Turnabout Chapter 6, a pride and prejudice fanfic

I love most of your comments and appreciate questions and constructive criticism.

Much of this chapter will be familiar to many of you. It is the one-shot which has now developed a life of its own. 😊

About the girls' inheritance. Uncle Henry had 50+ years to accumulate his fortune, including various investment properties. He gave half his business to Gardiner the other half still feeds into the inheritance of the girls.

Check out the real 4th Earl Fitzwilliam. He started with a couple of estates which brought in 6,900 in 1769 and he had also inherited a debt of 45,000. By 1827 his annual income was 115,000 per year.

Uncle Henry started in about 1740 with cash and no debts. He had time to become loaded.

To those readers who have an issue with my story. I am dreadfully sorry that you are being upset by my ideas. Might I suggest that you do not trouble yourself any further and stop reading.

~~DarcyGoHome~~

Eviction

Fitzwilliam Darcy simply had to get away from Netherfield even if only for a few hours.

The previous day he had been polite and had spent the day with his hosts. This had proved to be an ordeal since Miss Bingley had been in a snit because her brother had asked for a second dance with Miss Jane Bennet at the assembly the night before and she had refused. Darcy had to endure endless complaints and snide remarks about the inhabitants of Meryton in general and Miss Bennet in particular.

While he agreed with Miss Bingley that the locals were rustic and unsophisticated, it was unacceptable for the daughter of a tradesman to complain about and insult members of the gentry.

Darcy himself had only attended the assembly because Miss Bingley had wanted to keep him company if he remained behind at Netherfield. He regretted accepting Bingley's invitation to join him at the estate which he had recently leased, almost as soon as he stepped foot into the ballroom. Within minutes of their arrival at the hall, he heard the locals discussing his putative income and he was certain that every matchmaking matron in the county was about to throw her daughters into his path.

Bingley had not helped matters by urging him to dance when he was thoroughly disinclined to do so. After all, he could ill afford to give consequence to any of the mushrooms since they were sure to misinterpret his condescension and raise their expectations.

It was a pity because the young woman whom he favoured with barely a glance, when Bingley pointed her out as a potential dance partner had been uncommonly pretty… perhaps not as classically beautiful as her sister with whom Bingley was enamoured, but her intelligent and expressive eyes were exceedingly fine. In his frustration he had expressed himself quite forcefully.

Fortunately, Miss Bingley had not heard Darcy's comment to her brother and was also oblivious to the lady's reaction to that comment. Caroline's remarks were bad enough without such fuel.

This morning he could no longer tolerate Miss Bingley's rantings and had decided to go for a ride.

Darcy could have accompanied Bingley, who was planning on visiting some of their neighbours, but pleasant as his friend was, today he needed some solitude to regain his composure.

Feeling the cool wind in his hair helped to cool his temper. He was positively cheerful by the time he came into the High Street of Meryton… a destination which was completely unplanned. But since he was in the market town, Darcy thought he would see if he could find a trinket which his sister might enjoy, and which would cheer her up. Ever since that scoundrel had wounded his sister's heart, Darcy had been at pains to ease her suffering.

As he ambled along, looking for likely shops, he tipped his hat to some of the locals who were engaged on errands along the street. After several such courtesies, he wondered if there was an issue with the eyesight of the community since none of them returned his greeting.

When he spotted a haberdasher's shop, he put aside his musings, dismounted and tied his horse to a convenient post. As he approached the door, a well-dressed matron exited the shop. Darcy politely stepped aside and raised his hat. The only response was a cold look as the lady turned her back on him and stalked off. Darcy's eyes followed her, and his brows furrowed at the unusual reaction. After a moment he shook himself, thinking that perhaps the lady was reluctant to reply to his courtesy as they had not been introduced.

He noticed that a woman, whom he assumed to be the haberdasher, had escorted the lady to the door and was now looking at him with an equally cold expression. Undeterred, Darcy made to enter the shop, only to have the door closed in his face, and the bolt shot home.

'What the hell is going on in this benighted town?' he muttered.

Since the question was rhetorical, he was surprised to hear a quiet chuckle behind him. When he turned around, Darcy saw a man of about fifty years of age giving him a sardonic smile.

'I do not know how things are done wherever you come from, but in this benighted town, as you call it, gentlemen do no insult ladies, especially not when half the town is listening and then expect to be treated with respect.'

'What?' spluttered Darcy.

'Even my wife, who is the most relentless matchmaker, has not the slightest interest in you or your friend. Let me see if I can remember exactly what she said.' The man grinned as he added in a falsetto voice, 'I beg you would not put it into Lizzy's head to be vexed by his ill-treatment, for he is such a disagreeable man that it would be quite a misfortune to be liked by him. But I can guess how it was; everybody says that he is eat up with pride. Another time, Lizzy, I would not dance with him, if I were you.'

The man's sardonic grin widened even more. 'In case you are wondering, the Lizzy to whom she referred is the lady whom you found only tolerable. This tolerable lady is also my favourite daughter.'

Mr Bennet paused before delivering a final comment. 'You should also know since you seem to be too dense to have noticed that Lizzy was not being slighted. She refused several offers to dance to give other ladies a chance since due to the war there is a dearth of dance partners for them in this area.'

Bennet gave a satisfied chuckle as he turned his back on Darcy without taking his leave. The shocked expression had been a joy to behold. He wondered how the rest of his campaign was progressing.

~~DGH~~

Instead of attempting to shop anywhere else, Darcy returned to Netherfield in a daze. How could these country bumpkins cut a man of his consequence?

Admittedly, his manners had been not quite up to the standard which he employed in town, but people should not have listened in on his private conversation with Bingley.

When Darcy arrived back at Netherfield, he encountered an equally as puzzled Bingley.

'I do not understand it. I visited six families today and none of them were at home.'

Darcy had a suspicion about the reason, but only suggested, 'You have not been here long enough to know the habits of your neighbours. They might have had some event planned of which you are unaware.'

Bingley brightened. 'You are probably correct. I expect I will find out about it tomorrow when I call on Miss Bennet again.'

~~DGH~~

After dinner, Darcy and Bingley adjourned to the library for a private conversation.

Bingley poured some brandy for them both before sitting by the open window where a light breeze played with the curtains.

Darcy took a fortifying sip while he gathered his thoughts. 'Bingley, I am concerned about your infatuation with Miss Bennet,' he said with a disturbed look at his friend.

'Pray tell, what is there to concern you about the lady. She is an angel and the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld. I know that Caroline does not approve of her, because she does not have a title and the family is not wealthy, but as the daughter of a gentleman I think she is eminently suitable for me.'

'I do not believe that she has feelings for you. I am troubled that as you say, the family is not wealthy, her mother will insist that she should accept you despite her own disinclination.'

'Darcy, I know that you are wrong. Just because the lady is modest and all that is proper does not mean that she does not have feelings for me. Indeed, you should be pleased that for once a lady is showing the proper reserve and not throwing herself at me.'

'I do not believe that her behaviour is due to reserve.'

'Now I know that you are wrong. How could she not reciprocate my feelings. I am everything that ladies hope for in a husband. You just wait and see. You will see the joy in her demeanour once I declare myself.'

Darcy shook his head as he replied, 'I just hope that you do not get hurt.'

~~DGH~~

The residents at Netherfield had barely finished their breakfast when an unexpected visitor arrived.

'Mr Phillips, it is good to see you. Are you here to see if we have settled in?' Bingley asked amiably after they had exchanged greetings.

''I am sorry, Mr Bingley but I have not. I am here at the request of Netherfield Park's owner, to recommend that you cancel the lease,' the solicitor said and pursed his lips as if to ensure that he would not utter his personal opinion.

'Cancel the lease?' exclaimed Bingley. 'We only just arrived. Why would I want to leave?'

'Your landlord thought that you would prefer the company in town.'

'I can assure you that I have found the company here exceedingly pleasant. I met the most wonderful people at the assembly the other night.'

Phillips shook his head and sighed. 'Mr Bingley, while you might have found the company pleasant, the rest of your party made it abundantly clear that they disapproved of your neighbours.'

'Surely not.' Bingley exclaimed as he looked around the room, only to see the disdainful expression on his sisters' countenance and embarrassment on Darcy's face, which reminded him of the tolerable comment his friend had uttered. While he might not be the most astute man, Bingley made the connection and asked, 'Was that why no one was home yesterday when I called on my neighbours?'

'Yes, Mr Bingley. Your neighbours were busy petitioning your landlord to evict the unmannered Cits,' Phillips explained with a pointed look at Darcy.

Darcy bristled. 'I can assure you that I am a gentleman —' he barked only to be interrupted.

'You certainly do not act like one,' was Phillips' curt rejoinder which caused Darcy's mouth to snap shut.

Miss Bingley had listened in disbelief to the conversation. She now cut in. 'How dare you insult Mr Darcy,' she exclaimed in shrill tones.

'I speak nought but the truth. Your neighbours are gentry… unlike yourself. They had been prepared to welcome you and allow you to become one of their community. But they refuse to be insulted and denigrated by nouveau riche.' Phillips shrugged and suggested, 'You might as well leave since you will be shunned by everyone in the community.'

Miss Bingley sneered, 'I cannot believe that a mercenary shrew like Mrs Bennet will agree with you.'

'My sister was one of the first to make the request. She will not allow anyone to disrespect her daughters… especially not some social climbing harpy or some stuck-up prig.' He gave a deprecating smile. 'Those were her words, not mine.'

Bingley's shoulders slumped. 'I presume you have brought papers for me to sign?'

~~DGH~~

An hour later, Bingley and his family were in his carriage, headed for London, having left their personal servants to supervise the packing. He offered to convey Darcy, who had left his coach for his valet and belongings. His friend declined, opting to ride, since he had not the slightest desire to spend several hours listening to Miss Bingley alternating between complaints and gloating that she would not have to endure the savages of Meryton.

Within half an hour Bingley regretted that he had not chosen to accompany his friend. Miss Bingley was in particularly good voice, to the detriment of her travel companions.

'Who do those mushrooms think they are, making us leave their verminous village? They should have felt honoured to have people of our stature and consequence gracing them with our presence,' she fumed.

'You mean the gentry of the area should have bowed before the consequence of a tradesman's children?' Hurst asked pointedly.

'You know perfectly well that our family is no longer in trade,' she barked. 'Besides, once I am Mrs Darcy, I shall outrank everyone in that benighted town.'

Bingley's patience snapped. 'How many times do I have to tell you that Darcy will never offer for you.' When Caroline looked as if she wanted to interrupt him, he held up his hand and continued. 'Yes, you are a beautiful woman, and you dress in the latest fashions. I should know since I pay for your exorbitant wardrobe. But I have to tell you that your manners are atrocious. No gentleman is interested in a loud and vulgar woman like you.'

'Considering the women with whom you keep falling in love, you would not know how ladies behave.' Caroline crossed her arms and pointedly looked out the window, ending the conversation.

Since Bingley was grateful for some peace and quiet, he did not push the issue any further.

~~DGH~~