Chapter Ninety-Six
The first banns for Jane and Mr. Bingley, and Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were published on the eighteenth of January. Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy and Georgiana returned to Longbourn for luncheon after services.
After the meal, Mr. Darcy asked Mr. Bennet if they might have a private conversation.
Mr. Bennet tried to defer, citing the Sabbath as no fit time for serious talk, but Mr. Darcy insisted.
Once ensconced in Mr. Bennet’s study, where a warm fire now burned, Mr. Darcy began.
“I understand that Mr. Bingley has been asked to give you three thousand pounds, Mr. Bennet.
Mr. Bennet’s eyes shut for a moment. Opening them, he poured himself a glass of brandy and offered one to his guest, which was accepted. Sitting back down, he steepled his hands and said, glumly, “I suppose it was to be expected that you would know about that.”
“It was, of course.”
“And are you here to chastise me for my bad management?” Mr. Bennet was truculent.
“Not at all; I am here, instead, to ask you what sort of estate training you were given.”
Mr. Bennet barked out a laugh. “Training? Ha! One day I was at Cambridge, preparing to spend my life in scholarly pursuits, and the next day I was on my way back to Longbourn because my father and elder brother had perished from sickness.”
“So, no training at all.”
“None.”
“I, on the other hand, was trained nearly from birth to supervise Pemberley. My father was taken from us far too soon, but I was entirely ready to step into his shoes upon his death. He made certain of that.”
“Is there a point to this?” Mr. Bennet asked, testily.
“Yes. I am offering to train you.” Mr. Darcy sipped his brandy, watching Mr. Bennet over the rim of the glass.
“You? Train me?”
“Yes.”
“And how old are you?” Mr. Bennet snorted.
“Is that somehow relevant to this discussion?” Mr. Darcy asked, mildly. “For it seems to me that if something does not change, you will be back, hat in hand, to either Mr. Bingley or myself, needing more money. Am I wrong?”
“Why, you – you –“ Mr. Bennet could hardly speak in his outrage.
Mr. Darcy added, “And while I am not adverse to helping family, it seems to me that most gentlemen would prefer to be self-supporting, rather than reliant upon the charity of others.”
Mr. Bennet sagged back in his chair, looking suddenly old and frail. After a long silence, he murmured, “I suppose you are right.”
“I know that I am.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you are insufferably smug?”
“Many times; nonetheless, it would be best for you and your family were you to accept my offer.” Mr. Darcy rose and extended his hand. He waited.
Finally, Mr. Bennet rose and took it.
Mr. Darcy nodded. “Good. Lessons begin tomorrow. Have your account books ready. Oh, and Bingley will join us. He may as well learn from your mistakes.”
***
Mr. Darcy did not wish Elizabeth to feel neglected as a result of the time he planned to spend with Mr. Bennet, so he explained his plan to her.
“I had far rather be by your side, dearest Elizabeth,” he said.
“But I do think that this opportunity will not arise again soon, as we will leave for London and then Pemberley after the wedding. Do you mind dreadfully?”
Elizabeth did not mind at all; in fact, she was entirely grateful for her betrothed’s interest in Longbourn. “You are kindness itself,” she told him, squeezing his hand. “My father very much needs help, though I do not think he will be an entirely willing pupil.”
Thus, every day, Mr. Darcy came to Longbourn with Mr. Bingley and Georgiana. After half an hour in the parlour, he would pull Mr. Bingley – who was loathe to leave Miss Bennet, but both he and Jane understood the need – to his feet and walk with him to the study.
There, the three men reviewed Mr. Bennet’s account books to see when the difficulties began and what should have been done differently.
It took Mr. Bennet some days to recover from his pique at having his personal life so invaded, but he eventually saw the wisdom of listening to someone who had been raised from birth to perform this role.
Crop rotation methods, specifically the Norfolk four-course system versus the three-field system, were discussed at length, as were modern inventions such as the seed drill, the importance of proper drainage and how that was to be achieved, and the selective breeding of animals.
The three men rode out to look at Longbourn’s tenant farms; Mr. Darcy insisted that Mr. Bennet write down what was needed for each farm and what he thought the cost of those repairs would be.
Then they did the same at Netherfield. Mr. Darcy pointed out things that Mr. Bennet and Mr. Bingley had entirely missed, such as weak fencing and an inadequate number of rooms for the family.
It was soon clear that Longbourn’s tenant farms had long been neglected, and each tenant had a long list of complaints.
Mr. Bennet was nearly purple with mortification, but Mr. Darcy was insistent on pursuing the topic.
“If the cottages are not in good condition, the tenants will look elsewhere,” Mr. Darcy warned them.
“Your family is only as secure as your tenants.” He gave Mr. Bennet the money needed, and then supervised Mr. Bennet as he hired carpenters, roofers, and other laborers.
This gesture prompted Mr. Bennet to finally let go of his resentments. “I am grateful,” he said, bluntly. “I should have leapt at the chance to learn from you immediately, but instead I let my pride get in the way. You forced me to comply, and I am – well, entirely grateful.”
“You are very welcome,” Mr. Darcy replied.
“Truly, Mr. Bennet, it is no different than learning Greek; it is far easier to learn from someone who already knows the subject, rather than to attempt to learn it on your own. And, that being the case, it falls to you to train Mr. Collins to be an estate owner. It is imperative that the heir presumptive spend at least two weeks each year at Longbourn to review the account books, visit the tenants, and become familiar with what will, in time, become his responsibility. If Lady Catherine gives him any difficulty at all, do let me know. I will make it right.”
Turning to Mr. Bingley, he said, “You have the list of repairs that should be made at Netherfield Park; if you choose to purchase the estate, the cost of those repairs should be considered when setting the purchase price.”