Chapter 15
Chapter fifteen
The next morning Elizabeth sat at the writing desk in the Netherfield library. Her ledgers were stacked neatly at one corner, and she was making a list of matters requiring attention.
When Mr. Darcy entered the room, she looked up. He paused just inside the doorway. “I hope I am not disturbing you.”
“Not at all,” she replied. “I am only waiting for Mr. Wilmot. You are very welcome to stay, if the discussion would interest you.”
Darcy smiled slightly. “I assure you, Miss Elizabeth, it certainly does.”
Soon afterward Mr. Wilmot entered. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Mr. Wilmot. Please, have a seat.”
Elizabeth glanced down at her list before looking up again. “What is the present state of matters at Longbourn?”
Mr. Wilmot paused a moment before answering. “The builder examined the house yesterday. There is structural damage that must be repaired before the family could safely return.”
“And the servants removing items from the house, are they aware of the dangerous areas?”
“Yes, miss. Those sections have been roped off.”
“Good. The last thing we need is someone injured.”
“Have any estimates been settled for the repairs?”
Mr. Wilmot hesitated slightly. “Nothing has been settled, but it is expected to be a significant expense.”
Elizabeth was quiet for several moments. “I must consider whether such expense is warranted for a house that will eventually pass to Mr. Collins.”
She straightened the papers before her. “Continue removing everything of value. Let me know if storage becomes an issue.”
Mr. Wilmot glanced at his notes. “At present we are sorting the more valuable items and moving them to the attics here at Netherfield. All of the smaller valuables, china, silver, and jewelry, should be removed by the end of the day.”
Elizabeth nodded and glanced again at her list. “How does Mr. MacDonald find his situation?”
Mr. Wilmot smiled. “He appears quite content. Though I confess I am uncertain we require a gatekeeper for a house that is presently unoccupied.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “That does not concern me. It costs us very little to have someone watching the place, and it gives him a roof over his head. We shall keep the guards there for now as well.”
“That seems reasonable.”
She scanned her list again. “What is the status of this week’s shipment?”
“It will depart later this morning as scheduled. I assume you will not be traveling to London?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I have already sent an express to my uncle Gardiner regarding the fire. Have you had any success in finding an assistant?”
“I placed an advertisement in the London papers, but I have not yet found the right person.”
Darcy spoke quietly. “An assistant for you?”
“Yes,” Mr. Wilmot replied. “Miss Elizabeth suggested we engage an under-steward to assist with the management of both estates.”
Darcy nodded thoughtfully, his gaze returning to Elizabeth.
“I have a man who has been training under my steward for several years,” he said. “He is not yet ready to take over a full estate, as my steward has no intention of retiring soon. However, he may suit such a position. Shall I ask him to write to you?”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Yes, if you believe he would be willing to move here.”
She turned to Mr. Wilmot. “If he is interested, you may interview him and determine whether he would suit the position.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly. “It is rare to see an estate managed with such careful attention.”
Before Elizabeth could reply, there was a knock at the door. Jane entered.
“Mother is asking for you. Visitors have arrived.”
***
By midmorning, several neighbors had called at Netherfield to express their concern for the Bennets and the damage at Longbourn. Elizabeth, Jane, and Mrs. Bennet received them in the drawing room, listening patiently as each offered sympathy and asked cautious questions about the fire.
There were raised voices in the hallway. A moment later the butler entered. “Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Miss Anne de Bourgh.”
Everyone in the room rose. Elizabeth stepped forward. “Lady Catherine, we are honored by your visit.” Privately, she thought they had managed very well without her.
There was the sound of hurried footsteps, and Mr. Collins appeared before his patroness. He bowed with exaggerated solemnity, and several of the neighbors exchanged amused glances.
Lady Catherine surveyed the room, then crossed it and seated herself. Elizabeth resumed her seat. The other ladies followed. “Lady Catherine, would you care for some tea?”
Anne moved quietly and sat beside Elizabeth. Mr. Collins remained standing near Lady Catherine’s chair, his expression one of eager anticipation. When her offer was ignored, Elizabeth simply waited.
At length Lady Catherine demanded, “Which of you is Elizabeth Bennet?”
Mr. Collins’s expression shifted to one of smug satisfaction.
Elizabeth inclined her head. “I am Elizabeth Bennet.”
Lady Catherine nodded curtly. “I understand that you refused an offer of marriage from Mr. Collins.”
“I am not in the habit of discussing my personal affairs with strangers,” Elizabeth replied calmly.
“Do you know who I am?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth said. “I am quite clear on that point.”
“Such insolence I shall not tolerate!”
Elizabeth gave a small shrug. “That is unfortunate.”
She rose and turned to the other ladies.
“Thank you for coming today. We appreciate your kindness during this difficult time.” The visitors stood and quietly made their way from the room.
Elizabeth turned to Jane. “Perhaps it would be better if you took Mother upstairs.”
Jane nodded and gently guided Mrs. Bennet from the room.
Elizabeth sat again and turned to Anne. “Miss de Bourgh, my apologies. In the confusion, I neglected to ask if you would like some tea.”
Anne smiled faintly. “Tea would be lovely. Thank you.”
Lady Catherine struck her cane sharply upon the floor.
“She will not take tea with you.”
Elizabeth continued pouring as though nothing had been said. She handed the cup to Anne.
“Did you have a pleasant journey from Kent?”
Anne glanced at her mother, then back to Elizabeth. “It had its moments.”
Lady Catherine struck the floor again. “I will not be ignored!”
At that moment Darcy entered the room. His eyes went first to Elizabeth, who was calmly sipping her tea. “Miss Bennet mentioned you had visitors.”
He turned to Lady Catherine. “Aunt, I am surprised to see you here. What brings you to Netherfield?”
Lady Catherine lifted her cane and pointed it toward Elizabeth. “I received an alarming report that Miss Bennet has taken advantage of this calamity to secure my nephew’s constant attendance.”
Darcy’s expression hardened. “Aunt, you have been misinformed.”
Elizabeth set down her cup. “I regret that the report you received was so inaccurate.” Her eyes flicked briefly toward Mr. Collins.
At that moment Miss Bingley entered and curtseyed. “Welcome to Netherfield. I must apologize for not being present to greet you.”
***
Miss Bingley escorted Lady Catherine from the room.
Darcy took a seat across from Elizabeth and Anne. “Anne, are you quite well?”
“Darcy, I am quite well,” Anne replied. “I am stronger than I allow my mother to believe.”
She turned to Elizabeth. “I am very pleased to meet you. And I must apologize for my mother. There is simply no stopping her once she begins.”
Darcy frowned slightly. “I assume Mr. Collins wrote to your mother.”
Anne gave a small nod. “Oh yes. An express arrived yesterday. We left at dawn to come here. He mentioned the fire, and that Miss Bennet had refused his proposal.”
She glanced at Elizabeth. “A very wise decision. I assure you, life under my mother’s influence would not suit you.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “I suspect you are correct.”
Anne turned back to Darcy. “Is it true that you are engaged?”
Both Elizabeth and Darcy flushed.
Darcy shook his head. “We are not yet engaged.”
Anne tilted her head slightly. “Not yet? I see.”
A faint smile touched her lips. “I shall be very interested to see how matters develop.”
At that moment Miss Bingley returned to the drawing room.
***
Dinner was announced, and the party proceeded to the dining room.
Elizabeth was not surprised to find herself once again seated beside Mr. Collins. She hoped he would be too occupied attending to his patroness to trouble her with conversation. Lydia sat on her other side, and Elizabeth was glad of that, as she had not spent much time with her sister lately.
A glance down the table showed Mr. Darcy seated between Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley.
His expression suggested he found the arrangement less than agreeable.
Anne was seated across from him beside her father, and from that position Darcy’s attention appeared to return frequently to Elizabeth’s end of the table.
The first course was served.
Elizabeth moved her food about her plate in a manner that suggested she was eating.
In truth, she was tired. Mr. Collins droned on beside her about some matter of consequence, though she scarcely heard a word of it.
Normally she might comfort herself with the thought that he would soon be returning to Kent, but that prospect now seemed uncertain.
Suddenly she realized Lady Catherine was addressing her. “I beg your pardon?”
Lady Catherine frowned. “I asked who is managing Longbourn.”
“We have a very reliable steward,” Elizabeth replied calmly. “My father is quite satisfied with his service.”
“Mr. Collins informed me that Mr. Bennet rarely leaves his book-room.”
Elizabeth regarded her evenly. “Mr. Collins appears to take a great interest in my father’s schedule.”
“I am attempting to determine whether Longbourn is being managed properly.”
“You seem to take a keen interest in a property that has nothing to do with you.”
“Young lady, you are not answering my questions.”
Elizabeth inclined her head slightly. “I wonder, Lady Catherine, whether you would be equally pleased to answer questions regarding your own estate.”
“I am attempting to determine whether Mr. Collins’s future inheritance is being managed correctly.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Yes.”
Lady Catherine's eyes narrowed. “What do you mean yes?”
“He may rest easy. Longbourn is managed correctly.”
“And how would you know?”
Elizabeth gave a small laugh. “If I would not know, why ask me?”
Mrs. Bennet was frowning at Lady Catherine. “Elizabeth works very hard and does not deserve to be spoken to in such a manner.”
Elizabeth said quietly, “Mother, it does not matter. Please do not concern yourself.”
Mrs. Bennet shook her head firmly. “No, it does matter. Elizabeth has managed Longbourn for years, and that is why we have Netherfield.”
Elizabeth sighed softly. “Mother…”
Lady Catherine laughed sharply. “Netherfield indeed.”
Mr. Bingley smiled. “Oh yes, it is quite true. The Bennets own Netherfield.”
Mr. Collins stared at Elizabeth. “You could not possibly manage Longbourn.”
Elizabeth turned to him calmly. “And why is that?”
He looked at her in astonishment. “Why…because you are a woman.”
Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully. “You are correct, Mr. Collins. I am a woman. Are you suggesting that women cannot manage an estate?”
He nodded vigorously. “Yes.”
Elizabeth tilted her head slightly. “I see. Then I wonder how Lady Catherine manages hers.”
Mr. Collins gasped, his expression showing his horror. “I said nothing about Lady Catherine.”
Elizabeth shrugged lightly. “She is a woman, and she manages an estate.”
Anne lowered her eyes quickly, and Elizabeth suspected she was attempting to hide a smile.
Mr. Collins glanced toward Lady Catherine and swallowed. “I only meant that women usually do not manage estates.”
Elizabeth, looking down the table, caught sight of Mr. Darcy, whose expression suggested he was making a determined effort to remain composed.
Miss Bingley, meanwhile, appeared increasingly dissatisfied, as she glanced at Mr. Darcy.
***
After dinner, Elizabeth decided that the last thing she wished was to sit in the drawing room and be interrogated by Lady Catherine. On impulse, she chose instead to go outside.
She had her hand on the doorknob when Mr. Darcy came up behind her.
“Going for a walk? May I join you?”
She nodded. “That would be lovely.”
They went outside, and he offered her his arm. For several moments they walked in silence along the gravel path, the moonlight falling softly across the gardens.
Darcy smiled. “This evening is considerably more tranquil than yesterday.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “That would not be difficult to achieve.”
“You bore yesterday’s events with remarkable composure.”
“It did not feel like composure at the time.” She glanced up at him. “That reminds me. During what felt like endless journeys to the well with buckets, I noticed Mr. Collins sitting under a tree while the men were working.”
Darcy said quietly, “The women were working as well.”
They reached the end of the path and turned back toward the house. The faint scent of late roses drifted through the garden.
After a few steps, Darcy paused and looked at her. “I find myself increasingly grateful for the circumstances that have allowed me to know you better.”
Elizabeth blushed slightly and smiled. The night air was cool, but the breeze was gentle. She rested her head lightly against his shoulder as they walked back toward the house.