Chapter 24 - The Visitor
Jane sat to dinner with Charles and her sister. Caroline was talking about the fashion plates in the latest edition of La Belle Assemblée, a magazine she subscribed to. She made a point of making sure Jane looked through each edition as she wanted her sister to be well dressed, to reflect well on her. Jane was not averse to looking well but thought most of the dresses shown were not to her taste.
When conversation came to a momentary halt, Charles commented "I had a letter from the agent today". Jane looked up a little confused, "You have an agent?" she asked. Charles laughed, "No, Netherfield has an agent. The estate agent who manages the lease of the property." Jane smiled in amusement at herself. "Of course," she replied, a little embarrassed, "what did they want?"
"Well, they wanted to know if we were renewing the lease!"
"Oh!" said Jane, "I hadn't thought about it - I am used to the property being permanent, although of course I knew that Netherfield was leased, I hadn't thought about the details of the lease. But that means it has been almost twelve months since you arrived! My goodness, what a year it has been!" They smiled at each other, and Jane reached out and touched his hand briefly.
Charles continued and asked her "What are your thoughts on the property?"
"We could," cut in Caroline, "end the lease and return to town." She looked hopefully back and forth between them. Suddenly, Jane could see a resemblance to Charles that was rarely apparent and smiled. Caroline mistook this for approval of the idea and took Jane's hand "You would love living in town, Jane! There is so much to do! It is a non-stop whirlwind of parties, opera, theatre, visits. I miss it so." She smiled in reminiscence, "I just know you would love it," she gushed.
Jane blinked under the sustained monologue, patted Caroline' hand and, giving a gentle smile, answered "Well, we will think about it, Caroline. Certainly, we can spend some time in town" Then she turned to Charles and said, "I do think we need to stay somewhat nearby. Papa does not seem to take quite the care of Longbourn that he did when I was there every day, and it is important to me that it not be neglected."
Caroline deflated.
Charles nodded agreement, "Indeed! I saw the surprise on your face at dinner the other week, and I know you've been making more time to visit Longbourn since then."
He sat back and looked thoughtful.
"I suppose we have three options: continue renting Netherfield, purchase it instead, or move to another property. Probably for purchase." He glanced at Caroline, "and we could spend some time in town too."
Jane frowned in concentration, "I'm not aware of any properties for sale at the moment in a reasonable distance. We can check though."
Charles nodded agreement, "I don't think we need to move, but it's a valid option to consider, but if there is nothing in a reasonable distance…. then we continue renting Netherfield or make the purchase. If we intend to stay long term, then purchase seems sensible. We could do something radical like go off to Derbyshire to purchase, which would put us closer to Darcy and Elizabeth, but I think there is a lot of sense in staying in Hertfordshire, given our longer-term connection to Longbourn."
"Would the Netherfield owner sell?" asked Jane.
"I believe so - when I originally took out the lease it included an optional purchase at the end, which I did not remove from the contract".
Jane looked thoughtful, "Obviously we will eventually have Longbourn, although it will be many years yet. If we purchased Netherfield, we could eventually treat the two estates as one large one, and Longbourn House be the Dower House as Netherfield is the finer, larger building."
Jane and Charles looked at each other, and both knew what the other was thinking: "And never have to live with Mrs Bennet".
Charles said "I think we have a plan! I will have my attorney check into the sale details and once that looks like it will be acceptable, I will begin to sell down assets for the purchase." Caroline perked up at this. Charles smiled "Yes, Caroline, that will involve a trip to town, and I see no reason not to make it a family party and spend a few weeks there. Harvest is long over, we can come and go now. I will write some letters tomorrow." Jane smiled.
~~ HoL ~~
A few days later a horseman entered the Netherfield paddock in the middle of the afternoon. He came to the front of the house, dismounted and handed the reigns to a stable boy. He was tall and dark and when Charles bounded down the stairs to greet him, a dashing grin was displayed. The two men shook hands and headed inside, bringing the stranger's saddlebags with them.
Caroline turned back from where she had been peeking out the side of the upstairs window and leaned against the wall. Her face glowed - she had known this Mr Elmes was expected today and now she could see that he was… rather more handsome than Jane had described! She sat down at her dressing table and made sure she looked her best, pinching her cheeks before going downstairs.
Charles and Elmes entered the house, talking. Jane came out from the still room where she had been working when a maid told her there was a guest arrived.
"Mr. Elmes!' she said with a smile, "so glad you could join us. Did you have a pleasant ride?"
"I did! Lovely weather for it - sunny but not hot and not a drop of rain" he smiled pleasantly at her.
"Would you like a cup of tea or would you like to freshen up after your ride first?" Jane asked.
"I-"
Any answer Elmes might have given was cut short as Caroline walked down the stairs.
"And who is this vision of loveliness?" Elmes asked.
"Ah, my sister, Miss Caroline Bingley" answered Charles. Caroline had reached the bottom with her slow progression down the stairs and Elmes reached for her hand, leaning over, and kissing it. She smiled coyly and he said "I am very pleased to meet you, Miss Bingley. Charles, you never said your sister was such a handsome woman!"
Charles rolled his eyes at the effusive display, but Jane was using all her will power not to clap her hands together and jump up and down. This was just what she had hoped for! Clearly, she sighed to herself, she was her mother's daughter!
Charles continued, "Caroline, the is Mr. Geoffrey Elmes from near Bath. I was at Oxford with him - Mrs Hart's brother, although I'm not sure if you remember her."
Caroline smiled at the newcomer. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Elmes. You are from Somerset? That's such pretty country" She took his arm, and the group entered the east drawing-room.
Jane called for tea, and they sat making small talk. Caroline was on her best behaviour and as usual when she chose to be she was extremely charming. Elmes seemed quite taken with her. They continued talking until it was time to dress for dinner. It was a very pleasant afternoon.
~~ HoL ~~
Dinner was treated formally, as they had a guest. The formal dining-parlour was used and Elmes led his hostess in, leaving Charles to lead Caroline. "I think well of Elmes" Charles whispered to her as he walked her in. She glanced at him with a shocked expression.
When they were all seated and had taken the first sip of their wine, the first course was laid out by footmen. Jane had learned at her mother's knee and was the consummate hostess.
Charles led the conversation "How is the run for parliament going, Elmes? Are you gathering the support you need?"
Caroline looked up, interested, "Are you going to be part of our government in addition to all your other onerous duties, Mr. Elmes? I don't know how you men do it." She smiled, tutted and shook her head while fluttering her eyelashes.
Jane thought she was overdoing the flirting, but Elmes didn't seem put off.
"I hope to be, Miss Bingley. My land ownership means I am eligible, and I am gathering support from amongst the constituents. Mr. Alston is the current incumbent of the seat I have my eye on, and he has basically said that he will retire at the next general election. I am working to gain the support to be nominated and it does look hopeful. I think I stand a good chance of being the next member of Trowbridge in our parliament." He smiled at them, and Caroline gave him a glowing look.
Charles smiled encouragingly "So, what sort of thing do you have to do to get that nomination," he asked, "It's not something I've ever thought about doing." A look of interest was apparent on his face.
"At the moment, it's a lot of entertaining. I do wish I were married, it would make this all a lot easier, I am sure! But I am talking to people in the party, and gaining their confidence, appearing as a sensible man, you can imagine the sort of thing." Charles nodded his comprehension. "When I have the party nomination and we are approaching the election, it will be a combination of entertaining people and outdoors campaigning and speeches - good practice for parliament, I'm sure!"
"Goodness, I had no idea what was involved!" said Jane, "it does sound like being married to the right woman would help you a lot" she added, faux innocently.
Caroline looked intrigued but remained quiet.
Dinner passed pleasantly.
~~ HoL ~~
The next day, as it was the start of the season for country sports, Charles and Elmes had gone off shooting for the day. Jane planned a good dinner, as the men would be sure to come back hungry, and the family and their guest would be able to look forward to some good meals from the result of the sport over the next few days.
Jane and Caroline were taking tea in the front drawing-room. Jane was carefully not raising the topic of Mr. Elmes, to see if Caroline would. After avoiding the topic for a good twenty minutes, Caroline eventually broke and brought it up.
"What do you think of our guest," she asked Jane.
"The same as the first time I met him, he seems like a very nice fellow. Charles thinks well of him, and that's all I need to know. But Mrs Hart likes her brother and speaks fondly of him, so… he gets a general round of approbation as a nice fellow."
Caroline lips twisted. "Yessss," she said, "I can see he is a nice fellow. But… do you think he is marriageable?"
Jane raised her eyebrows, "Isn't it a little soon for that sort of consideration?"
"Oh no, not at all! Right now is when I either encourage him, or give him the cold shoulder, so he doesn't bother me."
"Oh," said Jane, sitting back. "I never thought of it that way. There were never really any men who were at all suitable to give attention to until Charles arrived." She looked a little dreamy at that thought.
Caroline coughed and Jane was drawn back from her daydream to see Caroline frowning at her. She tried to look contrite, but the silly grin on her face meant she didn't convince Caroline. Jane gave it more serious consideration.
"I think it would be too early to make a decision, which you don't have to yet, thank goodness, but what we've seen so far looks promising? Why don't you run through for yourself what you are looking for compared to what he offers."
Caroline frowned in concentration. "Well, he would spend a great deal of time in town if he manages this member of parliament plan, thats good. He has an estate so is a gentleman, that's a tick -"
Jane interrupted her at that point, "He has an estate?" she asked.
"Oh yes, he mentioned it at dinner last night".
"I must have missed that. Carry on!" smiled Jane.
"This 'wife of the Member' role he talked about sounds like I would end up connected to a lot of people and be influencing them, so that sounds ideal. So, overall, it sounds perfect. And he is certainly good looking! I just have to make sure we're somewhat compatible personally, and then let him know he should propose."
Jane blinked, then said "I… don't think that's how it works, Caroline."
Caroline laughed, "Of course it is! That's how the courting game is played!"
Jane looked bemused, but only said "Well, hopefully that will work for you two." She looked seriously at Caroline. "You must also consider that if his plan to be in parliament does not work out, you will still be married to him. That would not give the outcome you desire."
Caroline took on a considering look. "True. I must think of that. Perhaps it is something I could discuss with him before hand, if we are close to coming to terms. What his intentions are if it doesn't work out." Then she looked more cheerful. "But I'm sure that with my backing he cannot possibly lose!"
Jane almost shook her head - Caroline made marriage seem like such a commercial transaction!
~~ HoL ~~
Elmes could only stay for just over a week, so the activities were fairly packed in. One morning, he and Caroline went for a ride, trailing a bored looking footman behind them to maintain her reputation.
Caroline came back giggling. Jane surmised it was going well, but all too soon Mr. Elmes had to leave. As only a week had passed, Jane was not surprised that he had not yet discussed a possible marriage with Charles, and Caroline did not seem to indicate they had begun talking seriously yet, so Jane continued to just watch the couple with interest.
Conveniently, Elmes was intending to be in London for a few weeks for business reasons after leaving them, at the same time that the purchase of Netherfield had reached the point where Charles needed to be in town too, so they were packing up for a stay of a few weeks in town. Mr. Elmes knew their address in town, and they were expecting to see him regularly while they were there. Jane had sent word to Mrs Innis that they were coming, so the house in town would be ready for their occupancy. This time the knocker would be up for visitors, unlike their last visit. Jane made a last visit to the tenants of both estates and had a few stern words with her father about his duties while she was gone. Then they climbed into the loaded carriage and made the afternoon's trip to London.
A/N I am such a terrible typist, but sometimes I have to laugh about it…
- "handed his reigns to a stable bot"
- Caroline "punched her cheeks"
lol, I should have kept them and written quite a different story :)
Some Pride and Prejudice trivia:
The word "paddock" occurs three times in Pride and Prejudice, and all to do with riders and carriages entering the property of Longbourn and approaching the house. I cant believe that they didn't have a drive of sorts, that a carriage could pass smoothly over, so I assume it means a drive would run through an area generally referred to as a paddock - perhaps because the end of the drive would be fairly near the stables, so the nearby paddock was handy for turning horses out into.
(I am obsessed with regency language!)
P.S. is anyone else getting zero FF Traffic Stats since the Great Outage a few days ago? :( (loves me my reader numbers! :( )