Chapter 21
Chapter twenty-one
Mr. Bennet entered the breakfast room and paused.
Darcy, Bingley, Jane, and Elizabeth were already seated at the table.
He glanced toward Elizabeth and at once detected something different.
There was a brightness in her expression, a barely contained energy that did not escape his notice. He said nothing.
Selecting his breakfast, he took a seat beside her. “Good morning. I trust you are all well.”
The usual replies were exchanged, and he applied himself to his breakfast with apparent attention. Only when he had finished did he set down his utensils and turn to Elizabeth. “Well, what is it?”
Elizabeth looked at him, momentarily puzzled. “I beg your pardon?”
He smiled faintly. “My dear, I have known you all your life. You have something you wish to tell me.”
Elizabeth hesitated, then glanced at Darcy. Darcy inclined his head slightly. “With your permission, Miss Bennet.”
She nodded.
Darcy turned to Mr. Bennet. “Sir, I took the liberty of speaking with Miss Elizabeth regarding your family’s present situation. I wished to offer my house in London as a temporary residence for your family while Longbourn undergoes repairs. My sister and I would be very pleased to receive you.”
Jane and Bingley both looked up in surprise.
Mr. Bennet regarded Darcy steadily, then shifted his gaze back to Elizabeth. “And what is the other part?”
Elizabeth drew a quiet breath. “I believe it would be best for us to leave Netherfield. There is a growing tension within the household.” She glanced briefly toward Bingley. “I fear Miss Bingley finds our continued stay something of a trial.”
Bingley frowned. “What has Caroline done?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Nothing that need be repeated. I simply do not wish to be the cause of discomfort within your household.”
Bingley gave a small shrug. “Caroline is frequently uncomfortable. It is, I believe, her natural state.”
Elizabeth smiled, though her tone remained gentle. “Even so, it places us under some strain as well.”
She turned back to her father. “What do you think?”
Darcy leaned slightly closer and said in a low voice, “You did not mention the library.”
Elizabeth’s eyes brightened with amusement. “I believe he is already aware of it.”
Mr. Bennet rose. “Mr. Darcy, perhaps you would be so good as to join me in the library.”
“Certainly.”
The two gentlemen left the room together. The library was quiet when they entered. Mr. Bennet seated himself and indicated a chair opposite. Darcy complied.
For a moment, Mr. Bennet said nothing. He studied Darcy with a calm, measuring expression that was neither unfriendly nor indulgent.
At last, he spoke. “Mr. Darcy, I am not insensible to the kindness you have shown my family. However, I should be remiss as a father if I did not inquire how far that kindness is meant to extend.”
Darcy met his gaze without hesitation. “Sir, I will not pretend to misunderstand you. My intentions toward Miss Bennet are entirely honorable. I would not presume upon her, nor expose her to the slightest impropriety.”
Mr. Bennet inclined his head, as if weighing the answer. “I am glad to hear it. My daughter is not easily persuaded.”
Darcy’s expression softened, though his tone remained steady. “Nor should she be.”
A brief silence followed. Mr. Bennet regarded him for a moment longer, as if revising an earlier judgment. Then Mr. Bennet rose and extended his hand. “Then I believe we understand one another. At least for the present.”
Darcy stood and accepted it. “Thank you, sir.”
***
Elizabeth sat at the writing desk in the library, reviewing the household ledgers, when Lady Catherine entered.
She glanced up but did not rise. “Good morning. Can I assist you?”
Lady Catherine advanced and stopped before the desk. “What is this nonsense I hear of a harvest dance for the tenants?”
Elizabeth regarded her calmly. “I was not aware that it had been described to you as nonsense.”
Lady Catherine struck her cane sharply against the floor. “Do not trifle with me.”
Elizabeth winced slightly at the sound. “I must again request that you refrain from striking the floors with your cane. It is quite hard on them.”
“I am accustomed to having my questions answered directly.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “I have no doubt that you are. It must be very convenient. However, I find it more efficient when the question itself is clearly stated.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed as she looked at her.
Elizabeth continued, her tone even. “If you wish to inquire about the harvest dance, I am happy to explain it. If you wish to object to it, you may do so plainly. At present, you appear to be doing both, and neither very effectively.”
Lady Catherine stared at her.
Elizabeth met her gaze without hesitation.
“I believe,” Elizabeth went on, “that you do not truly object to the dance itself. It has been held for years without incident. You are instead seeking to establish whether I may be persuaded to alter my decisions at your direction.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed. “You have a very high opinion of your own importance.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. "No. Only a clear understanding of what is mine to decide.”
A brief silence followed.
Then Lady Catherine shifted her ground. “I understand your family intends to remove to London.”
Elizabeth’s brows lifted slightly. “That decision was made only recently. Your information is remarkably current.”
Lady Catherine gave a dismissive wave. “I do not lack for sources. I am further informed that you are to reside in my nephew’s house.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Mr. Darcy has very kindly extended the invitation.”
Lady Catherine’s gaze sharpened. “Such an arrangement may be considered… questionable.”
Elizabeth’s expression did not change. “Are you suggesting that your nephew would act in a manner inconsistent with propriety?”
“No, certainly not.”
“I am glad to hear it,” Elizabeth replied. “As I have every reason to believe him to be a gentleman of the highest character.”
Lady Catherine studied her closely, as though weighing something not yet decided.
Elizabeth rose. “I am pleased we have been able to clarify matters. I have other business to attend to this morning. I wish you a very good day.”
She inclined her head and returned her attention to the papers upon the desk, effectively dismissing the conversation.
Lady Catherine regarded her closely, as though revising an earlier conclusion. After a moment, she turned and left the room.
***
Elizabeth found Anne in the drawing room.
Anne rose immediately upon seeing her, her expression bright with anticipation. “I am so eager. I cannot wait to see my other dresses.”
Elizabeth smiled. “In that case, we must not keep them waiting.”
They made their way toward the door, where the butler assisted them with their coats and hats. Within minutes, they were seated in Elizabeth’s carriage and on their way to Meryton.
For a time, Anne watched the passing countryside in silence. Then she turned back to Elizabeth. “I wonder, if I may ask, how you came to manage Longbourn.”
Elizabeth’s smile softened. “You may certainly ask. Until recently, it was not something widely spoken of, but circumstances have altered that.”
Anne leaned forward slightly. “I should like to hear it very much.”
Elizabeth considered for a moment before beginning. “When I was quite young, it seemed I heard of the entail at every turn. It was spoken of frequently, and seldom with composure. My mother was much distressed by it, as you might imagine.”
Anne nodded. “Yes.”
“She had five daughters and no son,” Elizabeth continued.
“Her conclusion was that we must all be married as quickly as possible. I recall one afternoon in particular. Jane was perhaps twelve, and I was nine. We were all together in the sitting room. I made some remark that I did not wish to marry, and that I believed Jane did not wish it either.”
Anne’s eyes widened slightly. “That must not have been well received.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. “It was not. My mother was quite displeased, and I fled the room.”
Elizabeth paused, then continued. “I remember thinking, as I ran, that it was very unjust. If we had a brother, he would be taught to manage Longbourn. Yet because we were daughters, no such expectation existed.”
Anne studied her. “And then?”
Elizabeth smiled. “I decided to make it happen.”
Anne looked at her in astonishment. “Just like that, at nine years old?”
Elizabeth laughed lightly. “In intention, perhaps. In practice, it required years. I learned where I could, observed as much as I was permitted, and in time took on greater responsibility.”
Anne looked at her with something like wonder. Anne said softly, “I cannot imagine being so certain.”
She turned her gaze toward the window as the carriage began to slow.
Elizabeth glanced out. “Ah, we’ve arrived. Come, let us see your dresses.”
***
Elizabeth, Jane, and Anne stood in the back garden of Netherfield.
Several large tents had been erected, and lanterns were being strung between them.
Fires stood ready to be lit, and long tables had been set out.
A generous assortment of food covered the tables, breads, cheeses, cold ham, tarts, cakes, and pies of many varieties.
Several clusters of ale barrels had been arranged about the green, ensuring no part of the gathering was left unattended.
All of it looked most inviting. Anne looked around at the preparations with quiet interest.
Soon, wagons began to arrive, filled with families.
As the gathering grew, the horses were quietly removed and led away to the Netherfield stables, while the wagons remained in orderly rows at the edge of the field.
Children ran laughing between the tents, darting back for treats before racing off again.
Darcy and Mr. Bennet joined her. Elizabeth noticed that Mary, Lydia, and Kitty, with Mrs. Tyler, appeared well occupied.
Mr. Bennet stepped toward the center of the tent and mounted the small platform where the musicians were seated.
He raised his hand, and the crowd gradually quieted.
“It is a pleasure to see the tenants of Longbourn and Netherfield gathered together. You have our thanks for your presence, and I suspect, for your good sense in making the most of the provisions. I shall now conclude before I am expected to say anything further.”
A ripple of amusement passed through the crowd.
Mr. Bennet stepped down and turned to Elizabeth. “I shall be in the library, should anyone require me.”
She smiled. “Of course, Papa.”
With a small signal from Elizabeth, the musicians began, and the lively sounds of fiddles and pipes filled the air.
Anne looked around at the crowd of people. "Do you hold such a gathering every year?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Oh yes, it is very much looked forward to."
Anne glanced again toward the gathering, as if trying to take it all in. Couples quickly formed, and even some of the children attempted the steps at the edges of the dance.
Darcy stepped forward. “May I have this dance?”
Elizabeth curtseyed lightly. “Why, thank you, sir.”
They joined the movement of the set. The pipes carried the tune clearly, though not without the occasional uneven note, quickly lost beneath the stronger fiddles.
Elizabeth laughed, a light, unguarded sound. It was the happiest she had felt since the night of the fire. She glimpsed Jane and Mr. Bingley nearby, equally engaged.
Darcy watched her, his attention fixed with a warmth she could not mistake.
When the dance concluded, Elizabeth was soon claimed by one of the tenants. She smiled at Darcy before accepting the farmer’s arm and joining the next set.
Darcy turned and asked Mary to dance. She accepted with evident pleasure.
Later, Elizabeth noticed Darcy dancing with Anne. Though a little uncertain at first, Anne followed the steps carefully, and there was a faint look of satisfaction in her expression when she succeeded.
The evening continued, the tables refreshed regularly, and the music rarely ceased.
Later, Darcy found Elizabeth once more.
“Do you intend to stay to the end?”
She shook her head. “No, I think I am done.” She looked over the crowd with a fond expression. “They may be here for some time yet.”
He offered his arm, and she accepted. Together they walked toward the house.
Elizabeth paused when she saw Mr. MacDonald. “Good evening, Mr. MacDonald. Do you require a ride home?”
“No, ma’am. Mr. Wilmot has kindly offered to take me back shortly.”
“I am glad to hear it. I hope you enjoyed the evening.”
“Very much, though I am not much for dancing these days.”
She smiled and they continued on.
Darcy glanced back toward the tents. “They all appeared to be enjoying themselves. And it is clear they are very fond of you.”
His hand closed more securely over hers. “I cannot claim to feel otherwise, though I believe my regard exceeds theirs in both cause and constancy.”
Elizabeth met his gaze briefly, a quiet warmth in her expression. “I am glad of it.”
They walked on in silence for a few moments.
“You managed this evening remarkably well,” he said at last. “Not merely the arrangements, though those were excellent, but the people.”
He glanced once more toward the green. “They trust you. That is not so easily earned.”