Chapter 9: Netherfield Reopens

Mrs. Nichols nearly jumped when a maid darted into the room shouting, "He is here! Mr. Bingley is coming up the drive."

"Marilla, remember yourself and do not speak nonsense. Surely he would have told us he was coming."

"Perhaps he sent it in the mail. We do not go into Meryton every day." She plopped down on a chair next to Mrs. Nichols. "But he is here, so we had best send up a tea tray."

"Then what are you sitting down for? Go prepare a tea tray and set some water to boil. If it is Mr. Bingley, he will be grateful to have the tea right away. If it is not, then we may enjoy it ourselves. Either way, there is work for you to do."

Mrs. Nichols would have remarked on Marilla's ensuing huff, but another servant entered with the mail. Much to Mrs. Nichols' dismay, the stack included a letter from Mr. Bingley. She pulled it open and read the blotted note declaring he would arrive today, and that all should be prepared for him. She scoffed as she began shouting orders for everyone to get ready. She looked out the window to find that the carriage had not yet stopped at the front hall. There was still half an hour before he would be in his rooms. Plenty of time to pull blankets off the furniture, but not to air out the room. At least it was warm enough that she could open the windows and leave them open while the master changed.

Sending the maids and footmen on their way, she made her way to the entrance hall to welcome Mr. Bingley with the butler. Mr. Nichols smiled at her as he took hold of the door. "Excellent timing, my dear."

As the door opened, Mr. Bingley rushed inside, removing his jacket and handing it to the butler. He greeted Mr. and Mrs. Nichols. "My apologies for the short notice, but we are to have guests on Saturday. We will be seven gentlemen in all. Each will bring his own valet and servants. I know you will see to all details. We hope to be dining out often, as we have no hostess this time." He paused to look at his servants' shocked expressions. "Did you not get my post that I would return today?"

Mrs. Nichols curtseyed a quick greeting. "We received it about ten minutes ago. Have no fear; all will be ready for your guests by Saturday, and your valet will be ready to help you in a matter of minutes, assuming he has come with you this time."

"Yes, yes, he is currently seeing to the horses. I should like to freshen up and then ride over to Long… visit with a few of my neighbors while it is still fashionable." He corrected himself quickly. "I should not have left so suddenly without taking leave of them. It was absurd of me."

Mr. Nichols bowed to Mr. Bingley. "They will appreciate your visit. There have been a few changes since you went away. Miss Henrietta Goulding has returned from her tour with her grandparents. Miss Lucas has married and moved away. Mr. Ashton and his family have rented Purvis Lodge again. The young Miss Bennet has also married. They will leave on Friday, if I remember correctly."

"Good, good. Goulding, Lucas, Ashton, and Bennet. I shall visit them all in the next day or two. Send a message to the stables to prepare my horse. I wish to leave in one hour." Having stated his intentions, he raced up the stairs, eager to be reunited with Miss Bennet. Mr. Darcy had not implicitly stated that she cared for him, and he needed to know the truth of the matter.

Mrs. Nichols laughed as soon as he was out of sight. "Young love! I doubt he visits any home but Longbourn until his friends are here. Now, we need to find out who is coming, so that we may prepare. Surely, Mr. Darcy is one of the party, though I know not why he is friends with such an amiable man as Mr. Bingley. He is plenty kind and respectful though, even to us servants, so he will find no quarrel with me."

Mr. Nichols agreed and reminded his wife that she ought to return to the kitchens and see that all was being prepared. The cook would need to send another list of items to the market quickly, as it would only be open for another hour. "There is much to be done."

"Mama, are we planning to go to Mrs. Phillips' place tonight? I cannot stand another minute in this house. Everything is so boring now that I am a married woman. I wish the militia were still here, then George would not have to go so far away. A house in Meryton would have suited me very well."

Kitty coughed to hide her smirk from the window seat. "It would have done only until it was time for the militia to move on again. A regiment in the regulars ought not to move as often. You will be in a more stable home."

As usual, Mrs. Bennet did not listen to Kitty, and Lydia only stuck out her tongue. "Yes, my dear child. We have already accepted the invitation to spend the evening with Mrs. Phillips. With the Gouldings, Longs, and Lucases, the evening ought to be interesting enough. Have you finished trimming your bonnet for tonight?"

"I did that ages ago! I am looking at Lizzy's old frock now. I plan to make it up fresh. I have to let down the hem something terrible, or everyone will see my ankles, and my what a scandal that would be!"

This time it was Jane who choked on her tea. Lydia would have remarked on it if a horse had not entered the lane. "Who is that?" She put down her dress and moved to the window. "Why, it looks like Mr. Bingley! With his return, Meryton should be much less boring. Perhaps he will host a ball before we are to leave. He hosted one in Jane's honor, and now he ought to host one for me. After all, I am about to leave the neighborhood, perhaps forever. I know he enjoyed dancing with me once or twice."

"He did not host the previous ball in my honor; he simply waited for my health before planning for the ball," Jane said demurely, hoping no one noticed her frantic heart racing.

"I am certain he shall, Lydia." Mrs. Bennet looked out the window and exclaimed, "Oh, Jane, he is coming for you." Jane's heart thudded faster as her mother leapt around a chair and leaned into her face and began pinching her cheeks. "You must look your best. This dress is very nice on you. Take up some useful employment. He will be here soon." Mrs. Bennet hurried over to Lydia to help hide Elizabeth's old dress which she was remaking. It would not do for Mr. Bingley to see the dress mid-transformation. They ran from the room giggling, only to return not a minute later huffing from the exercise.

Kitty, meanwhile, remained calmly at the window seat reading book of poems and laughing quietly at her sister's and mother's antics quietly.

Mr. Bingley was shown into the parlor within moments of Mrs. Bennet catching her breath. He greeted the group cordially, although he barely spared a glance for Jane's mother and sisters beyond his first bow. Mrs. Bennet did well to offer him a seat beside Jane. Jane smiled modestly as Mr. Bingley claimed his seat, her expression tempered with uncertainty at his sudden appearance. Mr. Bingley held her gaze keenly, attempting to silently convey the admiration that he felt but could not speak aloud in the crowded room.

Their conversation was somewhat stilted, as they both felt a great deal more than they were willing to admit.

"My carriage ride was quite uneventful."

"That is good to hear."

"The weather is remarkably fine for this time of year."

"It is usually warm at this time in Hertfordshire. We should have another few months of good weather." After a pause, Jane remarked, "I hear your sisters will not be joining you. Your house must be very lonely."

"They are busy visiting my aunt in the north." Mr. Bingley grinned nervously, thinking of his sisters' annoyance at his absence from their journey. "I should have joined them, but I chose to escort Miss Darcy to London instead upon Mr. Darcy's request."

Jane's heart fluttered as she thought of Miss Bingley's letter from the previous winter. His comment seemed to give strength to Miss Bingley's ideas of her brother being attached to Miss Darcy. "You are very fond of Miss Darcy, then. Miss Bingley spoke of her often."

"Yes, she is a darling girl." Mr. Bingley silently wished his own sisters could be so amiable as her. "Mr. Darcy is very considerate of her comfort."

"As are you, I am sure." Not feeling up to the task of learning more of Miss Darcy, Jane observed. "You did not stay in London long."

"No, the heat makes London very unpleasant, and there is not enough society to warrant remaining there any longer than necessary." And of course, his angel was not in London; she was here in Hertfordshire.

"I wonder that Mr. Darcy allowed Miss Darcy to travel to London." Try as she might, Jane could not avoid wondering about Mr. Bingley and Miss Darcy's association, and she once again looked for assurance of its existence or not.

"He can deny her nothing when she asks, or at least almost nothing. I wonder that she wanted to be in London, but it would appear that she wanted to be with her brother. Now that he is to travel to Netherfield, I suppose she will return to Pemberley."

The conversation continued. Jane tried not to think of Mr. Bingley as a suitor to Miss Darcy, but it was difficult. He displayed no hint of any regard in his words, and she tried not to be relieved by it. She was largely unsuccessful.

"You will host a ball, will you not, Mr. Bingley? You absolutely must. Your neighbors will expect it, and a ball should be tremendous fun!" Lydia exclaimed, not concerned that she was interrupting a conversation.

"I suppose I shall once my company arrives." Mr. Bingley blinked a few times as he attempted to concentrate on Lydia.

"When does your company come? If you only mean Mr. Darcy, you need pay him no mind." Jane frowned at Lydia's dismissal of Mr. Darcy. After all, he would become their brother.

"There will not be time to plan a ball before he comes, at any rate. He arrives on Saturday with your sisters."

"Surely you can host a ball, even if it is the new moon on Saturday. Two days is plenty of time to move furniture around, and we shall not begrudge you a few misplaced decorations." Lydia's eyes sparkled as she thought of dancing with her husband for all of Meryton to see.

"Lydia!" Jane admonished. "If you do not know what is required to host a ball, you ought not pretend to know how quickly preparations can be accomplished. Mr. Bingley is right to postpone until his friends are here."

"I wish to dance at a ball before we depart. The assembly is next week, so we cannot attend. Mr. Bingley is my only chance."

Mr. Bingley laughed softly. "My staff only learned of my reopening Netherfield today, Miss Lydia. I will not push them to prepare for a ball for a fortnight, at least. I regret that I cannot meet your expectations."

Jane smiled at his diplomacy, and Mr. Bingley's heart leapt into his throat. As so much time had passed, it was time for Mr. Bingley to take his leave. He said his goodbyes, bowing to the women in turn. Looking intently at Jane, he declared he would call again on the morrow. Jane walked him to the door and watched him leave, wondering if she could really consider him an indifferent acquaintance.

Elizabeth's return to Longbourn brought the next occasion for excitement after the Wickhams departed on schedule and with much flair. When the carriage was spotted, Jane leapt to her feet, eager for the presence of her closest sister. The carriage stopped as the Bennets moved out into the vestibule to greet Elizabeth, Mary, and Mr. Darcy.

"Oh, Jane! I have so much to tell, and from your smiles I would say you have much to tell as well!" Elizabeth embraced her sister, then pulled back as they smiled fondly at one another. Elizabeth greeted the remainder of her family as she claimed Jane's hand and led her to the garden, declaring that a short walk was required to stretch her legs. With a short pat to her betrothed's arm as she apologized for abandoning him to her family, she hurried Jane away.

"Tell me, how are you, Jane? I wish you had come with me."

"I am glad to have stayed behind. Mary wrote two letters exclaiming how excited she was to have a master to practice with. She must be distraught to be returning so soon."

"Not in the slightest. Mr. Darcy hired him to work with his sister and has promised Mary that she could accompany us once we are married. He will ensure the music master comes as often as Mary wishes, although Miss Darcy will also claim his time. I am not certain which practices more constantly, Mary or Miss Darcy. My future husband even offered to purchase a second piano if they cannot agree on a schedule."

"That is very kind of him, although it provides no incentive for Mary and Miss Darcy to agree on a schedule," Jane laughed.

"That is his way. You should have seen him when we went to a bookstore he likes. The proprietor bounded forward to show Mr. Darcy new arrivals, and Mr. Darcy immediately agreed to purchase them all. He then walked me to the back of the store where they kept their poetry, and he showed me so many delightful books. If I even glanced at a book twice, he pulled it to purchase." Elizabeth smiled at the memory. "I needed to borrow a trunk from our aunt to bring everything home. Papa will be delighted, as he has been wanting new books to read for a few years now."

Elizabeth proceeded to describe her days in London, even though most of her tale had been included in her letters. Jane laughed again at all of her sister's jokes. The behavior was therapeutic, and when Elizabeth had finished, Jane was ready to share her thoughts.

"Mr. Bingley has called every day since he arrived in Hertfordshire," she began. "I will not say I do not admire him. He is still the most amiable man I have ever met. Mama pushes him towards me each time. He seems more interested this time, but I still fear for my heart if I allow him in." Jane kept her eyes trained on the grown.

Elizabeth nodded, unsure of how to help her sister. "Do you look forward to his calls?"

"I confess I do." Jane blushed prettily.

"Then do not worry. Per your request, Mr. Darcy and I will not interfere. Besides, there will be seven unmarried gentlemen calling from Netherfield on the morrow. Our mother will be more than distracted from now on." Elizabeth grimaced at the thought. "You will have time to really get to know Mr. Bingley and his friends."

"Who is coming? You did not give very many details in your letter."

"I did not wish for you to alert Mama before it was necessary. Let me think. I met them all so quickly." Elizabeth began counting. "We have the future Marquess of Cornwall, the current Earl of Sheffield, the future Lord Worthington, Viscount Harding of Liverpool, a Mr. Bragg of some estate in Dover and 7,000 a year. With Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, that makes seven. What will Mother say?" She looked toward the house, imagining her mother's raptured response.

"Mama will be beside herself. When will they all arrive at Netherfield?"

"They are there now, and I believe they intend to call the next time Mr. Bingley does. They traveled in front of us until we arrived at the lane that led to Netherfield. They are a merry bunch. When we stopped to change horses, you should have seen the commotion. I do not believe I have laughed so hard as I did when they attempted to sit around a small table. They have been friends forever, it would seem. Mary and I sat at a table beside them, unsure how they would order and drink their tea. They cleaned out the innkeeper's wife's larder with all they ordered, and I believe left quite a favorable impression. When it was time to leave…" Elizabeth paused as she heard Mr. Darcy shouting at her from a window in Mr. Bennet's study.

"Miss Bennet, if you do not mind, Mr. Bennet would appreciate a word with Miss Elizabeth."

"I have monopolized your time, and you must be tired," Jane said, unsure of what to think with so many new gentlemen in the neighborhood.

Elizabeth smiled. "Our engagement is now official, it would seem. I doubted Mr. Darcy would wait very long to speak to our father. Come, let us see what Mama has to say about our future visitors. Mary has likely already told her of our journey."

Elizabeth led the way into the house. In the parlor, as Elizabeth had predicted, Mrs. Bennet was sitting in a stupor, slowly taking in what she had heard. Jane immediately went to Mrs. Bennet's side to aide her while Elizabeth moved on to her father's library.

The door was ajar, allowing her to enter quietly. She found them bent over a chess set, eyeing the pieces shrewdly. "You called for me."

"Yes, we are about to announce your engagement to the family and thought you would like to join us. I take it you have not had a change of heart while in London." Mr. Bennet asked, finally looking up from the board.

"Of course not. I would not have arrived here with him if I had planned on changing my mind." Elizabeth stood directly behind Mr. Darcy and eyed the board. "He knows that defense too well. It usually fails." Mr. Darcy turned abruptly to eye her closely, but she was still studying the board.

"I should have assumed you would be a proficient chess player."

Mr. Bennet remarked, "More than proficient, I should say. It has been a few years since I have been able to best my own daughter."

In retaliation, Elizabeth leaned over and whispered in Mr. Darcy's ear as she watched her father's face fall. Mr. Darcy stared at the pieces as she mentioned them, then looked at Elizabeth in shock.

"How do you manage to see so much of the board in such a small amount of time?" Mr. Darcy sounded amused and enthralled.

"Women's intuition. We are put in charge of so many moving pieces, we have to be able to watch everywhere at once. Men carry more power, but they are more likely to see only what is in front of them."

Mr. Bennet chuckled, but his laughter died when Mr. Darcy beat him in four more moves. "Well done, Sir. The fact that you are able to listen to Elizabeth and heed her advice speaks well of your future. Elizabeth, next time, you are not allowed to help. You provide an unfair advantage. I suppose I shall have to teach Mary and Kitty to play."

"Have you taught Miss Elizabeth to play billiards and hunt as well?" Mr. Darcy wondered just how proficient the woman he was to marry really was.

"Alas, I do not have access to a billiard table here. There were too many women in this house and not enough rooms for everyone to have a drawing room or whatever they needed the rooms for. My grandfather's billiard room was cleaned out to be a music room for Mary and Elizabeth many years ago. As for hunting, I prefer to allow others to hunt, and Elizabeth spends too much time wandering the fields and lanes to bother attempting to shoot a grouse."

Elizabeth laughed at his description as their mother's shrieks grew louder until she was just outside the study. Without knocking, Mrs. Bennet opened the door and flew to her daughter's side. "A Marques is visiting! How could you not tell me, you ungrateful child? You sent us two letters. You ought to have mentioned this. I will have to speak to Hill this instant, or we will not be ready for their call on Monday." Mrs. Bennet swished through the door again before Mr. Darcy had fully comprehended all that had been said.

"I am a little surprised they will not visit today," Mr. Darcy commented. "I assume Mr. Bingley visited earlier today."

Mr. Bennet shrugged. "Yes, I believe he was invited to a dinner party at Mr. Ashton's tonight, so he could not spend more of his day here. He has been almost a constant fixture at Longbourn during visiting hours. Mrs. Bennet and my daughters are unable to walk into Meryton as often as they used to as she wishes them to be here when Mr. Bingley calls. Thankfully, the Lucases have taken to visiting here more often to compensate."

"I suppose Mama's response was a bit more subdued than I had expected," Elizabeth admitted.

"I believe the horses have rested enough. I ought to return to Netherfield," Mr. Darcy said as he returned the last of the chess pieces to its resting place. "Will you walk me out, Miss Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth accepted and led the way to the vestibule. "Will you visit us early or wait for proper visiting hours on Monday?" Elizabeth asked politely once they were clear of any onlookers.

"I was hoping to meet you on the trail to Oakham Mount. I remember you said it was one of your favorite haunts at sunrise." He took her hands in his, eagerly anticipating time alone with his beloved in the morning.

Elizabeth relished the feel of his strong, warm hands surrounding hers, even through his gloves. "Very well. I shall meet you there, and then you must return me safely to Longbourn where we can break our fast. Mama will have a hundred questions for you about your friends, so it will be best if we meet together."

"I look forward to it." Mr. Darcy kissed her hand, a show of affection he was beginning to think was slightly boring. He was rewarded, however, when Elizabeth raised her lips to his cheek for a light kiss before the servants were in sight. "I was thinking we ought to begin the reading of the banns. That will give us more of an opportunity to plan our wedding and perhaps a tour of our own."

"I suppose that is a wise decision. I will have Papa speak to the vicar after services." She gazed up at him as a jubilant smile formed across his face. He squeezed her hand with feeling, then turned to exit the house. Elizabeth closed the door behind him and turned to rejoin her family, the feel of Mr. Darcy's hands still warm on her skin.

The Netherfield party were early to services the following morning. They entered a nearly empty church and filled in the Netherfield pew. As the other neighbors milled in, they all looked at the row of handsome gentlemen with eagerness. Mr. Bingley was engrossed in conversation with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bragg, which prevented his neighbors from doing more than nodding in his direction. Without an introduction, they could meet no one in the party.

A couple of minutes before service was to begin, the Bennets arrived. Mr. Darcy immediately dropped his conversation and rose to greet them. Mr. Bingley followed suit and was glad to see Jane blush as she greeted him. As service was to begin momentarily, there was not time for conversation. The Bennets moved on to claim their pew near the front of the church. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley then watched the Bennets while they listened to the service, although only Mrs. Bennet and Kitty turned around to inspect the congregation.

The sermon was about the importance of family. When the service concluded, the Earl of Sheffield, who had recently lost his father and brother in a carriage accident, was distressed and walked rapidly out of the church, not pausing to tarry with his party. Mr. Bragg and Viscount Harding followed after him while Lord Worthington gathered the rest of his friends and encouraged them all to leave quickly. Mr. Darcy stayed behind to explain the circumstances to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth looked earnestly at him. "You should go and comfort your friend, although I suspect you are enjoying the fact that you are delaying introducing my mother to your friends."

"I assure you I have no qualms in that regard. Will you walk out in the morning?"

"As planned. Enjoy the rest of your day, Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth lifted her hand to his arm, squeezed it, and left to follow her family. They walked home wondering how a group of men could be so rude as to leave immediately following services. Elizabeth had to explain the matter four times before Mrs. Bennet excused their behavior and began to grow in excitement that she would meet them on the morrow in her own parlor.