Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Darcy could scarcely understand himself.
He had never flirted with a lady before, particularly one with whom he had only just become acquainted, yet here he was teasing Miss Bennet as though they had known each other for years.
They certainly had not, for he had never seen her before this afternoon and knew almost nothing about her.
She seemed intelligent, however, and that spoke in her favour.
Miss Parton had always struck him as an intelligent, sensible young woman, entirely lacking the grasping tendencies he had encountered in so many others.
Of course, he had known her more than a decade ago, when he was still quite young, and while Mrs Gardiner seemed much as he remembered her, he could hardly assume that her niece possessed the same qualities.
Still, Miss Bennet was plainly a gentleman’s daughter, and the Parton family had always been well regarded in Lambton. Her connexion to Mrs Gardiner could hardly be considered an unfavourable one.
It might be pleasant to have at least one sensible acquaintance amongst the neighbourhood when the inevitable dinners, assemblies, and calls began after Bingley took possession of Netherfield.
From what Darcy had gathered from his friend and the steward, the house had stood largely unoccupied for several years.
It had nevertheless been kept in excellent repair, and both the housekeeper and the steward appeared to have managed their responsibilities well.
If Miss Bennet was as familiar with the estate as she appeared to be, perhaps she might prove useful in helping Bingley understand the neighbourhood as well.
Darcy suddenly became aware that he had been silent too long.
“What can you tell me about Netherfield?” he asked.
Elizabeth smiled, and he found himself wanting to return the expression without quite knowing why.
“Mrs Nicholls has been the housekeeper there for a number of years, and the steward, Mr Ainsworth, nearly as long. They are both very diligent in maintaining the estate, and I frequently stop to speak with them when I see them. My uncle is the solicitor in Meryton who is responsible for leasing the estate, and I am certain that your Mr Bingley has spoken with him.”
“Yes, we met all three individuals, and I was impressed with each of them,” Darcy replied, thinking back to the three.
It was somewhat surprising that this young lady knew so many of the servants at the estate by name, but perhaps not so strange in a village where the estates were not as separate as Pemberley was from its neighbours.
The land here also appeared to be more intensively cultivated than much of that at Pemberley.
A great deal of his own estate was given over to pasture and grazing, while other portions were simply unsuitable for crops.
Netherfield, though considerably smaller, seemed to have a greater proportion of productive arable land.
“Mr Ainsworth and Mrs Nicholls have long been entrusted with a great deal in their positions,” Elizabeth replied. “They both take their responsibilities very seriously and would never willingly neglect the estate.”
“That is obvious in the care they have used regarding its management in the absence of the owner,” Darcy agreed.
Mrs Gardiner, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, glanced towards the window. “I fear neither London nor Longbourn will be reached anytime soon. The rain does not appear to be easing.”
Darcy followed her gaze. The storm had only worsened since his arrival, and the windows now rattled occasionally beneath the force of the wind.
“The innkeeper advised me that the road towards London is already becoming difficult,” he said. “I suspect none of us will be travelling again today.”
“Then I am very glad we reserved a room,” Mrs Gardiner replied.
“As am I,” Elizabeth said. “Although I confess, Aunt Maddy, this is not quite how I imagined our journey home.”
“Nor I.” Mrs Gardiner smiled at the pair as though she knew something he did not, but Darcy tried not to be troubled by it.
He did not think her mercenary, nor did he believe she was attempting to push her niece towards him.
Still, she seemed to look between the two of them rather more often than necessary.
Regardless of such thoughts, Darcy found himself smiling.
“I cannot speak for Mrs Gardiner, Miss Bennet, but I begin to think being stranded here may not be entirely disagreeable. Would it be too much trouble if I asked to share this private parlour with you for the remainder of the afternoon? I have already ordered an evening meal for myself and had intended to eat in my room, but with the two of you here, I would much prefer the pleasant company. If you would not object, I should be pleased to treat you both to dinner.”
Elizabeth looked at him, briefly taken aback before amusement took its place.
“You have been here considerably less time than we have, Mr Darcy. You may wish to reserve judgement. It has been pleasant thus far, but what if we find that we disagree vehemently on books or music, or something of greater importance, such as whether a walk without a destination is superior to one with a purpose?”
“Aimless walking is by far preferable, Miss Bennet,” Darcy answered immediately, thinking it was the answer most likely to please her. “But if I am completely honest, I must admit that riding is infinitely preferable to either.”
“Oh, that will never do,” Elizabeth cried, placing a hand to her bosom in feigned astonishment.
“I cannot ride—Papa never kept a horse, nor did he ever bother to teach us girls. Oh, this will shock you, Mr Darcy, for I have four sisters, and I am only the second. Can you imagine a household full of five girls?”
“If they are all as interesting as yourself, I can only imagine what your father must endure,” Darcy found himself saying.
He laughed, both at his own shameless flirtation—something he had never before attempted—and at the thought of four more young ladies like the one before him. If they were anything like Miss Bennet, Mr Bennet must surely be quite mad.
“They are interesting, and I have little doubt my father would say the same, but they are not all like me,” Miss Bennet replied, the humour evident in her voice.
“My mother decries me as entirely too wilful, too intelligent, too much of a bluestocking, and not nearly as pretty as Jane. The complaints she has about me are endless, for I have always preferred being outdoors to sitting quietly at my sewing. My eldest sister, Jane, is nearly perfect, and none of the three younger girls are nearly as troublesome as I.”
“Lizzy,” her aunt said, her tone chiding but still amused, as though this were something they had discussed before.
For his part, Darcy could hardly imagine any parent speaking of a child in such a negative fashion. Still, Miss Bennet was laughing as she said it, and he imagined her statement was at least partly hyperbolic rather than a true indication of how her mother regarded her.
“Lizzy is prone to exaggeration at times and takes particular delight in teasing, especially where her mother is concerned,” Mrs Gardiner said, though the amusement in her expression did little to reassure Darcy.
“But perhaps not so much as I would like in this particular instance. Mrs Bennet has five daughters, as my niece has said, and can be a little excitable at times.”
Miss Bennet laughed. “You see? Even my aunt admits I am not entirely exaggerating.”
Darcy regarded them with amusement. “Then I shall reserve judgement until I have the pleasure of meeting Mrs Bennet myself.”
Something in the way both ladies looked at him made him wonder whether he had just said something exceptionally foolish.
Shaking off such thoughts, he excused himself to speak with the proprietor about their meal.
He also discovered that the ladies had only a footman and driver with them and took it upon himself to ensure that arrangements had been made not only for his own servants, but for theirs, and that both carriages and teams were properly cared for.
His attentions were unnecessary, for it seemed Mrs Gardiner was every bit as conscientious as he was himself, but he was nevertheless pleased to offer the small service.
In his mind, he justified it as being due to their connexion, however slight that connexion was in truth.
Before long, he had concluded his business and rejoined the ladies in their parlour.
“Dinner will be served in an hour,” he said.
“I trust you do not mind, but I took the liberty of ensuring that arrangements had been made for my servants as well as yours, and all is as it should be. I would like to think that, were my younger sister stranded at an inn, someone would take similar care to ensure that she and her servants were properly attended to.”
Mrs Gardiner regarded him again with that knowing look of hers, almost as though she suspected that his motivation was something entirely different.
Still convinced that she was not mercenary, Darcy decided perhaps he was reading too much into her behaviour and asked if he might remain until the meal arrived.
“Of course, Mr Darcy,” Mrs Gardiner replied. “We should be delighted with your company.”
Soon, they were deeply involved in a conversation about books. Miss Bennet had read widely, and while Mrs Gardiner contributed on occasion, she mostly occupied herself with her sewing while Darcy spoke with Miss Bennet.
Never had an hour passed more swiftly. He found that, in most instances, they agreed, and at times he wondered if Miss Bennet was like so many other ladies who would agree with him regardless of what he said.
However, when he changed his opinion of one of Samuel Johnson’s works in the middle of the conversation, she did not hesitate to point out the inconsistency.