“I like this bathroom. The modern additions have not taken away from the original design but have rather enhanced it. Lovely. Shall we continue on?”
“I agree, Darcy. It’s both quite lovely and practical,” Bingley said.
As they left the bathroom, Darcy glanced around. The upstairs had a large open area towards the front of the house that had obviously been used as a sitting area. It had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves on both sides and two sofas facing each other in the middle. …This can be our upstairs study… Another smile crossed his features as he noticed a pair of French doors that opened onto a piazza overlooking the street below. Stepping out onto the balcony, he glanced over the spacious area. …I will enjoy sitting here with a cigar and a brandy. It appears to be very relaxing, and the view is lovely. The entire house was furnished with historical period furnishings, including the porch furniture. He noted that the floors were oak, covered with authentic Persian rugs in bright colors of royal blue, red, and gold. …It appears to be well-made… tongue and groove… very good.
Mrs. Potter cleared her throat and once again grabbed their attention. “Well then, gentlemen, if you are ready, we will start with the master bedrooms. In these old houses they had two master suites. One was for the master and the other for the mistress. Strange, but that’s the way they did it.”
Mrs. Potter led them into the first bedroom. It was furnished in French provincial cherry with red oak flooring and red and gold Persian rugs. A king-sized bed, covered in rich red silk, was flanked on either side by two bedside commode cabinets now used as nightstands. Further scanning the room, Darcy noticed there was a small desk against the back wall and a writing table beside the fireplace while two chaise lounges flanked by lamps sat cozily by the fireside, making it comfortable for reading. Heavy brocade curtains, matching the bedspread, covered a very large bay window, which overlooked the street below. Stepping through a connecting door, he discovered the master suite was connected to the mistress’ apartment by two large walk-in closets and a large three-quarter bathroom joining the two rooms. …These rooms will do very nicely. Touring the other bedrooms, Darcy noted they were similar to the master suites except the regular rooms were somewhat smaller and had queen sized beds.
Concluding their upstairs tour, they returned to the first floor to finish the inspection. Darcy walked immediately to the guest register, where he perused the last entries. A pleasing smile crossed his face as he read the names of those who had visited. …People don’t do this sort of thing any longer… pity, really.
“I see you’ve noticed Dr. Harwell’s registry.” Mrs. Potter smiled as she walked over to where Darcy stood. “Dr. Harwell was a stickler for keeping with traditions. Those entries you see are from the last days he spent here. Most of the names are from Hospice.”
“Interesting.” Darcy ran his fingers over the names, lost in his thoughts.
“Let’s begin with the front parlor, if you don’t mind.”
Leading them into the parlor, just to the right of the registry table, she gestured with her hand. “Gentleman, let me call your attention to the fireplace. The mantelpiece was hand carved by the same Italian artisan who designed and constructed the front door. This room, like all the others, has tongue and groove oak floors and Persian rugs.” With a wave of her hand toward the corner of the room, she announced. “Notice the piano. It is a custom-made Bosendorfer 130 CL. Mr. Harwell’s daughter was a proficient pianist.”
Darcy went over to inspect it, striking a few keys. …Beautiful! But out of tune…I’ll have it tuned after classes begin.
“You will notice that all of the furniture in this room is also in the French provincial design,” Mrs. Potter said.
Bingley walked over to the sofa against one wall, rubbing his hand over the back of the wooden frame. “I like this style. These older fashions are comfortable and elegant. Beautiful.”
They browsed the rest of the room where they observed several tables with lamps or vases and a large bay window overlooking a small flower garden to the side of the house. It wasn’t an especially large room, but it was comfortable. There were also two wingback chairs and a divan with a small tea table finishing the room’s decor.
“The next rooms, just past the parlor, are two smaller bedrooms and another sitting room. These bedrooms were the servants’ quarters in Dr. Harwell’s day. They are all simple, yet beautifully furnished,” she said, leading them out of the parlor and into the foyer. Strolling over to the rooms, they peered inside, giving them a quick cursory look.
“The library is over there.” She pointed. “It’s just as the Harwell family left it when Dr. Harwell died. Let’s go in.”
Guiding them to the first room past the front door to the left, they entered the library, a spacious room with a reading table, various other tables, a large chandelier, and two sofas. In the center of the outside wall was another very large bay window overlooking the front porch, bringing natural light into the room. Floor-to-ceiling oak bookshelves encompassed the remaining walls except for the back where a doorway led to a small study. Darcy ambled to the nearest bookcase and lifted a book from the shelf. The Chronicles of the Gallic Wars by Julius Caesar…written in Latin…umm… Smiling, he flipped through the pages, inspecting the book before replacing it.
Mrs. Potter opened the door and motioned for them to follow. “This was Dr. Harwell’s study. It still contains his personal books which, I was told, he used in his classes at the university where he taught philosophy. If you wish to have those removed to replace with your own, I can arrange it.” As Bingley and Darcy moved into the room, she continued. “Notice the desk. It was also imported from Italy in the late 1880s. It’s simply magnificent. Made from mahogany.”
“Leave the books,” Bingley said, flipping through one of Dr. Harwell’s course notebooks. “I see that the late Dr. Harwell and I have similar taste. I’d like to look through his collection.”
“Very well then, it’s no problem,” Mrs. Potter said.
While Bingley inspected the books, Darcy walked over to the desk and ran a finger over the finish. …Beautiful craftsmanship and well-made, too. It’ll do just fine.
Dr. Harwell’s study, though not a large room, had quite an impressive drinks cabinet still filled with Bourbons, wines, and sherry, Darcy observed, strolling over and opening the glass door. “Look, Bingley, Dr. Harwell drank the same sherry as you.” Darcy laughed.
“Yes, indeed he did. Very good taste.” Both men smiled as Bingley inspected the bottles.
Next on the tour was the informal sitting room, the dining room, followed by the kitchen, and then the breakfast room. “Well, gentleman, what do you think? Is the house suitable for your needs? It is within walking distance to the university.”
“Yes, it is a beautiful home. Let us discuss it, and we’ll let you know. Give us just a moment,” Darcy said as he and Bingley walked over to a corner for privacy.
After talking among themselves, Darcy approached Mrs. Potter. “We’ll take the house. It will suit our needs perfectly. I’ll need one of the downstairs bedrooms cleared to convert into a business office.”
“Anything you want removed will be handled. Give me a list of what you want done. I’ll see that it’s taken care of,” Mrs. Potter replied as she retrieved her notebook from her briefcase. Jotting down their instructions, she continued. “There is one other thing that I must make you aware of. The books and personal items are considered prized family possessions and must be handled with care. The owner stipulates that these things, especially the registry, must be given great care and preserved.”
“You can be assured we will treasure them as if they were our own. I have a few more things I’d like to discuss and then we can take care of the lease,” Bingley said.
They negotiated further and agreed upon the particulars. The house would be cleaned thoroughly and would be ready by the end of the week. They went to the bank, paid for the first year’s lease, had the utilities changed over, and schedul
ed the phone, cable and Internet service to be made ready per their instructions. Everything necessary would be in place for them to take possession on Saturday. However, there was one other essential thing needed for the two English gentlemen to complete their requirements to move in—a housekeeper. Dr. Dickens had recommended a Mrs. Norris, the sister of the Dickens’s family housekeeper. With that last detail taken care of, the two friends prepared to begin their stay in the Cumberland Plateau.
Chapter Four
…she longed for a love of her own…
Fall semester was in full swing with the first week of classes finally over. Elizabeth sat in her office smiling. Her class schedule was perfect with her teaching one course each of Calculus I, Calculus II, and College Algebra. Not too tough and not too easy—it was just right. As she sat at her desk grading the assessment quiz she’d given her Cal I students their first day of class, she paused and leaned back in her chair. It had been a long day, and she was anxious to be done. She released a gentle sigh as she put down her red pen.
Rising from her seat to stretch and take a break, she walked over to the window and gazed out into the courtyard of the math and engineering buildings. Her lips curled in a slight smile as she watched a boy and a girl, obviously a couple, sitting on the ground cross-legged, studying. While she gazed at them, she shook her head and thought of her own love life—or rather, the absence of one.
When they had all lived in Boston, Jane and Cecilia had often teased her, saying that she preferred math problems to dating. That wasn’t exactly true, but as she thought about it, it wasn’t too far from the mark either. Most of the guys she had met were full of themselves—always interested in an easy pickup. She shook her head as she continued to stare out the window.
Before she had become so consumed with schoolwork, she had loved to read, especially Gothic literature and mythology. She also loved to discuss history, but the men she’d met seemed to think she was odd, while Elizabeth, in turn, thought they were shallow. Elizabeth sighed heavily as she watched the young couple. She wondered why she couldn’t meet a nice guy who was interested in having an intelligent conversation and sharing some of her interests. But no, the ones she’d met were only interested in one thing—and that left her cold. She released another sigh. Although she knew her life was full with school, the farm, and her personal studies, still, she longed for a love of her own, but she had all but given up on meeting a man who held some depth of character. Ordinarily it didn’t bother her, but today, as she watched the young couple, she felt the sting of her loneliness acutely as if something very important was missing from her life.
Shrugging her shoulders, she walked back to her desk and took her seat. Picking up her pen, she pulled the next quiz from the stack. As she graded the paper before her, she was determined not to care about her lackluster love life. No, she would not concern herself over it. She would enjoy life just as it came with no thought beyond the present. …Who needs a man anyway? The weekend was upon her, and she had better things to do than worry about a man. Grading the last quiz, she cleared her desk and prepared for the walk home.
As she trudged her way across campus, she thought about the upcoming weekend. She, along with the rest of the family, would be meeting Jane’s latest interest, one of the new Classical Studies professors from England, a Dr. Bingley. He and Jane had met the first day of school when Jane had clumsily dropped an armful of books while fumbling in her purse for her office key. Seizing the opportunity, he had quickly picked up the books and offered to help Jane into her office. After that, Jane and Dr. Bingley had had several dates for lunch, but since she had yet to bring him home to meet the family, this was indeed an important weekend.
Elizabeth smiled as she thought about it. It was now Charles this and Charles that. Well, she would take this opportunity to formally meet this Dr. Bingley and discern his character for herself. She hoped he was at least better than some Jane had dated, for Jane had been notorious for attracting men who had turned out to be nothing more than disappointments. But Jane, unlike their close friend Cecilia, was not the kind to have frivolous flings or short term love affairs. So, Elizabeth would carefully observe this English gentleman who appeared to have captured her sister’s heart on such short acquaintance.
Walking into the house, she bounded up the stairs, packed a few things, and was out the door at a run, hopping into her Durango and hurrying down County Road 52 to Longbourn Farm. Kat and Daniel were already there, but Jane was staying in town to spend her first weekend with Dr. Bingley before coming out early Monday morning for the Labor Day festivities.
~*~
As Charles went about preparing for his day, he was in an excellent mood. Jane had cooked dinner on Friday night, and they had spent Saturday going to the local flea markets. His attraction was growing stronger with each moment they spent together. Humming a lively tune while he prepared his breakfast, Charles glanced up and smiled as his friend appeared in the doorway.
“Do you always have to be in such a good mood so early in the morning?” Darcy asked, ambling into the kitchen. “I’ve got to have my coffee first.”
“Well, Darcy, I have a very special date today. I’m going to meet Jane’s family. It promises to be an interesting day. Will you not reconsider and come with us? You know Jane would be pleased. The invitation included you as well.”
“Bingley, I’ve got Pemberley business to take care of today,” Darcy said with a slight grumble. “It’s strange to me that the Americans would take such a holiday, but it’s good for me that they do, since I have a lot of work to complete. Besides,” Darcy paused, “I would feel like a fifth wheel.”
“Oh, Darcy, Jane likes you, and besides, she has a sister who is teaching math this term. You might like her.”
“I highly doubt it. Jane is, I grant you, very pretty, but most of the math, physics, and techies I’ve met are slightly odd, and the girls are plain. If you enjoy talking about simple harmonic motion with maybe a few words thrown in about thermodynamics or the latest article in some engineering publication, then they might have something to say. But try to start a conversation on business, history, the arts, literature, or current affairs, and they’re lost, without a clue of anything beyond their own sphere of interest. No, I’m quite sure she would be too singular of interest for me.”
“Darcy, you astound me! How can you stereotype people like that? I’m sure she’s charming. She is Jane’s sister, after all!”
“Charming maybe, but pretty?” He raised a brow with a slight smile. “I highly doubt it, and it does matter. No, you go along and enjoy your lady’s smiles,” Darcy said as he dismissed his old friend and took his cup of coffee to his office. The only woman he had on his mind was his dark-haired Lúthien he’d spied in July. She was ever present in his thoughts. He’d seen her once or twice in the UC, but she always escaped him before he could get a closer look.
~*~
After finishing his coffee and breakfast, Bingley set out for the Bennett townhouse. Being a pretty day, he’d decided to walk. As Charles rounded the corner, Jane exited the house with an armful of packages. “Charles, I’m so glad you made it a little early. You can help me load the Tahoe with these things my aunt wanted from town,” she said, handing him some of the bags. “I see Dr. Darcy did not change his mind.”
“No, he said he has some business matters that need his immediate attention. He doesn’t socialize very much.”
“That sounds so much like Lizzy. She’s lively enough, but very aloof and cautious when it comes to men. I know those two would get along very well if they could only meet. But she’s always working, if not on her courses, then on the farm.” Jane shrugged. “Lizzy never dated much in college. We always teased her about preferring math problems to men. I really would like to see her get out more. She’s such a wonderful person.”
“They do seem to be alike then,” Bingley said. “Darcy seems to think she wouldn’t be interested in anything beyond her profession. What were his word
s now? Ah, yes. ‘The math, physics, and techies I have met are slightly odd and the girls are plain,’ or something to that effect. He thinks that she wouldn’t want to talk about anything beyond math or physics. I tried to tell him he just might be wrong, but he wouldn’t listen.” Bingley and Jane both laughed, shaking their heads while continuing to load the Tahoe.
“Well, I can tell you he is very wrong. Lizzy is more than just pretty. She’s beautiful. She has the most incredible long black hair you’ll ever see and gorgeous green eyes. They sparkle with intelligence when she laughs. As for conversation, he might be surprised about that, too. She’s well-read. We both speak two foreign languages, and she reads and writes Latin as well as any scholar. She’s an avid history buff, too. He would like her.” Jane nodded with a smile. “He doesn’t know what he’s missing. But you know what, Charles? If I were trying to set Lizzy up, she would probably react the same way. They’ll just have to meet on their own, if at all.” Jane laughed as she secured the last bag.
Settling into the car and fastening their seatbelts, Jane continued. “Now, I have a surprise for you. This is the first day of dove season, and the men in my family always hunt. Uncle Henry has an extra shotgun. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to join the menfolk. The women will be socializing and arranging the dinner for much of the day.”
“Jane, I would like that very much. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone shooting. Darcy and I used to shoot birds on his estate. He’ll really be sorry to have missed it, for he loves to shoot as much as I do,” Bingley said. “What else should I be looking forward to today?”
Turning onto Clinton Street, she flashed a smile. “Well, it is an old-fashioned smorgasbord that our family hosts each year. There will be roasted chickens, a whole hog, and half a steer, all coming from our farm on an open pit barbeque. My family provides the meat and homemade ice cream while my aunts bring the desserts and side dishes. Most of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends will be there, so you will have a chance to meet everybody all at once. And you’ll also finally get to meet Lizzy, Kat, and Daniel.”
The Cumberland Plateau Page 5