Chapter Twelve

This year would be the first time in Sir Jasper's memory that he did not anticipate leaving London.

Even the few balls they had attended had been surprisingly painless, with Kitty on his arm to deter any husband hunters. Sir Jasper still did his duty to the other ladies present, and Miss Harding or Miss Dupain were happy to keep her company for those rests when he was occupied. He was insistent, however, on spending at least one of Catherine's rest-sets discussing the lectures they had attended, and ideas for future inventions.

Sir Jasper would firmly deny being struck speechless when Catherine insisted that she wished for her next patent to bear her married name, since the re-designed convertible carriage was a joint project between them. His brothers were already finding far too much entertainment at his expense as it was.

Kitty had only smiled at his astonishment, and squeezed his hand under the table, as Sir Jasper wondered if it were possible to spontaneously combust from adoration. Mr. Smith had already begun the paperwork, and merely awaited the date upon which to submit it.

It had been a joy, watching Catherine blossom into her full potential. The friendships she formed, unashamed of the fierce intelligence she was only beginning to explore. How she stepped out of the shadow of her absent sisters, flourishing as soon as she was given the space and freedom to do so.

What would she become, in their years together?

***

Mrs. Bennet and Catherine would be returning to Longbourn tomorrow, with the Gardiners, who were spending a few days in Hertfordshire in advance of the wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, and the youngest Miss Bennet, were due to return the day after, which had allowed Mama to defer the invitation to stay at Longbourn in advance of their own journey North.

With four out of five daughters home, and the Gardiners and their children, and all the wedding preparations, Longbourn would be hard-pressed to host an additional five guests, but the Bingleys might appreciate the company.

With Catherine's looming departure, her friends had descended during calling hours, to ensure that each had the others' direction for letters, and to make plans for the next Season.

"Of course we shall all visit for your wedding, as soon as you know when it is to be!" Miss Flemming was bouncing in her seat with excitement. "I know many do not travel for weddings [12] , but we can well afford it, and I could not bear to wait a full year to see you again."

Miss Dupain nodded, "Oh, and you must all be sure to write tell me if there are any estates in the area come free."

Catherine looked at her, "You have finally persuaded your parents that your heart is set on a school?"

Miss Dupain beamed, "As long as I prove myself able to manage it, yes. I have kept my promise of a Season, so now they are willing to let me explore other options. London rents are exorbitant, and the Town has far too many distractions, but a small estate in the country could be converted easily enough."

Mrs. Bennet usually contented herself with watching and listening, knowing herself to be outclassed in intellectual debates, but she spoke up now. "My eldest, Mrs. Jane Bingley, has hinted that while she and her husband found Netherfield very pleasing, it is inconvenient to Mr. Bingley's interests in the north of the Kingdom. If they decide not to renew the lease, we can certainly inform you."

Bingley had been rather more explicit in his letters, expressing a desire to settle somewhere between London and Scarborough, but he had no desire to break the lease early, and was happy to stay at Netherfield while he organised the purchase of a new estate. Sir Jasper said nothing of that, however. Let the Bingleys break the news that they would be more than a few miles away from the Bennets in the future. "On that note, have you any thoughts on where you would like to go for your wedding tour, my dear?"

Kitty eyed him speculatively, even as she laughed. "I have lived in Hertfordshire all my life, Sir Jasper. I would not know where to begin, but I suspect you have a suggestion?"

Sir Jasper was happy to be an open book to his future wife. "Knowing how much you adore my horses, I thought you might like to see the lands they came from, but a tour of Norway does present some issues, as it would be better to go in summer, which would mean either marrying quickly to go this year, or waiting until next spring."

She considered. "Let us look into whether this year is feasible, before we decide whether to delay."

He kissed her hand, and delighted in her blush. "Then if you ladies will excuse me, my writing desk demands my attention."

Sir Jasper paused a moment at the end of the hallway, and smiled at the excited squeals that he could hear from the parlour. Kitty was extremely fond of his horses, but Sir Jasper also wished to see what she made of the Scandinavian methods of transport and coping with a land that spent much of the year covered in snow and ice. Necessity was the main driver of invention, which made the Nordic peoples very innovative indeed, and he looked forward to seeing what Catherine would think of the things they came up with.

***

The Bingleys and Miss Lydia arrived the following day, having accepted Sir Jasper's invitation to lunch as an opportunity to rest the horses before the final stretch of the journey to Hertfordshire.

Bingley was as convivial and good natured as ever, and Mrs. Bingley's smiles had increased both in frequency and luminousness since her marriage. Miss Lydia, as tall as her sister despite the age difference between them, seemed a little distracted, but in the same way that Catherine was when she was working through an idea that would become an invention. Her manners had also improved, likely through practice and thoughtfulness.

Perhaps Michael could take a hint from her, as he took one look at Miss Lydia and groaned, "Not another invasion of young ladies, I hope?"

Miss Lydia smiled, a little too brightly to be sincere, and Sir Jasper tried not to think of two duelling opponents sizing each other up. "Oh, yes, my sister mentioned those. She wasn't sure if you spoke out of ego, a desire to provoke debate, or if you simply enjoyed picking fights you couldn't win."

Michael opened and closed his mouth, then inclined his head in respect, quitting the field before someone got hurt. "Miss Harding is something of a delight when she is disagreeing with me. I had thought I was being subtle while I determined her own feelings."

Dear god, Sir Jasper hoped that Darcy's method of dealing with young ladies wasn't catching . At least Darcy had the excuse of trying to deter husband hunters.

He exchanged looks with Bingley, who reached around his wife to clap Michael on the shoulder. "Darcy can get away with that, because he has every young lady in London seeing interest where none exists. You should be more concerned about convincing the young lady you don't despise her very existence."

Apparently, Michael hadn't considered that, because his face fell. Mama hummed as a game pie was served, along with devilled eggs. In light of the welcome dinner that surely awaited them at Netherfield, Sir Jasper had kept the menu simple. "I do not believe that Miss Harding took offence, she has too much confidence in herself for that, but you should avoid the tactic with other young ladies."

Bingley changed the subject before Michael could wilt too much. "Will you be returning to Scarborough soon? Netherfield is rather large for a party of just two."

Sir Jasper smiled. "It depends on when Catherine wishes to marry. We planned to stop in Hertfordshire on our way, but depending on her answer, I may return to Scarborough briefly before we wed. Either way, we would be grateful for the hospitality."

Bingley looked at his wife, who was carefully sampling the items on her plate. Coupled with Mama's knowing gleam, Sir Jasper had his suspicions as to the cause of her caution, but would wait for them to announce the happy news. "What do you think, my dear? Can we host guests on short notice?"

Mrs. Bingley smiled warmly, apparently deeming the pie safe. "Estate houses can always afford a guest or two [13] , Charles. How many were you thinking?"

The expectation of playing host to strangers of suitable prestige travelling through the area had been a surprise to Sir Jasper, when he took up his title. He was still convinced that whichever ancestor built Snowsdale had made it inconvenient to get to on purpose. Bingley tried to look as if he had known that. "Sir Jasper's family, if possible. I suppose we should expect to host more, in the event of a second wedding to come."

Michael had recovered his wit in the meantime. "Miss Harding and the rest of them have already declared that they would visit for the occasion, though I urge caution. Miss Dupain is seeking a site for her school."

Bingley laughed. "Netherfield would be a good choice, then, once the lease expires. The owners are looking to sell, but they have had trouble finding buyers. Not quite enough woodland for more than small shooting parties, not enough pasture or fields to really make a profit. Not without more work and new infrastructure than most buyers are willing to put in after a large expenditure."

Jane nodded, raising an egg to her mouth, then hastily returning it to her plate as she paled, and took a steadying breath. "If she intends a school, I would suggest selling the adjacent fields to the other estates in the area, keeping only the gardens and home farm. In the long run, a school is good for the neighbouring towns and villages, and agricultural lands are more affordable than an entire estate for the local Gentlemen."

It was a good suggestion; reducing land taxes and providing Miss Dupain with some savings until the fees from students made the school self- sustainable. "You intend to move North, then?"

Bingley had been slipping some candied ginger to his wife, as he answered the question. "Yes, I have begun the process to purchase Wakefield Hall, in Doncaster. It is a good distance from London and Scarborough, and far better suited for us. If the owner is willing to forgo penalties in order to sell, I would not object to breaking the lease early."

At least Catherine's friends would not be bored while they were away on their own Wedding Tour. "Then you will have to tell Catherine that, and she can inform her friends. Now tell me, Miss Lydia, how did you enjoy Scotland?"

Miss Lydia set down her fork as the pie was removed and replaced by a spiced cake, a recipe that Sir Jasper had brought back from his first visit to the far north. "I can see why so many poets were inspired by the landscape, but the Theatre was quite my favourite thing. Mr. Douglass was ever so kind in giving us a tour, but I am sure the costumes can be improved by..."

She launched into a lengthly explanation that dwelled on the subtleties of meaning in fashion, liberally peppered with references to a 'Mr. Douglass', who was apparently the finest and most forward-thinking man in the world. After weeks of dealing with young ladies of a more intellectual bend, none of his brothers seemed to quite know how to respond to this decidedly feminine subject.

Sir Jasper leaned in toward Bingley speaking in an undertone. "Who is this famous Mr. Douglass?"

Bingley gave his sister a fond look, "The eldest son of Baron Rowanfield, in his last year of university. Too young to be considering marriage just yet, as is Lydia, but they have a mutual interest in the theatre. My dear Jane has given permission for letters to be exchanged through her, so we shall be well aware of any developments."

Baron Rowanfield had gone to school with Sir Jasper's father and Baronet Uncle, though Sir Jasper had never met him in person. He was said to be a good man, though suffering the same problems as many border landholders. The wrong side of the border to be considered truly English, especially by those who had long memories of the Jacobite rebellion half a century ago, yet deemed too English by the Highland Clans.

Well, it was not yet Sir Jasper's place to concern himself. Not until Miss Lydia became his sister by marriage.

Regardless, colour theory and the quirks of tailoring carried the rest of the meal, until a footman appeared awkwardly in the doorway. "Begging your pardon, Mr. Bingley, but if we're to make Netherfield before nightfall..."

Bingley and Sir Jasper both glanced at the clock, noting the time. Bingley stood, helping Mrs. Bingley to her feet. "Oh, yes, quite right! At any rate, you and your family will be most welcome to join us at Netherfield at your leisure."

Miss Lydia ended her explanation of the many meanings of the colour red, for which Mother had been a patient audience, and joined her sister and brother-in-law with a polite curtsy. Sir Jasper bowed politely in farewell. "We will follow you there tomorrow morning, then."