We are almost there, I promise (and by there I mean to Mr. Darcy, of course). The Assembly chapter will go up later tonight or tomorrow. It was just a natural break at the end here, so I am putting that scene in the next chapter. Thanks for sticking with me.
Several days later Mr. Bingley returned Mr. Bennet's visit and was ushered directly to into that gentleman's study without delay upon arrival. Although always eager to further all of his acquaintances Mr. Bingley was slightly disappointed at this bit if efficiency as he had entertained hopes of being admitted to a sight of the young ladies of whose beauty he had heard much. In this his desires aligned quite closely with these very ladies and as a result when he was escorted from the study the rarely used front parlor through which the gentlemen were required to traverse was full.
"Mr. Bennet, we did not realize you had company," his lady exclaimed, looking up from her needlework. Her daughters had no such faux occupation and demurely regarded their father with smiles of anticipation.
"Of course, you did not, my dear. You have a great deal to much too much on your plate to pay attention to such things," he replied indicating the forgotten fabric on her lap which had less than three stitches run through it.
Mrs. Bennet quickly tossed her pretense aside and greeted their guest as her husband introduced them.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Bennet."
"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Bingley and may I present my daughters. Miss Bennet, Miss Mary Bennet and Miss Catherine Bennet. My youngest, Lydia is visiting a friend I am afraid. Elizabeth, our second oldest, is also from home."
"I am so pleased to meet all of you," Mr. Bingley said with a broad smile for all of them and a long look for Jane in particular. "I look forward to meeting the rest of your family. I have heard much of Miss Elizabeth in particular." With this he looked to Mr. Bennet.
"I am afraid I bored Mr. Bingley during our first meeting with talk of our latest drainage project," he explained to his wife. "That is actually where our Lizzy is right now. Supervising the installation of the drainage system in our west fields – the ones that border your newly leased fields."
"Wonderful," Bingley responded before Mrs. Bennet cut in.
"My dear, how you do go on. I am certain Mr. Bingley is not interested in drainage or Lizzy's . . . unorthodox interest in it." Her sharp look at her husband was lost on their guest who assured his hostess that he was quite delighted to hear all about Longbourn's fields and all of its daughters.
"I was thankful Mr. Bennet was willing to answer my, likely, ignorant questions. I hope to learn more about what is involved in owning an estate and I would be grateful for any guidance he can offer." Mr. Bennet assured Mr. Bingley of his willingness to be of service. "Excellent. I have a great friend who has graciously offered his assistance as well. I look forward to introducing you. I am off to London to fetch him and my family imminently."
Mrs. Bennet, who had hoped to invite Mr. Bingley to dinner in the next day or so was disappointed to learn of this plan. However, this loss was mitigated by his plan to return in time for the upcoming assembly. After some discussion of his sisters and friend who would return with him from London Mrs. Bennet deftly brought the conversation back to a topic of far greater interest to her.
"I would be delighted to attend," he assured all those present. "In fact, if I might be so bold, Miss Bennet, would you do me the honor of dancing the second with me?"
"I would be happy to, Mr. Bingley," Jane agreed with a shy smile.
Mr. Bingley then secured sets from both Mary and Kitty. His visit ended shortly thereafter with Mrs. Bennet securing a promise that he and his party would come to Longbourn for dinner as soon as after arrival as he could secure their agreement.
That evening at dinner the rest of the family shared the details of the visit with Lydia and Lizzy who were both sorry to have missed it.
"I have never regretted my lessons," Lydia said with a laugh. "But if he is as handsome as you say I should almost be sorry I was there and not here."
'You know we do not believe you. You went on for a full quarter of an hour about all you learned about shading before we could get in a word about Mr. Bingley. We all know your lessons with Mrs. Benoit are your favorite part of the week – you even agreed to a reduction in your pin money to increase your time with her," Kitty told her.
"I did not know that," Elizabeth said with a nod of approval. "That is a very mature decision."
Lydia beamed at her sister's approval.
"Yes, yes, we are all quite proud of Lydia," Mrs. Bennet said, clearly eager to return to the discussion of Mr. Bingley, but then as she looked about the table at her daughters she paused. "We are quite proud of all our girls, you each of you quite remarkable."
A moment of silence followed this pronouncement in which each of them took in her words and held them close. And then:
"We must not waste any one of you. Mr. Bingley is a unique opportunity. I do think he showed a particular interest in you, Jane."
The girls laughed much more used to this side of their mother.
"Mother," Jane said, "We merely exchanged pleasantries and spoke briefly of his family. I hardly think a preference is possible at this point. Let us simply enjoy having a new family in the neighborhood and get to know the Netherfield party without any expectations."
"Of course, you are right, Jane. I will not presume anything, but I may, of course, harbor my own little hopes."
"Hope away, my dear," Mr. Bennet said with an indulgent smile. "I for one think Mr. Bingley would make our Jane an ideal husband."
"Father!" Jane objected.
"No, no, my darling girl I, like my wife, will not pressure you in any way, but you will not presuade me from my opinion. Now, if you will excuse us, it is a beautiful evening I think I would greatly enjoy a walk with my bride."
Mrs. Bennet blushed, smiled and consented. The girls watched their parents go with looks of fond indulgence. In the past several years Mr. Bennet had taken to calling their mother his bride and it never failed to elicit a response such as the one they just witnessed.
"Is our father correct?" Elizabeth asked. She and her sisters sat on the two beds in the bedroom she shared with Jane. It was a nightly ritual they had developed a year or so ago. They discussed the day, their tasks and plans for the one to come and generally laughed or cried as the occasion demanded.
"Correct about what?" Kitty asked.
"Is our new neighbor to be Jane's husband?"
"This is a conspiracy!" Jane lamented while tossing a pillow at Elizabeth.
Though the projectile hit its target it did not accomplish its task. The younger Miss Bennets reported all the details of the visit which supported the premise of Jane's imminent attachment. It was after much laughter and several more pillows employed as weapons that they separated for bed.