Chapter 1 We meet our protagonists in the Bennet family
We meet our protagonists in the Bennet family
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
“Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bennet! Netherfield Park has been let at last!”
Thomas Bennet stood from behind his desk, excused himself from the meeting with his steward, and calmly went in the direction of his wife’s voice. He found her in the hall as the footman took her bonnet and cloak.
His wife was still quite beautiful for seven-and-thirty years.
Although it was true she had taken on the more buxom figure of a woman who had borne children and her fair skin was now flushed in her excited state, she had a surprisingly youthful appearance.
Her golden tresses held only one or two white hairs, and her vanity about her looks showed in the way she rarely wore a cap and took great delight in dresses that complimented her complexion.
He smiled at her glowing face and gently placed her hand on his arm.
“Come, my darling. Let us sit so you can calm yourself and catch your breath. Then you can tell me your news.” He walked her into the parlour and seated himself next to her on the divan.
“Oh, Thomas, my dear, a single, rich man has taken Netherfield Park. I must rework the girls’ gowns to make them more fashionable and write to Madeleine and ask her to send some dress lengths of my brother’s finest silks!
I must have the girls fitted with new slippers!
I must discuss a meal with at least two courses with cook!
I must…” Mrs. Bennet chattered on in excitement.
“Shhh, Shhh, Fanny,” Mr. Bennet hushed as he gently took his wife’s hands and looked tenderly into her cornflower blue eyes.
She smiled and calmed the moment his dark eyes fixed upon her.
Her heart was captured by the softness of his regard, and she was taken away by the interlude of gentle mutual admiration shared by a couple who had been in love for many years.
A moment later, five lovely girls, aged fifteen to two-and-twenty, gracefully entered the parlour, smiling sweetly as they saw their parents.
Sensible to the tender scene, they waited discreetly with their greetings, each quietly taking a seat.
Their parents did not release their hold on each other’s eyes or the gentle contact of their hands.
When he was assured his wife was calm and her attention was on him, Mr. Bennet asked softly, “Now, my dear, how may we help you?”
“Husband, a young man has let Netherfield Park. If you were to make his acquaintance, your easy manners would recommend him to the gentlemen of Meryton society and assist him in being well settled. Also, Thomas, it would please me very much to offer our hospitality in honouring the gentleman and his party with a welcome dinner at Longbourn.”
“That is very gracious of you, my dear. My, my, I am very pleased. It is to the advantage of the neighbourhood to have Netherfield Park occupied again and ever so interesting to make a new acquaintance. But I am curious to know more about this fellow. Perhaps one of my daughters has some intelligence to reveal to her father?” He turned to the girls with a smile, his eyes twinkling in anticipation.
“Papa, his name is Mr. Bingley,” his youngest offered.
“He is a single man in his twenties from the North. He is his own master with his father’s fortune made through trade and is planning to become landed.
His party is arriving in a se’ennight. His sister will be the mistress of his house, and they will bring several companions from Town with them. ”
Her manner of speaking was all that was proper and ladylike, but her eyes shone, and she fidgeted with a handkerchief as she spoke, belying an attempt to hide her enthusiasm for sharing the news.
She was the child most like her mother, gregarious and lively, always eager to glean information and pass it on to the delight of their neighbours, though her good breeding ensured she was discreet about what she shared.
“Well, then, I shall call on him as soon as we know he is comfortably entrenched at Netherfield Park. Will that make my ladies happy?”
“Yes, Papa, most certainly,” the eldest daughter replied.
“If he is agreeable, our neighbours would be quite delighted to have the company of Mr. Bingley and his party at the autumn assembly in Meryton. It would provide him with the opportunity to meet many of our society. Perhaps you might offer an invitation when you call.”
“What a thorough report on one who is not yet settled in our county, and such interest in entertaining this Mr. Bingley!” He turned his amused face towards his wife.
“Tell me, my dear Fanny, do you have your eye on this young man for one of our daughters, sight unseen?” Mr. Bennet smiled at her, and she glanced downward in a coquettish manner then flicked her smiling eyes back to meet his.
“Why of course, Mr. Bennet. We have three who are eligible, and all my girls deserve a rich, handsome, young gentleman for a husband!”
“So he is also handsome?”
“Yes, Mrs. Nicholls, the housekeeper at Netherfield Park, says he is the handsomest young man she has ever seen, and so agreeable!” Not a moment later, she frowned and continued, “But if he turns out to be a rogue, then someone else’s daughter may have him!
My girls are still in the first bloom of youth and so very beautiful and accomplished, they need only consider the best of suitors.
Not like Charlotte Lucas, who is set to be a spinster and is so plain! ”
“Mama!” a chorus of five responded, and all shared in the laughter.
“Well, there I go letting my tongue free to do its uncivil damage. I must pray for forgiveness of the sin of pride and be charitable to my neighbours. I shall own Miss Lucas is as lovely a young woman as any of you. Her intimacy with our family will be sure to throw her in the paths of suitable men.”
The seven Bennets continued a lively discussion regarding the past occupants of Netherfield Park and their anticipation of making the acquaintance of the Bingleys and their friends. They teased and jested about the matchmaking.
In truth, Mrs. Bennet’s excitement grew from her busy mind, which had immediately begun planning all the parties and finery requiring the attention of a mother of five delightful young ladies whose company was certain to be most sought after by their new neighbours.
Mrs. Bennet was a social being who relished opportunities to interact with others, and she was known as a pleasant and generous hostess.
The pending arrival of the Netherfield party allowed her to immerse herself in the duties and responsibilities she felt were put upon her capable shoulders as a most respected member of the Meryton community.
Mrs. Bennet also enjoyed designing subtle interpretations on the latest in fashion and, with her daughters’ help, often reworked their gowns into masterpieces that would be admired even in London.
She declared herself to have the best part of the proficiency of the finest modistes in the county and shared the enthusiasm for pleasing new attire with her five daughters.
She took great pride in her ability to use their income to its best advantage, sensible to the importance of ensuring each daughter had the best opportunities towards attracting suitors who could provide an advantageous marriage.
While typical of most society mothers in her attempts to make eligible matches for her girls, equally important in her eyes was their felicity.
The estate the Bennet family called home was Longbourn in Hertfordshire.
It had been inherited by Mr. Bennet through an entailment to the male line some eighteen years past. Longbourn generated an income of ￡3,000 a year, providing a comfortable life for a country gentleman with five unmarried daughters.
In addition, Mr. Bennet had other income from lands in Gloucestershire and investments in Bermuda.
It was common knowledge in the neighbourhood that, although none of the girls would inherit their home, the income from Mr. Bennet’s other holdings—and some additional investments made possible by Mrs. Bennet’s economy—would supplement the girls’ rather small fortunes and provide security for Mrs. Bennet’s lifetime should Mr. Bennet leave her a widow.
The Bennets found their country life in Hertfortshire rather agreeable.
Longbourn was close to the village of Meryton where Mr. Philips, a solicitor married to Mrs. Bennet’s half-sister, had his practice.
Aunt Philips’s home was a regular stop on trips to Meryton, which occurred almost daily.
Mrs. Philips was the heart of all gossip in Meryton, so it was always interesting to visit her and learn the latest goings-on in their small community.
The Philipses had no children, so their aunt doted on all the girls and often hosted card parties to give the family opportunities to enjoy the company of other young people.
Although Mr. Bennet had no interest in spending time in London, Mrs. Bennet’s much younger half-brother lived in Town.
The year each Bennet girl came out, the young Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner welcomed her and Mrs. Bennet to their home for part of a London Season.
However, at their father’s insistence, they attended only smaller balls, private parties and the occasional visit to the theatre, in keeping with the family’s financial circumstances.
Mr. Bennet was a quiet man, well educated, with a love of books and learning.
He was a generous master, accommodating landlord and industrious landowner.
He was also very interested in the newest advances and applied them wholeheartedly to the farming practices on the estate.
As a result, he had increased the income of his estate, and he was able to enlarge the house a few years past. He was firm in his principles but also loving and encouraging to his family.