Master of Netherfield

by Martin Hunnicutt

  If possible, the grin on the face of Charles Bingley grew even larger to be noticed by such a lovely lady. “I look forward to seeing you then.”

  “I must attend to my sisters now,” Charles said. “But I look forward to dining with you this evening. Good day, Miss Darcy, Mrs. Gardner, Miss Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth.”

  Mr. Bingley strode to the table where the two ladies from the dress shop were seated and an animated conversation ensued. At the Darcy table, Mr. Darcy had a peculiar look on his face as he returned to his chair and Georgiana inquired, “Brother, what is the matter?”

  “Charles hardly ever remembers everyone’s names,” he explained.

  “Perhaps he was captivated by Jane’s lovely blue eyes,” teased Georgiana.

  “Oh, I am not certain of that...” Jane replied.

  Mrs. Gardner smiled at her eldest niece and turned to Mr. Darcy, “Would you and Miss Georgiana care to join us for supper tonight Mr. Darcy. It will give Jane and Elizabeth the chance to show Miss Georgie their gowns for the presentation tomorrow night.”

  “Oh yes, please brother. I promise to be all that is proper,” Georgiana said.

  William smiled indulgently. “There is nothing improper with us attending a private family dinner with well-known friends tonight. Our period of mourning ends next week when I have to entertain the MPs at the house in any case.”

  **++**

  “Charles, where have you been? Why were you talking to ‘those’ people?” Caroline asked as she launched into a diatribe against her brother.

  “Hello Louisa,” Charles said ignoring his younger sister for a moment. “Has your wedding dress been completed? Is all in readiness for the big day next week?”

  “Yes, thank you Charles,” Louisa replied. “Mr. Hurst returns with his family on Saturday and we will marry on Monday.”

  “They will honeymoon in Bath and Ireland,” Caroline replied smoothly though no one doubted her distain for the locations mentioned.

  “There is war raging on the continent Caroline,” Charles reminded his sister. “The only Englishmen travelling around Europe today are spies and ambassadors. Mr. Hurst is wise not to take our sister to France or to Italy. Armies marching back and forth across the landscape would hardly make for a suitable honeymoon.”

  “Napoleon is so boring,” Caroline replied. “And who were those people you stopped to speak with?”

  “That is my good friend Mr. Darcy...”

  “Mr. Darcy!” exclaimed Caroline aloud as every head in the shop turned her way.

  **++**

  Elizabeth fought unsuccessfully to keep the smile from her face as she had her heart’s desire seated beside her. She poured and fixed his tea just as he liked it, made certain the plate of biscuits was placed just right before him and Georgie who chatted about dresses, letters and music. Fitzwilliam Darcy had walked into the tea shop, tall and handsome, caring for his sister as always; Elizabeth’s breath had failed her for a moment at seeing him for the first time in many months. She had read his letters to her father and kept each postscript written to her in a memory box in her room. She knew Georgie shared each of her letters with her brother and their second-hand correspondence had become very important to her.

  Seated beside her at the table, he had asked for details on the turkeys she mentioned – it was fashionable to serve turkey at political dinners this season and to save the goose for the holidays. Perhaps it was a little too ‘familiar’ for them to discuss poultry but it was a conversation possible after their friendship of many years.

  “How fare the turkeys in Hertfordshire this spring, Miss Elizabeth?”

  “They are well,” she replied. “The hens hatched out an even dozen in May and then another brood in June. We keep them penned to grow and fatten.”

  “That is well but what of my political dinners next week? My cook cannot serve poults at the table,” Darcy lamented sorrowfully.

  Rolling her eyes with great drama, Elizabeth explained, “We have three tom turkeys that would have been sent to Netherfield last year for Christmas and I am certain Mama will send them to London for your table. Mr. Hill can catch them and send them to your kitchen door here in town.”

  Grinning to have successfully teased Miss Elizabeth so, Darcy asked, “Would you be so good as to write to your Mother and ask for the turkeys then? I know for a fact that the prime minister is fond of the bird at the dinner table.”

  “They will be delivered to your London house by Saturday sir,” she replied. “A trio of turkeys is a pittance against what we owe the Prime Minister. The man deals with fools and politicians all day as my father and you have often said. If he wishes to dine on foolish birds at night, it is the least we can do for him.”

  William grinned and said, “I have missed your wit Miss Elizabeth. Georgiana and I shall return to Netherfield in a few weeks and I am determined not to travel out of the county for many months thereafter!”

  “I have enjoyed my visit in town but I also look forward to returning to Longbourn next week,” Elizabeth agreed.

  “Are you excited about the presentation to Her Majesty and the ball?”

  “Of course,” she said and then sighed. “There are so many wonderful things happening in my life that I do not have time to think!”

  “I am certain your presentation will go well,” Darcy told her. “And I wanted to ask I might have the pleasure of the first set on Friday night?”

  “Oh yes!” Elizabeth replied as her eyes sparkled with pleasure.

  “And Miss Bennet, perhaps you would give me the second set?”

  “Thank you sir, I shall,” Jane replied. “My uncle has asked for my first set and the second with Elizabeth.”

  “Mr. Gardner and I discussed your dances,” Darcy explained.

  “Were you worried we would not be asked to dance?” asked Elizabeth pretending to be affronted.

  “No, we wanted to make certain we were able to dance with you before the young men of the ton descended upon the lovely ladies from Hertfordshire,” Darcy replied as Georgiana giggled and the Bennet sisters blushed.

  At just that moment, the blonde headed woman at Mr. Bingley’s table screeched out ‘Mr. Darcy!’ and Elizabeth saw the man beside her cringe as the heads all turned in the direction of that table.

  **++**

  “Charles, you must introduce me to him!” demanded Caroline.

  “In a tea shop Caroline?” asked Charles. “That is hardly what I would expect of you. Would you not prefer to be introduced for the first time at the ball on Friday night?”

  “Introduce me now so I may secure a dance set with him,” she insisted.

  “I think you should wait...”

  “Bring him over here now!”

  “Caroline, he is just below a lord,” Charles explained. “You must approach him.”

  “Almost a lord? Mr. Darcy is exactly what I need then.” She focused on Charles for a moment, “Why have we not seen him in town this season then?”

  “I am certain I have told you that his father passed last fall. He and his sister are still in mourning as the ton dictates.”

  “How much longer does his mourning last I wonder? Can you invite him to supper?”

  “He is not familiar with our family. It would not be proper while he is still in mourning, especially with our house filled with the preparations for Louisa’s wedding on Monday next,” Charles replied. “You will have to wait until Lady Musgrove’s Ball on Friday night.”

  **++**

  Chapter 25

  Gracechurch Street for Dinner

  Charles Bingley arrived separately from Darcy and Georgiana at the Gardner home for dinner. Before the time to dine, the family gathered in a well-appointed parlour with comfortable chairs and sofas as they shared news and discussed the day. In conversation regarding the presentation to the queen and then the anticipated ball on Friday night, Charles learned that Miss Bennet already had been asked for the first two sets at the Musgrove Ball. He immediately a
sked for the third set which would be the dinner set and Miss Bennet promptly accepted his offer.

  Elizabeth was pleased to see Jane so interested in the young man that her uncle seemed to approve of immediately. Georgiana hinted to her brother that he should ask Elizabeth for the third set as well and he promised to consider it.

  “Two sets in a single evening is very telling,” Darcy reminded his sister. “The papers would make a story of it.”

  “The papers will make a story of your appearance after so many months in any case,” Georgiana replied. “And would you be pleased to see anyone else dancing with Elizabeth?”

  “Anyone else?” he asked. “What do you mean?”

  Georgiana teased her brother. “She is wearing her hair up and she will turn many heads Friday night. There certainly will be other gentlemen and rich lords asking Lizzy for a set after supper if not before. The gentleman who gets her third set will sit with her through all of supper.”

  “I had not thought of that,” Darcy admitted.

  “Brother, I think you should not wait long to declare your intentions,” Georgiana replied as if it were an accomplished fact already.

  Darcy frowned at his sister who merely smiled and left her brother’s side to speak with Mrs. Gardner.

  **++**

  During dinner, the conversation around the table continued to centre on the Jane and Elizabeth’s presentation to the queen the following night and the ball more so because Georgiana had many questions about preparations for both events. When the gentlemen separated from the ladies after the meal, their conversation focused on the opportunities for the timber trade with the kingdoms in Scandinavia and with the British colony of Canada. The British navy was the largest navy in the world and the government would continue to require a great deal of good timber to build and maintain the fleet.

  Mrs. Gardner, her nieces and Georgiana retreated above stairs to view the gowns for the presentation and for the ball. When the ladies returned to the parlour, Mr. Darcy noticed his sister appeared to be content. As they made their way home, he asked, “Georgie, why are you so quiet now?”

  She smiled and said, “Jane and Elizabeth will be the most beautiful young ladies Friday night. They will have full dance cards before the second set I am certain.”

  Fitzwilliam Darcy frowned as once again he imagined Elizabeth dancing with different men Friday evening. He would ask for the third set and the last set as well...Mr and Mrs. Bennet would not be pleased at the notoriety such a declaration would earn in the daily papers.

  **++**

  Chapter 26

  A Husband for Caroline

  Charles Bingley awoke the next morning and spent the hour before breaking his fast with his sisters writing two business letters to agents with the Royal Navy – he would work with Mr. Gardner and Darcy to expand their business concerns with the lumber needed for the fleet. His thoughts returned several times to Jane Bennet who had been kind and polite to everyone, and to the whole atmosphere of the Gardner home. The servants had been pleasant and helpful, the small children animated but quiet once above stairs, the young ladies intelligent and part of every conversation without demands or impositions.

  It was remarkable how involved Darcy had been with all the different members of the family. Bingley never remembered his friend being that relaxed at school or at any of the dinners held at his family home in London with his father in the last few years.

  Suddenly, Bingley’s quiet morning was banished as he heard Caroline admonishing a footman.

  ‘No wonder Hurst returned to his family before the wedding,’ he realized. ‘I had hoped to bribe Hurst to keep Caroline with them for much of the year by offering them use of this house.’

  This was Caroline’s fifth season – she would turn soon turn three and twenty and he feared she would shortly find herself on the ‘shelf’. He rose from his desk to join his sisters in the dining room – in less than a week, Louisa would be married and away on her honeymoon. The elder sister had delayed her marriage for two years to support Caroline’s search for a husband. This year, Hurst and Louisa had both insisted that their wedding take place.

  “Charles, you were late returning home last evening,” Caroline said as a way of greeting.

  “Good morning Louisa, good morning Caroline,” he replied ignoring her complaint. “There was a dinner engagement where we discussed timber for the Royal Navy. You would not have enjoyed yourself.”

  “Business! Charles, the taint of trade will never leave us if you don’t stop these business meetings,” Caroline said. “Mr. Hurst never deals with business!”

  Ignoring Caroline for the moment, Charles filled a plate and asked the footman for coffee. “Louisa, is everything arranged to your liking for next week?”

  “It is Charles, thank you,” the eldest sister said. “Monday will be perfect I know.”

  “With everything in blue,” Caroline smirked but her sister and brother ignored her.

  “And I have news for you Caroline.”

  Turning her head toward Charles, she waited. “I spoke to Lord Fremont Hargrove yesterday at my club and he asked to be introduced to you Friday at the Musgrave Ball. He will attend the wedding breakfast on Monday as well.”

  “Lord Hargrove is a fine fellow,” Louisa commented. “His family name is well established.”

  “He possesses a house in town, an estate in Wiltshire and only one sister who is married and lives somewhere in Kent,” Charles added. “There’ll be no one to interfere with your married life.”

  “What is his income?”

  “About four thousand a year,” her brother replied quickly. “He would not run through your dowry but rather use it for improvements on his estate.”

  “And his age?”

  “Fremont is one and thirty,” Charles replied. “A good match for your three and twenty.”

  “I am one and twenty!” Caroline insisted.

  “Not for two years,” Louisa retorted. “It is time to take a husband sister!”

  “I will not settle for an old fat man such as you are doing!”

  Louisa threw down her napkin and stormed out of the room. Charles drank his coffee and watched Caroline pretend to ignore him.

  “Hurst is a pleasant fellow Caroline and he cares for Louisa.”

  “He cares for her twenty thousand.”

  “Yes, he was pleased at her dowry and I agreed to the match because he will use the monies to improve his estate and make some investments.”

  Now Caroline rose from the table and paced the room.

  “No one in the first circles deals with investments! We shall never...”

  “Caroline, we are not going to reach the first circles of the ton. They are a miserable lot in any case and I have no wish to be miserable.”

  “Mr. Darcy is from the first circles.”

  “Only when he is forced to attend for politics and business. Mr. Darcy spends all of his time with his tenants, secretaries and business associates.”

  “The paper reports he is meeting with the Prime Minister – he is to entertain the Prime Minister in his home!”

  “For a dinner with a great deal of drinking and smoking cigars to discuss bills before Parliament. Hardly what you would enjoy, sister.”

  “I wish to know Mr. Darcy better...”

  “Lord Hargrove is interested in you Caroline. Mr. Darcy will not be.”

  “How do you know?”

  Charles refused to converse further and returned to his business letters while Louisa met with the housekeeper to finalize plans for the wedding breakfast and Caroline read the papers for information on Mr. Darcy and other eligible bachelors in the ton.

  **++**

  Chapter 27

  The Ball at Musgrove’s

  The ballroom was bright with lights and filled with about half of the invited guests in the minutes before the musicians would begin to play the first dance. The hostess was pleased with the number of guests who chose to arrive on-time and knew sh
e had scored a triumph when Fitzwilliam Darcy arrived with a party that included the well-liked Edward and Madeline Gardner, a stylish couple who were welcome at most functions. Two notable young ladies in the company – nieces of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner had been presented to Her Majesty earlier in the week by the wife of the Prime Minister – were lovely and turning many heads tonight.

  As the musicians signalled their readiness, the couples took their places for the first dance. Lady Musgrove noted that Mr. Gardner was partnered with the taller, blond girl while Mr. Darcy was standing with the shorter, brunette sister.

  “Are you ready Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy asked. When there was no response, Darcy glanced at Elizabeth and saw she was attempting to reply but apparently unable to make a sound.

  “Are you well, Elizabeth?” he asked with real concern.

  “Mr. Darcy,” she finally managed to say. “This is the most perfect night of my life. I will have my first dance as lady with the man...”

  Darcy’s face relaxed and he smiled when she could not continue.

  “While I do not claim that the night is ‘perfect’, there may be a way that you can make it such.”

  “How?” she asked. “I shall do whatever you require to make it perfect for you sir.”

  “Agree to dance the supper set with me as well as this first set,” he said.

  Without hesitation, Elizabeth smiled. “I would love to dance the third set and sup with you. We can speak of parliament, horses, dances...”

  “We shall sit with Miss Bennet and Mr. Bingley then,” Darcy added.

  “Yes, please,” his partner responded as the first dance finally began. The steps kept them close and they smiled; Elizabeth’s eyes dancing with joy in the moment, Darcy’s face content and pleased to be in company with his Elizabeth on the dance floor.

  ‘My Elizabeth?’ he wondered for only a moment and then his smile grew broader. ‘My Elizabeth!’

  They passed on the dance floor, their hands slipping away for a long moment and then he took her hand again. Her smile for only Fitzwilliam Darcy, Elizabeth forgot that there was anyone else in the room.