Chapter 47

47

B ennet sank with relief into his comfortable armchair beside the leaping fire in Longbourn's sitting room. It might not be a vast estate, but it could meet the needs of himself and his family without taking too much of his time to administer.

But today, it was quiet without the presence of his ladies. Much too quiet. Mrs. Hill came in with a tray; coffee and a plate of pastries. Not too much as would spoil his appetite for lunch, but enough to make him feel spoiled.

"Thank you, Mrs. Hill. You do look after me well." He glanced round appreciatively. "And the whole place is gleaming. Mrs. Bennet will be very happy when she and the rest of the family arrive next week." He smiled at her. "I know you will have all the preparations in hand at Netherfield as well."

She nodded. "Being cousins, as you know, Mrs. Nicholls and I have always been able to work well together." She hesitated, a slight look of anxiety crossing her features.

"So what is amiss?" Bennet enquired. "I hardly think it will be anything so dreadful."

"No sir. But you had some callers this morning. They looked exceedingly vexed that no one was at home, so I ventured to say you would be home by lunchtime. I believe they have gone to Netherfield Park to try to see their son — Colonel Fitzwilliam — and intend to return this afternoon, hoping they can speak to Miss Elizabeth. I did not know then that you were returning alone."

"In that case, I am happy I came alone. Lord and Lady Matlock, I presume?"

Hill curtsied. "Yes sir."

"Very well. I hope they have seen the colonel, or I might have to make tortuous explanations about the militia problem." He nodded. "I will take lunch as soon as it is ready then, so I can be quite prepared for their call."

He sat for some time, pondering what Lady Matlock might say, and how much he should reveal of Elizabeth's life and what Darcy had said to him yesterday. Even after having eaten, he was not inclined to reveal very much, but he supposed it depended entirely on the manner of his exalted guests.

Hill opened the door to the sitting room, and Bennet rose to stand by the fire.

"Lord and Lady Matlock, Mr. Bennet."

"Thank you, Hill." Bennet waited until she had withdrawn and closed the door, and then bowed.

"It is an honour to meet you, Lord Matlock, Lady Matlock. Please be seated, and Hill will bring in refreshments." He would show them he was quite aware of the required social etiquette.

But Lady Matlock obviously did not intend to beat about the bush just because of society niceties, and plunged straight into the conversation. "Mr. Bennet, I have waited a considerable time for my nephew to tell me that he has gained your daughter's agreement that I could perhaps have the pleasure of hearing her play and sing. However, I begin to think there has been some difficulty there, so I thought I would come and ask her directly." She glanced round. "Might you honour me with introductions to the rest of your family?"

Bennet raised his eyebrows. "I hoped you had the opportunity to speak to Colonel Fitzwilliam, who would have explained why my family are in town at present while the security of the area is a concern. The Bennet ladies will not be returning now until Tuesday next, the day before my eldest daughter weds Mr. Bingley, our neighbour at Netherfield."

"Yes, an amiable young man," the earl murmured, and then sat straighter. "We did hear about the situation here, and I believe you have the right of it, to take your ladies away, despite the inconvenience just before a marriage. But since we have journeyed here, we thought to take the opportunity of speaking briefly to you before returning to town."

Bennet leaned back in his chair, watching for their reaction. "I am at your service, my lord."

"My son tells me that my nephew has been calling here quite often over the last few weeks." Lady Matlock had noticed his lack of deference, if the sharpness of her voice was evidence of it. "Are you able to explain?"

Bennet shrugged slightly. "He escorts his sister, who has become a friend of my daughter, given they are both passionate about music. Also, he is a proficient chess player, and we have had several battles." He chuckled. "He has also taken delight in taunting your son over his game with me."

The earl shot to the edge of his seat. "Richard never mentioned that. Did he lose? He never loses."

Bennet hid a smirk. "He cannot make that statement any more, unfortunately. I think the worst chagrin for him was that my daughter would be able to take his losing position and wriggle out of it to a victory."

His visitor's jaw dropped. "Miss Elizabeth is a competent chess player?"

"No sir. She is an outstanding chess player." Bennet shrugged. "I have heard talent at chess and musicianship often go together."

The earl nodded thoughtfully. "That is true." He turned to his wife, "I wonder, Alice, if you might permit …"

"No, Henry, you may not play chess. Darkness falls early in January, and I do not want to have to stop on the road."

The earl winced. "Perhaps we could …"

"No." Lady Matlock was firm. "We cannot just invite ourselves. If you request it, perhaps you could have a match next time Mr. Bennet is in town." She bent a firm gaze on her host.

"Mr. Bennet, to return to the point in question; might it be possible for me to hear Miss Elizabeth play and sing at some time in the near future? I find myself intrigued, as I understand Her Majesty also wishes that she could hear her again." She hesitated. "I will undertake not to press her too hard to be willing to perform in public, although I believe it would be to her advantage."

Bennet looked at her contemplatively. "I agree it might be to her advantage, my lady. However, she finds it rather difficult at present, given that many gentlemen have not proven themselves to be trustworthy around her." He sighed. "Trying t0 keep her safe from those who wish to possess her for her talent has been my greatest concern."

The lady frowned at him. "My son thinks Darcy has feelings for her, despite not being from the same level in society."

Bennet's eyebrows rose again. "I am afraid I do not know either your son or Mr. Darcy well enough to be able to confirm or refute the suggestion, my lady. Love, affection, admiration, attraction, infatuation, mere respect, or a wish to possess. Your nephew is adept at hiding his feelings, and I cannot tell which one — if any — it might be." His voice hardened.

"However low in society we are, if your feelings about her are in any way common at your level, then I doubt Elizabeth will have any wish to move further up or meet you. She has a strong sense of her own self-worth and would rather despise those who think meanly of her because of where she is from."

He turned to the earl. "I am aware that dusk will fall before you get to town if you do not leave now, my lord. However, if you are willing to lower yourself for a chess match at any time, I am at your service to show you we are not all savages." He rose to his feet. "I thank you for the honour of your call."

His guests rose. Lady Matlock's voice was low. "I apologise, Mr. Bennet. I did not mean to disparage you. I am just aware that Darcy's parents raised him to believe he must marry within the first circles."

Bennet looked at her. At least she had apologised. "I accept your apology, my lady. However, I understand Mr. Darcy reached his majority the best part of a decade ago. If he has not yet found anyone suitable, perhaps he has decided not to marry; and will therefore be preparing his sister to wed someone able to manage Pemberley."

After seeing them to the door, he returned to his library, smiling thoughtfully; it might not be detrimental to him if Darcy had opposition from his family.