Vol 1, Chapter 2 #2
“Papa did not meet the sisters when he called on Mr. Bingley.” Mark grinned at his father who had mentioned his disappointment of not doing so on his return home. Having just completed his lessons with his tutor, he had entered the drawing room at the tail end of Miss Lucas’s comments.
“No, Mark, I did not have the pleasure, but I understand that the whole of the Bingley party will be present at the assembly tonight,” Bennet replied, mussing his son’s hair when the youngest Bennet came to a stop next to his father.
“Thomas, have you seen Mrs. Nichol’s reports of that pretentious woman’s treatment of the Netherfield servants?
” Priscilla Bennet asked and Bennet nodded ruefully.
“We need to have Frank point out the clause in the lease that states that they can be evicted with no notice and no refund of rent if they mistreat the staff. I suggest that Mr. Bingley be given one warning. If he does not have the backbone to deal with his sister, then we will exercise that clause!” She would not abide anyone treating her servants disrespectfully, and until Mark inherited the estate one day, she was the true mistress of Netherfield Park.
“I will ride to see Phillips now.” Bennet rose, kissed his wife on her cheek, and called for his stallion Orion to be made ready.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Mr. Phillips to see you, Mr. Bingley,” Netherfield’s butler announced.
“Good morning, Mr. Phillips. Would you like to retire to the study with me?” Bingley asked.
“No, Mr. Bingley, for what I have to say needs to be heard by all the residents.” Phillips nodded as Mr. and Mrs. Nichols entered. The couple had been the butler and housekeeper at the estate for well over fifteen years.
“Why have you summoned my servants,” Miss Bingley’s piercing voice was heavy with disdain.
“It is odd that you should ask that, Miss Bingley, though they are not your servants as they are employed by the landlord, who pays their salaries.” Seeing that Miss Bingley was about to interject, Phillips proceeded without hesitation.
“Mr. Bingley, I assume that you read the lease before you signed it?”
“Well, err, mostly,” Bingley owned.
“It was your responsibility to do so prior to signing it! Do you remember clause 10.4?” Phillips asked, sure that the man had hardly read more than two words of the entire four-page document.
“I cannot say that I remember that clause,” Bingley admitted.
“You do remember initialling each clause and signing the bottom of each page, do you not?” Phillips prodded, and Bingley allowed that it was so. “Please read clause 10.4 aloud, Mr. Bingley, noting that section ten deals with reasons that your lease may be terminated and you, evicted.”
Miss Bingley looked at the scene as if scandalised at such a demand being made by a mere solicitor. Her brother took out the documents in question and read:
“10.4: The tenant acknowledges that the hiring and firing of any staff employed at Netherfield Park other than their personal servants is only at the discretion of the landlord. If the tenant has an issue with an employee’s performance, that is to be reported to the landlord’s agent, the butler, or the housekeeper.
If, for whatever reason, any member of the tenant’s household is disrespectful, or is verbally or physically abusive to ANY staff member, it is grounds for the immediate voiding of the lease and the forfeit of any money prepaid for the term of said lease. ”
“I assume that is self-explanatory. There will be no further warning,” Phillips informed the four family members, directly staring at Miss Bingley when he made his pointed statement.
“Good day Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley, Mr. Hurst, Mrs. Hurst.” He gave a curt bow and exited the drawing room with the Nicholses.
“This is not to be borne, Charles. Let them keep your money, we will return to Town and leave this backwater,” Miss Bingley asserted.
“If we are evicted, then any money that is forfeit will come from your allowance and dowry!” Bingley stated firmly, standing up to his sister for the first time in his life.
“You would not dare!” Miss Bingley screeched.
“Try me, sister, for if you cause us to be evicted you will pay in full!” Bingley stormed out of the room before his sister could attempt to manipulate him and weaken his resolve.
After Bingley’s exit, Miss Bingley turned to her sister. “Louisa, you do not think that Charles was serious, do you?”
“I do, Caro, and if I were you, I would watch how I treat the servants from now on, otherwise it will cost you some years’ worth of allowance,” Mrs. Hurst opined.
“All because of servants! They are nothing; it is my right to treat them as I wish!” Miss Bingley insisted.
“As they are not our servants, no, you cannot,” Mrs. Hurst corrected her angry sister, then she said the one thing that she knew would gain her sister’s compliance. “Caro, you have seen how Mr. Darcy treats his servants have you not?”
“Yes, he is far too liberal with them. They do not know their place. When I am mistress…” She twisted her neck, so she was looking down on her sister despite the fact that she was sitting next to her.
“Your intention to induce Mr. Darcy to offer for you will never work if you treat servants the way you normally do.” Louisa manipulated the situation to be able to appease both her siblings.
“That is a good point, Louisa. I will have to amend the way I interact with the servants while Mr. Darcy is in residence,” Miss Bingley schemed.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Darcy was impressed with what he could see of the estate as his carriage moved the up the drive from the gates.
The sight of the manor house did nothing to change his opinion.
From what he could see it was a large and very well-kept building.
He was greeted by Bingley, and, to his chagrin, Miss Bingley was there and applied a death grip to his arm as soon as she found an opportunity.
Thankfully, Bingley asked Darcy to join him in the study.
“Bingley, before you start, why does your sister still behave as if I am her property? Did you not tell her that, even were she to compromise me, I would never offer for her?” Darcy asked pointedly.
“I…er…I meant to, I just have not found the right time Darce, I am sorry.” Bingley flushed red from embarrassment.
“I would suggest that you talk to her sooner rather than later. If her behaviour continues, I will bar her from all of my houses and will give her the cut direct in public. I like you, Bingley, and have tolerated Miss Bingley’s overt hints and actions only because of our friendship.
There is a limit to my patience with her, and I am fast reaching that point,” Darcy stated unequivocally.
“Now, what is it you needed to discuss with me, Bingley?”
Bingley related the facts of the solicitor’s visit earlier in the day, and Darcy asked to see a copy of the lease.
Darcy sat with a cup of coffee and read the pages of the document.
When he was done, he was impressed for the lease was both iron-clad and extremely thorough.
It was the type of lease he would employ if he ever leased any of his properties out.
“What this Mr. Phillips told you is completely accurate, Bingley. I have been telling you for a long time that you need to take the trouble to check your sister. If the landlord...” Darcy scanned the front page.
“By-the-by, who is the landlord? I do not see his name anywhere.” Darcy asked as he scanned the document again to see if it was perhaps on another page.
“The landlord does not want his name known; I only deal with the agent,” Bingley confirmed.
“Understood. Ah yes, if the landlord choses to do so, he could have evicted you and kept all of the funds you paid. As soon as your sister mistreated the staff, you were in violation of your lease. A warning shows that you have a little respite, but I would bet that if the behaviour is repeated, you will not be so lucky next time,” Darcy explained.
As he often did when Darcy expressed his opinion, Bingley accepted it.