Jane and Charles were already invited to attend Longbourn for dinner that night, but now they had a double reason, having such news to impart. They arrived in their carriage and the family came out to greet them.
Charles handed Jane out of the carriage and she immediately stepped to her mother, taking both her mother's hands. "Have you heard from Lizzy?" she immediately asked.
"We have, we have!" Mrs Bennet pulled one hand away to flutter her handkerchief. "Good gracious! Lord bless me! only think! dear me! Mr. Darcy! Who would have thought it? How rich and how great she will be! What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages she will have! I am so pleased—so happy. Such a charming man! so handsome! so tall!"she waffled.
"I am so glad she wrote to you too. Charles and I both got a letter from them. They said they were coming straight away to ask for papa's blessing. How long do you think it will take to come from Derbyshire?"
Charles was able to answer, "About three days, unless they hurry, and I imagine the journey will be fairly leisurely, with everyone so joyful".
The family went inside the house and sat in the east drawing-room, discussing Elizabeth's future and what the wedding plans might be. All realised that any approval from Elizabeth's father was a formality as Elizabeth was now of age.
"I am still shocked by this news," said Mary, "I was sure Lizzy didn't like Mr. Darcy!"
"I knew her feelings had become more positive recently," commented Jane discreetly, "she saw him regularly when she was in Kent, you know".
"You should have seen mamma when papa first read the letter to us," whispered Lydia. "She was shocked! On first hearing it, mamma sat quite still, and unable to utter a syllable. It was terribly unusual for her. But she is gushing about it now." As the two sisters sat together, they saw their mother telling the other two sisters how, now with two married sisters, or as good as, they were sure to be able to meet rich men to marry.
The dinner gong rang, and the family proceeded to the dining room.
They sat chatting as they worked their way through the dishes - Mrs Bennet had been sure to have two full courses, despite it only being a family dinner.
"How are the tenants, papa?" asked Jane, "I haven't had an opportunity to get around Longbourn in the last couple of weeks, with everything Netherfield requires." She smiled at him in expectation of a positive answer - although she was sure she would have heard through the grapevine if aught were wrong, with Longbourn and Netherfield being neighbouring estates.
"Eh, I am sure everything is fine. Our tenants are all experienced farmers," replied her father, dismissively.
Jane stopped with a fork of food halfway to her mouth, as her focus suddenly fixed on her father, resting the fork back on the plate. "Papa… you have been doing the rounds, haven't you?"
"Oh, I don't think it's necessary I go every week!" he replied with false cheerfulness.
"Papa, the tenants must be tended to if we want the quarterly rent to come in." frowned Jane, "When was the last time you went around".
Mary leaned in at this point, "Don't worry too much, Jane, I have been going around in the gig with one of the footmen - all is well".
Jane reached out for Mary's hand and squeezed it in thanks, "Thank you, that is good to hear," she said and nodded, but turned her head back to her father, "But, papa! This is your duty! You must check in with the tenants to ensure all is well. I am not happy! It is good if you take Mary with you, and I think both Kitty and Lydia would benefit from going out too, but you must go yourself!" Jane began to look a little distraught, "This is not right, Papa. You must go and see the tenants regularly." Mr. Bennet was concentrating on his plate at this point.
Jane's lips compressed. "I am already calling on mamma on Thursdays. While I am here you and I will be able to step out and go and see the tenants. And then I expect you to take one of my sisters out another day each week. Do you understand, Papa?"
Mr. Bennet muttered in response. Jane narrowed her eyes and huffed. Charles was looking at her with some respect. Jane did not make a further fuss about visiting the tenants during the meal, she knew it was best to leave her father to think about things, but she shot him a dark look more than once.
The meal ended with no further crisis.