Chapter 44
“Well, my dears, have you broken the hearts of every man in London?” Mr Bennet greeted them with his usual wit on their return to Longbourn.
Such a greeting caused Jane to blush and Elizabeth to declare that, of course, they had.
Their mama pronounced that her daughters were the belle of every ball in London, but there was no rush for them to select husbands, a statement which caused their father’s eyebrow to raise, but he replied that she was correct.
The returning party was unsurprised to see their cousin also in residence, as their father had informed their mother by post that he had asked Mr Collins to come. The reason for Mr Collins’ visit to Longbourn was to become evident after dinner that evening.
“You eldest girls have taken your first steps into London society, and you younger girls will not be long in following. Our family situation is going to change, and that is part of the reason I have asked our cousin to come to us. As you know, investments made when you girls were many years younger have yielded excellent results. These results allowed you girls to have this visit to London, including the season for Jane and Elizabeth. I am, however, conscious of the entail on Longbourn, and I think we can all agree that Longbourn will be in good hands with William. William has assured me that there will be a home here for any of his cousins if the need ever arises, but I am confident that it will not. During your time away from home, I have finalised the purchase of Netherfield Park.”
Exclamations of “Netherfield Park,” and “purchase”, filled the air as his daughters vocalised their shock, but Mrs Bennet remained silent with only a slight smile on her face.
It was this smile that made it clear she had been aware of the plan to purchase Netherfield.
Elizabeth saw some sorrow in Jane’s face even as she smiled at the good news, and Elizabeth felt sure she knew the reason for it.
If Netherfield Park now belonged to the Bennets, then all hope of Mr Bingley’s return was gone.
“We will not be moving into Netherfield for some time, as Mr Bingley’s lease will remain in place until October.”
Elizabeth looked at Jane and saw her posture ease at this announcement; there was still time for Mr Bingley to pursue her.
“William has come to start to learn land management, and when the time is right, we will move into Netherfield, and Longbourn will pass to William.” Elizabeth could see the sense in this plan, but part of her heart mourned the loss of Longbourn, even to move to the grander Netherfield property.
In the weeks that followed, William became more and more like a son and brother to the Bennet family.
Spending every day out on the estate with Mr Bennet learning, and every evening sitting with his female cousins.
During this time, his looks improved, his cheeks filling out with the excellent food provided by Mrs Bennet, and his body strengthened from walking the grounds of Longbourn.
His improved looks drew the attention of one lady, much to the joy of her dearest friend, Elizabeth. Charlotte and Mr Collins were often seen talking with each other at any event in the village, and Elizabeth hoped that she might soon see her friend well settled.
And Jane awaited word of Mr Bingley’s return, but as the weeks drifted by, it seemed he would not come. However, one morning in late August, her father received a note from their uncle Philips.
“The Bingley party is returning to Netherfield,” their father announced, having read the note. Jane’s face flushed, but all her family pretended not to see it. That evening, after they had retired, Jane confessed to Elizabeth.
“I love him still,” said Jane, “but I know not how to trust him.”