Chapter 7 #2
“What I have not had a chance to tell you yet is that I strongly considered leasing an estate this autumn. I even had my agent look into it. But I have decided to put it off until next summer or maybe the one after that. My sisters say it would be for the best.”
Knowing there was more to the story, Darcy asked, “You did not hear of any that would suit you?”
Bingley selected another piece of fruit and ate a small part of it before replying. “There was a property in Hertfordshire I quite liked the sound of, but Louisa and Caroline did not. Something about the neighbourhood not being fashionable enough. Do not ask me what that means. I have no notion.”
And when you asked them, they abused you for stupidity?
In Darcy’s opinion, the ladies bullied Bingley to make him do what they wanted.
Mrs Louisa Hurst was several years older than him, which might explain why she felt she had authority over her brother.
Miss Bingley was two years younger, however, and Darcy suspected she had been taught to treat him with derision by their elder sister.
Both ladies had been spoilt by their father, which did not help matters.
“If it is your estate, paid for with your money, should their opinion be that important in making a decision? That is all the more true for Mrs Hurst, who is no longer your responsibility.” Darcy had often attempted to guide his friend, who was four years his junior in age and seemingly many more in maturity, which he partly attributed to not having to bear the same heavy responsibilities he had.
In encouraging Bingley to think for himself, Darcy briefly reflected that he should perhaps follow the same advice, notably in the matter of marriage.
He might start by informing Lord and Lady Romsley that, despite their evident wishes, he would not marry Anne.
While he had hinted he was unsure about it in the past, he had never stated it firmly, having only lately determined that it was impossible.
Another suitable lady, one he could envision spending his life with, would cross his path sooner or later.
Bingley’s brow furrowed, and his eyes rested on the wall behind Darcy for a long moment while he thought through the apparently startling notion.
Then, he straightened his spine, set his cup on the side table and dropped the remainder of the sliced apple onto the plate.
“You are right, Darcy! As always! Do you think I should lease it?” Immediately, he waved a hand dismissively.
“Yes, I know what you would say. If I want to, then why not? And, as it happens, I do want to take the estate in Hertfordshire. It is such an easy distance to town, the particulars are exactly what I was hoping to find, and-and…I know just what I shall do! I shall go to see it at once. Or maybe tomorrow morning. If I like it, I am going to lease it. Michaelmas is not for another week. The business can be done by then.” He leapt to his feet.
“You must come to visit me there. What is it called?” His features crumpled momentarily as he tried to remember.
“Netherfield, that is it! You must be my first visitor at Netherfield.”
“Supposing you decide it is suitable,” Darcy interjected.
“Well, yes, but why would it not be? Will you come? You are welcome to join me tomorrow when I go there.”
“I cannot. I have appointments all week,” Darcy said. “It is the consequence of my absence last spring, and, as you know, I have been in the country all summer. As for later this autumn, I can only say that I shall consider it. I had thought to be fixed in town until Christmas, if not New Year’s.”
In addition to spending time with his family and seeing friends, he had the added matter of finding the right companion for Georgiana, one he, his sister, Fitzwilliam, and their other relations were comfortable with.
After Mrs Younge’s betrayal, it would not be easy for any of them to trust another lady.
Previously, the plan had been to establish a separate residence for Georgiana and her companion; at present, Darcy doubted he would ever want that.
It meant he would have to ensure there were suitable rooms available in his townhouse.
Lady Romsley had offered to have Georgiana live with her, but Darcy wanted her with him, where he could keep an eye on her and improve their connexion.
She was more than ten years his junior, and they had often been separated.
Since she was finished school and would soon enter society, possibly marrying in a few years, this was his opportunity to develop a strong, more adult relationship with her.
Bingley said, “You know you will always have an invitation to stay with me, wherever I happen to be. If you wake up one morning and realise the time is right to come to Netherfield, then you must order your carriage or jump onto your horse and come!”
As if Darcy would ever behave in so impulsive a manner.
Bingley grinned. “I must call on my agent at once and make arrangements to see the estate. It is the one for me. Do not ask me how I know, I just do!”
In a moment, Bingley was gone, leaving Darcy to wonder how the two of them—so different in many ways—had managed to be such good friends for the past few years. It hardly mattered; the material point was that they were good friends, and Darcy wished him success when he went to Hertfordshire.
Darcy stilled. Hertfordshire. Where Elizabeth was from. For the length of Bingley’s call, he had largely managed to set aside thought of her, but no longer.