Master of Netherfield

by Martin Hunnicutt

  **++**

  For the second set, Darcy and Mr. Gardner exchanged partners with Elizabeth’s laughter following Darcy around the dance floor as he enjoyed the dances with Miss Bennet. At past Christmas dinners and at the local assemblies he had danced with Jane; tonight she was more radiant than ever before and many men were watching her. At the end of the second set, there was a short interval where the two couples were joined by Mrs. Gardner and different friends.

  “Mr. Darcy, have you seen Mr. Bingley yet this evening?” Elizabeth asked. “Jane is to dance the third set with him.”

  “Darcy!” called a tall, handsome man. “I am glad to see you out and about at last.”

  “Lord Hargrove, it is pleasant to see you again,” Darcy replied. “May I introduce you to my friends?”

  “Certainly,” Hargrove replied.

  After the introductions were made, Lord Hargrove asked, “Have you seen Bingley tonight? I am to dance the third set with his sister but I have not seen them yet this evening.”

  “I have not seen Charles and his family though I know they are coming.”

  “I hope there is nothing amiss,” Jane offered.

  Darcy grimaced. “It is more likely his sister wanted to be ‘fashionably late’ in her arrival.”

  “Well, I suppose there is a fashion in being late but eventually you will just be ‘late’,” Elizabeth said, affronted that a gentleman would miss an opportunity to dance with her sister.

  “Are you stood up, Miss Elizabeth?” asked Lord Hargrove.

  “No sir, but my sister was to dance with Mr. Bingley,” she replied.

  Lord Hargrove turned toward Jane and bowed again as he asked, “Miss Bennet, may I have the honour of claiming your hand for this third set and for supper? Mr. Bingley will curse me for stealing the dance I am certain.”

  Blushing and glancing at her aunt and uncle for permission, Jane accepted the invitation and this time, three couples moved to the dance floor. Jane stood with Lord Hargrove, Elizabeth with Mr. Darcy, and Mrs. Gardner on her husband’s arm for her first dance of the evening as the music began.

  **++**

  On Friday night, the Bingley carriage arrived at the home Lord and Lady Musgrove over an hour late. Louisa and Geoffrey Hurst had watched Charles silently build a temper that he unleashed on Caroline when she finally appeared below stairs an hour later than he had requested.

  “We shall be late!” he admonished his sister. “If I had known you wanted to appear late, I would have gone ahead and sent the carriage back for you!”

  “We must arrive as a family,” she remarked as the footman held open the door.

  “Very well!” Charles said. “But you’ll walk in alone. I’ll not have you on my arm!”

  “Charles!” Caroline fussed as they followed Louisa and Geoffrey to the carriage.

  **++**

  The Bingley siblings entered the ballroom during the third set; Charles still in a temper, Caroline displeased to be ignored by her brother – she would not enter on Mr. Hurst’s arm, and Louisa pleased to be with Geoffrey after his absence of a fortnight. When he paused at the edge of the dance floor, Charles first found the Gardners in the crowd moving through the steps. He quickly found Darcy with the younger Miss Elizabeth and then he found Miss Bennet dancing with Lord Hargrove.

  “Charles, where is Lord Hargrove? You said he would dance this set with me,” Caroline complained.

  “And if you had been on time, we would have been here for him to claim you for the dance!” Charles hissed. “As it stands, he is dancing with Miss Bennet and will sit with her at supper.”

  “Miss Bennet?” asked Caroline scanning the dancers.

  “Come, dance with me,” Charles said taking his sister’s hand.

  “I don’t wish...”

  “If you dance with me now, we can enter the dining hall with the other dancers and we can sit with Lord Hargrove. During supper you can charm him and perhaps he will ask you to dance the next set.”

  “And get Mr. Darcy to ask me for a set,” Caroline told her brother.

  **++**

  Elizabeth Bennet was a sweet-tempered young woman who enjoyed her first dance in London society surrounded by family. The supper offered good food and drink, as well as pleasant conversation to a point. But the third time that Miss Caroline interrupted Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth turned her attention to the younger sister of Mr. Darcy’s friend Bingley with a slight scowl on her face.

  “Do you not you agree, Mr. Darcy?” Caroline asked and actually batted her eyes at the gentlemen. Lord Hargrove divided his time equally between Jane and Caroline though the lady spoke across the table to Mr. Darcy with such frequency that everyone at the table noticed.

  “I am sorry Miss Caroline, I was speaking with Mrs. Gardner,” Darcy replied to the lady’s question. The table had been mismatched with Charles and Caroline separated; Charles deposited his sister beside Lord Hargrove and moved to the seat on the other side of Jane Bennet, ignoring his sister completely.

  **++**

  Chapter 28

  Leaving London

  Fitzwilliam Darcy, master of Netherfield, and the entirety of the Darcy estates and wealth, stepped from No.10 Downing Street and into his waiting carriage. He had provided much support to aid the passage of the bill to raise additional funds for the war against Bonaparte. Now, he would return home – home to Netherfield.

  This past summer, the French invaded Russia and all of Europe waited for news from the depths of that mysterious land. A nuisance had arisen with the old colonials – the United States as they called themselves now – with a declaration of war against His Majesty’s Kingdoms. However, no one in London was concerned and little attention was paid to the Americans.

  Arriving at his home, Darcy was told by the footman that Miss Darcy was at tea with a gentleman and lady. Curious who would have called on his sister on a September afternoon, he made his way to the parlour to find Charles Bingley and his younger sister – Caroline – seated at tea with his Georgiana and her companion. Observing the occupants of the room, Darcy could see that Mrs. Annesley was distressed – Miss Bingley had obviously lingered much longer than the acceptable time for a casual visit. Georgiana was too kind to dismiss the woman and Charles did not particular worry about such matters when he was enjoying the company and conversation.

  “Ah, Mr. Darcy,” greeted Miss Bingley when the gentleman entered the parlour. “We all wondered where you had become lost this afternoon.”

  Darcy greeted his sister with a kiss on her hand, bowed to Mrs. Annesley and to Miss Bingley before shaking hands with Charles.

  “Will you not join us for tea, Mr. Darcy?” Miss Bingley asked catching the eye of a footman and motioning toward the tea service. A pot long-gone cold sat on a tray with a few biscuits and plates.

  “Miss Bingley, perhaps...” Georgiana said to begin addressing her guest; but the visitor interrupted.

  “A gentleman must be provided with proper refreshment when he returns to the house after a day with his peers,” announced Caroline as if Mr. Darcy would be impressed with her attempt to direct his sister’s behaviour. “You must learn these things, Miss Darcy."

  Darcy scoffed at the idea that the politicians he had spent the day with were his peers but it was not his intention to mention his day in front of Miss Bingley. Her tongue was already known around town for spreading gossip.

  “Our servants are busy with other duties at this hour,” he explained. “I need to speak privately to my sister before supper in any case.”

  “Darcy, you only just arrived and we have waited almost an hour for you,” Charles said. “Did not you send for us?”

  Darcy and Mrs. Annesley both glanced at Miss Bingley who blushed furiously while suddenly Georgiana began to giggle.

  “Charles, I have been indisposed on business matters since morning. I assure you, I have not sent for you,” Darcy replied. Then he glanced at Miss Bingley and added, “Or for your sister.”

  Perplexed fo
r a moment, Bingley fell back into the chair but then he turned his gaze upon Caroline who refused to meet his eyes. He sighed and rose once more from his chair. He turned to the Georgiana, bowed and said, “Miss Darcy, my sister and I shall take our leave of you. Thank you for a most excellent tea.”

  Miss Bingley did not move for a moment until her brother said, “Come Caroline. You will be late for your next engagement.”

  Rising quickly, Caroline thanked Georgiana and then curtseyed to Mr. Darcy who barely nodded his head in her direction before turning his full attention on his sister. He had trouble maintaining his stern countenance until the footman closed the door on the departing brother and sister.

  “Miss Bingley wants so desperately to be my best friend, brother,” Georgiana explained. “If you ever to invite them to supper, she will arrive with her trunks and move into the chamber next to my own.”

  Darcy caught Mrs. Annesley’s eye and she tightened her expression; his sister’s companion had different opinion of Miss Bingley’s ambitions regarding the Darcy family. That very afternoon, the servants were instructed that Miss Bingley was never to be left alone with the master of the house for his own peace-of-mind.

  “Charles is a good man,” Darcy said. “We were friends at school and we have several investments in common.”

  “But I have so little in common with Miss Bingley,” Georgiana replied. “I believe Jane and Elizabeth could speak to her regard for fashion but Miss Bingley only speaks of parties and gowns. I certainly hope Lydia does not grow up as Miss Bingley.”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Bennet will not allow Miss Lydia to be focused solely on social functions,” Mrs. Annesley interjected. “She has her lessons each day with her sisters.”

  “With great reluctance on most days,” Georgiana concluded with a sigh. Now she turned to her brother, “Are your responsibilities complete, William? May we return home to Netherfield?”

  “Indeed. We shall travel home tomorrow after breaking our fast and have an early tea in our own parlour.”

  “Thank you, William! May we ride to Longbourn after tea! I am so anxious to be ride somewhere and I want to see my friends.”

  “Will you not be too tired tomorrow?”

  “Tired? Netherfield is only three hours from town,” Georgiana stated with great surprise. “Why would I be tired?”

  “I imagine you will sit up all night planning your tales for the Bennet sisters.”

  Grinning once again, Georgiana replied, “Only half the night brother. I have kept a steady correspondence with my friends and we know each other’s secrets even after these many months apart.”

  **++**

  Elizabeth Bennet was playing with her brother Thomas in the garden the following afternoon when they heard the hooves of horses approaching the house.

  “Lizzy!” Thomas exclaimed. “Who is it?”

  The young woman smiled at the face of her excited brother. “Shall we sneak to the hedge and spy on them?”

  “Oh yes,” Thomas replied.

  The young boy and his older sister hurried to the side of the house but Lizzy spoiled the spying when she saw who the two riders were. Leaving Thomas behind for a moment, she hurried around the front of the house greeting the family’s long-missing neighbours, William and Georgiana Darcy.

  There were shouts from inside the house and Thomas watched as his mother and sisters poured out into the yard where they hugged the young woman and gave familiar curtseys to the tall man. Papa came out and shook hands with the man and motioned for him to enter the house.

  When Jane caught a glimpse of her young brother at the side of the house, she smiled and motioned for him to join the parade of young women who were about to follow the two men inside.

  “Come Thomas. We shall have tea with biscuits and cake to celebrate the return of our neighbours.”

  “I like cook’s biscuits. May I have two?” Thomas asked his eldest sister.

  “You certainly may. This afternoon, we shall all celebrate!”

  **++**

  Chapter 29

  Bingley in Hertfordshire

  It was a month complete before Darcy invited Bingley to join him at Netherfield; though the invitation was issued only after Mr. Bingley assured Darcy that his sister Caroline would remain at the Bingley home in London with their sister Louisa and her new husband. The newlyweds were returned from their honeymoon trip to Bath. Rumour of an eminent French invasion of Ireland shortened the honeymoon. The Hursts were to spend the fall at Bingley’s house in town as Caroline and Lord Hargrove came to an understanding.

  In Darcy’s study, sharing an afternoon drink after riding to several tenant farms that day, Bingley explained his purpose, “I thank you for the invitation, Darcy. If I am to become a member of the gentry and buy an estate, I need to see if I like the life.”

  “Country life is very different from town,” Darcy conceded. “But the amount of time you invest in your estate can be your own choice. I advise you to hire the best steward and secretary you can afford – those men will make an estate prosper and give you the freedom for other pursuits.”

  “Other pursuits, Darcy? Do you mean fox hunting, dancing and gambling?”

  “Bingley, you know I abhor gamblers and other wastrels,” Darcy said with a frown. Then glancing at his friend and realizing that he was being baited, the master of Netherfield explained, “I refer to pursuits such as our business ventures, reading, riding in fox hunts and perhaps dancing with the young ladies.”

  Bingley’s eyes brightened. “Young ladies – I say Darcy, where are the lovely Bennet sisters? Is not their home near Netherfield? Miss Bennet is the loveliest creature I ever beheld. I remember dancing with her at the Musgrove Ball very well.”

  “The Bennet family is mine and Georgiana’s particular friends, Bingley. You will not trifle with Miss Bennet’s feelings!”

  Charles Bingley kept his face calm as he said, “I thought I observed your particular attentions to Miss Elizabeth. Am I mistaken?”

  Darcy smiled. “Miss Elizabeth is...”

  When Darcy could not explain further, Bingley changed the topic to a discussion of what to look for in acreage, wood lots, livestock and tenants when talking with any agent regarding an estate offered for sale.

  **++**

  That evening Georgiana joined them at the supper table where Bingley learned that the Darcys dined with the Bennets at least twice a week at Longbourn and the Bennets came once each week to dine at Netherfield.

  “Mrs. Bennet requires my brother to ride over on Wednesdays after the music lessons at Longbourn and join us all for supper,” Georgiana explained. “We also dine with the Bennet family on Sundays – most Sundays we arrive for breakfast and stay until after supper. The Bennets are at our table on most Friday evenings.”

  “Indeed, Miss Darcy,” Bingley said. “After meeting Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth in London, I am most eager to meet the rest of the family. The Gardiners were very pleasant people; I can only image that Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are equally learned and polite.”

  “Georgiana, tell Bingley about your music lessons.”

  Without glancing at her companion for any direction, Georgiana launch into a discussion of composers that she and the Bennet sisters enjoyed and their varying skills. “Lydia and Kitty sing very prettily. Mary and I play the pianoforte and with Elizabeth, we have begun to practice several duets. My brother has promised that we may display our talents at the Christmas dinner we hold for the neighbourhood at Netherfield each Christmas.”

  “Of course, we were not here last December but everyone has already asked if we are to hold the dinner and dance again this year.”

  Glancing at her brother and avoiding her companion’s eye, Georgiana ventured further afield. “It is my hope that this year, my brother will allow me to dance the first set with him. I know I must go above stairs after supper, but I should very much like to dance one dance.”

  “I may agree Georgie but you and the Bennet sisters who are not out mu
st show evidence of proper decorum this fall. Your dress will not be a lady’s dress but still a proper gown for a girl who is not out yet.”

  “Yes, brother!” Georgiana promised. “Kitty, Lydia and I have already begun looking at dress patterns.”

  She turned back to Bingley and explained, “This month both Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary will attend their first evenings at the Meryton Assembly. Miss Jane tells stories of young men and women dancing all night long.”

  “The assembly is held in a hall in town where the local gentry gather to display daughters and sons, talk about the crops and taxes,” Darcy explained with a smile. “Everyone is known and pleasant.”

  “But brother, you told me it is ten times better than the boring balls in London. In town, they do not serve the ale you prefer.”

  Bingley cackled with laughter. “I say Darcy, may I stay until after this assembly? You know I enjoy the parties where no one acts like a stranger and everyone is friendly. With my sisters in town, I shall be allowed to dance all I want and talk with everyone without reproach.”

  “Yes, please brother. Remember last week Miss Bennet did ask if Mr. Bingley would visit this fall in time for the parties.”

  Bingley’s grin grew even wider. “Miss Bennet? Miss Jane Bennet?”

  Mrs. Annesley cleared her throat and Georgiana grew silent, glancing at her brother. Darcy wiped his mouth with his napkin before saying, “I believe you have been mentioned a time or two at the Bennet dinner table. Something was said about gangly feet and ladies with crushed toes.”

  “No brother, they were speaking of you and the crushed toes – not Mr. Bingley.”

  **++**

  Chapter 30

  An Intrusion

  After two weeks of pleasant dinners and visits with the Bennet family, and just three days before the Assembly at Meryton, the peace of Netherfield was shattered by the arrival of an unexpected guest.