceit, yet he did not complain as she made a mess of his waistcoat with her tears. She had always thought that he gave no thought to the feelings of others, yet he had been so considerate and caring when he learned of the death of her father.

The one thing she knew was that he still puzzled her exceedingly. The one question she needed answered was whether or not she could spend the rest of her life married to such a man.

After Charles Bingley arose and prepared for the day, he was a bit perturbed to find that his friend had already left for Longbourn. Bingley had anticipated that they would travel to Longbourn together in order to pay a condolence call. He had not expected his good friend to leave well before polite visiting hours.

After eating his breakfast he rode over to Longbourn. When he was shown into the drawing room, he expected to find his friend. There were already several others from the neighborhood paying condolence calls, but there was no sign of Darcy.

Although Bingley was not the most observant gentleman, even he could not miss the fact that all conversation stopped when he entered the room. He was also not oblivious to the awkward winking and hand signals Mrs. Bennet employed to insist one of her daughters move from the chair closest to Jane. Not wanting to cause a scene, he took the now vacant seat next to the now mortified Jane.

Bingley was preparing to open his mouth to offer his condolences, when he was addressed by Mrs. Bennet.

“It is so good of you to join your friend. When Mr. Darcy first arrived on his own this morning, we began to despair ever seeing you again.”

“Darcy is a rather early riser,” Bingley replied.

“He has that in common with Lizzy,” Mrs. Bennet said with a smile towards her friends.

“He has always been that way,” Bingley added into the awkward silence that followed. He was never good at silence.

“Of course, you will have much business to conduct now that you have returned to your estate,” Mrs. Bennet continued. “Will your sisters be joining you?”