Chapter 14
Chapter fourteen
Elizabeth walked into the breakfast room at Netherfield the next morning. Millie had managed to retrieve some of their clothing from Longbourn, for which Elizabeth was deeply grateful. She would not have to face Miss Bingley in her nightgown and robe.
It was still early. The sideboard had not yet been laid with breakfast, though coffee and tea had been set out. She paused when she saw the hot chocolate and poured herself a cup before taking a seat.
She had only just begun sipping when Mr. Darcy entered.
He stopped when he saw her. “I had not expected you to be up so early. Did you sleep at all?”
Elizabeth shrugged slightly. “A little.”
Mr. Darcy sat beside her. “I am very sorry for what has occurred."
Tears slipped from her eyes before she could stop them. She wiped quickly at her cheeks. “I do not even know what I feel.”
Darcy nodded. “That is not surprising after such an event. But I wished to tell you something. You were remarkable last night. You had everything organized. The fire was nearly under control even before we arrived to help.”
More tears ran down her cheeks. “I am not usually so affected,” she said, with a small, embarrassed laugh.
He reached out almost without thinking and brushed away a tear. Then, as if suddenly aware of what he had done, he drew his hand back. “All will be well in time.” he said quietly. “From what I could see, much of the house was spared. We may go examine it later.”
She nodded. “Yes. I would like that.”
Soon the servants began bringing in platters of food and setting them upon the sideboard.
Mr. Bennet and Mary entered first, followed soon after by Mr. Bingley and Jane.
The room remained mostly quiet. Only the soft sounds of plates and cutlery disturbed the stillness as everyone ate with little conversation.
Elizabeth looked toward Jane. “How is Mama?”
Jane took a sip of her tea. “She was very distressed. You told me to remain with her, and I thought that best. She asked for a tray in her room.”
Elizabeth nodded. “I agree. What of Lydia and Kitty?”
Jane smiled faintly. “I passed their room earlier. I believe they will be down shortly.”
Lydia and Kitty entered almost as soon as Jane finished speaking.
Lydia dropped into a chair with dramatic exhaustion. “La! I am quite tired. I must have carried a hundred buckets.”
Elizabeth smiled. “You were very helpful, Lydia. All of you were.”
Mr. Collins entered the room. He said nothing but filled a plate and seated himself near Mr. Bennet.
Mr. Bennet turned toward him. “I believe you were planning to return to Kent today.”
Mr. Collins shook his head solemnly. “I could not possibly depart now, when such a tragedy has struck the family.”
Mr. Bennet looked mildly surprised and paused for a moment. “We would understand if you felt obliged to return to your parish, sir.”
“No. I intend to remain for some time.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment and sighed softly.
***
Mr. Collins went into the library and seated himself at the writing desk. He must write to Lady Catherine at once to inform her of the fire.
As he began, he detailed the many difficulties with which he was now afflicted.
Longbourn had been on fire the previous night, and the house which was one day to be his had suffered extensive damage.
He wrote at length of his many troubles with Miss Elizabeth, how she would not be guided by his advice, and how she had most unexpectedly refused his proposal.
He was particularly affronted by this. She ought to have been grateful for the honour of his attentions, not reject them.
Lady Catherine had often observed that young ladies sometimes refuse the man whom they secretly intend to accept. He would have liked to believe this, but Miss Elizabeth did not appear to act in accordance with such expectations.
Indeed, she seemed very ready to receive Mr. Darcy’s attentions.
He frowned. He ought, perhaps, to include this in his letter, yet the thought of displeasing Lady Catherine was most alarming.
What would be worse, to inform her directly or to have her learn of it from another?
He shivered slightly at the idea. It would be far better to inform her himself, that she might set the matter to rights.
He therefore wrote everything. How Miss Elizabeth would not listen to him.
How she had been carrying buckets of water like a servant during the night, which was a most improper display.
He mentioned that she had danced twice with Mr. Darcy after refusing to complete her dance with him.
He omitted any mention of having trodden upon her feet more than once.
He described how they had sat together after supper, and how Mr. Darcy had escorted Miss Elizabeth to the carriage after the fire.
Mr. Collins himself had been obliged to ride in a wagon with the servants to Netherfield, it having seemed that everyone had forgotten he was present. Soon he had written three pages, filled front and back with his concerns. He set down his pen.
Mr. Collins folded the letter with great care and sealed it with particular attention, for Lady Catherine must be informed of every circumstance without delay.
It must be sent express at once.
***
Elizabeth entered the drawing room. She paused when she saw that most of the party were already present.
“Mr. Bingley, may I have a few moments of your time?”
Mr. Bingley looked surprised but immediately stood. “Yes, of course.”
He glanced briefly at Jane.
“Jane, will you come with us?”
Mr. Darcy looked up at Elizabeth, a questioning expression on his face. Elizabeth inclined her head to him.
Darcy rose and followed them to Bingley’s study.
Miss Bingley frowned at the four of them as they left the room.
When they were inside, Bingley shut the door and gestured toward the chairs. “What can I do for you, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Mr. Bingley, since you have so kindly opened your house to us during this difficulty, I wish to thank you for your hospitality.”
Bingley shook his head at once. “It is no trouble at all. Indeed, it is a pleasure to have you stay.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I am grateful for that, but it seems likely that our stay may be of some duration. Therefore, you need not continue to pay the rent on the lease.”
Bingley stood abruptly. “Absolutely not. I could not allow that.”
She shook her head. “You misunderstand me. I do not intend to pay it. I mean that you shall not be required to do so.”
Bingley looked at her in confusion.
Darcy spoke quietly. “You own Netherfield.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes. Our family does.”
Bingley stared at her in astonishment. “That is far too generous.”
“Not at all. It is merely equitable. Your hospitality last night spared us a great deal of distress.”
Bingley looked toward Darcy. “You do not seem nearly so surprised.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly. “I have suspected it for some time.”
Bingley blinked. “Why would you suspect such a thing?”
Darcy gave a small shrug. “It was many little observations. The stud farm lies on Netherfield land. The staff occasionally defer to you. Mr. Wilmot serves as steward for both estates.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. “You are very observant.”
Darcy met her gaze. “I gather it is not widely known.”
Elizabeth sighed softly. “It was not. Though I imagine it will be all over Meryton within a day or two.”
Darcy spoke more gently. “Why was it important to keep it secret?”
Elizabeth glanced briefly at Jane. “Jane knows all of this, but I must ask you not to relate it to anyone.”
Both men nodded.
She turned back to Darcy. “As you suspected, I have been managing Longbourn for my father for many years. My mother feared that if it became widely known, it might make her daughters less desirable matches.”
Darcy gave a short laugh. “Any man so weak-minded would not deserve any of you.”
Elizabeth smiled slightly. “In any case, I discovered that I am rather good at managing the estate and our other interests. That success allowed us to purchase Netherfield.”
Darcy looked at her. “You have accomplished a great deal, Miss Elizabeth.”
Bingley suddenly began to laugh. The others looked at him in surprise.
“Caroline,” he said between chuckles, “will be quite astonished indeed.”
***
Miss Bingley looked up the moment they returned to the drawing room.
“Well, Charles,” she said with polite curiosity, “I hope Miss Elizabeth has not discovered some new inconvenience in the house.”
“On the contrary,” Bingley replied cheerfully, “Miss Elizabeth has just relieved me of one.”
Miss Bingley frowned slightly, clearly uncertain of his meaning.
Elizabeth turned toward Darcy. “If you are still willing, I thought we might ride to Longbourn this morning. I would like to see the damage for myself.”
Darcy rose immediately. “Of course. I should be glad to accompany you.”
Bingley looked between them. “You are going today?”
Elizabeth nodded. “The sooner I see the situation, the sooner we may determine what must be done.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly. “Prudence suggests the same.”
Miss Bingley’s brows rose. “You intend to inspect the damage yourself, Miss Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth met her gaze calmly. “Yes.”
Darcy said nothing, though there was the faintest hint of admiration in his expression.
She turned to Darcy. He offered his arm, and they walked out of the room.
When they left the house, Elizabeth’s carriage was waiting out front. Millie was already inside. They both entered the carriage. The trip to Longbourn was completed mostly in silence. Elizabeth’s thoughts raced, while Darcy remained quietly beside her.
Soon they were driving down the lane. As they drew abreast of the gatehouse, Mr. MacDonald stepped out, his dog standing beside him with its tail wagging slowly.
They paused, and he walked up to the carriage window.