Author's Note: thanks everyone for the well wishes. I really appreciate them so much. We are improving - the kids are back to normal. My brain is still pretty foggy, so writing is not coming as quickly as I'd like. But here's chapter 10!
Chapter 10
"And here is the completed inventory on what the tenants have that they will be willing to trade," Elizabeth said as she handed her father a stack of papers across his desk in the study. It was three days after the assembly, and Longbourn had been using the time industriously.
"Excellent," responded Mr. Bennet, reaching out a hand to take them. "You've assured them of our discretion?"
"Yes, they know we won't share information about what they have in their stores with other tenants," she told him.
"Why wouldn't the tenants want others to know what they have?"
Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet looked at the corner of the room where Mr. Phillips sat with some legal papers. The weather had been too poor for him to wish to travel to Meryton, so he took over a part of Mr. Bennet's study to work on some documents.
"Why don't you share your clients' information with other clients?" Mr. Bennet asked in return.
Mr. Phillips eyebrows rose. "Because it violates ethical standards."
"But why?"
"Because some people wish to keep things private from others," Mr. Phillip responded.
"And why is that?" Elizabeth asked.
Mr. Phillips sat back in his seat and stroked his chin. "Well, because sometimes others knowing the truth about someone can cause them damage."
"Precisely," said Mr. Bennet.
"I still don't understand," Mr. Phillips admitted. "How could people knowing what food you have cause you any damage?"
"May I, Papa?" Elizabeth asked. Mr. Bennet nodded in return.
"Uncle Phillips, what if you and my aunt were starving? You had run out of food entirely and had no money to purchase food. You know that two doors down, a family has several barrels of wheat they had stored from previous years. What would you do?"
Mr. Phillips knit his brows in confusion. "I would go and ask to borrow some. I would promise to pay them back when I could."
"But what if they wouldn't let you? What if they needed that for themselves and their children to eat?"
Mr. Phillips hesitated. "I'm not sure."
"What if you didn't think they needed it as much as you did? Would you take it by force?"
Again, he hesitated. "Honestly, I don't know."
Elizabeth nodded. "That is the fear that many tenants have if word gets known to their neighbors that they may have extra food. It's more than just having to say to know to a friend, but having a surplus in your pantry could put your life in danger."
"Do you really think it would come to that?" Mr. Phillips asked in astonishment.
"I hope not," Elizabeth said, "but we can't know for sure. This winter will be bad, and people will do desperate things when they're starving."
"So why not have everyone combine their resources and distribute them evenly?" Mr. Phillips questioned.
Mr. Bennet replied this time. "Those who had more wouldn't feel like it was fair, having to give up what they had worked hard for in the past to those who didn't save for difficult times for whatever reason."
Mr. Phillips nodded slowly. "I can see how that would feel unjust."
"They also might be afraid that whoever is in charge of it wouldn't be honest," Mr. Bennet said. "For all they know, we could keep all the food for ourselves and only give out small amounts to the tenants, falsely claiming that it's all their was."
"But you would never do such a thing!" Mr. Phillips protested indignantly.
"Ah, but what assurance do they have that I wouldn't? Especially when my children's lives are at stake? The gentry do not always have the best reputation for thinking those below them are of the same worth," Mr. Bennet said.
Mr. Phillips grimaced. "So what are you doing instead? I assume you've come up with something, or else Elizabeth wouldn't be giving an inventory."
"I'll let Elizabeth explain, as she's the one who came up with the idea." Mr Bennet gestured to his second eldest daughter.
Elizabeth picked up where her father left off. "I went to each tenant and asked them to take an inventory of what they had and make sure it was sufficient for their family for the winter. This was for their personal use only. Then I told them that if there was any extra, we at Longbourn would be a center of trade. This way, none of the neighbors knows what the other has specifically, but they can see what is available."
"Thus allowing confidentiality," Mr. Phillips surmised.
Exactly," said Elizabeth. "We will take the entire list and combine the items for total amounts. This will be given round to the tenants, who can then see what they need. They can then make offers to us for trade, which we will then pass on to the original owners. Using this method, confidentiality is assured but trading for necessities can occur."
Mr. Phillip sat in thoughtful silence for several moments. "It sounds like a lot of work," he said finally.
"It is," Mr. Bennet admitted. "But we haven't come up with a better option yet."
"I think it is admirable the way you are trying to help bring everyone together," assured Mr. Phillips. "I meant no disrespect to your plan."
"None taken," Elizabeth said with a smile. "I realize it isn't the most efficient way to manage trade, but with everyone keen on keeping their identities private, we haven't got another way."
Mr. Phillips nodded in understanding, and Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet went back to their conversation. Several minutes later, they were interrupted with a knock at the door.
"Come in," called Mr. Bennet.
A maid opened the door quietly and bobbed a curtsy. "Begging your pardon, sirs and miss, but the mistress asked me to tell you that there are callers and to fetch Miss Lizzy to the drawing room."
"Probably Lady Lucas and her daughters wishing to discuss the assembly," Elizabeth said. "Please let them know I will call on Charlotte tomorrow."
"No, Miss Lizzy, it's not the Lucases," said the maid. "It's the new people from Netherfield."
Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise. "Very well, then. I shall come immediately."
"I should probably join you, seeing how I am managing the Netherfield lease with Mr. Bingley," said Mr. Phillips. "It would be rude otherwise."
"Then I shall take advantage of the distraction and read my book," said Mr. Bennet with a smile. "It has been neglected for far too long."
Elizabeth smiled fondly at her father and kissed him on the top of his head. "No one shall judge you for taking a break from estate matters for a while, Papa."
He sighed heavily. "But I shall judge myself. No, my Lizzy, I have had years of being idle. Let me use this time to be productive while I still have the motivation for it."
"Very well," she replied. "Shall we, Uncle?"
Mr. Phillips nodded, and the two exited the book room, making their way to the parlor. Upon opening the door, Elizabeth's eyes widened to see the Bingleys, the Hursts, Mr. Darcy, and an unknown young woman all focused on her mother, who was sitting on a small sofa at the fireplace.
Elizabeth walked into the room, her uncle close behind her, and the gentleman all stood. "Hello," she said somewhat awkwardly at the sudden attention paid to her by so many eyes. She lifted her chin and continued, saying, "Mama, I understand you wished for me?"
"Yes, my dear girl! Come, come sit by me," Mrs. Bennet squealed, patting the empty space next to her.
Elizabeth quickly took her seat, and the gentlemen all resumed theirs. Mr. Phillips crossed the room and sat down on a sofa next to his wife. Looking around the room, Elizabeth saw all of her other sisters were also present.
This is probably the largest group of people I've ever seen in this room at one time! she thought with amusement. When the Gardiners come, we shall have to add at least another settee to the arrangement.
"Miss Darcy, this is my second daughter, Elizabeth," said Mrs. Bennet. "I believe it was her acquaintance you particularly mentioned that you desired making?"
The tall girl next to Mr. Darcy turned slightly pink, but said, "Yes, thank you, Mrs. Bennet. Miss Elizabeth, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Elizabeth blinked at the fair-haired girl who looked more like Jane than her own brother. "The pleasure is mine, Miss Darcy. Although, I am ashamed to admit that I was entirely unaware of your existence until just now." This last bit was said with a cheeky smile meant to set the girl at ease.
Miss Darcy's shoulders relaxed slightly. "I have heard all about the assembly from my brother and friends. I feel as if I know you already."
"Oh, dear!" cried Elizabeth with a sly smile. "Please, do not believe a word they have said about my lack of dancing skill and taste in dress!"
A snort came from the direction of Miss Bingley, but she was the picture of innocence when the room turned to look at her.
"Oh no! That is not what I meant! That is - " Miss Darcy's voice trailed off and she blushed furiously. To Elizabeth's dismay, the younger woman seemed to have taken her words seriously.
"Miss Elizabeth," interjected Mr. Darcy smoothly. "Might I suggest you take my place here in order to speak more easily with my sister?"
He stood from his chair and extended his hand, gesturing to the empty spot. Unable to refuse without mortifying the young lady any further, Elizabeth smiled graciously. "Mama, would you excuse me?"
"Of course, my dear!" trilled the woman. "Go and enjoy the company of your new friend!"
Elizabeth bit her lip to hide a smile at the emergence of her mother's former theatrics. She crossed the room and settled herself next to the young girl, who was watching the proceedings anxiously.
"Now, then, Miss Darcy," Elizabeth said firmly, "let us settle one thing right now."
The girl's eyes widened, and Elizabeth leaned forward as if to impart a great secret. "If we are to be friends," she whispered, "you must realize that I almost never mean what I say. I love to tease, and I dearly love to laugh."
"Oh!" exclaimed Miss Darcy, her hand covering her mouth slightly. "I am so relieved!"
Elizabeth smiled at her warmly. "I have four sisters, you see, and we often say things to each other we do not mean in order to illicit a laugh."
Georgiana tittered. "I should have liked to have had a sister."
"Is it just the two of you, Miss Darcy?" Elizabeth asked, accepting a cup of tea from Jane, who was acting as hostess with the tea things. Mrs. Bennet's strength had not fully recovered, so Jane took on many of the mistress's more physical duties.
"Please call me Georgiana," the girl said eagerly.
"Then I am Elizabeth, or Lizzy, if you prefer," said Elizabeth.
"Lizzy," repeated Georgiana, smiling brightly.
"So, Georgiana, what did you hear about the assembly that made you wish to meet me?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes shining over her cup as she sipped her tea.
"My brother told me about what he said. It was beastly! I would have run from the room crying, I think. But you didn't! And not only did you not let him bother you, but you then forgave him! Then you rescued him - "
"Georgiana," Mr. Darcy's voice was calm, but firm, and he flashed his eyes warningly at his sister.
Elizabeth followed his gaze over to the other side of the room, where Miss Bingley was watching them closely. She sat with Mrs. Hurst, Mary, and Lydia, who were in an animated conversation over lace. Miss Bingley was ignoring them, however, and her attention focused solely on Mr. Darcy and his companions. The woman's lips were pressed together so tightly, they appeared white.
Miss Darcy blushed slightly and looked away quickly. "My apologizes, Miss Elizabeth."
Elizabeth smiled brightly. "No apologies necessary, my dear. A woman's vanity is such that I will always appreciate hearing compliments about myself that are spoken out of my hearing."
"And what about compliments that are within your hearing?" Mr. Darcy said, tilting his head at her.
"When I hear any that describe me as more than tolerable, I shall let you know how I feel about them."
Georgiana's mouth dropped open, and she gaped at Elizabeth in open astonishment. Darcy pressed a fist to his lips to quell a burst of laughter. "Well played, Miss Elizabeth," he said when he finally regained his composure.
Elizabeth's eyes sparkled brightly as she winked at Georgiana. "A woman's true power lies in the art of teasing her adversary."
"I wouldn't dare tease my brother," Georgiana said. "He is much too good to be teased."
"Ah, a man without faults, is he?" Elizabeth's mouth twitched.
"I have faults enough, as you very well know," Darcy interjected.
"Such as vanity and pride?" Elizabeth smirked.
Darcy stuck his nose in the air in an eerily uncanny impression of Miss Bingley. "Where there is true superiority of mind, pride will always be under good regulation."
Elizabeth burst out laughing. "Bravo, Mr. Darcy!" Then turning to Georgiana, she said, "And that, my dear, is how it is done. I dearly love to laugh, and you can always find something to laugh about in any situation, even the intolerable ones."
Georgiana's wary expression faded to relief. "You sound like my cousin Richard when he speaks to my brother."
"Then should I ever have the pleasure to make his acquaintance, I am certain we shall get along delightfully."
"I highly doubt that will occur anytime soon," a snide voice interrupted. "After all, the son of an Earl associates only with the most exclusive circles."
"Ah, so you haven't met him either, then," Elizabeth said to Miss Bingley, who could not longer contain her jealousy and had crossed the room to join the laughing group.
Darcy cleared his throat and looked away to hide a smile, while Georgiana watched with wide eyes.
"Well, no, not yet," Miss Bingley admitted with a sour expression.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the group. Elizabeth looked at her new friend to see that Georgiana was almost in tears, and she regretted her polishing her wit on her friend's hostess. She took a calming breath and said kindly, "Well, I am certain you have many other fine acquaintances in town."
"Yes, we do," replied Miss Bingley. "We have multiple invitation every night to some of the most elite houses."
"I imagine you must have some incredible stories to tell," said Elizabeth, inwardly rolling her eyes but determined to put Georgiana at ease.
"Oh, definitely! Why, at Lady Sheldon's ball on two weeks ago…"
Miss Bingley began to prattle on about the extraordinary events she had personally witnessed over the prior months. Elizabeth's mind began to wander, and she found herself gazing upon Darcy. The longer Miss Bingley spoke, the more rigid and stern his face became until he quite resembled a marble statue.
Suddenly, the statue blinked and looked at her. She blushed and dropped her eyes, embarrassed to have been caught staring. She kept her eyes firmly on Miss Bingley until she no longer felt Darcy's intensely burning gaze on her form.
"…and my, how scandalous it was!" Miss Bingley concluded theatrically. She looked around the little group, and her shoulders drooped slightly when no one gasped in amazement at her tale.
"It seems that life in London can be quite, er, eventful," Elizabeth finally said.
"With as confined and unvarying as your little town here, I don't think you can begin to imagine the delights of town," Miss Bingley replied smugly.
No, you don't think, do you? Elizabeth bit back the retort. Instead, she forced herself to smile pleasantly and say, "My father has always preferred the country to town. He enjoys a quiet, simple life."
Georgiana brightened at this. "That is what my brother always says! He says he would rather be at Pemberley than any place in the world."
"Of course he does," Miss Bingley said in a sweetly condescending tone, "for who would not prefer such a beautiful estate? Of course, when your brother does marry, I am sure he will spend much of his time in town instead."
"I don't think my marriage will change anything," Darcy said mildly. "My preference for Pemberley has nothing to do with the manor and everything to do with the estate."
Miss Bingley preened, thinking he had agreed with her. Georgiana's raised eyebrows and incredulous look told Elizabeth that Darcy's intended meaning was the opposite of what the snobbish woman's interpretation.
"I think most gentlemen who wish to take an active role in managing their estates spend the majority of their time in the country," Elizabeth corrected. "Between planting, harvest, and managing tenants, an attentive landlord's presence is vital for success."
"Maybe for those who have much smaller estates," Miss Bingley sneered, "but I can assure that amongst our circle of acquaintance, the gentlemen can more than afford a steward to oversee such things."
"My father always taught me that a good master is always heavily involved with the day-to-day management, whether or not he has a competent steward," Darcy disagreed.
Miss Bingley gaped at Darcy. "But surely, sir, you do not interact with the tenants yourself?"
"As a matter of fact, I do," Darcy said. "I know each man and his family by name, as well as their circumstances. It is my duty to ensure that Pemberley is as successful and profitable as possible. After all, I depend on them much more them than they do on me."
A strangled gasp came from Miss Bingley's mouth, which was opening and closing much like a fish.
"We are of the same mindset," Elizabeth said, ignoring the rude woman. "It is part of why we are making preparations now to help both them and ourselves survive the winter."
Darcy's eyes focused sharply on her. "We have been doing the same thing, both at Pemberley and here. What plans do you have?" he asked, leaning forward towards her eagerly.
Elizabeth opened her mouth to answer, but a commotion across the room interrupted whatever she was going to say.
"But surely, you must join us for dinner!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed to Mr. Bingley.
Jane's face was rather pink, and Elizabeth instantly recognized the dilemma. There would not be enough space at dinner, and Cook would certainly not appreciate adding so many more guests at a late notice.
"Mama, I am sure Miss Bingley, being the excellent hostess that she is, has already made arrangements at Netherfield. It would be rude of us to insist that her efforts be pushed aside." Elizabeth met her mother's scowl with a calm expression.
"Indeed," drawled Miss Bingley. She made a show of looking at the clock and gasping. "We are already well past the appropriate time for visiting and should leave immediately."
Bingley looked at his sister in consternation. "I suppose you are right," he said reluctantly. He bowed to Mrs. Bennet and said, "We will be pleased to accept your invitation to dine another time."
Mrs. Bennet opened her mouth, but Elizabeth spoke quickly to cut her off. "We will discuss with our father and mother the best time to arrange a meal. In the meantime, you are always welcome to call."
The Netherfield party began gathering their things. Miss Bingley made a dash for the door, giving only the briefest of farewells. Bingley lingered with Jane, and Elizabeth had to hide a smile at his obvious hesitation in leaving.
She turned towards the Darcy siblings, who had finished putting on their coats and wraps. "It was lovely to meet you, Georgiana. I hope to see you again soon."
"As do I," Georgiana replied eagerly. "We can call again soon, can't we, Brother?" she looked up at him pleadingly.
Darcy smiled. "I believe propriety dictates we allow the Bennets to return our call before we call again, Dearest."
Georgiana's face fell slightly at this, and Elizabeth said, "But I know our father would be eager to speak to Mr. Darcy about what he is doing at Pemberley to prepare for the winter. Perhaps you could call upon my father, sir, and Georgiana could accompany you."
The younger girl clapped her hands in delight at this plan, and Darcy nodded. "I would be very interested in what you are doing. Please tell your father I will be by to visit him soon."
Elizabeth nodded, and Darcy went to fetch Bingley, who was still attached to Jane's side. Everyone said their farewells, and the Netherfield party disappeared out the door and into the cold.