Chapter 9

July 1808

Coming out at seventeen, and having turned eighteen this past March, had not convinced Elizabeth to have a season in London as Jane had. She had had to perform an unpleasant task when she had stopped Johnny Lucas from declaring himself for her, and informed him she did not see him as a possible partner for her future. It had led to a hard conversation with Charlotte, who had thankfully accepted her friend had no interest in the younger Lucas son. The aborted proposal had almost induced her to go to London for the season, but she had decided not to after Johnny had withdrawn honourably. Besides, she had numerous excuses for why she kept deferring having a season in Town.

One of them was that Jane had been nineteen when she had a season, therefore, she had at least one more year (actually only about eight months) before she had to consider going to London. Add to that, from everything she had learnt of the hypocrisy and debauchery of the Ton, no matter how much she loved to dance, her desire to attend any of London’s polite society balls had been completely tamped down due to her low opinion of those who inhabited the first circles of society.

Along with three of her sisters, her only enjoyment in Town, was when she visited the Gardiners, who took her to see plays, visit museums, allowed her to walk in some of the parks—escorted by John Biggs of course, and spend time in Hatchard’s. That was the part of London she loved. Like all of her sisters, the Gardiner cousins were adored by Elizabeth, and she was a marked favourite thanks to her story telling and reading abilities. The thing the four young Gardiners enjoyed most was Elizabeth’s ability to make disparate voices to fit the characters in the current tale. Lydia would be thirteen in a month so she would join her older sisters when they visited next.

That Jane had not desired to return for a season was not an encouragement to Elizabeth to experience one for herself. Besides, she wanted to meet the party who were to lease Netherfield Park.

With their Uncle Frank being the agent for the owner of the estate, it took no time at all for Aunt Hattie to come and share the news that a young man of wealth had signed a one year lease for Netherfield Park. The lessee would take up residence on the twentieth day of July, only two days before the summer assembly. His name was Mr. Bingley from Sheffield, the son of a very well-off tradesman. His antecedents were not an inhibiting factor for the Bennets. To Elizabeth’s thinking, if it was a factor for them, it would make them hypocrites, like the ones she detested in high society, if she or any in her family was to disdain Mr. Bingley for being connected to trade. After all, Mama was the daughter of a country solicitor, Uncle Frank was the solicitor in Meryton and the man who had taken over Mrs. Bennet’s father’s practice, and Uncle Edward was active in trade.

Thoughts of Uncle Frank led Elizabeth’s mind to the handsome and affable Mr. George Wickham who had been his clerk for more than two years now. She liked him as a friend, but no more than that, especially as he seemed to be interested in Mary, and from what she could see, Mary returned his regard. Mary would come out fully in December when she turned seventeen and Elizabeth was aware Papa had asked Mr. Wickham not to make any declarations—if he even intended to do so—before Mary turned nineteen.

Someone who was cynical could think Mr. Wickham was only interested in a Bennet sister due to their sizable dowries, currently standing not far from thirty thousand pounds each. The problem with that theory was no one working for Uncle Frank was aware of the truth of the Bennets’ wealth, nor that an additional estate was owned by Papa. As far as everyone else knew, Mr. Wickham included, they had two thousand pounds each from Grandmama Beth’s dowry and then an additional one thousand pounds each when Mama passed away. In addition, Longbourn’s true income and profits were not known outside of the family circle.

In the time he had been in Meryton, Mr. Wickham had never given anyone any reason to doubt his honour, his word, or the fact he was a very hard worker, and according to Uncle Frank, he would soon be promoted to be the head clerk in his offices.

Elizabeth smiled as she thought what a small world it was. Mr. Wickham’s father was Mr. Darcy’s steward with whom Papa played chess by post. Also, the son who Elizabeth still challenged at the game was Mr. Wickham’s friend. Master Darcy had managed to win twice over the last two years. Due to Papa’s protection of her reputation, Mr. Wickham had not revealed his connection to the Bennets and his knowledge of who William played against. He had however mentioned, when a guest for dinner at Longbourn two evenings past, that there would be a large party joining Mr. Bingley.

Mr. Bingley had mentioned to Uncle Frank that he would have some friends visit, but unlike Mr. Wickham, Uncle Frank had not known who the friends were. Mr. Wickham had related according to one of his friends, Mr. Bingley’s family party would consist of his sisters, one married to a Mr. Hurst, and one single.

In good news for the ladies of the area, there would be five unmarried males, and one female in the party of friends who would join Mr. Bingley. He had related two of the young men were Elizabeth’s age. According to Mr. Wickham, the friends were a Lord Hadlock, a Viscount, Mr. Fitzwilliam, the younger Mr. Darcy, his sister who was a few months older than Lydia, and the two young men who were of a similar age to Elizabeth, Lord Saul Rhys-Davies and a Mr. Carrington. Elizabeth had not missed how Jane had lost her colour when the names of the friends had been mentioned.

Later that night, Elizabeth had knocked on Jane’s door. She remembered the conversation vividly.

“Come in, Lizzy,” Jane invited. As soon as she closed the door and before she joined Jane on the bed, Jane continued. “I was sure my face would give me away when Mr. Fitzwilliam’s name was mentioned. What can he mean by coming here? At supper that night at the ball I told him all about the neighbourhood and I mentioned Netherfield Park was but three miles from Longbourn.”

“Janey, my dear Janey,” Elizabeth responded as she sat on the bed and pulled her upset sister into a comforting hug. “If, as you say, he never cared for you beyond an indifferent acquaintance, then I am sure he would not think you would object to his coming here. Is he not allowed to visit his friend freely?”

“Yes, I suppose I am being silly. Until I heard Mr. Wickham say his name, I had thought my heart had evicted him, but it seems I was wrong. Lizzy, what am I to do if he is married or has an understanding with another? I will not be able to face him.”

“Yes, you will! You will put your serene mask in place and allow him to see what he lost. I am sure you will find a man who deserves you. It could be this Mr. Bingley or even the Viscount. Unfortunately, the Lord and the other young man are still too young. According to Mr. Wickham they still have two years to complete their studies at Cambridge. Who knows, Cathy or Lyddie may marry one of them one day.”

Jane smiled for the first time since she heard Mr. Fitzwilliam was one of the men who would be hosted at Netherfield Park. Elizabeth teased her about matches for their youngest sisters as she knew Jane was aware how matchmaking was not something in which Elizabeth would ever indulge.

“I will be well now I am prepared for his coming. We can meet as only common, but indifferent acquaintances.”

‘Yes, very indifferent indeed,’ Elizabeth thought with a smile. ‘Oh, Janey, take care, I do not want to see you get hurt if your heart calls to him and he does not answer.’

Jane must have read the sceptical look on her face, as she said, “My dear Lizzy, you cannot think me so weak, as to be in danger now?”

“I think you are in very great danger of causing him, the Viscount, and this Mr. Darcy to fall in love with you. How could any man of sense not do so?”

Jane had playfully swatted at Lizzy’s head with one of her pillows. “All will be well, Lizzy, I promise you I will not allow myself to lose my heart again. Mayhap one of the single men will fall in love with you.”

Elizabeth had not dignified Jane’s comment with a response. “On a different subject, based on the investigation Uncle Frank had undertaken about the Bingleys, I do not foresee a friendship with Miss Caroline Bingley even if she is only half as bad as Uncle Frank reported.”

“As long as we judge her as we find her and do not make assumptions before we meet her. If she is as described then, like you, I do not think she would be someone worth knowing,” Jane had opined.

She smiled as she remembered the conversation. The last thing Elizabeth was looking for at the age of eighteen was a husband. Elizabeth, with the same sardonic twist of humour as her father, was looking forward to being entertained by the airs and graces Miss Bingley was reported to affect.

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

In her sitting room at Pemberley, Lady Anne spoke to her son, a few days before he and her daughter were to depart for London where they would meet Richard who would be arriving from Kent, “I am not sure I am sanguine with Giana being trapped in the same house as Miss Bingley,” Lady Anne stated seriously.

After a few days in London, they would make for Hertfordshire and meet up with the three from Bedfordshire and Staffordshire at Bingley’s leased estate. Jamey and Philip were already at Woburn Abbey with Saul so those three would meet their cousin and William at Netherfield Park. As it was less than five and twenty miles distant, they intended to ride their horses and have the coach with their valets and trunks follow.

“Hopefully she will meet some of the young girls in the neighbourhood, if they are, as George has stated they are, appropriate company for my sister,” William averred. He continued before his mother could comment. “Richard, Jamey, Saul, Philip, and I will make sure Miss Bingley does not importune Giana. In addition, Mrs. Annesley is very adept at keeping unwanted attention from my sister. And do not worry for me, Mother. Even if she lowers herself to compromise me, I will not gratify her.”

When Giana turned thirteen in March, her governess had been elevated to be her companion. Mrs. Annesley had been with the Darcys since Giana had turned five and loved her charge almost the way a mother would love a daughter.

Lady Anne kept the comment, which was on the tip of her tongue, about her son being a little too high in the instep at times, to herself. If she did not know better, she would have thought he had some of her late sister’s arrogance and imperiousness inside of him.

Regardless of how many times she had been told her nephew Richard would claim ownership of Rosings Park and all other de Bourgh holdings in February of the current year, Lady Catherine had somehow deluded herself that it would all belong to her. When reality took hold of her, she had unleashed a tantrum to end all tantrums. She had stomped up the stairs at her dower house, screaming all the while, and right before the final step, she had brought her foot down in anger, missed the step, lost her balance, and toppled over backwards.

By the time her housekeeper and a footman reached her, they could see by the unnatural angle of her head to the rest of her body she was beyond assistance. The fact she was silent would have been enough to convince the staff and servants the mistress no longer lived.

The Fitzwilliams and Darcys had mourned her for two weeks, none of it in deep mourning. Had she known she was not missed by any of her family, Lady Catherine de Bourgh would have been seriously displeased.

She shook the thoughts of Catherine from her head. Lady Anne would need to speak to Robert about William’s arrogance. He had so far failed to see the inconsistency of befriending the son of a tradesman while treating lower gentry with contempt. William was only four and twenty, so Lady Anne hoped he would mature and realise his attitudes did him no favours.

“I will not have your father rescind his permission; I know how much Giana is in anticipation of her time with all of you.” Lady Anne knew a certain younger son of an earl was part of her daughter’s reason for wanting to be at Netherfield Park.

She was sure it was only a childish infatuation with Philip Carrington, but she had no concerns about it moving past silent admiration from afar at this point. Her daughter was a shy thirteen year old girl, who would no sooner act on her infatuation than she would take flight. It was not something Lady Anne would share with her daughter yet, but neither Saul nor Philip saw her as more than a younger cousin who they held in sisterly affection. It had been a few years since the two had ceased the games at Snowhaven where they used to request Giana play the damsel in distress who needed to be rescued from the evil lord’s tower.

“I am hopeful I will finally be able to play chess against Mr. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth in person. Mayhap I will be able to win in person. I have won twice,” William stated proudly.

“And how many times has she won?” Lady Anne enquired.

“Yes, well…many times, I lost count,” William replied peevishly.

He could not wait to challenge Miss Elizabeth Bennet in person as he was sure his noble presence and size would intimidate both a lowly country squire and his daughter regardless of how good they were at chess. William ignored the fallacy of his logic forgetting about being told Mr. Bennet had taken on a marquess, two viscounts, and his father in person and beaten them all. According to Father, another daughter, a Miss Mary, was an excellent strategist across the chess board as well.

Thinking of chess made him feel pride at being tangentially connected to Saul and Philip through his Fitzwilliam relations. If they continued as they were, there was a better than good chance that some of Mr. Bennet’s records would fall to them by the time they graduated from Cambridge in two years.

“It is almost time to prepare for dinner, I will see you in the small dining parlour,” Lady Anne stated. William gave his mother a peck on her cheek and withdrew.

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

Richard Fitzwilliam was hoping beyond hope that Miss Bennet was yet unattached. What good fortune Wickham had mentioned the estate for lease near Meryton days before Bingley had asked both he and William if he knew of a place within easy distance to London for lease. So far Wickham had not mentioned anything about Miss Bennet’s marital status, but then again, he had not asked his friend either.

William had the same information from Wickham so he had suggested Netherfield Park to Bingley. Being the good puppy he was, Bingley had his solicitor contact the agent in Meryton and had signed a one year lease sight unseen before either he or Darcy could point out the risk in such a precipitous action. William wrote to Wickham who assured him that it was a well maintained, thriving estate, and though impulsive, their friend had not made a bad decision. He also mentioned that the lease had some clauses regarding the behaviour of the lessee and residents, among others.

Richard, Jamey, Saul, Philip, and William would arrive at the estate the day after the Bingleys and Hursts took up residence. According to what he had been able to decipher from Bingley’s poorly scribed letter, Miss Bingley had whinged that none of their dear friends would be travelling into Hertfordshire with them. There was no doubt in Richard’s mind she would have attempted to insert herself into the coach in which he, William, Giana, and her companion would be travelling. Knowing the shrew, if they had said the coach was full, she would have demanded Mrs. Annesley ride with the servants. A more crass and vulgar woman Richard did not know.

Miss Bingley was onewho thought herself on the same level of society as Belle, the daughter of a duke, or Emily, a marchioness The addlepated woman still deluded herself Jamey or William would offer for her one day. Since she had learnt some of the details of Richard’s inheritance, she had condescended to hunt him as her alternate prey if she did not succeed with Jamey or William. He was aware Saul and Philip were not of interest to her as they were mere second sons, even if the former was son to the wealthiest non-royal duke, and the latter like him, the second son of an earl.

Richard felt for Jamey. Regardless of how many times Miss Bingley had demanded to meet some of their titled relatives, this would be the first time. It may give him and William a respite when she, as she inevitably would, glommed onto poor Jamey. Emily and Sed, with their daughter who was one and a half now, would arrive a few weeks after the rest of them, in early August. He grinned when he thought of how Emily would put the pretentious, social climbing, fortune hunting harridan in her place.

His thoughts returned to Miss Bennet. He was normally a very confident man, but he had lost count how many times he had questioned the wisdom of his determination to not call on any lady until he had passed his most recent birthday, which had been celebrated in February past. Even if she did not have an understanding, or worse, was married to someone else, would she feel like he abandoned her and hence reject his attentions?

Thinking of every scenario in the world would do nothing for him. If she was still unattached, he would have to make a full and cogent apology and explanation.