“Mr.
Bennet, I heard Netherfield Park has been let at last.”
“Yes,
my dear, to a young man from the North. He came and looked it over a few weeks
ago.”
“Oh,
thank goodness. I hate having your great uncle’s old estate being left vacant,
and the last tenant was terrible. Is he a single young man?”
“I
do not have all the details other than his father recently passed and even if
he were single, I caution you about your conduct. No young man wants a wife
whose mother has nervous flutters and vapors.”
“Oh,
Mr. Bennet, you never had compassion for my poor nerves.”
“You
mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for them. In fact, they are old
friends, what with them being mentioned with consideration these twenty years
at least.”
“I
know you are teasing. I have been quite steady these last ten years.”
Mr.
Bennet rose from his chair and approached his wife, leaning down to give her a
gentle kiss on the forehead. “Yes, my sweet Fanny, you have settled quite
nicely since we inherited Netherfield Park and you no longer worry about the
hedgerows.”
He
settled back behind his desk and Mrs. Bennet picked up her sewing, but not too
many minutes passed before she left her work laying idle on her lap, gazing out
the window.
“What
are you thinking, my love?”
“Lizzy
plans to visit the tenants of Netherfield Park and then meet with Mrs. Nicholls
for their bi-weekly meeting about staff and how the new footman is faring with
his duties.”
Mr.
Bennet chuckled. “Is she doing this for us, or for Hill’s son?”
Mrs.
Bennet smiled back. “A bit of both. This is Jeremy’s first real job, other than
doing footman duties for us when we have guests. Hill is proud as punch that he
grew into such a tall, fine looking young man. He’ll do well, however, Lizzy
did say she’d give a poke about the manor and walk him through the finer points
of dinner parties and the such.”
“Aye,
she’ll make sure he does a good job. I have told her the lease has been
accepted, so she’s also making sure the rest of the staff is up to speed and
all things are ready for our new tenants.”
“Good.”
Mrs. Bennet re-assumed her sewing. “Lizzy is quite adept and Mrs. Nicholls is
an excellent housekeeper. When Hill recommended her sister to the job five
years ago, I was glad we were able to place her there. She is a godsend.”
“When
Lizzy inherits, she’ll have the luxury of competent staff and good tenants.”
“I
assume, as before, no mention will be made that we own Netherfield?”
“None
whatsoever. I’ll not have some young man chase our daughter for her
inheritance. No, we will remain the Bennets of Longbourn, with an estate that
is entailed–”
“Mr.
Bennet! Have you still not told anyone the entail was broken after Lydia was
born?”
A
wry grin spread across Mr. Bennet’s face.
“No,
I also do not want Jane chased for her inheritance. I want our daughters
to marry for the same reasons we did, and that means the gentleman who wins
their hand in marriage will do so because they love them, unconditionally.”
“Should
I be a tad flighty, to test the limits?”
“My
love, a little goes a long way, so be careful when and where you spout
nonsense. You do not wish to chase the bird out of the bush before the gun is
primed and ready.”
“When
I meet the young man, I shall assess just how silly I have to behave. Do not worry,
Mr. Bennet. I have our girl’s best interests at heart.”
“I
know you do.”
“I
would assume my brother Philips is taking care of the contract for – Oh! I never asked you his name.”
“Bingley.
Mr. Charles Bingley.”
“Is
he a stable young man? I ask because I do not want our tenants to fall under
the management of someone who would be irresponsible. You know how gentlemen
can be when they have unlimited funds and behave in a capricious manner.”
“Not
to worry, my dear. Not only will Philips keep an eye on him, Lizzy watches over
her tenants with a zeal that would rival a dragon guarding its treasure.”
Mrs.
Bennet laughed softly.
“That
she does. With luck he’ll be a sensible and amiable young man and take a liking
to one of our girls, or is he still in mourning?”
“I
believe they came out of mourning a few months ago. He’s never owned land or
cared for tenants. It was his father’s greatest wish to buy an estate and
become a gentleman, which is why he decided to lease Netherfield. There is no better place to learn. Morris is a good steward and will guide him with a
firm and steady hand.”
Mrs.
Bennet gazed out the window, a soft smile on her face.
“Would
it not be lovely if he met our Jane and fell in love. She cannot be so
beautiful for nothing, you know.”
“I
do not know about that. He might take one look at the mother and decide to run
me off.”
Mrs.
Bennet laughed outright. “You are such a rogue, Thomas Bennet! As if any young
man would look twice at a woman whose been married for over twenty years and
bore five daughters.”
“I
do not jest, Fanny. You are still a beautiful woman and if he has any sense in
his head, he’d pursue you with great ardor.”
With
that, he rose from behind his desk, a dangerous glint in his eye. Mrs. Bennet
dropped her sewing and shifted in the chair, her lips parting with
anticipation.
“Thomas,”
she warned in a soft voice, “our daughters are down the hall in the parlor.”
“Then,”
he said as he locked the door and turned to face her, “we shall have to be
very, very quiet.”
***
All
of Meryton was in an uproar over the pending arrival of the gentleman to
Netherfield, especially when it became known that Mr. Charles Bingley, a man
with over four thousand a year, planned on attending the quarterly Assembly
with a large party. The shops in the small village soon ran out of ribbons,
lace, dancing slippers, and fans. The local modiste and her assistants were run
off their feet sewing orders for new gowns.
The
ladies of Longbourn were equally excited, but not frantic in their
preparations. Their papa had visited Mr. Bingley when he arrived and the young
gentleman had returned the honor a few days later. The ladies, unaware of the
visit until a few minutes after he left, caught sight of him as he cantered
down the graveled drive just before he turned the corner and disappeared from
view.
The
sum total of their experience was that he wore a blue jacket and rode a very
large horse.
Finally,
the night of the quarterly Assembly was upon them and the Bennet family was
surrounded by friends and neighbors, enjoying moments of great hilarity and
somber reflection as news of an unexpected death of one of their neighbors
became known. A woman, well into her sixth decade, had become a permanent
fixture in the clutch of women who tittered behind fans during these types of
events. Her caustic wit would be sorely missed, especially by Elizabeth Bennet.
In previous Assemblies, she’d willingly sat out some dances in order to visit
with the lady. More than once, during the night, her gaze flew to the chair the
citizens of Meryton left empty in honor of their dearly departed friend.
“Are
you and your sisters anxious to meet Mr. Bingley and his party, Eliza?”
Miss
Charlotte Lucas, one of Elizabeth’s dearest friends, had come alongside and
handed her a welcomed glass of punch.
“Not
anxious, per se. More curious, I think.” She took a sip of her punch. “You have
met the gentleman, what is your opinion?”
“He’s
amiable and quite young. Well, younger than me, although, these days, most
gentlemen of marriageable age are.”
Elizabeth
looped her arm through Charlotte’s and gave it a squeeze.
“You
are too hard on yourself. My aunt Gardiner was about your age when she met and
married my uncle, and look how happy they are.”
“Eliza,
next to such beauties as you and your ethereal sister, Jane, no woman stands a
chance of capturing the eye of any eligible gentleman.”
“I
give you leave to sing the praises of my eldest sister but must stop you when
you elevate me into the same sphere as Jane. I am, to my mother’s never-ending
horror, a hoydenish rapscallion who cavorts about the fields of Longbourn.”
Charlotte
laughed out loud and was about to respond when the doors to the Assembly opened
wide. All eyes turned and watched an elegant group of people enter the room.
“Which
of the painted peacocks is our Mr. Bingley?” Lizzy whispered to Charlotte.
“The
one in the blue jacket is he. Next to him is his youngest sister, then his
eldest sister and her husband.”
“And
the man with the quizzical look upon his brow?”
“That
would be Mr. Darcy.”
“Poor
man, he does not look pleased to be here.”
“Poor
he is not, dearest. His estate in Derbyshire is rumored to be worth about ten
thousand a year.”
“Well
then, poor Mr. Bingley.”
“Whatever
do you mean? It is well known he is worth about five thousand a year.”
“When
the matrons of Meryton discover Mr. Darcy is worth twice his friend, it will be
as if he never existed.” Lizzy bumped her shoulder against Charlotte’s and
waggled her eyebrows. “There is hope for you and me yet, Charlotte. Out of sheer
desperation, Mr. Bingley may have to pay court to us mere mortals while Jane
basks in the attention of Mr. Darcy.”
“Your
mother is right! You are a rapscallion.”
With
that, Elizabeth moved to join her mother in order to be introduced to the
illustrious tenants of Netherfield Park.
As
it turned out, Jane’s head was not turned by Mr. Darcy. Instead, her attentions
were captured by the delightful Mr. Bingley. Upon introduction, he successfully
petitioned her hand for the next two sets. When asked if he liked dancing, Mr.
Darcy flatly stated, ‘No,’ and left their party. Shocked at his abrupt
rudeness, Mama gaped after him. Something she had not done in years. She caught
her husband’s eye and waved him over.
“What
is it, my dear?”
“When
you visited Mr. Bingley, did he seem addled in the head?” she said in a low
voice so it would not carry.
Mr.
Bennet took a step back and assessed his wife. “I do not understand what you
are asking me.”
“When
a young man of good manners, as well as good fortune, befriends another man, who
is abominably rude to a newly introduced person, does that not also speak to
his character?”
“You
are speaking of Mr. Darcy.”
“One
and the same.”
“Mrs.
Bennet, I caution you against making the same mistake as Mr. Darcy. You do not
know his character and what he is thinking. His manners might be lacking, but
do not take the low road with this, my love. You are better than that.”
Mrs.
Bennet huffed and Lizzy choked back a snicker. It was not often that her
mother’s feathers were ruffled.
“Fine,”
she finally acceded, “but I take leave to not like him.”
Papa
kissed Mama’s cheek, disregarding the raised eyebrows at his open affection.
“I
give you leave to not like him.”
“Would
you check on Lydia and Kitty? They’ve been a trifle too excited this evening
and I am pretty sure Lydia is flirting with that Westcott boy. I do not think
we should have allowed them to come this evening.”
“We
agreed, Fanny, the local Assembly was the perfect venue for our two youngest
daughters to make their soft come-out. We are among friends here and they cannot
get into too much trouble where they are so well known.”
Mama
tapped her fan into the palm of her hand. “Yes, but I did not think the
Netherfield party would be so disobliging and they will get the wrong
impression of our family.”
“Were
you not planning on being a bit flighty yourself, to test the waters?”
Lizzy
watched as her mother cast an assessing look toward the dour Mr. Darcy, who’d
begun to pace the edges of the hall.
“Very
well,” she finally huffed out on a sigh. “Let Lydia have her light flirtation,
but we still must take care that her reputation is not stained beyond any hope
of redemption. If we are judged by our country manners, then so be it. They are
not worth our attention.”
“I
am sure, between her sisters and myself, Lydia will not come to any harm.” He
squeezed his wife’s hand with great affection. “In case I forgot to tell you –
you look absolutely lovely tonight, Mrs. Bennet.”
“Oh,
you!”
She
flushed and brought up her fan to cool her heated cheeks. Lizzy grinned and
moved away, catching sight of the empty chair. With a sigh, she lowered herself
onto the lightly padded seat and, while watching the dancers, remembered her
friend with fondness. Her silent reverie was interrupted with the advent of Mr.
Bingley accosting Mr. Darcy not more than four feet from where she sat.
“Come,
Darcy,” said he, “I must have you dance. I hate to see you stand about in this
stupid manner.”
“I
most certainly will not. You know how I detest the activity, especially if I am
not acquainted with my partner. At an assembly such as this’ – he snorted in
derision – ‘it would be insupportable. There are no women in this room whom it
would not be a punishment for me to stand up with.”
“Fie,
Darcy!” cried Bingley. “I would never be as fastidious as you. Why, there are
several here who are uncommonly pretty.”
“You
are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room.”
Lizzy
took note that he looked in the direction of Jane and she smiled. At least Mr.
Darcy showed some good taste.
“Oh!
She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld.” Mr. Bingley glanced over Mr.
Darcy’s shoulder and seeing Elizabeth, whispered loudly, “One of her sisters,
sitting down behind you, is very pretty and I dare say agreeable. Would you let
me introduce you?”
“Whom
do you mean?” Darcy turned around and looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till
catching her eye, he withdrew his own and said in a voice that would have
frozen over the Thames, “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.
I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are
slighted by other men.” At Bingley’s horrified gasp, he continued. “You had better
return to your simpering partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your
time with me.”
Stunned,
Lizzy took small comfort in the apologetic look Mr. Bingley afforded her before
removing himself to seek the company of Jane. Mr. Darcy gave her one more
haughty look before stalking off to join his own party, who’d not strayed far
from the door, as though they expected to take flight at any moment.
Lizzy
remained in place, not wishing the rude Mr. Darcy to think his words had
pierced her outward confidence and toyed with the idea of sharing his caustic
comments with friends. It was only when she remembered the words Papa had
spoken to her mother earlier, of taking the high road when it came to the
gentleman from Derbyshire, that she pasted a smile on her face and joined her
parents, ne’er a caustic word crossing her lips. She’d no sooner greeted her
Mama that she was asked to dance and was never in want of a willing partner for
the rest of the evening.
She
also never realized the eyes of one taciturn gentleman followed her all night.
Even when he danced with the ladies of his party.