Chapter 3

O nce the carriage carrying Mr. Bennet came to a halt in front of Longbourn, he stepped down and turned to thank Bingley's coachman.

"Thank you for the safe journey," he said with a nod. "Please convey my gratitude to Mr. Bingley."

The coachman tipped his hat respectfully. "Good evening, sir."

Mr. Bennet waved the carriage off before making his way inside, where he found his family eagerly awaiting his return in the drawing room. Mrs Bennet stood and spoke the moment he entered. "Mr. Bennet, welcome back. Your cousin, Mr. Collins, has arrived."

Mr. Bennet smiled and approached Mr. Collins. "Cousin Collins, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. How was your journey? I trust you did not find it difficult to locate Longbourn?"

Mr. Collins stood and bowed deeply. "Mr. Bennet, it is an honour to be here. The journey was quite agreeable, though I must confess, Longbourn is somewhat smaller than I had anticipated, especially when compared to the grandeur of Rosings Park, the home of my esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh."

Mr. Bennet's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Ah, yes, Rosings Park. I have heard of its magnificence and I dare say only a few homes here could rival such. But here at Longbourn, we pride ourselves on our warmth and hospitality, rather than our size."

"Of course, Mr. Bennet. I am already quite impressed by the kindness of your family." Mr. Collins, slightly deflated, replied.

Mrs. Bennet, oblivious to the banter and eager to hear her husband's impressions of Netherfield's new tenant, said, "Now that we have exchanged pleasantries, tell us, Mr. Bennet, what do you think of Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy?"

Mr. Bennet settled into his favorite chair, a cushioned seat with a padded back. "Mr. Bingley is a charming young man, very amiable and eager to make the acquaintance of the neighborhood. As for Mr. Darcy, he is more reserved, but one can sense a depth to his character."

Elizabeth, who had taken a seat near her father, leaned forward and observed, "Mr. Darcy does seem rather reserved, but perhaps it was due to his long journey." A twinkle appeared in her eye as she asked the question she was certain everyone had on their mind. "And what of Mr. Bingley's appearance, Papa? Is he as handsome as they say?"

Mr. Bennet chuckled. "Mr. Bingley is indeed a fine-looking gentleman. Mr. Darcy, though more sombre in countenance, has more air of nobility about him."

"I am glad to hear they are both well-mannered. It will be pleasant to have such company at the upcoming balls." Jane added softly.

Lydia's eyes sparkled, and she bounced on her toes, unable to stay still. "Oh, I cannot wait to see them! Do you think they will attend the next assembly?"

"Yes, I do hope they are as delightful as everyone says." Kitty said, echoing her sister's enthusiasm.

"Oh, how wonderful!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, clasping her hands together. "A fine-looking gentleman and a noble one! They would make excellent matches for our girls!"

Mr. Collins's face momentarily registered a flicker of disappointment, though he quickly masked it with a polite smile. Sensing the awkward silence that followed, as everyone in the room had noticed his expression, he seized the opportunity to speak. "Mr. Bennet, might I inquire if this Mr. Darcy you escorted is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy?"

Mr. Bennet nodded. "Indeed, Mr. Collins, it is the very same. He is the owner of Pemberley."

Mr. Collins's eyes widened with reverence. "Oh, yes. He is the nephew of my esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She often speaks of him with the highest regard."

"How fortunate that he is acquainted with such distinguished company!" Mrs. Bennet was quick to interject. She had surmised Darcy to be a person of considerable importance, and given Mr. Collins's incessant prattle about his patroness's wealth, she felt assured that Darcy's connection to Lady Catherine de Bourgh only affirmed her estimations.

Mr. Collins, puffing up with importance, continued, "Lady Catherine has always emphasized the importance of connections and good breeding. She also believes that a clergyman should not be without a wife, which is partly why I have come to this area."

As he said this, his eyes briefly rested on Jane and then Elizabeth, causing a slight stir of discomfort in the sisters. Elizabeth, catching his glance, exchanged a knowing look with Jane, both slightly bemused by his implication. Jane, however smiled politely, while Elizabeth maintained a disagreeing frown.

Mr. Bennet, sensing the need to steer the conversation, remarked, "Mr. Bingley seemed quite taken with the idea of attending local gatherings. I have no doubt you will all have the chance to meet him soon."

Mary, who had been quietly observing, offered her thoughts. "It will be interesting to see how they compare to our expectations. Appearances can be deceiving."

"Quite right, Mary. It is best to keep an open mind and reserve judgment until we know them better." Mr. Bennet nodded in agreement.

Mrs. Bennet, eager to shift the focus back to her own ambitions, said. "Well, I for one am hopeful. With such eligible gentlemen in our midst, it is only a matter of time before our daughters make advantageous matches."

Lydia sighed dreamily. "I wonder which of us will catch Mr. Bingley's eye first."

Kitty giggled. "Or Mr. Darcy's!"

"Let us not get ahead of ourselves. We know very little about them yet." Elizabeth, trying to temper their enthusiasm with a dose of realism, added.

Mr. Collins, not to be outdone, proclaimed, "I must say, I am fortunate to have such delightful cousins who will be at the assemblies and to meet the many wonderful ladies of Meryton who will attend too. Lady Catherine always asserts that a clergyman's wife should be of good character and sound judgment. I am confident that I shall find such qualities here."

"Indeed, Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine's opinions seem to be most enlightening. I have no doubt that among the fine ladies of Meryton, you shall find one who meets her exacting standards and perhaps even your own." Mr. Bennet, with a twinkle in his eye, replied.

Elizabeth, catching her father's subtle jest at Mr. Collins, endeavoured to stifle a laugh. Mrs. Bennet, observing this display, cast a disapproving glance in her direction, which effectively suppressed Elizabeth's mirth.

"It grows quite late. I believe it is time we all retired for the night." Mr. Bennet remarked. Turning to Mr. Collins, he inquired, "Mr. Collins, I trust you have been shown to your room?"

Mr. Collins, with evident satisfaction, replied, "Indeed, Mr. Bennet. It is a most comfortable room. I am quite content."

With that, the family bid each other good night and dispersed, each to their own reflections and quarters.

****

At Netherfield, Mr. Darcy was settling in and finally getting some rest. As he admired the interior of the estate, he noted the elegance and taste reflected in every corner. The richly adorned walls, fine furnishings, and air of refined comfort were enhanced by the warm glow of chandeliers that highlighted the intricate details of the décor. The beauty and grandeur of Netherfield were apparent, although not as compared to the norms he was used to in Pemberley.

They were seated in the drawing room, where Miss Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Louisa Hurst were also present, comfortably positioned by the fireplace.

"Mr. Darcy," Miss Bingley said with a bright smile, "we are delighted to have you here. Your journey must have been quite exhausting, seeing as you arrived so late."

"It was not without its challenges," Darcy replied evenly, taking a seat offered by Bingley. "But I am grateful to be here at last."

As a servant poured tea and served them, Bingley leaned forward with curiosity. "Darcy, pray tell how you really end up at Longbourn"

Darcy sipped his tea before answering. "I followed the description in your letter and thought I could manoeuvre on my own. However, I missed my way and ended up at Longbourn."

"Thank God you ended at a good estate owned by a responsible gentleman. I have heard of Mr. Bennet and his five daughters. What are they like?" Bingley smiled.

"They are agreeable people, I must say. Quite gregarious, but pleasant nonetheless," Darcy considered his response.

Miss Bingley interjected, her tone slightly dismissive. "I am sure the daughters are nothing compared to the ladies in the high society of London."

"They have their own charm, Miss Bingley." Darcy's replied, although in a rather cool and dismissive tone.

Miss Bingley's grin stiffened, clearly disturbed by his lack of enthusiasm for her comparison. She turned to her brother and said, "Mr. Darcy is accustomed to more refined company. I doubt he will find the country ladies much to his taste."

"My taste in women is entirely my own concern, Miss Bingley, and I do not see how you could presume to know what I like or do not like."

Miss Bingley let out a faint grunt of disapproval, her composure momentarily slipping. Her sister, Mrs. Hurst, sensing her sister's discomfort, added, "Caroline merely means that Mr. Darcy is used to the sophistication and elegance of London society, which is a different milieu entirely."

"Indeed, Mrs. Hurst, but one must appreciate charm and character in any setting, regardless of society." Darcy responded with a hint of irony.

Sensing the tension, Bingley changed the subject. "Darcy, you must be tired from your journey. The room prepared for you is ready. Please, feel free to retire and rest."

"Thank you, Bingley," Darcy said, rising from his seat. "I shall take you up on that offer."

He bid them goodnight before a servant guided him to his quarters, a spacious and elegantly furnished room that offered a view of the estate's gardens. Darcy closed the door behind him and let out a quiet sigh, appreciating the solitude.

As he prepared for bed, his thoughts drifted to the events of the day. His mind wandered to the Bennet family and their five daughters. Each had her own distinct manner and charm, though some were more subdued than others. There was Jane, with her serene beauty; Lydia and Kitty, whose youthful exuberance was both charming and chaotic; and Mary, who seemed more inclined towards seriousness and reflection.

Yet it was the second sister, Elizabeth, who lingered most in his thoughts. There was something in her eyes, a spark of liveliness and a depth that hinted at a complexity he found intriguing. Her expression, a mix of curiosity and amusement, stood out vividly in his memory.

Darcy lay down, staring at the canopy overhead, contemplating the unexpected turn his day had taken. His thoughts also strayed to Miss Bingley and her tiresome attempts at flattery, which only added to his discomfort. As he contemplated what his stay in Meryton might hold, he found himself beset by both uncertainties and curiosities, and with these thoughts, he drifted into an uneasy sleep.

****

As the Longbourn household settled into the quiet of the night, Jane came to Elizabeth's bedchamber to spend the night, the events of the day still fresh in their minds. As they prepared for bed, Elizabeth, more thoughtful than usual, turned to her sister with a contemplative expression.

"Jane, what do you make of the day's occurrences?" she inquired.

Jane, misunderstanding her sister's intent, responded, "Are you referring to Mr. Collins?"

"No," Elizabeth replied, shaking her head slightly. "I mean everything. Mr. Darcy's unexpected arrival, which led to Papa meeting Mr. Bingley, and, of course, our cousin Mr. Collins, who hinted at marriage. Did you notice the way he looked at us when he mentioned it?"

Jane nodded, her face reflecting her usual serenity. "Yes, I did. It is clear that Mr. Collins has serious intentions. His thoughts were quite evident."

"I do not think I like Mr. Collins, particularly how he seems not to have his own thoughts save those his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, has imparted to him. He always seems to speak as if her validation makes his actions relevant. Such a man is not what I would want in a husband." Elizabeth sighed.

Jane offered a gentle smile. "Mr. Collins is a respectable man, Lizzy, though perhaps not suited to everyone's taste. He means well and has his merits."

Elizabeth considered her sister's words before changing the subject. "And Mr. Darcy—there is something quite distant about him. He seems so reserved and perhaps, even unapproachable."

"Mr. Darcy may appear reserved, but it is possible he is merely shy or uncomfortable in new surroundings. We should not judge him too harshly based on a single encounter." Jane replied,

Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps you are right, Jane. We shall see in time."

Jane added with a hopeful tone, "As for Mr. Bingley, I believe we shall meet him soon enough and be formally acquainted to determine his character ourselves."

With that, they exchanged goodnights and soon the sisters succumbed to sleep.