Chapter 9
Chapter nine
Darcy entered the dining room and was pleased to find Bingley alone. “Bingley. Good morning.”
Bingley looked up from his coffee. “Still attempting to reconcile myself to country hours.”
Darcy crossed to the sideboard and helped himself to a muffin, eggs, ham, and coffee before taking a seat opposite him. “Perhaps you require something to look forward to.”
Bingley brightened at once. “Ah, but I have just the thing. I have resolved to give a ball. I had some difficulty persuading Caroline, but she has at last consented. I mean to deliver several of the invitations myself.” He gestured toward a small stack of envelopes beside him.
“And when is this event to take place?”
“In a fortnight, Tuesday. The timing is excellent; there will be a full moon.”
Darcy took a measured sip of his coffee. “Then I shall look forward to it.”
Bingley stared at him. “You will? I confess, that is not something I expected to hear.”
“I dare say that is fair. My views have… altered.”
Bingley leaned forward slightly, studying him. “Am I mistaken, or has some dark-haired beauty claimed your attention?”
Darcy allowed himself the faintest smile. “Miss Elizabeth dances remarkably well. I find it…. engaging to observe."
He took another bite of his muffin before continuing, as though the matter were of no particular consequence.
“I was considering that the weather tomorrow may prove favourable for riding. Perhaps we might take some refreshment along the way. Your company and Miss Bennet’s, would be most agreeable.”
“A picnic, Darcy?” Bingley laughed. “I had not taken you for the picnicking sort.”
Darcy raised a brow. “There are many things you have not taken me for.”
At that moment Miss Bingley entered the room and seated herself beside Darcy, her expression brightening at once.
“A picnic? How delightful. I quite adore picnics.”
Darcy lifted his coffee again, reflecting that Miss Bingley’s enthusiasm need not prevent the excursion from proceeding exactly as he intended.
***
Darcy and Bingley walked their horses toward Longbourn.
Under other circumstances, Darcy would have preferred a brisk gallop across the fields, but he had no desire to arrive splattered with mud.
He had agreed to accompany Bingley in delivering invitations to the ball, partly for the excuse of leaving Netherfield, but more particularly for the opportunity it might afford him.
He hoped to secure the supper set.
Looking forward to a dance was a novel experience.
Such engagements had always been endured rather than anticipated, yet he did not find the prospect of spending time with Miss Elizabeth any sort of burden.
She was easy in her manner, neither affected nor insipid and with her he enjoyed conversation that was genuinely engaging.
They soon turned into the lane leading to Longbourn. Darcy and Bingley dismounted, and a groom stepped forward to take their horses. As they approached the house, Darcy observed Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth just emerging.
This was better than he had hoped. He would much prefer to make his request without the entire Bennet family present.
Bingley went directly to Miss Bennet. “I have come to deliver an invitation for you and your family. I am to hold a ball.” He presented the invitation with evident pleasure.
Miss Bennet smiled warmly. “I am certain my family will be most happy to accept.”
Darcy turned to Elizabeth. “Are you pleased at the prospect of the ball? As I recall, you were prevented from attending the last assembly in Meryton.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Yes, and if I remember rightly, you were prevented as well. I hope nothing will interfere with this one.”
Darcy lowered his voice slightly. “May I ask if you would reserve the supper set for me?”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “It is yours, sir.”
The answer afforded him more satisfaction than he had expected. “I shall look forward to it.”
He paused a moment, then continued with studied composure. “Mr. Bingley and I were considering a ride tomorrow, should the weather remain fair. We thought to take some refreshment along the way. Your company, and Miss Bennet’s would be most agreeable.”
“It sounds very pleasant indeed.”
At that moment Bingley and Jane joined them, and the proposed outing was repeated to Miss Bennet, who received it with ready pleasure.
***
Mr. Wilmot was riding along one of the lanes that passed the Miller cottage. The Millers had been tenants of Longbourn for several generations.
Mr. Miller was at work near his shed and raised a hand in greeting as Mr. Wilmot approached. “Good day, sir. I am glad to see you.”
Mr. Wilmot drew his horse to a halt. “Good day, Mr. Miller. I trust all is well.”
“All well enough. Though I thought I ought to mention something. I saw a fellow yesterday evening, a soldier, I believe. Red coat and all.”
Mr. Wilmot’s expression sharpened slightly. “Indeed? Where did you see him?”
“Near Smith’s cottage. Close to dusk. He was walking about the lane. Did not appear to be doing anything in particular, but it struck me as odd. When he noticed me, he was quick to make himself scarce.”
Mr. Wilmot nodded. “You did well to mention it. Did he speak to you at all?”
“No, sir. Never came near enough.”
“Very well. If you see him again, I should like to be informed at once. Soldiers are strangers to the neighbourhood. Many are respectable men, but not all.”
“Aye, sir. That was my thought as well.”
They spoke a few minutes longer of the crops and the condition of the lane. At length, Mr. Wilmot touched his hat and continued on toward his house.
***
Mr. Bennet was enjoying the afternoon with a glass of port and a book on Roman civilization. The autumn sun lent a cheerful warmth to the room, and the fire in the hearth made it thoroughly comfortable.
The door opened without warning, and Mr. Collins entered like a storm interrupting a fine day. Mr. Bennet started so violently he nearly spilled his drink upon his book. He set the glass carefully aside.
Mr. Collins stood looking at him in silence, which Mr. Bennet considered the most agreeable part of the encounter thus far. He placed a marker in his book and set it down.
Then Mr. Collins began.
“Mr. Bennet, I feel I must speak with you.”
Mr. Bennet regarded him calmly. “Again?”
Mr. Collins inclined his head. “Yes, sir. As the heir, I believe it important that I become better acquainted with the estate.”
“You are welcome to walk the grounds, Mr. Collins. I do not suppose they will object.”
“But do you not think I should begin to learn how the estate is managed?”
Mr. Bennet cast a brief, longing glance toward his book before looking back at him. “You wish to be instructed in estate management in the few days remaining before your return to Kent?”
“Yes. I feel it my duty to learn.”
“Very well. I can recommend several excellent books on the subject, if you insist.”
Mr. Collins frowned. “No… I had rather that you instruct me. That you show me the estate.”
“The steward attends to such matters.”
“I shall apply to him for a tour.”
Mr. Bennet reached again for his book. “Mr. Collins, do you ride?”
Mr. Collins hesitated. “No, sir. We did not keep horses when I was growing up.”
“That is a skill you may wish to acquire, if you intend to manage an estate someday. Not every corner may be reached conveniently by carriage.”
“That is excellent advice. I shall ask the steward to teach me.”
Mr. Collins withdrew.
Mr. Bennet opened his book once more and sighed, shaking his head.
“I doubt Mr. Wilmot will thank me for this.”
***
Elizabeth stood near the Longbourn stables reviewing her list of goods to be sent to Mr. Gardiner in London.
Two wagons, filled and covered with tarpaulins, stood ready while the horses were being harnessed.
Several grooms led teams into place, while six mounted men waited nearby to accompany the shipment.
Another rider approached along the lane. When Elizabeth looked up, she saw it was Mr. Darcy.
She smiled and handed a letter to one of the drivers. “Please see that this is delivered to Mr. Gardiner.”
Darcy rode up and dismounted. “Good afternoon, Miss Elizabeth. I hope you are well.”
“Very well, thank you.”
The final traces were secured. The wagons creaked into motion, and the outriders fell in behind as they began their steady progress down the lane.
Elizabeth and Darcy stood side by side, watching them depart.
After a moment, Darcy said, “You are not going to London this time.”
Elizabeth looked at him for a moment, then shook her head. “Not with Mr. Collins visiting.”
Darcy spoke more quietly. “I must tell you, I am much impressed by all that you accomplish here. I cannot think of many estates so well managed.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. “I shall be sure to inform my father. He will value the compliment.”
Darcy shook his head. “No. I meant you.”
She did not answer at once.
Her expression altered. “Most men would not believe a woman capable of running an estate.”
“I am not most men.”
She studied him more closely. “When did you know?”
“I first suspected when you travelled to London with two heavily laden wagons and six outriders. But I was certain when the army came to for the horses.”
Elizabeth frowned slightly. “But I did not speak a single word to the officers.”
Darcy smiled. “You did not need to. It was evident that everything had been arranged precisely as you intended. And I have yet to see your father riding the boundaries, while I see you out daily.”
Elizabeth gave a small shrug. “My father has always preferred his book-room to the estate.”
“I believe you take satisfaction in it.”
She met his gaze. “I do. But if it were widely known that I manage the estate and engage in trade, people would talk.”
Darcy’s expression softened. “Those wagons suggested something more substantial than mere experiment. Still, I understand your concern.”
Elizabeth glanced back toward the house. “I must go and prepare. We are to dine at Netherfield this evening.”