1. Chapter 1 #2
Several minutes later, Lydia ran into Elizabeth’s room.
“Lizzy! You will never guess what I just heard. I ran down to the kitchen to grab a slice of pumpkin bread and I overheard Mrs. Hill speaking with Mrs. Oliver. Mrs. Oliver said that Mr. Bingley has guests who have arrived to stay at Netherfield—his good friend, his friend’s sister, and her companion.
I did not hear their names, but I did hear her say his friend is a single gentleman and very handsome!
Also, she said his sister is everything lovely.
Once Mama hears of this, she will not know what to do with herself!
I wonder if his friend is rich—would it not be a fine joke if he were to fall madly in love with me? ”
Elizabeth shook her head at her youngest sister as she watched her leave the room, giggling.
So, there are now two single handsome gentlemen in the neighborhood—an exciting prospect indeed!
Later that evening, after dinner, they were all sitting in the drawing room engaged in various pursuits when Elizabeth noticed her mother eyeing her father with an irritated expression.
At dinner, she had told him he needed to visit Mr. Bingley as soon as possible so their daughters could become acquainted with him.
When Papa continued to eat his meal and made no response, Mama asked him what day he would go to visit Mr. Bingley.
Papa told her he had no such plans at present.
Mama had looked first horrified, then angry, but she dropped the subject.
Now she appeared ready to raise it again.
"Mr. Bennet, Lady Lucas said that Sir William has already made Mr. Bingley's acquaintance. Now, what have you to say to that?" Mama demanded.
Papa looked up from his book. "Good for Sir William."
Mama huffed. "That is all you have to say?"
"Yes, I think it will do."
He then closed his book, stood, and left the room, no doubt going to his bookroom where he could shut the door and read in peace.
"If the business of finding you girls husbands was left up to your father, none of you would marry!" Mama said irritably, yanking at the stitches of whatever she was sewing.
“Mama, can we not go somewhere for a visit?” Lydia asked.
“It is so dull here! There are never any gentlemen around, no amusements, and Sir William says the militia are not to quarter here after all. With so many officers to choose from, I was sure to find a handsome husband in the regiment, but there is no chance of that happening now!”
“Yes, it is dull around here,” Kitty said, joining the complaint. “At least there is a new gentleman in the neighborhood, though—two, if you include his friend. I suppose that is better than nothing.”
“What is one or two gentlemen to a whole camp full of soldiers?” Lydia asked dreamily.
“I would say more than likely the gentlemen can actually afford a wife, which is more than can be said of a typical soldier,” Elizabeth said with an arched brow and a pointed look at her youngest sister.
Lydia frowned at Elizabeth, then turned to her mother. “Please, Mama? May we?”
“Well . . . I have been meaning for you all to have a few new things for the winter,” Mama said, warming to the idea. “Perhaps a week in town shopping would be just the thing! And I know my brother is able to arrange for some occasions where you girls could meet eligible young men.”
Kitty and Lydia were beside themselves with glee, and they each began speaking animatedly to the other.
“Now, girls,” Mama interrupted them, “keep in mind we will not be journeying to London right away. While there may not be a whole camp full of soldiers in Meryton, there are two gentlemen at Netherfield, and you shall all have a chance to meet them very soon. We will not squander it.”
When Kitty and Lydia began speculating on all the wonderful parties they would attend in London, Elizabeth expressed her intention to retire for the evening. Jane said she would also go up. They both wished their mother and sisters goodnight, then retreated to Elizabeth's room to talk privately.
“Well, Mama has begun her campaign to secure this man for one of us," Jane said with a sigh as she sat on the bed across from Elizabeth.
"It will never occur to her to not put us forward so when we know so little of him! Of course, as the eldest, I am her main target. She will throw me at him with no compunction.”
“Or she will throw you at his friend," Elizabeth added helpfully.
Jane sighed again.
Neither Elizabeth nor Jane wanted to marry simply for the sake of marrying. Such a course could lead to a marriage like that of their parents—one where there was little affection and even less respect.
Jane unpinned her hair and ran her fingers through it with a thoughtful expression. “What do you think of this trip to London Mama has planned?”
“I hope it does not coincide with our own trip.”
They shared a pointed look.
“I suppose if it does come to that, we could write to Aunt Madeleine and request to postpone our trip,” Elizabeth suggested.
“Yes, I agree,” Jane said. “After our mother and sisters return to Longbourn, we could travel then.”
Elizabeth nodded her agreement. She and Jane spoke a while longer, then said goodnight.
Fitzwilliam Darcy stood at the window in his bedchamber, looking out over the grounds of Netherfield Park. Though it was still early yet, he was dressed and enjoying a cup of coffee thanks to Jones, his ever-efficient valet.
Darcy had planned to remain in London through the middle of November, so it was a rather sudden turn of events that he now found himself in Hertfordshire.
His good friend, Charles Bingley, had been on the lookout for a country estate to lease.
It was to be a first step towards his goal of becoming a landed gentleman.
Darcy had assured Bingley that once he found an estate, he would assist his friend in learning estate management. So, here he was.
Darcy had been at Netherfield now for two days. The steward appeared competent, and the house and servants were being managed by Mr. and Mrs. Oliver, a very capable couple. All in all, he felt Netherfield Park would definitely provide a proper learning experience for Bingley.
Darcy grabbed his hat and riding crop and headed out toward the stables. His gelding, Brutus, was waiting impatiently for him.
“Been giving you a rough time of it, has he?” Darcy asked the groom as he walked up to Brutus and rubbed the horse’s neck.
“Aye, sir, that he has,” replied the groom. “He is rarin’ to go, no two ways about it!”
Darcy grinned at the lad and mounted his horse.
“Come on, boy!”
They galloped along the countryside for a time, then he eased Brutus down to a trot.
As Darcy admired the scenery, he wondered at the warm temperatures lingering about.
Although these temperatures had made for very pleasant weather, it was most unusual for this time of year.
If he were to hazard a guess, he would say a storm was on its way.
After a good long ride, Darcy returned to the stables. He dismounted and gave Brutus an affectionate pat. “Get some rest, old boy.”
After returning to his bedchamber for a change of clothes, Darcy descended the stairs and met Bingley as they both entered the breakfast room.
“So, what is the plan for today?” Bingley asked.
“I think it would be a good idea to meet with the steward to discuss the tenants.”
“Very well, shall we begin after breakfast?”
“I am at your disposal,” replied Darcy.
Bingley summoned a footman. “Please inform Mr. James that we shall be in the study after breakfast to discuss estate business. We would appreciate it if he could join us at his earliest convenience.”
After the footman left the room, Bingley turned back to Darcy.
“Darcy, what say you to going into Meryton after luncheon?”
“I think it a fine idea, Bingley. Would you mind if Georgiana came along? It would be a good outing for her.”
“Not at all! She is very welcome!” Bingley assured him.
Just then, Georgiana walked into the breakfast room. After preparing a plate, she joined them at the table.
“Georgiana, would you like to go into the village today?” Darcy asked. “Bingley and I were thinking of going after luncheon.”
“Oh, yes! I should like that very much!” she replied enthusiastically.
“Excellent!” Bingley said. “There are a variety of shops to explore, Miss Darcy.”
“That sounds wonderful! I am looking forward to it.”
When they finished breakfast, Georgiana went to practice at the pianoforte while Bingley and Darcy headed to the study. They found Mr. James there, awaiting them.
After they exchanged greetings, Bingley moved to stand behind the desk. "Darcy recommended we go over the situations of the tenants. Can you tell us about them, as well as any concerns I should know of?”
“Yes, sir.”
Mr. James explained the situation of each of the tenants. The owner of Netherfield had approved Bingley's having access to some information in the estate books and tenant records for reference.
“Since there is no master or mistress living here on a regular basis, Mrs. Oliver and I try to keep an eye on the needs of the tenants. The Miss Bennets are a tremendous help in that regard. In addition to looking after their own tenants at Longbourn, the three eldest girls also visit Netherfield’s tenants.
They coordinate with Mrs. Oliver and myself in providing help with sewing, food baskets, medicinals, and the like. ”
“I met Mr. Thomas Bennet. His estate borders Netherfield, does it not?”
“That is correct,” Mr. James confirmed.
They continued working with the steward through the morning. At a quarter past eleven, they decided to stop for the day. The steward excused himself, leaving Bingley and Darcy in the study.
“I say, it is uncommonly good of the Miss Bennets to look in on Netherfield Park’s tenants, is it not? I cannot think most ladies would do so,” Bingley said.