Chapter Five – Netherfield Park Is Let At Last!
"My dear Mr. Bennet, have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?" remarked Lady Clarges.
Mr. Bennet, now Lord Clarges, replied acerbically that he had now.
"But it is, for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it. It has been just over a year now since the death of your father. It is high time that our girls return to Society; and what better way than to practise with new local gentlemen! It would be perfect for you to visit, best announcing our return to society and welcoming him as well."
"Then my dear, I shall visit him."
This produced such a radiant smile from Lady Clarges; Lord Clarges could not help but be smitten. His wife was every inch as beautiful as the day he had married her. Four children had done nothing to deter her beauty; she glowed from within with that particular light mothers have.
Lord Clarges could not help but rise up and capture his wife in his arms. Visiting and estate matters could wait for an hour or so, could it not?
The rhythm of Nechtan's hooves on the road matched Darcy's heartbeat as he galloped along the road to London. He would only be there a week before joining his good friend Bingley in the small county of Hertfordshire. Bingley had written about two weeks ago that he had leased a property, called Netherfield Park, just outside the town of Meryton, in Hertfordshire. It was high time that he struck out on his own. Bingley had learnt a great deal about estate management after staying with Darcy the previous summer. While he had learnt as much as he could from Darcy, the rest he could only gain from experience. If only he had learnt to control his sister, Caroline, as well as he had learnt to control estate affairs.
Let it be known that a young man with brilliant red hair and a stunning white stallion will always attract much attention, especially when passing through a small town such as Meryton. His seat was not perfect, but he had an amiability to him that was evident from the outset. Gifted with a cheery smile, an unaffected attitude, and a desire to please and be pleased with everything in the world, it made him appear nobler than his station. Nodding to the gentlemen he passed on the road, it was not long before he was at Longbourn.
Jane espied the red-head dismount as the stable hand stood to take his horse to the stable. Seconds later she gasped and dashed out the back door to find her sister, Elizabeth. Surely fate would not play such a cruel trick.
"Mr. Bingley to see you, sir" announced the butler.
"Thank you, Hill. As Lady Clarges is from the house at the moment, show him here to my library."
Hill nodded and returned to escort the young man. He couldn't help but smile as he approached him. Bingley was nervously playing with his hat in his hands but portrayed no other signs of his emotions other than a pleasant smile. "Please follow me, sir, to his lordship's library."
"Lizzy!" Jane called out as she sprinted after her target.
Jane saw her sister walking ahead of her on the well-worn path to Oakham Mount, a favourite haunt of hers. Jane could not run this fast for very much longer, and was relieved when Elizabeth turned at the sound of her name.
"Dearest Jane, whatever is the matter? Is someone ill?" cried Elizabeth as Jane caught up to her flushed from the exercise.
"Give me a minute... To catch my breath, Lizzy, … And I shall be fine. All is well in the house. All except … A particular red-headed gentleman has come to call on Papa. … It is the man from St. James!"
Elizabeth's face reflected her shock. It was just the other night, as the girls lay talking before bed that they had vowed to put their unreachable men out of their heads. "Sprite indeed! We must see that he doesn't play Puck to Meryton's exceedingly beautiful Titania, dear sister."
Jane could not help but chuckle; Elizabeth's way with words always amused her.
"Oh Lizzy, I do not know what I should do. We are to return to Town when the Season starts again. The assembly will be our first reappearance to society within Meryton, and if he is here, it is not guaranteed that he will be in Town. He may even be married! I have no idea whether or not he comes with anyone; Mama has told us nothing of the inhabitants of Netherfield. That can be the only logical explanation for his household."
Lizzie smiled in spite of herself. Her usually placid sister, Jane, was getting worked up over a man she had seen but twice. Indeed, though I should say nothing, I can't help but want to meet Mr. Darcy still given the opportunity. At least, I know he has good connections with the Matlock's.
"Come, Jane, let us walk on to Oakham Mount, and then return home for tea. The fresh air will do us good. We will not meet the mysterious red head before the Meryton Assembly, therefore, speculation is rampant and it is fruitless. We shall return home shortly and then begin to work on our dresses for the assembly. I'm sure mine will have to be let out!"
Jane smiled; seeing Lizzie had the right idea after all. Her mother would surely be home soon with Mary and Henry from their calls in town. There would be no peace or quiet shortly, as the twins would be quick to resume their instruments. While their music was truly delightful, Jane had no desire to listen to the scales and arpeggios for hours on end needed to perfect it.
The night of the Meryton Assembly quickly approached and every family was all eagerness to attend. The Bennets would be returning to their rightful place in society with two eligible daughters. Nearness to a dukedom in any way was desirable, especially since it was rumoured that their brother, Henry, would likely to be the Duke one day. Rumour had quickly spread that the new tenant at Netherfield, a Mr. Bingley, would be bringing a large party of twelve ladies and seven gentlemen. While many thought that was too many, most were overjoyed that Netherfield Park was indeed let at last.
The Meryton Assembly was a lively gathering, even though gentlemen were scarce and more than one young lady was in want of a partner. There was a folderol at the entrance just as the dance had ended. Into the assembly walked two gentlemen and two ladies.
"Which of our painted peacocks is Mr. Bingley?" giggled Elizabeth to Charlotte Lucas.
"Mr. Bingley is the man you see on the right with red hair. Those are his two sisters, one of them is married to the gentleman over there, a Mr. Hurst and the other is Miss Bingley."
"I should have recognised that orange dress. If you'll excuse me momentarily, Charlotte, I must speak with my father."
A very different reaction was taking place by the punch bowl. Jane could not believe her eyes. While his red hair stood out in the crowd, his kind smile was enough to make her heart beat so loudly that, surely, the new arrivals could hear it. Jane felt herself go weak in the knees hoping against all hope that his smile would be turned towards her. But just as quickly as the thought emerged, it disappeared. There was no way this man would be wealthy enough for her family, but knowing her parents had married for love, perhaps it was still possible. A wistful smile could not but appear on Jane's face, giving her a doe-like appearance.
Elizabeth caught the look on her sister's countenance. Perhaps Sir Brampton was in for a bit of competition.
A very big thank you goes out to my beta, Mary, for her wonderful help in all my work thus far! I know these chapters are short, but the next two are in the works right now! I hope everyone will enjoy these two short chapters and hopefully I should have the next ones ready to edit after I come back from vacation next week. I decided against writing in Wickham, but I have chosen my villain. We'll see who they turn out to be very soon. Have a great weekend!