Chapter Twenty-Five – Estate Business

Despite their hopes and prayers, Will and Alex did not receive news of George's capture for Christmas. After much discussion, they decided against a trip to Winchester. Between the weather and the likelihood George was being protected by Lord Brixworth, there did not seem to be much point. They had to hope George would slip up and be spotted by someone who could apprehend him.

On the positive side, Will established a regular schedule for writing to Lizzy. He received her response to his warning letter two days before Christmas.

Dear Will,

Your letter came as a surprise to me. I do not know why, but I simply had not thought about corresponding with you before. I agree it is an excellent idea and look forward to future letters from you. I hope we can grow closer by sharing our experiences and our concerns.

I take your warning about George Wickham seriously. Nothing less than your eloquent plea could convince me to forgo my walks unless I have a companion or guard. Since my mother does not like me to take the staff away from their duties to walk with me and none of my sisters care for the exercise, I have taken to using my foul weather alternative. I have a trail cleared all the way around the attic and I walk along it, around and around and around. It is not as satisfying as walking outdoors, nor as interesting, but it does get me out of Mama's way and allow me to walk off my frustrations. Tell me, will I find a similar alternative at Pemberley when the rains pound down or the snow is too deep for man or beast to travel? Shall I walk the upper corridors of your home like a restless ghost?

My uncle arrived yesterday afternoon to bring my sisters home. He had not yet received your uncle's letter, but fortunately he brought a few of the handbills with him anyway. He thought to pass one on to the innkeeper in Meryton and have another posted where the local merchants could see it. I have studied the image and description carefully and insisted Jane do the same. I hope we will be sufficiently prepared to identify him and get away quickly should he come near us.

Please tell Lady Catherine I am most grateful for her offer of sponsorship at court. I look forward to meeting her so I may thank her for the honor in person. It means a great deal to me that I will be able to share the day with Jane and Caroline instead of having to go through the ordeal later, on my own.

I will gladly allow you to be my escort when we begin to attend events in London. I believe Lady Ashby intends to announce the three betrothals at the ball after our presentation. I already know from Charles that you prefer to pace the outer edges of the dance floor rather than participate. I will count on dancing the first with you. Will you be willing to dance with me thrice that night? I know we will be allowed no more than that in any one evening.

I hope you are having a pleasant time with your family. Please hug Georgiana for me and give my best wishes to your father and Lord and Lady Ashby. Please tell them Jane also wishes them all a very happy Christmas and you as well.

Faithfully yours,

Lizzy

Will passed the news on to his family along with Jane and Lizzy's good wishes. Lady Catherine was pleased her offer was properly appreciated. She already seemed to be warming to Lizzy, something that pleased and relieved Will. Upon receiving Lizzy's second-hand hug, Georgiana decided she wished to write to Jane and Lizzy as well. Will's return letter ended up being a large packet once he had two letters from his sister and another from Anne to join his own. He hoped the additional cost of postage from all these letters would not be frowned on by Mr. Bennet. After all, Will planned to write weekly going forward. He was not sure if he should ask Lizzy about it, though. He did not want to offend her by offering to defray the cost if it really was not a problem. He hoped she would tell him if weekly letters were too much.

Anne was thrilled when her letter prompted replies from both Jane and Lizzy that she received just after Christmas. She told Will about it during one of what had become regular conversations in the orangery.

"I was actually amazed to receive letters from both Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth today. You told me they would write, but I hardly believed it. I even told them in my letter I did not know what I might have to write about that could interest them. Yet still, they responded and both say they look forward to an extended correspondence."

Will was pleased to see his cousin looking both happy and excited. She was actually sitting up instead of reclining on the chaise as was her usual habit. In her chair by the door, Mrs. Jenkinson nodded and smiled as she worked at a sewing project.

"Did they give you any suggestions for topics to write about?" Will asked.

"Yes, they did. Miss Bennet asked me to tell her about growing up on a large estate. She told me a little bit about Longbourn and how it is run. She was very sympathetic and said she could not imagine growing up without sisters. In her response she said she was happy to build a friendship between us by post until the day we could confirm it in person. She even gave me permission to use her given name."

"That sounds like exactly the letter I would expect Jane to write. She is very like my friend, Charles Bingley, in that they both look for the best in people. I think she offers kindness to others as naturally as breathing."

"Your Lizzy asked me about the treatments Dr. Taylor is trying. She wants to hear how they work and what I feel about them as opposed to earlier treatments I have received. She wanted to know if I like reading and if I did, what kind of books I found most interesting. If I play chess she said she would be happy to play a game by post. She told me Georgiana calls her an almost-sister, which means I would be an almost-cousin. As such she thought it appropriate I refer to her as Elizabeth or Lizzy. I am so glad you suggested I write to them, Fitzwilliam."

"I am glad as well, if it makes you this happy."

"It seems so strange that a bit of ink on a piece of paper can affect me so. Yet it does. It gives me hope that perhaps I have found a friend or two."

"I think you can count on that, Anne. Or, I should say, you can count on them. Keep writing and when you meet them it will be as if you have always been friends."

"I will do that."

0o0o0

Very little snow accumulated around Rosings Park during their visit, but Will and his father knew that would not be the case around Pemberley. While their visit had been a pleasant one, they wanted to get home before the weather really became bad. Twelfth Night was on a Friday. The entire party traveled to London on Saturday. Preferring to avoid travel on Sunday, Darcy, Will and Georgiana stayed in their London townhouse until Monday before starting the rest of the journey to Derbyshire.

Lord Ashby came along with them in his carriage as far as the point where he needed to turn from the main road on his way to Longbourn. He planned to collect all four of the older Bennet girls to bring them back to London and save Gardiner the trip. Lizzy and Jane would stay at the Fitzwilliam townhouse until Miranda came to town, at which point they would stay with her. Ashby would deliver Mary and Kitty to Gardiner.

Will wanted a chance to see Lizzy again, but he knew his father was right when he insisted they continue on as far north as they could get that first day of travel. It would not do to linger and be caught by a snowstorm on the way. They actually found reasonable road conditions over the next two days of travel, although there was some accumulated snow as they neared Lambton. It was not yet deep enough to cause problems for the carriage as long as the driver was careful. As if to prove Darcy's argument, the snowstorm they feared was just moving in as they finally reached home.

Mrs. Reynolds greeted them as they came inside. "Welcome home, sirs and miss. I am glad you made it before the storm began. Young Mr. Bingley arrived a few hours ago. He said you were not expecting him but he hoped you would allow him to make a short visit anyway. I took the liberty of arranging a room for him."

"That is fine, Mrs. Reynolds. The Bingleys are always welcome here," Darcy told her.

"Which room is he in?" Will asked. "I will go visit with him as soon as I change clothes and warm up."

"He is is in the gold room, Master Fitzwilliam," Mrs. Reynolds said.

"And a pleasant room it is," came Charles's voice from the direction of the stairs. "Welcome home, Mr. Darcy, Will, Miss Darcy. I hope you do not mind my presumption in stopping by."

Will stepped forward to shake his friend's hand and Georgiana smiled in greeting as Darcy answered, "Not at all, young man. Be glad you are safe inside. The weather is turning frightful out there."

"I am glad to be inside. I came on horseback and what I saw out the window looks very cold."

"I thought you were in Scarborough," Will said. "What are you doing in this neighborhood?"

"I got word of an estate for sale about twenty miles from here. Father gave me full power to make the purchase if it turns out to be a good bargain. He took Caroline straight to London while I rode here. I stopped at the estate this morning and found it in good order and at what seems to be a reasonable price. I knew you were due home any day now, so I headed here in hopes of catching you. I wondered if you would come take a look at the place, Mr. Darcy, and give me your opinion of it. I should hate to buy it and then discover there was something wrong that I just did not understand because I do not have the experience of being a landowner."

"I will be happy to take a look once the storm has passed. Which estate is it?"

"The estate is called Eddington. The Barnes family has owned it for a few generations, but the current owner wishes to sell and head to Upper Canada with a cousin of his."

"I know the estate, although it has been many years since I was there. Mrs. Darcy and I attended a dinner party held by the late Mr. Horatio Barnes and his wife. It was a good estate then, not too large, but well managed. If it is still in decent condition the place could do well for you."

"I will appreciate your help. Now I should let you all go up and settle in after your long journey. I will return to my rooms. You can join me there later if you want to, Will."

"Yes. I do need to change and would like to wash up as well. I will see you in a little while."

0o0

It was not long before Will came to find Charles in the small sitting room attached to the guest chamber. They shook hands again, glad to be back in company after so many months.

"How was the wedding?" Will asked as they settled into their chairs.

"Oh, it went pretty much the way most weddings go. Hurst showed up despite attempts from a couple of his cousins to get him so drunk he could not."

"Did they not approve of your sister?" Will asked in confusion.

"Oh, no. Actually, I think they rather like her. They just thought it would be funny. In their defense, they were well into the bottle themselves when they got the idea. It is a good thing Hurst can really hold his drink. Louisa would have been mortified at being left waiting at the alter and my aunt would have been furious to have all her fancy preparations spoiled by the delay. As it was, she ended up dragging the two cousins out by the ear after they cast up their accounts during the wedding breakfast. Fortunately they were off in a corner when it happened and the servants were able to clean up quickly without disrupting the party. My father had some words with Hurst for letting the two young chubbs lead him astray, but I think my new brother was too hung over to pay much attention. At least he appears to be a sleepy drunk. We will not have to worry about Louisa being hurt if it turns out he makes a habit of crawling into the bottle."

"Do you think he might?"

"It is hard to tell. I have not spent much time with him. I know my father investigated him before he approved the engagement and did not find him given to any particular vices, but you never know how a man will change once he has control of his wife's dowry. At any rate, it was a good party, although I wished Jane had been there to dance with me. That reminds me, she asked the strangest question in one of her letters about your dancing habits."

Will grinned. "And what, exactly, did you tell her?"

"The truth, of course. I said you never took a woman out on the dance floor if you could possibly help it. Why was she asking?"

"I am corresponding with Lizzy now and I promised her in one of my letters that I would dance with her at the ball my aunt is giving after the presentation. By way of emphasizing how much she meant to me I told her she could have Jane ask you how often I was known to dance. I think it is funny that she did."

"You are on a first name basis with them now, as well. Caroline mentioned something about that. I think she was impressed by you. Or maybe she was impressed by all the stories I have told about Pemberley. I thought she might be a little jealous. In fact, if Richard was not of a higher social standing than you I suspect she might have tried to cause problems between you and Lizzy. Fortunately, for her status trumps even wealth."

"I thought my aunt had been stamping out her pretentious behavior."

"She has, somewhat, but that need to climb the social ladder is still there. Actually, I was sad to hear her engaging in some uncomplimentary conversation about the Bennet ladies with Louisa. I hope she was just reverting to old habits due to being in company with our sister again, but it does worry me."

"I am surprised. They all seemed to be getting along so well when I visited."

"Under Lady Ashby's watchful eye how could it be any different. If I hear she has been unpleasant to Jane I will have some sharp words for my sister and I will let Lady Ashby know about it. I am not as worried about Lizzy. She can give as good as she gets."

"I worry about Lizzy. She gets enough unpleasantness from her mother. She should not have to deal with it from your sister as well, especially since she considers Caroline a friend and, as Georgiana calls them, an almost-sister. I hope you are correct that the problem was just a matter of habit in an old situation. I know how strong that can be."

"Are you and your father still getting along well?" Bingley asked with concern.

"Oh, yes. We are doing fine, but he does still slip into some of his old habits of thinking and I have to jar him out of them. Overall, though, we are getting along very well. I have his love and, usually, I have his respect. Quite the change from earlier years. You will see."

"I am grateful to have advice from both of you as I consider purchasing the estate. As I said, it looks like a good opportunity to me, but I am afraid of all the things I do not even know I do not know."

"We may not be able to see much of the estate beneath a layer of snow. It helps that Father has been there before. Even more, he knows the right questions to ask and who on the estate is likely to give him the most accurate answers."

"I think you do as well," Charles said, but Will shook his head.

"To some extent, but I am still learning. This is an important purchase for your family. I am glad my father is here to lend his expertise."

"It certainly is important. Imagine, the founding of the Bingley family estate. I wish Jane were here to take a look at it as well."

"Oh, admit it, you just wish Jane was here, period."

Charles gave Will a slightly sheepish look even as he grinned. "Well, yes, I do."

"I wish the same about Lizzy," Will admitted.

0o0o0

The snowstorm dumped several inches on the ground over the next three days. Will was glad he and his father had not been caught on the road when it began, even if it meant he had missed the chance to see Lizzy. It frutrated him that their letters would now be delayed as well. The post was not very regular during the winter months in Derbyshire.

When the weather finally cleared, Darcy sent a man over to Eddington asking if it was convenient for them to visit in regards to the potential purchase by the Bingley family. On receiving assent, he arranged for Wickham to accompny them. The following day the four men loaded into the Darcy sleigh and made their way to Eddington planning on an overnight stay. With the days so short, they knew they would need the extra time. Darcy had suggested putting it off until things cleared, but both the seller and Charles were in a rush to settle the matter. Rather than lose the opportunity, they decided to go.

Will and Charles both listened carefully as the two older men asked questions and carefully examined everything that could be seen around the estate. They spoke with the tenants, examined the buildings and finally pronounced the estate a good bargain for the price. Charles did not hesitate to confirm the deal and make the purchase. With Darcy's help they wrote out and signed a purchase agreement, a copy of which would be sent by messenger to London so Bingley could arrange the transfer of funds. Both seller and buyer were happy with the transaction. Charles would be able to take possession by the first of February.

The men returned to Pemberley the second evening excited by the outcome of the trip. Charles could barely sit still in the sleigh, prompting teasing and laughter from the others. They dropped Wickham at his home on the way and arrived back at the main house just after dark.

Dinner was a jovial affair that evening. Even before the drinks were poured the new estate owner appeared tipsy with joy and relief.

"I am so pleased I hardly know what to do with myself," he said as they finished the meal. "I want to write to Jane, but excited as I am she will not be able to read more than one word in ten."

"As opposed to the one word in five we can usually pick out?" Will teased.

"Exactly," said Charles as he grinned. "Although she claims not to have trouble reading anything I write. It probably helps that I generally use a pencil when writing to her."

"Ah, the tricks you learned at Eton," Will said with a laugh.

"Why would you use pencil?" Darcy asked.

"When I use a pen I always end up with blotches all over the page. No idea why. It just happens. My writing is at least legible with a pencil."

"You may need a secretary then," Darcy suggested. "You will not want to write your business letters for estate matters in pencil. Anything legally binding should be done in ink."

"Good to know," Charles said. "I had not really thought about that, but it makes perfect sense. Will I have much correspondence of that type?"

"Probably not as much as I do since Pemberley's holdings and investments are on a much larger scale." Darcy told him, "at least, that will be the case once you have settled in. You might have to do some extra work at first. You are fortunate the current steward is willing to stay on and your tenants appear well-settled. You will have fewer leases and other arrangements to negotiate right away as long as you keep an eye on things and take prompt action to avoid problems."

"I am not certain I am ready for this," Charles said, "but I am happy nonetheless."

"You are close enough we can help if you run into big trouble," Will said.

"Yet another benefit to an estate in Derbyshire, aside from pleasing Jane and Lizzy."

"It certainly is," Darcy agreed, "but never underestimate the importance of keeping your wife or future wife happy. If Miss Jane and Miss Lizzy are pleased to live close to one another then you have chosen the location of your estate well."

"Since we are sending a messenger to London with the documents tomorrow I will have him carry my letter to Jane as well. Did you wish to send something to Lizzy, Will?"

"Absolutely. Thank you, Charles. I am certain she will be pleased with your news. I think she will also enjoy hearing about our trip to evaluate the purchase. If nothing else, it will give her something to think about aside from court dress, hoop skirts and feather headdresses." The other men laughed, although they knew enough of Lizzy to know Will was correct. Soon after that they all chose to retire. Will and Charles both had their letters to write. Darcy had some documents to prepare that he planned to have the messenger carry to Ashby. In the morning he planned to give Georgiana a chance to include letters of her own in the packet.

All three men turned into their beds that night with a feeling of accomplishment. The new year was starting out well. Best of all, the Bingley family now had an estate!