Disclaimer: I don't own Pride and Prejudice, all rights go to Jane Austen

Summary: See previous chapters

Chapter Eleven

The third week of December brought heavy snows, and preparations for Christmas and the annual visit from the Gardiners.

It also brought a letter from Mr Bingley, glad tidings of success and the hope of return, but with such deep snowfalls in Hertfordshire, what must the roads be like in Scarborough? Surely even the finest carriage or post coach would struggle to make such a journey.

Once again, she withdrew the letter from her reticule. Lizzy had shown a great deal of forbearance in not teasing her over the number of times she had read it, but what else was she to do?

My dearest Jane,

It appears likely that we will come to an agreement where everyone gets some of what they desire, and all are equally dissatisfied with the result.

So far, we have agreed to partially modernise. The mechanical looms produce a greater output of cloth per day, but at a slightly lower quality in the tightness of the weave. This has proved a blessing in disguise, as it has let me argue with the board to keep some of the old looms, to sell at a higher price to those who prefer the old way of doing things, and will buy the more expensive fabric because it is expensive, to show off their wealth, and promise those who are set against the new looms that they can continue as they were. Other workers have accepted the offered training to manage and supervise the new looms, or other positions as buyers of materials or negotiating with the merchants who sell our cloth, so for now, trouble has been averted.

We anticipate signing the agreement at the end of the week, and I have been afforded the opportunity to plan my return. I have asked my Aunt Claire, who has kindly hosted me while I am in Scarborough, to act as my hostess, whether or not Caroline decides to remain in town for the Little Season.

I fear that I shall greatly disappoint the matrons by there being no single gentlemen at Netherfield, once we make our announcement, but I shall at least bring some new society for them to meet.

If the roads remain clear, I anticipate returning to Netherfield within the fortnight. If we experience further delays, I will write again to inform you.

Yours in anticipation,

Charles Bingley.

Sleigh bells were not unusual at this time of year, but it was unusual for them to approach Longbourn, rather than passing by.

Jane glanced out the window with absent curiosity, then sprang to her feet, pulling the cord to ring for a maid. Polly answered promptly. "Yes, Miss?"

Jane was already hurrying to the door. "Tea and chocolate, quickly, and tell Cook to anticipate extra guests for dinner! Oh, and tell Mama, too."

Properly, a young lady should wait in the parlour for her suitor to be announced, but Jane found herself abruptly unable to remain separated from Mr Bingley for a moment longer.

Besides, the two older ladies in the sleigh with Mr Bingley and his friend were shivering, and Jane would be a terrible hostess if she stood on ceremony rather than getting them inside and warm as soon as possible.

She hurried out the door, John the footman close behind her. Mr Bingley's face lit up with joy at seeing her, though he did not abandon the lady he was assisting through the snow. Jane stepped to the woman's other side, offering her support on the ice-slippery path. "I've called for tea and chocolate, you must come in and warm up. John, will you make sure that Thomas sees to the horses?"

Thomas, the groom, was already rounding the house at a careful trot, and Mr Bingley's friend nodded his thanks, assisting the other woman inside. "Sleigh rides aren't so bad when you're bundled in furs and moving, but once you stop..."

Mr Hill, John and Polly quickly helped the guests remove their outer layers, and Jane led them all to the parlour, where hot drinks and a tray of refreshments waited. Mr Bingley immediately joined her on the couch, just big enough for the both of them. "Miss Bennet, please allow me to present Sir Jasper Longbottom, my Aunt, Mrs Augusta Claire, and her friend Miss Carrington. Sir Jasper, Aunt Claire, Miss Carrington, this is Miss Jane Bennet, the lady I am courting."

Mrs Claire, seated closest to the fire with her companion, smiled. "A pleasure, Miss Bennet. Charles has spoken of you a great deal."

Sir Jasper, leaning against the mantlepiece instead of choosing a seat, bowed politely. "An honour. I would have offered my sleigh, rather than waiting to be asked, had I known such charming company would be present."

Footsteps could be heard descending the stairs, though only three pairs. Hopefully Mama was still comforting Lydia about being unable to visit Mrs Forster until the roads were cleared. Lizzy appeared first, followed by Mary and Kitty. "Oh, Mr Bingley, how wonderful to see you again!"

Mr Bingley rose to his feet and bowed in greeting, "I apologise for not sending word ahead properly, but there was a little irregularity in our travel arrangements."

Kitty practically bounced in place. "But you came in such a lovely sleigh! And the horses! I declare I have never seen their like. I should dearly love to sketch them."

She was clutching her sketchbook, which explained why at least one of Jane's sisters had delayed their descent. Sir Jasper looked quite pleased at the compliment. "I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a pair of Norwegian horses on my travels, and bring them home. They are bred for lands where snow rarely melts entirely, and so are quite ideal for pulling a sleigh. I would be happy for you to sketch them at your leisure."

Jane cleared her throat. "Sir Jasper, these are my younger sisters, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Miss Mary, and Miss Catherine."

Kitty curtsied, and offered him her sketchbook, opened not to the front, where Kitty did simple sketches while she got a feel for the subject, but the back pages, where her more… experimental art dwelled. Jane leaned over to see what Kitty had come up with this time.

Stark lines in charcoal brought the page to life, softened by shading in the same medium, but without colour. Sleigh tracks careened wildly through scattered trees, vanishing over the side of a hill as birds and animals cautiously poked their heads out from where they had taken cover. "I think I shall title it 'The Ride of the Inexperienced'."

Elizabeth looked rather like she wanted to bury her head in her hands out of mortification, but Sir Jasper threw back his head and laughed uproariously. "Have you visited the galleries in London, Miss Catherine? I hear that some of the satirists are putting together an exhibition, if they can find someone to sponsor it without having apoplexy."

Kitty beamed. "No, although I hope to persuade my Uncle and Aunt Gardiner, when they arrive in a day or two."

Mrs Claire set down her come and came to look at the drawing. "You have captured the sense of motion very well; which master did you study with?"

Elizabeth raised her chin. "We had no masters, but Papa's library has a number of books on the various art styles and techniques. My sister was a diligent, if self-taught, student."

Mrs Claire was unruffled. "It was an observation, dear, not a criticism. Though your defence of you sister does you credit."

Lizzy blushed faintly, and sipped her tea in lieu of reply. Jane hastily directed the conversation to safer topics. "Shall I presume that you will be staying at Netherfield, Mr Bingley?"

He nodded. "I sent a message to Mrs Nichols to reopen the house when we last stopped to rest the horses. I do not know if she has received it yet, with the recent snowfall, and quite aside from my desire to see you, I thought it considerate to give the staff the opportunity to prepare before I arrived."

Jane smiled warmly at this display of consideration. "Mama did say that you are always welcome, and while we have no grand plans for dinner tonight, we can certainly accommodate guests."

Mary raised an eyebrow. "You underestimate Mama, Jane. Mr McKnight is speaking to Papa, which is why he has not come to greet our guests yet, so Mama still has four hours in which to set a very fine table indeed."

Mr Bingley looked delighted for Mary, as her sisters exclaimed their joy. "Mr McKnight is the pastor of the Longbourn Parish, correct? Congratulations, I had not been aware you were courting."

Mary's cheeks were very pink. "It is a recent thing, and we plan to have a long engagement. I asked Jane not to say anything until it was settled."

It was crude to speak of such things, but the reality was that Mr McKnight, even with Swansea Parsonage bringing in four hundred pounds a year, could not support Mrs Bennet and four unmarried sisters as well as Mary and whatever children she might have. A long engagement allowed time for to Mr Bingley to return and for Jane to be the first sister married, taking some of the burden off Mr McKnight.

As if summoned by the subject of marriage, Mama appeared in the doorway, "Oh, Mr Bingley! How lovely it is to see you returned. Jane would never complain, she is too sweet a girl to begrudge anyone, but she has missed you terribly."

Mr Bingley bowed again. "As I have missed her, Mrs Bennet. Pray, allow me to introduce my Aunt Claire, who will be my hostess at Netherfield, and Miss Carrington and Sir Jasper, who will be my guests."

Aunt Claire and Mrs Bennet exchanged cordial greetings, before Mrs Bennet glanced around the room. "It is far too late for you to return to Netherfield and expect much in the way of dinner, Mr Bingley. You stay and visit with my daughters, and I will see that Cook knows that we have guests this evening."

She vanished as quickly as she had arrived, and the conversation turned to more general topics.

Jane leaned forward to refill Mr Bingley's cup, allowing her forearm to brush his. "Our Aunt and Uncle Gardiner are expected to arrive the day after tomorrow, along with their children, should you wish to meet them."

Four young children made travelling anywhere on time difficult, Jane did not say, and Longbourn was likely to be a little chaotic. Charles took her meaning without issue. "I should be happy to call the day after, once they are settled. I must make a short trip to London to attend to some now much delayed business, as I originally planned… and to retrieve the rest of my wardrobe from Caroline."

Lizzy hid a smile behind her teacup. "You had not planned for her to quit Netherfield entirely in your absence?"

Charles huffed. "Certainly not! I shall call on Hurst and explain what happened to him, but if Louisa and Caroline are not out making calls, I intend to make it very clear that I will be remaining at Netherfield."

Sir Jasper waved a hand. "My horses are trained to saddle as well as to harness, and I promised Mother the newest book from that 'A Lady' that everyone seems to be raving about. If we go together, you have a handy excuse to leave, and can retrieve the Bingley carriage while you are there, since the other is still at my estate."

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A/N: Finally, the long-awaited reunion! Don't worry, there's still some very loud discussions to come with Miss Bingley... Beware the anger of a gentle man...

I'd love to hear what you think!

Thanks,

Nat