Chapter 6

A note addressed to Jane arrived from Miss Bingley in the morning, a few days after the encounter at Lucas Lodge.

Since then, the Bennets had not been in company with anyone from Netherfield Park, something none of the Bennets repined; Jane least of all. Regardless of how many times she had indicated her disinterest in Mr. Bingley—within the bounds of propriety—after at first seeming to absorb her message, by the time they had left Lucas Lodge he had redoubled his efforts. Bennet had asked Jane if he needed to confront the man. She had told her father if the attentions became overwhelming, she would inform him.

Cilla did not miss the furrow of Jane's brows as she read the missive. "Janey, what vexes you?" Priscilla enquired. "They did not insult you via a letter, did they?"

"No Mama, they did not. Instead, Miss Bingley invited me to join her and her sister this afternoon while the men attend a dinner hosted by Colonel Forster for some of the men of the neighbourhood," Jane revealed. "Miss Bingley claims they will be at a loss left to just one another's company."

"They obviously do not share the same sisterly bond we do," Mary stated.

"What is your preference, Janey?" Priscilla asked. "If you would like to decline, it is your prerogative, especially as the invitation was sent the same day you are to be hosted at Netherfield Park. At least if Mr. Bingley is to dine with the officers, you would not have to bear his attentions to you. "

"Miss Bingley seems to claim a closeness I certainly do not share with her, and more importantly, I do not want to give her brother any encouragement," Jane explained. "I suspect he would find a way to return before I departed."

"Then it sounds to me like you have made your decision," Elizabeth opined.

"I agree with Lizzy," Priscilla added, "send a polite refusal. If Miss Bingley takes offence at your demurral, then the problem is hers, not yours."

Jane stood, and with a resolute look on her countenance made her way over to the escritoire in the corner of the room. She pulled out a sheet of paper, dipped her pen in the ink, allowed the excess drops to drip onto the blotter, and began to write. The note was short and to the point.

The footman from Netherfield Park was waiting in the kitchen. He was soon on his way back to that estate with the reply in hand.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

"Well?" Bingley enquired impatiently. He was bouncing on the balls of his feet in anticipation of Miss Bennet being in his home later that evening.

"She refused, here you read it," Miss Bingley averred as she thrust the single page at her brother.

Caroline Bingley had no great desire to know one with the pitiful connections it had been reported Miss Bennet had, but Charles had pushed her to issue the invitation. When she had pointed out he would not be home, he had shared he would make sure to return in time to see Miss Bennet.

Bingley was even more confounded now than he had been before. He had decided to double his attempts to charm Miss Jane Bennet as he had never experienced a woman who seemed to be immune to his charms before. It was a challenge and Bingley was not one to back down when he wanted something .

With a scowl on his face, he lifted the page and read.

16 October 1810

Longbourn

Miss Bingley,

As much as I appreciated your thinking of me in your invitation to act as a buffer between yourself and Mrs. Hurst, I was not expecting such an invitation. We have not spent time together other than at the same events.

I have other commitments which were set some days ago. Hence, I will not be able to attend.

Yours,

Miss Jane Bennet

"What did you say to her that she thinks you were inviting her because you and Louisa cannot spend time alone?" Bingley demanded.

"I simply wrote that Louisa and I would be on our own and it would be pleasant not to be," Miss Bingley related.

"Caroline have you not seen how close the three Bennet sisters are to one another? It is no wonder she refused your invitation!" an exasperated Bingley huffed. "You allowed her to believe you were not sanguine with spending time with Louisa alone."

Although his conscience was screaming that Miss Bennet was more than likely avoiding the possibility of seeing his person, it was much easier to lay the blame at his youngest sister's feet. He did not want to allow himself to believe Miss Bennet was so disinterested in him that she would eschew an invitation to his leased estate.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

"Welcome Richard," Darcy stated when his cousin alighted from his coach. "You are in time to join us to meet some of the officers of the Derbyshire Militia at the Red Lion Inn in Meryton this evening, we are to dine with them."

"It is good to see you William," Richard extended his hand and the cousins shook hands vigorously. "I have no objection to attending this dinner, however, I just arrived so I am sure I was not invited."

"The invitation was to all of the gentlemen of the house, of which you are now one," Darcy replied smugly. "Be forewarned although Miss Bingley no longer has her cap set at me, you will be a very acceptable target for her matrimonial aspirations."

"Then, in as gentlemanlike fashion as I am able, I will let her know I have no interest," Richard stated as the cousins walked up the stone steps which led to the veranda in front of the doors. "I am not saying she will attempt it, but like you, I will not give in to a compromise."

After a brief introduction to the butler and housekeeper, Darcy led his cousin into the drawing room to greet the residents before he made for Richard's chambers, which were the other side of a shared sitting room with himself.

Bingley forced himself to school his features. It would not do to show Fitzwilliam anything but excellent hospitality. He was the son, albeit a second son, of an earl, and he was fabulously wealthy in his own right. Mayhap Caroline could catch him as her husband. That would connect the Bingleys to the Matlock earldom and raise them up to the heights of society he desired.

"Welcome Fitzwilliam," Bingley intoned affably as he bowed. "Do you know how long you will remain?"

"I am at my leisure as the harvests are in and there is nothing I need to attend to personally for some weeks," Richard responded as he inclined his head to Darcy's friend.

The Hursts and Miss Bingley bowed and curtsied. Richard greeted them. "Welcome to Netherfield Park, Mr. Fitzwilliam," Miss Bingley simpered. "You are looking well. "

Rather than respond to her blatant attempt to fawn over him and the inappropriate words, Richard ignored the youngest Bingley.

Mrs. Hurst had to fight not to roll her eyes at her sister's transparent intentions. She was certain the man was no more interested in Caroline as his wife than Mr. Darcy had been. She hoped it would take less time for her sister to realise the truth. It had been close to three years before she gave up on Mr. Darcy. "Mr. Fitzwilliam, would you like to change first or have some refreshments beforehand?" Mrs. Hurst enquired.

"If my young cousin will show me to my chambers, I will wash and change first if that is all the same to you," Richard chose. Before either the eldest or youngest Bingley could interject, Richard was exiting the drawing room with William.

"It seems my supposition was correct," Darcy stated once he was sure those in the drawing room could not hear his words as he and Richard climbed the stairs to the third floor. "Miss Bingley can grate on your nerves at times, but in all of the time she hunted me, I never feared she would attempt to entrap me. I am not sure if it was because Bingley told her I would not submit to a compromise or it could be a line she is not willing to cross. I suspect it is the latter."

Richard just shook his head. "Has Bingley found an angel yet?" He knew William felt indebted to Bingley, but he excused too much in Bingley's behaviour he would not accept in others. Bingley's manner made him pleasant company, but his character precluded friendship. If not for that, Richard could have seen himself liking the man.

Darcy waited until they had entered Richard's chambers and the door was closed. His cousin's valet was already busy unpacking his master's trunks. With the door secured, he related all he knew about the surprising Bennets and Bingley's consternation that Miss Bennet, who was a physical match for the previous angels, had no interest in Bingley. " I must admit that family confounds me. According to the Bingleys erroneous information, Mrs. Bennet is supposedly the daughter of a solicitor, yet they are blind to the fact she behaves with the manners one would expect to see in the first circles. However, the family is connected to trade and the estate is entailed and reputedly has an income of two thousand pounds or less, but in dress and bearing, they do not look like a family with little wealth. Based on what I heard the other day, she is the second Mrs. Bennet. Only the eldest daughter was born to the woman who was the daughter of the solicitor."

"Other than realising the information regarding Mrs. Bennet was incorrect, how have you learnt about them? Have you visited their home, as I need to, to see for yourself?" Richard prodded. "You are being hosted by the son and daughters of a tradesman, so why should it make a difference who Mrs. Bennet's father was, even if the second one is also the daughter of a solicitor? Like Mrs. Hurst, was she not elevated when she married her husband?"

"I suppose," Darcy responded almost peevishly. He hated his own hypocrisy being pointed out to him.

"By the by, where did you glean all of this accurate intelligence about the Bennets?"

"Bingley and Miss Bingley. For some reason, their neighbours say very little about the family's position. The same is true for the staff and servants at this estate." Darcy paused for a moment. Normally servants loved to gossip about the local gentry, so why did those at this estate not do so?

Richard could see that William's mood was blackening as was his wont when his faults were pointed out. He changed the subject. "You remember that parson I allowed a year's probation?"

"The one of mean understanding who is an extreme sycophant?"

"The very same. He has only improved slightly. Once he returned from three months under the Bishop of Kent's tutelage, he did quite a bit better, but over the months since, he has regressed to be almost as he was when I first met him. I do not know why he has not the capacity to maintain the changes he had begun to make."

"Is he worshiping the ground on which Aunt Catherine walks once again?"

"Yes, but I cannot blame our aunt. She has done nothing to encourage his devotion to her, and whenever he attempts to share with her that which a parishioner has told him in confidence, she orders him away. I have let it be known if the parishioners need to speak in confidence, it should be the curate I have employed, or if they feel able, they may speak to me. I have given Collins notice I doubt I will allow him to remain permanently. Although he has not taken my suggestions, I have dropped some pointed hints he should find a new preferment. In many ways the curate is the de facto rector."

"If he realises you are serious in your desire to replace him and he begins to seek a new parish, will such a man find someone with so little discernment as to offer him a living?" Darcy could not but shake his head in wonder.

"That is very doubtful. It is funny you should mention the Bennets and their entailed estate." Darcy looked at Richard questioningly. "Collins claims he is the heir to that estate and in his estimation he will soon inherit." Richard grinned. He was sure most of what came out of Collins's mouth was based on delusions. "If Mr. Bennet is at this dinner tonight, please introduce us so I may request a meeting with him on the morrow. You could accompany me to see how much of what you have heard is fact or, as I suspect, most is fiction."

Feeling embarrassed he had not been introduced to Mr. Bennet himself, he told Richard he would have Bingley or Hurst effect the introduction. Based on the fact he had not proffered an apology for his untrue and indecorous words at the assembly, Darcy decided he could not talk to Richard about Miss Elizabeth, and for the same reason he could not accompany Richard to the Bennets' estate. "I-I have lessons scheduled for Bingley on the morrow to assist him to learn how to manage an estate."

Although he would not accuse William of dissembling, Richard suspected William's reason not to join him at Longbourn was rather brown with a strong odour.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

"As much as you would prefer to remain at home, it would be missish of you not to attend the dinner with Colonel Forster and the officers tonight," Cilla cajoled her reluctant husband. Over the years of their marriage, she had fought to curb his anti-social tendencies. "He is after all Frank's son-in-law and you are very close to your former brother-in-law, so he may feel the slight if you did not attend. Do not forget you are the primary landowner in the area."

"You own no less land than I do," Bennet pointed out with put on peevishness. "I know, I know, no one outside of the family, Philips, and Miss Lucas are aware you own Netherfield Park. As much as I would prefer to remain at Longbourn with you and our daughters, I will do my duty and attend. If only Henry and Tommy were home already, I would have had a legitimate excuse to cry off."

"Our sons will be home in little more than six weeks, my love," Priscilla reminded her beloved. "Is that a letter from your cousin, Mr. Collins on your desk?"

"According to the sender's direction it is. If I am to keep my equanimity about me at this dinner I am forced to attend, then I will defer the pleasure of reading his nonsense until the morrow. I am in no mood to think about him and his stupidity."

"We can read it together in the morning. It is time to end his delusion he was ever in the line of succession. Did you not write to his late father regarding the birth of each of our children? Even if they chose to ignore the nature of the entail, surely they cannot deny the existence of our boys."

"It is my belief the father rejected the inconvenient facts. The fantasy a Collins would own Longbourn one day was so deeply ingrained in him that I am sure he ignored anything which contradicted his beliefs. If I was a man who wagered, I would put good money on the side of the father never mentioning our sons to his own progeny. Enough about that dunderhead, it is for the morning."

Cilla could not but smile. Her husband was dressed to go out and the older Bennet carriage was waiting for him in the drive. He knew all along he would attend the dinner, he just enjoyed teasing her.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Thankfully It was only the men present at the dinner which meant Lydia Forster and her inanities were absent. Bennet noticed there were four and not three men with the Netherfield Park party.

As Darcy had never been formally introduced to Mr. Bennet, he could not fulfil Richard's request. Bingley stalked off, for his own reasons, in a rather petulant mood, so it was Hurst who led the cousins to the master of Longbourn.

"Good evening, Mr. Bennet," Hurst gave a half bow. "May I introduce these gentlemen to you?" Bennet nodded his permission. "Fitzwilliam and Darcy, I present to you Mr. Thomas Bennet of Longbourn, Mr. Bennet, the Honourable Mr. Richard Fitzwilliam of Rosings Park in Kent, and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire." With his duty done, Hurst made his excuses and went to seek out his brother-in-law.

"I trust it is tolerable to meet me Mr. Darcy and you do not think you are giving me too much consequence ," Bennet prodded .

The tips of Darcy's ears turned a deep red. He had to fight to keep his equilibrium. "Excuse me, Mr. Bennet and Richard, I see Bingley requires my presence." Darcy bowed and walked towards Hurst and Bingley as fast as he was able to indoors. He could only imagine the questions Richard would have for him later.

After the introductions, Richard made his request of Mr. Bennet to meet him at his estate. His request was quickly granted. Richard would present himself at Longbourn at eleven in the morning on the morrow.