7. 13 November 1811
DARCY
Darcy reminded Bingley that he needed to eat and that they had planned to do something useful. Soon they were riding through the park surrounding the manor house.
It was easy for Darcy to slip into instructional mode.
He pointed out a place where the gravel had been swept away by the heavy rainfall and speculated that merely fixing that spot would only be a short-term solution.
He suggested they attempt to follow the course of the water’s movement to understand why so much had converged on that spot.
They soon came to a drainage ditch that had been clogged with watercress and reeds.
Bingley looked around carefully so he could report the troublesome spot to his steward. “Would it be enough, Darcy, to say that the clogged drainage ditch was near the end of the row of trimmed trees or bushes near the west side of the park?”
“That is a pretty good description, Bingley, but these are common hornbeam trees that have been coppiced, almost assuredly to provide protection against winds. Being more specific will help him find what we discovered more quickly—and it will better cement his respect for you.”
“Thank you, Darcy.”
“Do you need to take notes? I brought a piece of paper and a pencil in my saddlebag.”
“I would say that my memory is better than my handwriting…so, no.”
Chuckling, the men rode on. They did not find much about the well-run estate to correct.
Soon they arrived at the first tenant farm and introduced themselves to the Marshall family.
Bingley led the discussion, as was only right, but Darcy noted that Mrs Marshall looked hesitant, as if she wished to speak, but both her husband and Bingley spoke so rapidly and eagerly about the recent harvest, she subsided.
Eventually, Bingley said, “Well, it was so nice to meet you—”
Darcy cut him off and said, “Mrs Marshall, you have not had a chance to tell us of your needs. I assure you that Mr Bingley wishes to hear about items in the house that need repair, or any other needs you have.”
All eyes on her, Mrs Marshall coloured and hesitated.
Bingley said kindly, “Please do share anything that comes to your mind, Mrs Marshall.”
“Well, sir, the fireplace has begun to smoke a bit, as if the chimney was not functioning as it ought.”
Mr Marshall turned to his wife with apparent irritation and said, “I told you I would clean it! Things—have been busy.”
Into the awkward pause, Darcy spoke quietly, “Any problem with the chimney could pose a danger, a fire being the most likely result, but also deadly smoke filling the house. It should be cleaned this morning, perhaps by a sweep.”
Mrs Marshall nodded, although both Bingley and Mr Marshall seemed to be struck dumb with Darcy’s dire warning.
He turned to Mrs Marshall and asked, “Does Meryton have a sweep, ma’am?”
She nodded and told him the name.
Bingley said, “I suppose Mr Marshall should ride to him immediately, as he knows the area far better than we. Naturally, I will pay the bill.”
Darcy said, “Since Mr Fenton does not know Mr Bingley, here is a promise that he does have money and will pay.” He fished some coins out of his pocket and held them out to Mr Marshall. “Do hurry, sir.”
Once the farmer rode away, Darcy addressed Mrs Marshall again and said, “Two things, ma’am.
First, please do not hesitate to tell Mr Bingley or the steward, Mr Walker, of any concern you have.
This particular problem can be deadly.” A spasm of pain crossed his face, and he added, “I lost—one of my tenants lost a child to such a fire two years ago.”
She nodded, eyes huge.
“Do not wait for Mr Bingley or Mr Walker to do a check to report an important problem such as a smoking fireplace. If you notice something that has even a chance of being dangerous, send word immediately to the house so it can be properly dealt with.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“The second thing is that we must immediately douse this fire and cool off the hearth so the sweep can do his job.”
They moved to do so, and Darcy encouraged using more than one bucket of water to make sure the ash was cold.
Finally deciding that they had done all they ought, he asked, “Are there any immediate needs you have while the fireplace cannot be used? We can help you take the children to a neighbour, if you have a pony cart or something like.”
Darcy worked for several hours to set up Mrs Marshall and her four children in their nearest neighbour’s house.
During that time, Bingley rode back to the manor house and ended up sending a cart full of things from Netherfield’s closets and pantry: quilts, ale, meat, and staples such as honey and flour.
Darcy had suggested that the family putting up the Marshalls should receive some help bearing the cost, and Bingley sent even more than what Darcy recommended.
Eventually the two gentlemen were reunited at the Marshall cottage, getting the report from the sweep along with Mr Marshall. When he heard the danger that the soot accumulation in the cat-and-clay flue had posed to his family, the farmer seemed morose, but Bingley tried to buck him up.
“I, too, am shocked, Mr Marshall, but the most important thing is that no fire nor injury happened this time, and we have all learnt from this occurrence. I will be recommending to the steward that we encourage more frequent chimney cleaning in all the cottages, and we will have a professional sweep clean them all as soon as possible. We expect you to send word to both the steward and the manor house if there is a sign of any sort of danger in the future, will you not?”
As Darcy and Bingley rode back to the manor house for a well-deserved nuncheon, Darcy commended Bingley on his actions that day. “Do you see how skilled you are working with the tenants and the servants? You made people feel cared for, and you were a leader they could respect.”
Bingley nodded. “Thank you, Darcy. Honestly, I hear you talk about breeds of sheep and harvests of rye, and I feel strongly that this landowning thing is just not something I am cut out to do. But that is just a lack of knowledge on my part, is it not? Because I love taking actions that help people, and in fact, successful harvests and wool-shearing help people just as ensuring their homes are safe helps them.”
Darcy nodded. “You are doing very well, friend. And I believe that you have stumbled onto the way you could see all of this as valuable and exactly what you wish to be doing with your life.”
After cleaning up and eating, Darcy followed Bingley back to his study. There, he challenged his friend: “Do you remember the first problem we discovered today?”
“Yes. There is a drainage ditch clogged with watercress and reeds, and it is near the row of trimmed trees that provide wind protection, at the west side of the park.”
“That should be enough for Mr Walker to find the problem. The coppiced trees were common hornbeams.”
“Ahh…yes. I had assumed I would remember, but the fire danger knocked the name of the trees clean out of my head….”
“I understand. The paper-and-pencil notes I suggested could be accomplished by ensuring that one of your servants can write well; that servant can ride out with you on inspections. Remember, improper drainage can cause dangerous floods—and loss of life could again be the result. Both items are important and deserve your notice.”
Bingley rubbed his forehead and said, “You are correct. I will send for Mr Walker now.”
“And Mrs Nicholls, so we can get a report on Miss Bennet and her sister.”
“I had not forgotten them, Darcy, not for a moment, but I appreciate you bringing them up so I do not fear looking foolish for wanting news of them.”
Later that afternoon, Darcy and Bingley were once again alone in the study.
Darcy ticked off the meetings in his mind.
Mr Walker had indicated appreciation for discovering the source of the drainage problem, which he had worried about that morning, seeing the erosive effects, and he agreed to hire the sweep to check all the tenant chimneys and hearths.
He pointed out that he urged people to plant holly bushes so that they could use the branches to clean their own chimneys, but he agreed that reminders at least twice a year would be a good idea.
During the second meeting, Mrs Nicholls had reported that she had sent meals up to the Bennet sisters on trays and that Miss Bennet was doing well but had begun to cough more frequently.
Darcy suggested that Miss Elizabeth stay at Netherfield to continue to nurse her sister, and that Mrs Nicholls send a carriage to Longbourn to fetch clothing for both ladies.
In both meetings, Bingley communicated clearly and demonstrated more leadership than was his wont.
Now, Bingley interrupted his thoughts, saying, “I truly appreciate your help and tutelage, Darce. I felt like I was floating before you arrived. I was unsure what my role should be, and I did not enjoy the feel of my days. Now, I feel as if I am on the right track, ready and willing to do well, although I am humble enough to realise that I still have much to learn. You have made a tremendous change for the positive…and I thank you.”
Darcy nodded and said, “You are most welcome. I truly think you will become a wonderful landowner and master.”
“I appreciate your confidence,” Bingley said.
“I wonder if I might ask you to teach me something.”
Sitting up straighter, Bingley looked at Darcy with surprise. “I doubt that there is a single skill I have mastered that you have not, but if you can think of something, pray, tell me of it. As you know, I would be delighted to share my expertise, if such a thing exists.”