Master of Netherfield

by Martin Hunnicutt

  Your Affectionate Friend,

  Elizabeth Bennet

  **++**

  As the days grew longer and warmer, a letter arrived at Longbourn that gave Mr. Bennet pause. After reading the contents twice, he asked Mrs. Bennet to join him in the library and forbade admittance to any of his daughters for over an hour. In time, Mr. Bennet sent Mrs. Hill to summon Jane and Elizabeth to join them in the library.

  “We have come, Papa,” Jane said with Elizabeth at her side.

  “Close the door and sit girls,” Mr. Bennet told them. “We have much to discuss.”

  “Has something happened?” Elizabeth asked. “What is the matter?”

  “This day I have received a most interesting letter from Mr. Darcy,” he announced and waited a moment though neither daughter said more.

  Finally, Elizabeth asked, “Will they return to Netherfield soon?”

  “Not to Netherfield immediately, but they come to London this week. Mr. Darcy has several obligations with Parliament and the ton he must meet. In his letter he made a suggestion that your mother and I have just discussed at some length.”

  “It is an important matter,” Mrs. Bennet added.

  “What is it Papa?” asked Jane.

  Mr. Bennet gazed steadily at his two oldest daughters before he sighed as though these facts caused him pain.

  “You know I put little value on the parties and pageantry of the ton in town. But with our connection to the Darcy family now, there are many more avenues open to you both. With Mr. Darcy’s position in society, Miss Georgiana will be presented at court in four or five years and she has expressed the wish that Catherine and Lydia join her that day.”

  To be presented at court was the first step for all young women of quality to being accepted into the higher ranks of society. The ceremony required a particular style of gown and the sponsorship of a lady already accepted in society.

  “Mr. Darcy believes that to lay the foundation for this future event, the two eldest Miss Bennets should be presented to the queen next month. In another year, Mary will have her presentation and then two years on, Catherine and Lydia will join Miss Georgiana when she is presented to the queen.”

  “Presentation at court?” asked Elizabeth. She immediately continued, “We must have a sponsor, Papa. Who do we know that would provide such services?”

  “Mr. Darcy has corresponded with several connections in London and he has prevailed upon Lord and Lady Liverpool to sponsor you both for presentation in April.”

  “Lord Liverpool?” asked Jane.

  “His lordship is Robert Jenkinson and his wife is the daughter of the Earl of Bristol. They have an impeccable social pedigree.”

  “Mamma, what do you say?” asked Jane.

  Mrs. Bennet smiled as she assured her daughters of her approval. “Mr. Darcy is being most generous girls. You will be introduced to many young men with good fortunes.”

  “We do not want either of you to rush into marriage but if you meet more young men, you may meet with someone who interests you.”

  Elizabeth frowned before she said, “We have small dowries Papa. Why would a lord or rich man want one of us as a wife?”

  “Are you without charm or beauty?” Mr. Bennet asked seriously. “You are each a virtuous woman who would bring honour and health to your marriage.”

  “And now you bring a connection to Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Bennet said. “From what your father and other gentlemen say at supper, the King’s ministers will call on Mr. Darcy when he is residence in London.”

  Jane was deep in thought while Elizabeth worried.

  “I should like to be presented Papa,” Jane finally announced. “I have been out in society for five years and have yet to meet an interesting man in Hertfordshire. I do not want to be on the shelf like Miss Lucas or elope with just any young man.”

  “You are the loveliest girl in all of Hertfordshire, Jane. I have often told you so!” Mrs. Bennet insisted.

  “But no young men come to call,” the eldest daughter replied. “I think they are afraid of Mr. Darcy.”

  “Afraid of Mr. Darcy?” asked Elizabeth. “There is no kinder man in the kingdom than Mr. Darcy!”

  Mr. Bennet’s mouth twitched with humour to hear his daughter defend the gentleman. He caught his wife’s eye and her mouth was firmer than his – she feared her daughter would suffer a broken heart when Mr. Darcy had to marry the daughter of a rich lord.

  “We shall impose upon Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner to take you to the modiste and other shops for all the items necessary for presentation at court with Lady Liverpool. I understand that Mrs. Gardiner has already made an acquaintance with the lady. The carriage will take you to Gracechurch Street tomorrow and Lady Liverpool will call the following day to begin her preparations.”

  “Papa, do we have the funds for these gowns and...” asked Elizabeth.

  Mr. Bennet’s face grew sour as he explained, “Miss Darcy has insisted that her brother provide the funds necessary. Apparently, Miss Darcy is an extremely wealthy heiress now and her brother intends to indulge her every wish.”

  **++**

  The next morning, the Bennet carriage made the journey into London in just over three hours with Jane and Elizabeth alternating between animated discussions and deep silences. During their discussions, the sisters spoke of shopping, their forthcoming presentation and the opportunity to meet young men. In the long silences, Jane dealt with her understanding of Elizabeth’s melancholy and determined to help her sister return to her usual cheerful self while Elizabeth spent the silences in great wonderment.

  ‘What do I want?’ Elizabeth stared out of the carriage windows. ‘He cannot look at me... He has to marry a title... an heiress... where I am simple country lass. How shall I bear it?’

  Lost in her thoughts where there were no doubts, she admitted in her heart, ‘I... I love William.’ The silence was deafening across the years before her.

  “Lizzy... Lizzy,” called a voice.

  Elizabeth turned from the window and suddenly heard the sounds of Gracechurch Street; boys calling to each other, the hooves of horses clopping on the cobblestone street, and Jane’s voice.

  “Lizzy, are you quite well?”

  Blushing Elizabeth replied, “My mind wandered afar, Jane. That is all.”

  “Come,” Jane said in her calmest voice. “Our aunt waits at the door with her babes.”

  **++**

  Over the last ten years, Mrs. Edward Gardiner’s patronage of a particular dressmaker brought the seamstress good coin, worthy references, and a smarter location. Her new shop had large windows on a busy street where her gowns were seen by pedestrians and passengers in carriages. A new patron of the shop was one Louisa Bingley, soon to wed Mr. Geoffrey Hurst. This morning the young woman called at the shop to have the final fitting for her wedding gown and her younger sister, Caroline, attended.

  Descending from their brother’s carriage, Caroline fussed, “Louisa, I remain unconvinced that this is the best shop. Certainly, there are more shops and gowns to choose from...”

  “But I wanted this gown and the material found here. Mrs. Lambert has given my wedding gown her particular attention – she is determined that it will be perfection for my wedding day.”

  Caroline sighed and explained to Louisa, “But her name is not known by anyone important. I doubt the paper will mention your gown in the description of the wedding unless it was purchased from one of the elegant shops.”

  Not waiting for the footman, Louisa opened the door of the shop herself with Caroline following behind, a frown on her face. The footman kept his face stony but he knew there would be words at the house from Miss Caroline because he was not fast enough to open the shop door for her sister. Thankfully, the butler generally ignored Miss Caroline’s diatribes concerning the staff and Mr. Bingley paid no attention to his sister’s screeching. Inside the shop, a young woman escorted the sisters to a pair of chairs and offered them tea which they declined.

  “Mrs.
Lambert is expecting me at one of the clock,” Louisa informed the girl.

  “Yes miss,” the girl replied. “Madam is completing the pinning of new gowns for two young ladies just now and will be with you shortly.”

  “On time,” inserted Caroline with a cool tone to her voice. “My sister and I do not wait on tradesmen.”

  Surprised by the younger lady’s strident tone, the shop girl curtseyed and hurried into the back of the store. The murmur of voices was heard from behind the curtains and before the clock began to chime the hour, the seamstress came through, followed by a woman and two younger women who referred to her as ‘Aunt’. The shop girl carried a large roll of material – a muted rose coloured silk – back to the counter.

  “Aunt, the green and the apricot gowns are certainly enough,” the dark-haired younger woman said. “I believe the rose will do for Kitty or Mary when we return home.”

  “Are you certain my dear? Jane will have three new gowns and you only the two...”

  “I have only worn my Christmas gown twice and it will do for many parties this spring.”

  Eavesdropping, Caroline sneered. “Louisa, please. This shop caters to families in trade! Look at this woman and her...”

  “Caroline, hush!” the elder sister fussed but the young woman ignored her sister and continued to peer at the other customers of the dress shop. While Mrs. Lambert kept her face pleasant as if she had not heard the words, the shop girl’s face showed her evident surprise to hear such a disparaging remark made aloud for all to hear.

  Mrs. Madeline Gardiner was familiar with the prejudices of some members of ton – especially along the fringes of ‘quality society’ where new families attempted to join the ton and pretend their grandparents were not labourers or tradesmen themselves. Her intention was to gradually introduce her nieces to the vagaries of polite London society while preparing for their introduction to the queen in tomorrow.

  Louisa rose and walked to a table away from the counter where Mrs. Gardiner arranged for delivery of the gowns.

  “Caroline, look,” Louisa called as she held up a length of lovely blue silk. “This colour would make an excellent gown for you. It would certainly catch some gentleman’s eye.”

  With their fitting complete, Mrs. Gardiner led her nieces from the shop just as the clock chimed one. “Miss Bingley, if you will come this way, we can complete the fitting of your wedding gown.”

  **++**

  Chapter 24

  Reunion in a Tea Shop

  Mrs. Gardiner and her nieces rested in a tea shop after viewing the goods in three more establishments as well as a visit to the booksellers. Jane and Elizabeth were great walkers and thus far in London, their aunt had not worn them out with shopping for lace, shoes and gowns. However, she managed to surprise them today with the two guests who joined them for refreshment – William and Georgiana Darcy entered the team shop and quickly joined them at their table. Elizabeth grinned with delight to have two of her favourite people in company this afternoon. Georgiana was still dressed in grey and her brother wore a black band around his upper arm, signalling that they were in mourning.

  “May we expect you back at Netherfield before too long?” Elizabeth asked. “The harvest of grain is complete but there are still many tasks to accomplish this summer on both estates.”

  “And the tasks of trade, government and war make demands on my time,” Mr. Darcy explained. “The Prime Minister requested my presence in town for at least another fortnight to help with bills before Parliament.”

  Elizabeth asked, “Does the minister require your presence to persuade others to support the bill? I understand your four MPs will vote as you direct so the minister must need you to be seen showing support.”

  Madeline Gardner smiled around the rim of her tea cup watching the powerful Mr. Darcy’s face light up with realization that this ‘girl’ understood the requirements of politics in London.

  “Exactly Miss Elizabeth, I must be seen in the gallery and at dinners. I shall entertain at least three evenings with supper, entertainments and cigars.”

  “And I must hide above stairs when the politicians gather,” Georgiana explained. “They are loud and often drink too much.”

  “My sister remembers when our Father held some dinners at our home here in town but there’ll be none this season with such drinking.”

  Jane placed one hand on Georgiana’s arm and asked, “Perhaps you and Mrs. Annesley would prefer to spend those evenings with us at Gracechurch Street?”

  “Oh yes! Brother, please say I may stay with the Gardners when you entertain,” Georgiana asked. She turned back to Jane and continued, “Mrs. Annesley has gone to visit her daughter for a few weeks while we are in town and I am alone at night.”

  Mr. Darcy admonished his sister lightly, “Georgie, let us see if Mrs. Gardner can fit another young lady into her bedrooms before planning your escape from cigar smoke and politicians.”

  Smiling fondly at the young lady, Mrs. Gardner said, “Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy is a ‘niece’ in our home already. Her presence will always be welcome. My own children see her as a cousin the same as Jane and Lizzy.”

  “And what will be on the dinner menu when you ‘entertain’, Mr. Darcy?” asked Elizabeth with all seriousness. “There are several turkeys in our poultry house that I am certain my mother will send to aid your efforts.”

  Once she was reassured that the menus were in hand, Elizabeth led the conversation to a discussion of one of the new books found earlier in the day.

  **++**

  When the shop door opened and the two sisters from the dressmaker’s shop entered, the younger sister directed her sister away from the faces she recognized, not paying attention to the young man seated at the table.

  “Charles is late,” Caroline announced after viewing the room and not finding their brother waiting for them.

  “Surely not,” Louisa replied. “It is not three yet.”

  “I am certain those people are in trade,” Caroline whispered, motioning toward the party from the dressmakers. “It will not do if we are recognized in this place near them.”

  Mrs. Gardiner finally noticed the two sisters and a small smile graced her face. Jane asked for the cause of her aunt’s amusement so Mrs. Gardner explained, “She fears contamination I am certain.”

  Once the story from the dress shop earlier in the day was explained in full, Mr. Darcy said, “I do not understand the prejudices of people who upon their rise in society do not think anyone else their equal. New wealth can hide many flaws but the lavish display often reveals the humble origins they wish to hide.”

  “Is there no enjoyment in your wealth, Mr. Darcy?” asked Mrs. Gardiner, speaking softly so that only their table could hear the conversation.

  Smiling Mr. Darcy replied, “Indeed, there is great enjoyment in helping others Mrs. Gardiner and in the finer things such as riding a beautiful horse, purchasing a new pianoforte for my sister, and the undiscovered knowledge of a diverse library.”

  He paused for a moment and then continued, “I am glad to help build a stronger Britain. But it is a great deal of work to manage and grow this wealth; my stewards, secretaries and factors work every day and seek my opinion as often as they can.”

  Nodding her head, Mrs. Gardiner added, “Mr. Gardiner’s business does prosper and with each year comes more responsibilities and demands on his time.”

  **++**

  The door of the tea shop opened and Charles Bingley entered, looking for his sisters. Before he reached their table, he noticed his friend from university, Fitzwilliam Darcy seated at a table with four lovely ladies. He stopped to greet his friend and be introduced to the ladies.

  “Darcy! It is good to see you,” Charles said. “I was very sorry to hear of your father’s passing.”

  “I received your note, thank you,” William replied. “We are still in mourning and not receiving friends at the house.”

  Charles nodded his head to acknowledge his friend’s ‘h
alf-mourning’.

  “Can I look forward to seeing you at the club then?”

  “Yes,” Darcy replied. “I shall need your support in cajoling Stevens and McMillan to support a bill in Parliament.”

  “And I am good at ‘cajoling’ then?” Charles asked to Darcy’s smile and nod. “Then I am at your service.”

  Darcy turned toward the table. “May I present my sister and friends?”

  “Please,” replied Charles.

  “Georgiana, you remember Charles Bingley from visits here in town I believe,” William said as Charles bowed to the seated Miss Darcy.

  She bowed her head in return and said, “I do remember meeting Mr. Bingley at our home on two separate occasions brother.”

  William motioned next to the eldest lady, “This is Mrs. Edward Gardner, wife of a close business associate, and her nieces who are our neighbours in Hertfordshire, Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

  Each of the ladies smiled and bowed their heads from the table.

  “It is a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Gardner, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth,” replied Charles with a handsome smile on his face for the eldest Miss Bennet who returned the smile. “I believe Mr. Gardner has invited me to dinner this evening to discuss some matters of trade. I hope it will not be an imposition.”

  “My husband brings many gentlemen to our dinner table, Mr. Bingley. You will be most welcome.”

  Turning to Jane and Elizabeth, he asked, “Are you ladies visiting in town?”

  “Indeed they are, sir,” Mrs. Gardner replied. “My nieces, Jane and Elizabeth visit with us as they wait to be presented to Her Majesty tomorrow night.”

  “Congratulations,” Mr. Bingley said. “And are you to attend any of the balls this week?”

  Jane spoke out, “On Friday, we shall attend the Musgrove’s ball.”

  “I shall be in attendance at the ball as well,” Charles said.

  “We should be pleased to see you there,” Jane said and shocked her sister and aunt with her forwardness.