Chapter 20
Chapter twenty
Elizabeth entered the library and seated herself at the writing desk. She had just begun to gather her thoughts when Mr. Wilmot was shown in.
She smiled. “Good morning, Mr. Wilmot. I hope you are well.”
He inclined his head. “Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. I am very well, thank you. And I have good news. I have met and interviewed Mr. Jonathan Reeves, the gentleman Mr. Darcy recommended. I was much impressed by him. He has accepted the position and will arrive next week.”
Elizabeth nodded. “That is excellent news. Do we have a cottage prepared?”
Mr. Wilmot hesitated. “We do, but it requires some repairs. I have already set men to the work. In the meantime, I thought he might stay with me.”
“I see.” She regarded him thoughtfully. “That is very generous of you, though I hope it does not inconvenience you.”
“Not in the least. I have a guest room, and I would not have him lodged where the work is incomplete.”
“And the repairs, will they require long?”
“No, Miss Elizabeth. They should be finished by the end of the week.”
He continued, “Mr. Reeves is steady, well-spoken, and has a sound understanding of accounts. I believe he will be of real use to us.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Excellent. You may assign him where you judge he will be of the greatest use. I see no reason of altering a structure that already serves us well.”
She glanced at her notes. “Are there any concerns among the other enterprises?”
“None at present. All is running smoothly. Weekly shipments continue as expected. Mr. Gardiner has remarked that the bakery goods are particularly popular, and that an increase in supply would be most desirable, if it can be supported.”
“I will speak with them.”
She paused, then added, “And the Harvest Dance, is everything in readiness?”
“They are proceeding as planned. The tent will be put up tomorrow afternoon. The tenants are much looking forward to it.”
Elizabeth nodded and set aside her list.
Mr. Wilmot paused. “Has a decision been made regarding Longbourn?”
She allowed herself a small smile. “I expect to have more information later today.”
Elizabeth had once thought such matters would always remain precarious, dependent on careful watching. Now, they moved forward of their own accord.
***
Caroline flung open the door to Charles’s study. “I have been looking for you.”
Charles sighed. “It appears you have found me, Caroline. Congratulations.”
She dropped into a chair before his desk.
“Caroline, I am occupied. What is it you want?”
She scoffed. “Occupied? What could you possibly be working on?”
“Either state your purpose or allow me to return to my work.”
“It is completely ridiculous to have the Bennets living here.”
“Caroline, their house has been damaged by fire. It is not fit to be inhabited. They have waived the rent, which has saved me a considerable expense. What, precisely, is the difficulty?”
“That Miss Eliza is constantly throwing herself at poor Mr. Darcy.”
Charles gave a short laugh. “He seems to bear it very well, from what I have observed.”
“She undermines my authority with the servants.”
“In what way?”
“She speaks to them.”
Charles paused. “She… speaks to them? How very alarming.”
“She greets them, inquires after their day, and they attend to her as if she were mistress here.”
Charles shook his head. “You must either overlook it or learn to endure it.”
“I want her gone. Now.”
Charles rose to his feet. “If you are so dissatisfied, Caroline, I shall send you to our aunt in Scarborough, where you may be perfectly comfortable and entirely removed from your present inconveniences.”
Her eyes widened. “You would not!”
“Do not test me.”
***
Elizabeth took her seat at the dining table, allowing herself a quiet sigh of relief that she had not been placed beside Mr. Collins. Instead, she found herself next to Anne, which was infinitely more agreeable.
She glanced along the table. Mr. Darcy was seated between Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst and appeared engaged in conversation with the latter, though Elizabeth suspected he was not wholly inattentive to the rest of the table.
Miss Bingley did not look pleased. Lady Catherine was speaking to her mother, who, to Elizabeth’s surprise, did not seem at all discomposed.
Her attention shifted again, and she was startled to see Jane seated beside Mr. Bingley. How it had been arranged, she could not guess, but both looked exceedingly happy and spoke chiefly to one another.
After the second course was removed, Mr. Bennet rose. “I have some news.”
He paused, allowing the table’s attention to settle upon him. “Mr. Collins has accepted our offer and signed the necessary papers to break the entail. They have been sent to the proper authorities, and within a few weeks we should receive the new deed.”
Mrs. Bennet pressed her hand to her chest. “Mr. Bennet, this is not one of your jokes? You are quite serious?”
Mr. Bennet shook his head. “I am quite serious, my dear. Shall we have a glass of Madeira to mark the occasion?”
Elizabeth felt the weight of it settle, not as surprise, but as certainty at last.
The servants entered and began to pour the wine. Lydia made a face as she and Kitty were passed over.
Mr. Bennet raised his glass. “To Longbourn.”
The company followed. “To Longbourn.”
***
Kitty and Lydia were sitting on the sofa in the drawing room, quietly practicing their French lesson. Mrs. Bennet sat in her favorite chair near the fire.
Miss Bingley entered and took a seat opposite the girls. Lydia rolled her eyes when Miss Bingley entered.
She watched them for several minutes before speaking. “Your French is tolerable, though I cannot recommend the manner of its practice.”
Lydia leaned toward Kitty and whispered, casting a quick glance at Miss Bingley, “Elle est agacante, peu importe la langue qu’elle parle.” 1
Kitty attempted to suppress a giggle but failed to do so.
Miss Bingley’s expression hardened. “If you cannot conduct yourselves properly, it would be best if you remained upstairs.”
Kitty’s smile faltered. She lowered her eyes, blinking rapidly.
Lydia sprang to her feet. “You are horrid. I do not know how anyone tolerates you. You may forget about Mr. Darcy. I am sure he thinks you horrid as well. No wonder he is always trying to escape.”
“Girls, that is quite enough,” Mrs. Bennet said.
Miss Bingley turned toward her. "Surely you would not wish your daughters to give offense in another’s house.”
She resumed her seat, but her composure faltered as she saw Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth standing in the doorway.
Darcy’s voice, when he spoke, was quiet. “Miss Bingley, I believe you mistake your role here.”
Elizabeth stepped forward without hesitation. “Lydia, Kitty, come. We will continue upstairs.”
***
Darcy entered the library and paused just inside the door. A small smile touched his lips when he saw Elizabeth seated near the fire, the warm light catching in her hair.
“May I join you?”
Elizabeth looked up and gestured to the chair beside her. “Of course.”
She leaned back, though there was still a trace of wonder in her expression. “I can hardly believe the entail will be broken. It has hovered over our family for as long as I can remember.”
Darcy inclined his head. “I am very glad it has been resolved in your favor. I only regret that it came about through such unfortunate circumstances.”
She gave a small nod. “Yes, but the house can be repaired. Mr. Collins…” A faint smile touched her lips. “Mr. Collins, I fear, cannot.”
Darcy’s eyes warmed with quiet amusement. “I believe you are entirely correct.”
Elizabeth leaned forward slightly, as if recalling something. “Oh, I meant to tell you. Mr. Reeves will arrive next week. Mr. Wilmot spoke highly of him.”
“I am pleased to hear it,” Darcy said. “He is a capable man. There was little opportunity for advancement where he was, so this will suit him well.”
“There is much to be done,” she said thoughtfully. “Repairs will begin soon, but they cannot be completed quickly. I do not believe Miss Bingley’s patience will extend to such an inconvenience.”
Darcy’s mouth curved faintly. “No, I should not expect it to.”
Elizabeth hesitated, then continued, “I have been considering that the family might remove to London for a time and stay with my aunt and uncle Gardiner. I thought I might remain in Hertfordshire, with my Aunt Philips, so that I may continue to oversee matters here.”
Darcy regarded her more closely. “You would not wish to go to London as well?”
She shook her head. “The Gardiners’ house will be quite full already. And I should prefer to remain where I may be of use.”
“Could you not manage matters by letter?” he asked. “Mr. Wilmot appears entirely competent, and he will soon have his new assistant.”
Elizabeth considered this but did not immediately answer.
Darcy rose and took a few steps before turning back toward her, as though the thought had only just formed. “You could stay with me.”
The words seemed to hang between them.
Elizabeth blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
He returned to his seat, though there was now a touch of earnestness beneath his composure.
“I mean that you and your family would be most welcome to stay with my sister and me at our house in London. We have ample space, and it would give us…” He paused very slightly.
“…the opportunity to ensure your comfort.”
Elizabeth’s expression softened, though uncertainty lingered. “We are already imposing upon Mr. Bingley, though at least we have spared him the rent. I do not know that I ought to presume further upon your generosity.”
“It would be no imposition,” Darcy replied steadily. “Indeed, it would give me great pleasure to have you all as my guests.” There was a quiet sincerity in his tone that was difficult to mistake.
Elizabeth smiled, her voice softer now. “I confess, I should be sorry to lose your company.”
Something in Darcy’s expression softened, subtle but unmistakable.
“I will speak to my father,” she continued. “The decision must be his.”
Darcy allowed himself a brief laugh, some of the formality easing. “Then I recommend you mention my library. I have every confidence that it will secure his approval.”
Elizabeth laughed, and for a moment the weight of recent events seemed to lift entirely.
1. She is annoying no matter what language she speaks.