Chapter 9 Borrowed Time
The four sisters sat with Edward Gardiner in the rose garden when Uncle Phillips drove into the yard in his gig. They rose as the stable boy ran out to take the reins.
“Uncle, Phillips.”
The spare man embraced each of his nieces. “Girls, let us remain in the garden for it is a fine day.”
Jane asked Hill to bring a tea tray before joining the others around the garden table. The fragrance of the roses filled the air, but Elizabeth took no pleasure in it. Uncle Phillips had come on unexpected business, and dread rose from the pit of her stomach. His expression was unusually grave.
“Uncle Phillips, what news?” Jane asked. Then, at the sight of his troubled countenance, she added, “Is it bad news, sir?”
“I scarcely know, my dear.”
He held up a letter before laying it in the center of the table. The sisters looked at it.
Elizabeth said, “Uncle, that is your handwriting.”
“You are right, Lizzy.”
He pointed to a single word written beside the Hunsford address.
“Undeliverable.”
“This is the letter I posted but two days ago, and instead of receiving your cousin, we have received my letter, returned and marked Undeliverable.”
Gardiner asked, “What is the proper course now?”
Phillips replied, “Since Bennet wished to delay the heir's arrival as long as possible, I propose we wait another week before I send a second letter. So long as I continue writing once each week, I can demonstrate that an effort has been made to contact him. I shall also write to the diocesan registry of Rochester to inquire whether Mr. Collins has been assigned to another parish or relieved of his living.”
Gardiner said, “So my nieces must continue to wait. Cecil, I cannot remain in Hertfordshire indefinitely. What do you advise?”
“Edward, I suggest you leave tomorrow as you intended. The girls can send the stable boy for me should Mr. Collins arrive unexpectedly. If he writes advising me of his intended arrival, I shall notify you immediately. Perhaps you may then return to help us through what promises to be a difficult time.”
Gardiner agreed. He addressed Jane. “Perhaps you or Lizzy will write to me once each week and let me know whether you have learned anything.”
The sisters agreed.
That evening, Elizabeth resumed her studies, reading about the folklore surrounding Arbor Low and the stone circle upon Stanton Moor.
Though the physical differences between the two monuments interested her, the local traditions fascinated her far more.
Those stories had passed from generation to generation by word of mouth for centuries before antiquarians such as Aubrey, Stukeley, and others finally committed many to writing.
Her father had often said he believed folklore and tradition preserved memories of events once witnessed by ordinary people and then handed down through the generations. The details might blur with repeated telling, but somewhere within every tale lay a grain of truth waiting to be discovered.
Elizabeth opened the journal her father had given her.
She carefully entered the date and recorded the facts and observations she found most interesting.
She included the local lore her Uncle Edward had shared with her.
Elizabeth felt close to her father while seated in the leather chair that had come to be known as hers, writing at the little table in the notebook he had provided.
Each year, he had presented her with a new journal, and now twelve notebooks lay stored in a trunk in Aunt Phillips's attic.
She now valued them beyond price since her father's death.
Within their pages, she had preserved his thoughts, beliefs, philosophy, and witticisms gathered over the years.
As she reflected upon them, she understood how profoundly he had shaped her character and intellect through their years of study and discussion.
The Greek writers would always hold first place in her affections, but for the present, folklore and tradition absorbed her completely, and through them she found comfort and felt somehow nearer to her father.
* * *
The four sisters soon settled into a routine.
Each morning, they breakfasted together after Elizabeth returned from her walk to Oakham Mount.
Afterward, they occupied themselves with mending their gowns and undergarments, for Uncle Phillips had impressed upon them the necessity of being frugal with the little money that remained to them.
Jane and Elizabeth would travel to London once the new master took possession of Longbourn in hopes of finding husbands.
Until then, they would have little to spend on clothing and must make do with the best of the gowns they already possessed.
* * *
One morning in the first week of July, Elizabeth asked, “Jane, will you come into Meryton with me to post Uncle Gardiner's letter?”
“Very well, Lizzy, though I have no wish to go into Meryton. I dislike the soldiers' stares, and they bring Lydia's ruin to mind. Had we kept a closer watch over her, she would not have been lost to us forever. God alone knows what she suffers.”
Elizabeth settled Jane's bonnet, then slipped her hand through her sister's arm.
“We do better not to dwell upon it, for we cannot save her. Nothing can be done now, and self-reproach will not alter the past.”
The two sisters walked the mile into the village, their conversation centering almost entirely upon Lydia. They went directly to the post office, keeping to the opposite side of the street to avoid the soldiers who lingered near the shops.
After posting the letter, Elizabeth said, “Jane, my dear, I should like to stop at the bookshop. Perhaps Mr. Baker has received new books for his circulating library.”
Amusement lit Jane's eyes.
“Lizzy, you have spent so much time poring over Papa's old tomes that I can scarcely believe you wish for more books.”
Elizabeth laughed.
“Papa's books require careful study, sister. I fill pages with notes and compare one author with another in hopes of discovering the kernel of truth hidden within the tales and traditions. But Mr. Baker's books are delightful French novels. It is such a pleasure to have a new one to read.”
The sisters approached the bookshop with their eyes lowered, careful not to encourage the officers who lounged near the entrance.
“Mr. Baker, have you a new book that might interest me?”
“Miss Elizabeth, I have set aside my newest novel especially for you. I had begun to fear you would not call.”
“Sir, you know how it has been with us. During those first weeks, I had no heart for reading, but I am doing better now.”
He held out a French novel for her inspection. Elizabeth opened it and began reading. Jane settled onto a nearby sofa and picked up a ladies' journal.
Neither sister realized they were not alone until a rustle behind her drew Jane's attention. She looked up and met the gaze of a handsome young gentleman with reddish blond hair. His blue eyes rested upon her, and a pleasant smile touched his face.
Jane answered it with a shy smile of her own.
He wore a finely tailored blue superfine coat cut in the newest fashion.
A substantial volume rested in his hands, but he laid it upon a nearby table before crossing the room to her.
Jane rose to receive him. They had not been introduced, yet he plainly intended to address her.
“Ma'am, I have recently taken a lease of Netherfield Park and came in search of a book on the management of landed estates. Indeed, Mr. Baker has shown me the very volume I require. At present, however, I find myself wishing someone might perform the kindness of introducing us.”
Jane said, “I am Miss Bennet, sir. My sister and I reside at Longbourn, my late father's estate.”
The young gentleman bowed. “The pleasure is mine, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth joined them, and Jane said, “May I present my sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
He bowed. “Miss Elizabeth.”
Both sisters curtsied.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Charles Bingley. I took possession of Netherfield Park but five days ago. My sister, Miss Caroline Bingley, does me the honor of presiding over my household, and my sister, Mrs. Hurst, together with her husband, has accompanied us into the country. We expect to return to London in December to enjoy part of the Season.”
His gaze rested upon their black gowns.
“You have suffered a recent bereavement, Miss Bennet?”
Jane lowered her eyes.
“We have, sir. Our parents passed away in May.”
“I am very sorry for your loss. I lost my own father but a year ago, so I know something of your sorrow.”
He rested a hand upon the volume he had selected.
“I have long wished to purchase an estate of my own, but my friend advised me to lease for a year or two before making such an important decision. I am enamored of Netherfield Park. It enjoys the advantage of lying within an easy distance of London, and I hope to learn something of estate management while I am here.”
He laughed. “I expect my friend to join me and my sisters shortly after Michaelmas. Until then, I intend to read as much as I can, so I shall not appear a complete simpleton when he undertakes my education.”
Both sisters laughed with the gentleman.
Jane said, “Lizzy has assisted Papa with the estate ledgers for many years.”
Mr. Bingley looked to Elizabeth.
“Are you conversant with crop rotation and the improvement of soils, Miss Elizabeth? My friend has set me a task. I am to discover what crops thrive in this part of Hertfordshire, prepare a list of the soil amendments I shall require, and determine what ought to be planted in each field.”
Elizabeth said, “There is little mystery to it, sir.
The farmers in this district grow much the same crops.
Netherfield, however, has stood idle for nearly five years.
Your friend will likely know what soil amendments the land now requires.
I do not know what farming implements remain upon the estate, and three of the tenant farms stand vacant.
Mr. Bingley's brow furrowed. “Vacant? Is there some difficulty with the estate of which I ought to be aware?”
“No, sir. Nothing that I know of. The tenants surrendered their leases when their sons left to seek their fortunes in the war. With the estate unoccupied and the steward neglectful, I imagine there is much to be put to rights.”
Mr. Bingley looked genuinely alarmed, but when Elizabeth explained all, he offered a half-smile.
“Miss Elizabeth, I pray that I have not taken on more than I am capable of managing. Might I have permission to call upon you and learn more? I ought to bring pen and paper, for I shall wish to make notes of everything you tell me before I write to my friend and ask his advice.”
Elizabeth looked to Jane. “What say you, sister?”
Jane smiled kindly at the gentleman. “Mr. Bingley, you will be most welcome, provided one of your sisters accompanies you. Lizzy will prove of great assistance.”
He bowed to the sisters. “You have both been most obliging.” Then, raising his eyes to Jane, he added, “Miss Bennet, I trust you will join us and also lend your support. I fear I am sadly ignorant when it comes to farming. The subject has never come my way, and I know almost nothing of it.”
With laughter in her eyes, she said, “Of course, sir. I shall be on hand to serve tea and cakes should you find your new profession too taxing upon your nerves.”
The young couple fell into easy conversation, and Elizabeth excused herself to collect the book she meant to borrow. When she returned to Jane's side, her sister said, “Lizzy, Mr. Bingley has offered to escort us home.”
Elizabeth looked to Mr. Bingley.
He explained himself. “In my opinion, there are far too many men loitering about the street today. I fear some have spent too much time at the taproom and may have taken more ale than is good for them. It is not fitting for two young ladies to walk home unattended.”
Elizabeth said, “Thank you, sir. We very nearly did not stop at the bookshop for that very reason. Jane dislikes being stared at, and some of the soldiers have a rude habit of staring.”
Mr. Bingley addressed Jane.
“Quite right, ma'am. It is most discourteous of them. If you are ready, I shall have the honor of escorting you home.”
The three young people set out for Longbourn, Mr. Bingley's horse following after them with perfect docility, lowering its head now and then to crop the grass along the roadside.