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“I have not yet decided whether or not I would like to purchase the estate,” Bingley replied.

“If you were to waive your right, I would be able to purchase it,” Darcy told him.

“But, if you were to purchase it, where would I live?” Bingley asked.

“You would still be welcome to lease the main house,” Darcy clarified. “I would simply be the one to own the estate instead of your current landlord.”

“Why do you want to buy it?”

“I want to fix up the dower house as a home for Mrs. Bennet and her remaining daughters,” Darcy explained.

“You would consider purchasing an entire estate for the use of a dower house that is not currently habitable?” Bingley asked.

“He has already assured us that is his plan,” Mr. Gardiner replied, dryly.

“I find myself becoming more and more attached to Hertfordshire every day,” Bingley responded. “What if I decide I would like to purchase Netherfield?”

“Mr. Darcy would be able to lease the dower house, if you could both come to an agreement,” Mr. Morris interjected.

“I would rather purchase the estate,” Darcy insisted.

Bingley had long made it a practice of listening to the advice of his friend, but he could only feel that if Netherfield Park was attractive enough for Darcy to want to purchase it, then it would make a wise investment for him, as well. He decided he should talk to Miss Bennet to determine whether or not she would enjoy living at Netherfield Park in the future. She might still be too deep in mourning to ask her to marry him, but he could certainly hint at his future intentions.

“I would like some time to think about it,” Bingley replied.

“You never need time to think about anything,” Darcy countered, a little agitated.

“I very rarely have such a weighty matter to consider,” Bingley said. “Give me a few days. I will consider it and let you know.”

“That is perfectly reasonable,” Mr. Gardiner interjected. “And, if you do decide you would like to purchase the estate, I am sure we will be able to work out a lease for the dower house.”

“But then, what would I give to our second son?” Darcy exclaimed, causing a hush to fall over the room.

“Would you gentlemen please excuse us?” Elizabeth calmly asked. Relieved, Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Morris all quickly left the study.

Elizabeth was stunned. There really was no other way to describe it. Her future husband had just announced to the room plans he had made concerning their possible future second son.

Darcy was enthralled. Elizabeth’s eyes had taken on a life of their own. This was the young lady he had fallen so deeply and irrevocably in love with. Once they were alone in the room his first thought was just how much he wanted to kiss her.

Bringing both hands to Elizabeth’s face, he quietly asked for permission to do so. He did not expect her to laugh. Offended, he dropped his hands, asking what could possibly be humorous about his wish to kiss his betrothed.

“You have made assumptions and taken action concerning so many monumental parts of my life. This is the first time you have asked my opinion on anything since you came to the parsonage that dreadful evening. I would much rather you asked me to marry you, and then just assumed that you could kiss me, than the other way around.”

“I came to the parsonage to ask you to marry me,” Darcy replied, trying to order his thoughts. He could remember the look on Elizabeth’s face when he told her that he loved her, but could not remember anything else about his proposal.

“But you were interrupted before you had the chance,” Elizabeth said. “When our conversation was disrupted by the express concerning my father, you assumed responsibility and started making decisions. I did not even realize you considered us to be engaged until after we returned to Longbourn. I had lost any semblance of choice long before I decided that I might want to marry you.”

“But, surely you were expecting my addresses?” Darcy asked, trying to remember everything he could, certain he would never overlook actually asking Elizabeth to marry him.

“No! I had no idea!” Elizabeth exclaimed, excited to finally be given the opportunity to give voice to all her conflicting emotions from the last few weeks. “I thought you were arrogant, conceited, and had a selfish disdain for the feelings of others. At that time, you had not shown me your care and compassion. Instead, you had worked to separate your friend from my sister, convincing him to abandon her to her broken heart.”

“This is your opinion of me? And yet, you would have accepted my hand?”

“No! And that is what has me in such a mixed-up state!” Elizabeth continued, tears starting to form. “If you had asked for my hand that night, I would have refused you, and in so doing made the biggest mistake of my life. From the moment you learned about my father’s passing you have taken care of me and my family, even though you have told me that you find them vulgar. You have shown me more kindness and care than I thought you could possibly feel. I do not think I could find a more generous husband. But, at the same time, you continue to make decisions and act in a way that makes me wonder whether I will ever have any choice concerning anything. You talk about our future as if I will be your possession. You are making arrangements for my mother and our future children without discussing it with me. I may not always know what is best, but I would at least like to be given the opportunity to make my opinion known.”

Darcy was having a difficult time ordering the thoughts in his mind coherently. The return of his headache was not helping matters.

“Do you even want to marry me?”