Chapter 33

Billiard Room

Netherfield Hall

21 st November, 1811

Eleven O'clock

The wooden halls of Netherfield creaked and settled, and the ticking of the grandfather clock in the downstairs hall echoed loudly in the silence. A single candle burned in the upstairs hall and the downstairs, throwing wavering shadows across the wall and providing only a dim illumination. It was no matter; no one was out and about to see.

The outline of the door to the billiards room glowed yellow, the firelight inside escaping through the small cracks. The table itself stood empty and silent, no balls moving over the smooth felt surface, nor cues clacking away. Darcy and Bingley had retreated to this sanctum to escape the listening ears of any ladies who might happen into less private rooms, such as the library or the study. Darcy had few such concerns about his sister or Mrs. Annesley, but he had no wish to be bothered by Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst.

Bingley poured two glasses of Madeira and handed one to his friend, and then he lifted up his and said, "To my Jane."

"To Miss Bennet," Darcy agreed, and they clinked their glasses together and drank deeply.

"She is a lovely woman," Darcy continued when his glass was empty. "I am confident you are very well suited."

Bingley began pacing around the room, his eyes glowing, his movements exaggerated in his happiness. "I know we will be, Darcy. She is everything I could ever wish for in a wife – handsome, kindly, intelligent, and loving. I am all amazement that I have succeeded in winning such a wonderful lady!"

"I am glad she did not take long to decide in your favor."

Bingley strode over to the wine bottle, filled both glasses again, took another sip, and then turned to beam at his friend. "Do you know what gave her confidence in my character, Darcy?"

"No?"

"I told her of our agreement wherein you paid special attention to ladies I found appealing."

Darcy jerked in astonishment, his brown eyes wide in disbelief. "You told her?"

"Yes."

"And she approved ?"

"She did not, perhaps, entirely approve, but she greatly appreciated my willingness to admit to my part in the scheme. She said that she respected my confession that you asked for that second dance on my behalf."

Darcy considered this for a full minute and then said solemnly. "Miss Bennet is a remarkable young woman."

"She is," Bingley said beatifically. "She is."

Darcy, gazing at his friend's joyful face, was aware of a strange tickle of envy. He was, from the perspective of society, far superior to his younger friend. He was wealthier, better connected, cleverer, and arguably even more handsome. But Bingley had always been a more cheerful and likable man, and now he was engaged to a marvelous lady whom he loved and who loved him in return.

Yes, Darcy was envious.

On the other hand, the future Mrs. Bingley had a most enticing younger sister named Elizabeth, and assuming that Darcy's friendship with Bingley continued, he would occasionally have the opportunity to spend time with the lady.

He had thought about Anne and Georgiana's remarks about Elizabeth Bennet.

He did like, respect, and admire her.

But was that enough? Was it enough to overcome the expectations of his elders, that he would wed a lady of wealth and status?

He did not know. He did know that he owed it to his bride to esteem her without hesitation. At the moment, he was not certain he could be at peace with wedding a solicitor's granddaughter.

But he would, at least, spend time with Miss Elizabeth, and he looked forward to knowing her better.

/

28 th November, 1811

The night's dew still spangled the grass, despite the advanced morning hour. Only the sunniest, warmest spots had dried, and the boots of the men left dark prints in the wet grass as they strolled through the parkland, their guns on their shoulders. The Netherfield party had set out to hunt for pheasants on the game preserve, and now dogs frisked about their masters. Behind the gentlemen, several manservants strode along, ready to aid at a moment's notice. One already carried a fat brace of pheasants over a shoulder.

There were a great many birds on the estate, as their population had grown unchecked for a number of years. One of the dogs flushed a covey from the nearby bushes, and Darcy lifted his gun to his shoulder, tracking a puff of purple-brown feathers through the air until he got a clear sight of the iridescent green head. It was a clean kill, and Darcy absently cleaned his gun as the servant collected the bird.

In truth, he was scarcely thinking of the hunt, despite Bingley's and Hurst's enthusiasm. Normally he enjoyed shooting as much as his companions, and he was an excellent shot, but his mind was filled with the events of the previous week. The last few days had been especially busy in the coming and going. Bingley had spent hours closeted with Mr. Bennet and Mr. Phillips, who was, in his role as solicitor, arranging the marriage settlements. They were none of Darcy's concern, and he had not thought it his business to ask his friend for details, but he was confident that Bingley had been generous to the future Mrs. Bingley.

It was obvious that the two were very much in love. Bingley was unfailingly tender and charming with his fiancée, while Miss Bennet constantly demonstrated such an unyielding devotion as to thoroughly win Darcy's approbation. He had no worries that his friend would be entering a loveless marriage solely based on wealth and physical beauty.

In addition to all the marriage preparations in the last week, Darcy and Bingley had attended several card-parties and dinner-parties being held in and around Meryton, and the Bennets had also been in attendance at all but one. Often, Darcy had gravitated towards Miss Elizabeth, drawn as usual by her vibrant personality and witty conversation. This had pleased his sister and cousin, who continued to wax lyrical about their friendship with Miss Elizabeth. Darcy found it vaguely amusing, wondering how much was true friendship and how much was his female relations' attempt to fix his interest with the woman they deemed right for him.

He had spent many hours at night pondering a possible future with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Anne had spoken sensibly, pointing out how miserable he would be in a marriage of convenience, based solely on status and connections. He had little interest in women whose chief concerns were fripperies. Miss Elizabeth was far more compatible with him, with her sharp intellect and kind heart and practical knowledge of estate management and her wide-read knowledge.

"I think that is enough, do you not think?" Bingley asked suddenly.

Darcy, looking around and noting how many birds had been killed, nodded. "Yes, we did very well."

"There is nothing better than roast pheasant," Hurst declared, eying the dead birds greedily. "I hope that Caroline will order that they be prepared for dinner soon, perhaps even today."

"Given that my sister loves the taste of pheasant, I am willing to count on it!" Bingley replied with a grin. "Now come along, gentlemen. My dear Jane intends to tour the mistress's suite today at Netherfield and has promised to enjoy tea with us afterwards."

Hurst, with the help of a servant, mounted his horse and cast a satirical look on his brother by marriage. "Ah, the delights of young love."

"I am indeed most fortunate," Bingley jovially. "Shall we?"

With these words, the master of Netherfield spurred Argo, his bay gelding, into action, and Darcy found himself chasing after his friend on Phoenix, who obviously welcomed the chance to run fast. Phoenix managed to catch up with Argo just as horses and riders reached the driveway to Netherfield Hall, and for the last minute, the two men crouched on their mounts like jockeys, their hair ruffled in the breeze underneath their hats, with their horses' manes streaming in the wind. In the last hundred yards, Phoenix pulled ahead, and Darcy let out a great shout of victory as he pulled the stallion to a trot, and then a slow trot, and then a walk.

"He is a beauty, Darcy," Bingley said, having pulled his own horse to a halt. "Have you considered racing him?"

"Phoenix is not that fast," Darcy said, patting his horse's sweating neck. "Fast, but not able to keep up with the best thoroughbreds. But he is a fine beast and will doubtless sire many a good colt and mare in his time."

At this point, several stable boys appeared, and the gentlemen dismounted and handed the reins to the servants, with stern warnings to rub the animals down carefully. Darcy, while exhilarated by the impromptu race, was eager to bathe and change. Miss Elizabeth often accompanied her elder sister on visits to Netherfield Hall, and he hoped he would see her at tea today.

/

Drawing Room

Netherfield Hall

"Do sit down," Caroline Bingley cried out as Jane and Elizabeth entered the drawing room, "and enjoy some tea!"

Jane and Elizabeth took their places on a loveseat, and exchanged soft greetings with the other ladies present, namely Mrs. Hurst, Miss Darcy, Miss de Bourgh, and Mrs. Annesley.

"Here you are, Eliza," Caroline said, holding out a cup.

Elizabeth accepted the tea with a smile and took a sip. It was exactly the way she liked it, strong tea plus just a little milk, and she reflected that while Caroline might be annoying, she was at least an excellent hostess.

"Well, Jane, what do you think of the mistress's quarters?" Caroline inquired. "I daresay you will wish to make a great many changes, given that the furniture and hangings are so out of style."

Jane shook her head and said, "I have no intention of making any immediate changes."

"Why ever not?" Louisa demanded. "As Caroline said, the furniture, at least, is sadly out of fashion."

Jane nodded and said, "I suppose it is, but considering that Charles is leasing Netherfield Hall, it seems unwise to spend a great deal of money when there is no guarantee that he will renew the lease."

This provoked obvious surprise on the faces of both of her future sisters by marriage.

"My dear Jane," Caroline said silkily, "I had assumed that you would naturally desire for Charles to purchase Netherfield, given that it is so close to Longbourn."

Jane arched one slim eyebrow. "I believe that when married, one's primary loyalty is to one's spouse. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh. I am of the view that the same is true for the woman. Her greatest concern must be for her husband and family. Charles took Netherfield to learn to administer an estate, but he ... we must decide if it is the best estate for our family in the future."

Caroline's look of astonishment shifted to one of approval, and she said, "I have always thought that Derbyshire is the most wonderful of all counties. Do you not agree, Miss Darcy?"

Georgiana, who had been in a low conversation with her companion, lifted her head and said nervously, "I am sorry, Miss Bingley, I did not hear you."

"I asked," Caroline repeated patiently, "whether..."

She broke off as Miss de Bourgh cried out, "Oh", leaped to her feet, and hurried over to the window which faced to the north.

Elizabeth, frowning in surprise, suddenly heard the sound of hoof prints and rushed over to Miss de Bourgh's side, whereupon she observed what had caught the lady's attention.

Two horses were racing toward the house, one bay, one black, with two figures clinging to their backs. Elizabeth, watching what was undoubtedly a race, found her heart beating faster and her breath becoming quicker, at the incredible beauty and power of the great beasts, their slim legs flashing, their manes waving in the wind. She turned her head as the beasts and riders galloped out of sight, and then she took a step back.

"If I were a betting lady, I would wager Darcy has won," Anne de Bourgh said, and Elizabeth, turning toward the woman, noted the sparkle in her eyes and the pink in her cheeks.

Elizabeth had been too busy watching the horses to recognize the riders. "Mr. Darcy was one of the riders?"

"Indeed," Georgiana Darcy said, who had also made her way to the window. "My brother and Mr. Bingley own Phoenix, the black, and Argo, the bay, respectively. And I am confident that my brother won."

Miss de Bourgh laughed as she said, "And I am certain the gentlemen will tell us when they arrive."