Chapter 29 Netherfield Park
Later that same week, Elizabeth and Jane stood in the queue at the post office, awaiting their turn at the counter. Mrs. Long concluded her business and stepped away from the clerk. Upon perceiving the sisters, she approached them at once.
“My dear girls, I am so very sorry for your loss. Your mother was so young. I can scarcely credit that she is taken from us. How do you fare?”
Jane lowered her eyes. “Thank you, Mrs. Long. We endeavor to bear her passing as best we can.”
The older lady clasped each sister's hand in turn, pressed it with sympathy, and withdrew.
Soon after, Elizabeth and Jane completed their business and stepped out onto the wooden platform in front of the post office.
Jane held two letters, one addressed in Lydia’s hand and another from Mary.
As she lifted her eyes, she perceived Mr. Goulding advancing in their direction.
She drew nearer to Elizabeth and took her arm.
“Come, Lizzy. Let us hasten home to Papa. He will be glad to receive Mary’s letter.”
They set off together, increasing their pace along the lane. Jane bent her head toward Elizabeth.
“Mr. Goulding was making his way toward us, Lizzy. He is the last man in the world whose company I could endure.”
Elizabeth regarded her with understanding. “Mamma did us a grave disservice. He may imagine that you would receive an offer from him.”
Jane shuddered. “Thanks to our mother, we cannot conduct the simplest errand in our own village without apprehension, which is most vexing.”
“Come, Jane. I wish to call at the circulating library before we return home.”
They altered their course toward the bookseller, yet had not gone many steps before Lady Lucas emerged from the haberdashery adjoining it and intercepted them.
“My dear girls, I was shocked, quite shocked, when I learned that your mother was struck down with the influenza. I can scarcely believe she is gone from us. I continue to expect that I shall see her seated in church.”
Jane answered for them both. “Yes, Lady Lucas. We are each day endeavoring to accustom ourselves to her loss. And how does Charlotte fare? I understand she has been in London, visiting relations.”
Lady Lucas shook her head, unsmiling. “Yes, my Charlotte was resolved upon going. She declares she is not likely to secure a beau here in Meryton, for there are no eligible bachelors to be found, and so she has gone to seek her fortune.”
Elizabeth regarded her closely. “Then you do not expect her return in the near future?”
“No, Lizzy. She intends to remain in London until she is married. I miss her exceedingly. She was of great assistance in the kitchen, though Maria begins to render herself more useful.” Lady Lucas paused, then added, “And Lydia? I hear she has been sent away to school. Was there some reason she was removed from us with such haste?”
Jane stood as though deprived of speech.
Elizabeth replied, her brows furrowed. “Our sister felt Mamma’s death most severely, particularly as she had been away in London at the time.
My father and uncle judged it prudent to divert her mind by placing her in school.
You know, Lady Lucas, that Lydia was Mamma’s favorite, and she feels the loss most acutely. ”
“Yes, of course she would. Frances doted upon the child. I am sorry to learn that Lydia is so overcome.”
Elizabeth asked, “May we write to Charlotte? It grieves me that we were unable to take our leave of her.”
“Certainly, my dear. I shall write out her direction and give it into your hands next Sunday at church.”
Lady Lucas repeated her expressions of sympathy and withdrew.
Elizabeth released a breath of indignation. “The presumption of that woman, to attempt to raise scandal regarding Lydia.”
She met Jane’s eye. “Do you suppose she has learned that Wickham and Lydia exchanged notes?”
Jane reflected. “I doubt it. None of us suspected it, not even Kitty, who is Lydia’s particular favorite. Lydia was exceedingly artful in the matter.”
“Unless Wickham himself disclosed it among the officers.”
Jane considered this possibility. “He may have done so, yet how should Lady Lucas have come by such a tale? Aunt Phillips has always described the officers as quiet and gentlemanly. They would not repeat such conduct at a lady’s dinner table.”
Elizabeth pressed her lips into a thin line.
“You are correct. Lady Lucas is well acquainted with Lydia’s disposition and was, I suspect, merely conjecturing in the hope that we might betray ourselves by look or word.
That she should endeavor to draw us out for particulars is highly improper, not to mention unkind. ”
“Pray do not dwell upon it, Lizzy. Let us complete our errands.”
Elizabeth could not restrain herself. “Jane, it only proves the depth of jealousy and rivalry between those two ladies that it should endure even beyond the grave.”
Together they entered the bookseller’s shop.
While Elizabeth examined the catalog on the counter, Jane conversed with the clerk.
“Miss Bennet, have you heard that Netherfield Park is at last sold?”
Elizabeth lifted her head at once, though she kept her countenance composed.
“Sold, sir?” Jane asked. “Do you know who has purchased the estate?”
“No, ma’am. Mr. Goulding reports that it has been taken by a gentleman from the north. Workmen have already begun repairs upon the roof and attics, for there was some water damage.”
Elizabeth was careful not to meet Jane’s eye, lest the smallest encouragement should carry her sister into unguarded delight at the intelligence. Instead, she addressed herself to the clerk and requested further particulars.
“Mr. Seymour, do you know whether the gentleman who has purchased the estate intends to reside there?”
The clerk smiled. “Yes, Miss Lizzy, he does. He has engaged a London butler of superior character, who has already taken up residence and will oversee the hiring of servants and a cook. When the household is fully organized, the master himself will take possession.”
Elizabeth glanced at Jane and observed the heightened color in her cheeks.
Her sister was brimming with excitement, but it would not do for her to display it so openly where it might invite gossip.
She therefore turned the subject. “Have you received any new books, sir? It has been weeks since my last visit.”
“Yes, miss.”
He indicated several recent arrivals, and Elizabeth selected two volumes to borrow. When their business was concluded, they took their leave of the shop.
Once in the street, Elizabeth took Jane’s hand. “Sister, this must surely be Mr. Bingley who has purchased Netherfield Park.”
“Lizzy, do you truly believe so?”
“Who else could it be? We have heard nothing of any other prospective buyer. Might Mr. Goulding have employed Uncle Phillips in the transaction?”
Jane reflected. “No, I cannot suppose that Uncle Phillips would connect himself with Mr. Goulding in such a matter. Uncle Edward has warned him to maintain his distance from that man.”
“Then he must have secured a London attorney. Where else might we obtain intelligence?”
“The butler is newly arrived from London, and as yet no servants have been engaged. There will be no intelligence from that quarter.”
“True, but there soon shall be. Mark me, Jane, we shall learn all we require from our own servants. Indeed, let us question Hill without delay.”
Jane smiled. “Yes, let us.”
When they reached Longbourn and Hill assisted them with their bonnets and wraps, Elizabeth inquired, “Hill, how does my father fare?”
“Do not distress yourself, Miss Elizabeth. He remained in his study for an hour, but has since retired to his chamber to rest.”
“Did he experience difficulty in his breathing?”
“I am afraid so, miss. He did not complain, yet he was near to panting as he reached the landing.”
“I shall go up to him presently, but first I must ask what you know of Netherfield Park.”
“Netherfield Park, miss?”
“Yes. Mr. Seymour reports that it has been purchased, and that repairs are underway on the roof and attics.”
“Why, Miss Lizzy, I have heard nothing of it. Still, I shall inquire of Cook, and she will have the matter from the servant girls before the meal is set upon the table. I shall inform you at once if there is any intelligence to be had.”
“Thank you, Hill. I shall now go up to my father.”
Jane withdrew to the drawing room and resumed her seat with her embroidery hoop in hand, though the needle remained idle. She gazed upon the delicate floral pattern before her, yet her thoughts were elsewhere, fixed upon a gentleman with ginger-colored hair and amiable manners.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, paused outside her father’s chamber. The door was closed, and she hesitated to intrude. Hearing no movement within, she turned back and made her way to the drawing room.
She halted upon the threshold and regarded her sister. Jane’s attention was plainly caught up by the mysterious purchase of Netherfield Park.
Elizabeth settled next to her. “Jane, your spirits are much improved.”
“I am remembering, Lizzy. Do you recall how pleasant our evening at Vauxhall Gardens proved to be?”
“Indeed, I do. It was most agreeable.”
“I found it far preferable to the dinner at the Darcys’ and the subsequent visit to the theatre.
At Vauxhall, I was free to speak with Mr. Bingley in privacy and ease.
At dinner, his sisters were ever near, and at the theatre, there was such noise, and then the performance demanded our attention.
Yet all I desired was to converse with him, to hear his voice, to listen as he spoke of his hopes and intentions. ”
Elizabeth’s smile deepened. “And what were those hopes, my dear?”
“He spoke of possessing a home of his own, a true home such as he enjoyed while his parents lived. He wished for a wife and for children to be raised in the countryside, removed from the smoky air of London. Oh, Lizzy, perhaps he has been absent in pursuit of that very design.”
Elizabeth’s smile widened. “Yes, it would seem so. Jane, perhaps all your dreams are about to be realized.”
The two sisters passed the next hour in earnest conversation of Mr. Bingley, of his pleasing manners, his many attractions, his amiable temper, and the marked regard he had once shown Jane. At length, Jane lifted her eyes with renewed animation.
“Lizzy, I believe Mr. Bingley has purchased Netherfield Park for my sake.”
“I agree, it does seem very likely that it is indeed Mr. Bingley, yet you must govern your expectations until you are certain. Can you promise me so much?”
Jane returned her sister’s look with composure. “Yes. I may have given him my heart, Lizzy, but I have not relinquished my self-control.”
Elizabeth laughed. “You will not have long to wait. You shall know all within a fortnight.”
Elizabeth glanced at the small watch suspended at her waist. “It is time we dressed for dinner. Come, we shall be late if we delay longer.”